CFM Celebrates 25th anniversary with move to prestigious new office at Exeter Science Park
Multi-award-winning Cathedral Management Limited (CFM), with a turnover of £3.3m, celebrate their 25th anniversary milestone in style with a grand opening following a move to new prestigious offices on the ground floor of Eagle House located on Exeter Science Park.
Owned by Eagle One, who occupy the top floor, Eagle House is a striking, high-quality and generously proportioned two-storey office, built to BREEAM Excellent Standards. Situated around 400 metres from Junction 29 of the M5 motorway it is in a highly accessible and prominent position at the entrance to Exeter Science Park, one of the South-West’s premier locations.
Exeter Science Park is a joint venture by Devon County Council, East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council and the University of Exeter that is supporting the development of an innovation-based knowledge economy with high-value jobs, enhanced productivity and economic growth. Exeter Science Park helps innovative STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical) companies to deliver extraordinary growth through the provision of high-quality accommodation, business support and connection to an innovation network.
Growing quickly with its current £18m plan to develop around 60,000 sq.ft. of grow-on and engineering buildings when there will be around 700 people on site, its emerging plans foresee around 2000 people working there by 2027, requiring the development of a further 180,000 sq.ft. of offices, laboratories and technology facilities.
Dr Sally Basker, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Science Park cut the ribbon to officially open CFM’s new Head Office. She said: “Exeter Science Park is growing rapidly at one of the best locations in the South-West and so Cathedral Financial Management has been very astute to lease space in the only building outside the Science Park’s gateway policy”.
The Eagle One group of private property companies prides itself on having built-up an asset portfolio worth in excess of £190 million. Eagle One actively seek to expand their asset portfolio through the acquisition of property investment and development opportunities.
Paul Goodes Managing Director of Eagle One commented: “We are delighted that Cathedral Financial Management has chosen Eagle House for their new Headquarters. The nature of their business and lease terms demonstrate the attractiveness of the high-quality building and Science Park location. Completion of the adjoining Grow-On buildings by Exeter Science Park, together with the construction of the Park and Change facility by DCC and greater public transport connections, will further enhance the attractiveness to commercial occupiers.” He adds: “Given the limited supply of quality space in the market, we are now considering speculative office development at Exeter Gateway Office Park, adjoining the Science Park.”
Established in 1993, the strong growth of CFM’s business has necessitated several head office moves with the last one in 2010 at No. 1 Cathedral Court in Southernhay, in the heart of Exeter’s financial district, as well as their Plymouth office based at No. 9 The Crescent. Eagle House was the first building to open on the Science Park in 2013 and was recognised with a BCO Award. Each of the two floors enjoy a generous 4,488 sq.ft. of space and the new CFM office is double the size of their previous premises in the city-centre. The move to much larger premises will easily accommodate their existing 25 members of staff and allow future-proofing for expansion as CFM seek to recruit additional high-calibre personnel to join the team.
Tim Ames BA (Hons) FPFS - Financial Director CFM said: “We’ve enjoyed being in the heart of Exeter for the last 25 years, however we were simply bursting at the seams. It was also getting more and more difficult for staff and clients travelling from outside of the city with the ever-increasing congestion, as well as the huge increase in parking charges which came into force on 21stMay. At Eagle House we now have the advantage of having 15 private spaces and even electric charging, and this coupled with excellent road links has reduced commuter travel time. It is a very exciting time to move to Eagle House situated within the innovative Science Park, where we will continue to flourish to support Exeter Growth Point.“ He adds: “We have received very positive comments from everyone who has visited our new office, I believe it is a shining beacon to how successful CFM has become and where we are today celebrating a significant 25-year milestone in business.”
New members of staff include Operations Director Charlotte Taylor-St Ruth who joined CFM in 2017. Charlotte has 20 years’ experience in the financial services profession, and her career to date has primarily been in London progressing via paraplanning to Operations Director. Following relocation to the South West, she joined CFM to help the Directors to oversee the firm, thus allowing them more quality time to spend with their clients. Charlotte a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society comments: “This is an exciting time to be part of this highly successful firm. The move to the Science Park delivers much needed space required by the firm to expand and provides a modern fresh environment for the team whilst also being convenient and accessible for our clients. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help lead the team to future successes and add to the firm’s ever-expanding collection of industry awards.”
It was very important to CFM to keep investment in the local economy and as a result only Devon-based independent suppliers were contracted. The main contractor throughout the process was Exeter-based MD Business Interiors who oversaw the whole project and carried out all aspects of the fit-out, design, lighting, furnishings and refurbishment, including installing the funky floating rafter ceiling and LED spotlights. They were supported by Interior Designer Colette Liebenberg Design from Winkleigh, with elements of the interior design and space planning. The striking new trade-mark maroon carpet in reception, reflecting CFM’s brand colours, was supplied and fitted by Queenstreet Carpets located in Alphington Road, Exeter.