Admiral moves into new offices in Newport city centre

On Monday more than 450 Admiral Group staff began work in new offices been built under Newport City Council's ambitious Cambrian Centre landmark development.

More than 450 Admiral Group staff begin work in new offices in Newport city centre on Monday.

Councillor Bob Bright, leader of Newport City Council, said: "I would like to welcome Admiral and their employees to their new offices, a key part of the redeveloped Cambrian Centre.

"It is one of a number of major developments and regeneration projects which will see around £250 million invested in the city centre."

Councillor John Richards, cabinet member for regeneration and development, added: "We have watched Admiral's impressive new offices taking shape and it is great now to see the staff moving in. I'm sure they will be made welcome by other businesses and will make a positive contribution to the city centre."

The staff, who have been located in Langstone Business Park since October 2008, will now be based in the specially built 6 storey, 80,800 sq ft office block on Queensway, directly opposite Newport railway station, a redevelopment of the Cambrian Centre.

Admiral Group chief executive officer Henry Engelhardt and chief operating officer David Stevens will be greeting staff as they arrive for their first working day in the office.

CEO, Henry Engelhardt said, "It's very exciting to move into our new offices in Newport city centre. The building itself looks fantastic and the location couldn't be better. I'm sure our staff will be taking advantage of the local amenities and will be very happy working here."

Admiral Group Head of Property and Facilities Management, Huw Llewellyn said, "After three years of planning, re-planning and hard work from our internal teams, Newport Council, Scarborough and SDC, we're delighted to have moved into our new offices in Newport.

"Thank you to SDC, the main contractor, all the sub-contractors and Scarborough Developments for meeting our strict timescales and getting the building ready for handover.

"Thank you also to Newport Council for its support which has been integral to the project, and of course, our internal teams who have worked tirelessly to ensure the building is ready for our staff to move in on a very tight schedule. I'm confident our staff are going to enjoy working in what is a fantastic building in a great location, especially with local traders and retailers putting on a terrific welcome already."

The new office's proximity to Newport train and bus stations means getting to work will be easier for many staff, and more than 50 businesses in Newport city centre have contacted Admiral to offer discounts and special offers to its employees.

Yvette Watkins, an Operations Manager in Admiral's Claims Service department in Newport, said, "I'm really happy to have moved to our lovely new building in the centre of town. I drive from Neath every day and because of the traffic it sometimes takes me more than an hour and a quarter each way, so the office being right across the road from the train station is a godsend to me.

"It's also great to have shops, restaurants and bars on our doorstep for lunchtime and after work. I'm sure our staff are going to love it here!"