CMS underscores commitment to the North with Manchester office expansion

CMS underscores commitment to the North with Manchester office expansion

 International law firm CMS demonstrates its growing commitment to the North of England by significantly increasing the floorspace of its Manchester office.

The firm is pleased to announce that it has signed a new lease for extended premises of 18,000sq ft in its current location at No 1 The Avenue, Spinningfields.

This is the second major premises expansion in the North that CMS has announced in the last six months. Coinciding with the firm’s 30-year anniversary in Sheffield, the firm is scheduled to move into new premises at 1 Charter Square in Sheffield later this year. CMS has taken 50,000sq ft of new office space in the “Heart of the City” redevelopment quarter, underscoring its continued commitment to its presence in Sheffield and the North.

Mark Haywood, CMS partner and Head  of Regions, comments: “These premises decisions reflect a quiet confidence in the region, derived from a very successful financial year which saw turnover increase by more than 20% in our northern offices and an increase in headcount of more than 100. However, we are mindful of the challenging economic climate and we are grateful to our landlords for the pragmatism they have shown.”

“It is our view that a post-Covid world will see more agile and imaginative use of space, and that is reflected in our exciting, modern fit-out proposals. We are also now well placed to accommodate future growth.”

As part of CMS’s commitment to growth and expansion in the North, the firm recently welcomed Geraldine Ryan as a partner in its Litigation & Arbitration practice based in Manchester. Geraldine has more than 20 years’ experience in high profile, high value and complex litigation, including judicial review and arbitration, and notable successes in the Court of Appeal. Complementing Geraldine’s appointment and further strengthening the Litigation & Arbitration team in the Manchester office, CMS also welcomed three new senior associates – Kelly Heath, Emma Lewis and Dan Keating earlier this year.