Middlesbrough set for “major boost” with new GB Bank headquarters opening

GB Bank has officially opened the doors to its new headquarters at 2 Centre Square, Middlesbrough welcoming staff and members of the local business and property community to its offices boasting “inventive interiors and a dynamic co-working environment”.

GB Bank will occupy 11,000 sq ft net of office accommodation in Middlesbrough’s purpose-built 2 Centre Square which will be the base for the 120 head office staff covering finance, risk, customer management, marketing, human resources, IT, lending, savings and more.

GB Bank is a new specialist bank committed to boosting economic growth and prosperity for underserved regions of the UK. It will be a dedicated lender to SME property developers, bringing its regional passion and expertise to customers across the UK.

GB Bank has further local links thanks to its cornerstone investor, the Teesside Pension Fund (TPF), which has invested £48m to date. The TPF provided an initial £20m and agreed to invest up to an additional £28m, when GB Bank obtained its provisional banking licence which was achieved towards the end of last year, making it the newest challenger bank.

Stephen Lancaster, CEO at GB Bank, said: “We believe that 2 Centre Square is a fantastic location for the bank, allowing us to draw upon the region’s established transportation network and to tap into the talent pool in Middlesbrough and across the North East.

“The design of the offices at 2 Centre Square has been superb, creating an office space into a creative, agile, and empowering environment to work. To have the opportunity to design our offices from scratch the way we want has been fantastic.

“We are delighted with the result which provides a truly collaborative environment that is geared towards flexible working arrangements with welcoming break out areas and meeting rooms. This commitment was also recognised recently as #69 in the Flexa100 ranking of the world’s most flexible companies.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston added: “Centre Square is the North East’s premier office location, and that’s why ambitious, growing businesses like GB Bank are queuing up to move here. It’s just the latest endorsement for a development that’s creating jobs and prosperity and playing a key role in transforming the town centre.

“That’s a major boost for Middlesbrough, and one that’s delivering long-term benefits for the whole area.”