Efficiency is the reason behind the decision by Network Rail, which looks after the UK’s rail infrastructure, to move its headquarters from York to 400,000 sq ft purpose-built premises on the site of the National Hockey Stadium next to Milton Keynes Central railway station. It will house 3,000 employees.
Development manager Howard Penstone outlined Network Rail’s vision to more than 100 delegates at the City Breakfast Club networking group’s monthly meeting at stadiumMK.
Relocating would save an estimated £20 million, money that the not-for-dividend organisation would reinvest in the nation’s rail network.
Mr Penstone said: “The move to Milton Keynes will make us more efficient and more effective. This is an ideal development site.”
The building is divided into four main office blocks around a spectacular central glass atrium and linked via walkways above the central boulevard. To the rear are two multi-storey car parks. Every office is open-plan and the central boulevard includes a food court, break-out and meeting areas and coffee bars.
Mr Penstone said: “The national centre is going to be quite different to many of the buildings from which my colleagues will be moving. We are confident that this will be a workplace that drives efficiency and makes us more focused on what we do.”
Staff will arrive in the new centre from June next year, with the moves complete within four months. Around 900 people are to be based at Network Rail’s current office at Milton Keynes Central by the end of this year.
City Breakfast Club chairman Paul Davis said: “The Milton Keynes business community will embrace what is going to be a fantastic facility. Network Rail is a fantastic employer and this is a building that will, I am sure, become an iconic one for Milton Keynes.”
