Member Article

Kraft Heinz to relocate its UK and Euro operations to the Shard

Multinational food brand Kraft Heinz has announced it is to relocate to European and UK headquarters to The Shard.

The food products business, which operates treasured brands including Heinz Baked Beans and Tomato Ketchup, will uproot its employees from its current HQ in Hayes, Middlesex after taking two floors at the London Bridge landmark.

Signing on for a 12-year lease at the ‘vertical city’, Kraft Heinz will take 38,000 sq ft on levels 20 and 21 with fit out due to commence early in the new year, and its first employees arriving by April.

Michael Mullen, Senior Vice President of Corporate & Government Affairs, Kraft Heinz, which was formed last year after a merger between US food giants Kraft and Heinz, commented: “The Shard will provide us with a dynamic open-office layout that will facilitate better communication, faster decision making, greater focus and collaboration.

“The Shard’s light-filled office space with its remarkable views will also provide a truly inspiring workplace for the Kraft Heinz employees based at our headquarters.”

Attracting the world’s fifth largest food supplier marks a major coup for the Shard’s owners, REM, adding to the likes of Al Jazeera and Tiffany & Co who currently occupy the building.

It also means that the 95-storey building, which officially opened in 2012, is nearing full capacity with just 59,000 sq ft of office space remaining.

Irvine Sellar, co-owner and vice-chairman of REM, said: “Kraft Heinz is one of the world’s most loved brands and its products can be found in nearly every kitchen cupboard across the UK.

“The decision by Kraft Heinz to relocate the engine of its UK operations to central London shows real confidence in the Capital’s enduring position as a global business hub.”

JLL and Knight Frank are the leasing agents for The Shard; Kraft Heinz was advised by CBRE.