Aker Solutions appoints Square One Law on largest UK letting this year
SQUARE One Law has recently acted for international oil services giant, Aker Solutions, on the completion of one of the largest prelets in London since 2007. Aker Solutions provides oilfield products, systems and services for customers in the oil and gas industry worldwide. The company employs 3,100 people in the UK and has a workforce of 25,000 across 30 countries.
Aker Solutions aims to build up a 1,700-strong London engineering hub, creating 1,300 new jobs by 2015, as growth in global oil and gas markets drives demand for the company’s technologies and services. The company recently signed an agreement to lease the entire 220,000 square feet of Building 6 at Chiswick Park, London. Landlord, Blackstone, commented that it is the largest UK letting in almost a year and one of the largest prelets in five years at Chiswick Park.
Simon Priestley, head of property at Square One Law said: “When we pitched for the work in February, Aker Solutions were very interested in our new legal model. We have the skills and knowledge to provide the quality service it requires and by working with our construction consultant, Anna Rabin, we can keep our overheads low and create value whilst still offering a seamless service. Anna will be doing the construction work and has already started on a £10m fit out contract for the building.”
Aker Solutions’ operations director, Mike Smith said: “ The service that Simon and his team have given us, and continue to give us has been outstanding, both in terms of quality and personal response and at a cost that no London firm could possibly match.”
Simon commented: “The new expanded London office of Aker Solutions will provide a global engineering hub to support field development projects for the North Sea and worldwide. The company has stated that it expects to grow its turnover by 9-15% per annum from 2011-2015.
“It’s a great win for Square One Law and demonstrates that regional firms can deliver the quality of service and provide more cost effective solutions.”