Ascent lands major lease renewal with software solutions firm Infor

Leading international software company Infor has extended its presence at Farnborough Aerospace Centre contemporary office community after agreeing a 12-year extension on 24,620 sq ft of space at the fully refurbished Ascent 1 building. 

 Currently comprising of 17,000 employees in over 170 countries, Infor offers business cloud software, specialised by industry, including a wide range of progressive digital solutions such as data-driven platforms and artificial intelligence products. 

Infor’s new letting will see the firm reposition to the second floor of the newly refurbished Ascent 1, following long-term occupancy at the adjacent Ascent 2 building. The new location will serve as a key part of Infor’s UK office network and marks a key step in the firm’s growth strategy.  

The letting follows a recent announcement of specialist pensions administrator Trafalgar House signing at Ascent 4, which has benefitted from the building’s flexible floor plates, readily allowing for social distancing and evolving business requirements. 

Designed by Hale Architects, both Ascent 1 & 4 feature remodelled and refurbished reception and break-out areas, inviting landscaped surrounds, and a roster of Ascent-led community engagement activities including food trucks, seasonal fairs and pop-up stores.  Other amenities including on site cafes, a gym and a dedicated shuttle bus adds to the occupier experience.

Stephen Ellis, Senior Investment Manager, International Business of Federated Hermes said: “Ascent Farnborough has been a successful and prosperous environment for Infor, with this significant letting providing a new space for the business’ next chapter of growth.

“Against the backdrop of the current Covid-19 crisis, this deal reflects both the high calibre of the Ascent offering and the robust demand for flexible regional office space as we emerge from lockdown, reinforcing the value of our ongoing investment into the Ascent buildings and facilities. Infor will benefit from the comprehensive refurbishment at Ascent 1, as well as ongoing investment into an on-site café and gym amenities.” 

Simon Quinton, Infor’s VP and Managing Director for UK & Ireland, said: “In what is a challenging time for so many industries, we are proud to be taking major steps forward in line with our ambitious company growth strategy. 

“One of these steps is the decision to extend our long-term commitment to Ascent, which has been a thriving base for a key network of our employees. The excellent standard of Ascent’s community and facilities has been ideal for us to nurture and build our professional talent pool in the UK, and we look forward to pushing our pioneering solutions further, while surrounded by like-minded, global firms at Ascent.” 

Jeremy Rodale, Partner at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “By continually meeting and surpassing Infor’s requirements, we are pleased to be retaining one of Ascent Farnborough’s key occupiers. With its 12-year commitment, Infor will continue to strengthen the line-up of innovative firms housed throughout the Ascent buildings, which represent so many significant and progressive global industries. 

“We look forward to welcoming Infor to this new space at Ascent 1, while further establishing and building the wider Ascent community in 2020.” 

The space previously occupied by Infor at Ascent 2 is now the focus of new refurbishment plans, with Federated Hermes allocating further investment to modernisation and enhancement of the building. Works are expected to commence later in 2020. 

Canmoor has been Federated Hermes’ retained strategic advisor throughout the on-going repositioning of the four buildings located at the 250,000 sq ft Ascent Farnborough site. Cushman & Wakefield and Hollis Hockley act as joint leasing agents for Federated Hermes on behalf of Ascent, while Cushman & Wakefield acted for Infor in the deal. 

ENDS

For further press enquiries and information please contact:

Amanda McNally - amandamcnally@averpr.com / +44 (0) 7495 461573
Clare McInerney – claremcinerney@averpr.com / +44 (0) 7495 461579

For further information on Infor please contact:

NOTES TO EDITOR

About Ascent

The Ascent buildings equate to 250,000 sq ft of office space comprising of four contemporary buildings within the Farnborough Aerospace Centre, one of the leading business parks in the M3 corridor, and home to the corporate headquarters for BAE Systems, with Zurich Insurance, Discover Financial Services, Infor and Lockheed Martin also represented on the estate.​ 

With over 1,200 parking spaces and benefitting from excellent accessibility, Ascent is situated close to A331, giving access to the A3, Jct 4 of the M3.  Farnborough town centre is also just minutes away and provides direct trains to London Waterloo (30mins).  In addition, the Ascent buildings are adjacent to Farnborough Airport (private charter) and in close proximity to Heathrow and Gatwick airports.  

Set in established parklands with an adjacent golf course, Ascent features first class connectivity through telecomms fibre and conferencing facilities, plus a range of workforce amenities including two cafés including a box cafe, gym, dry cleaning drop/collect, ATM, car rental, conferencing facilities, cycle racks, electrical charging points and shuttle bus from Farnborough Station.  ​ 

Sustainability is also at the heart of Ascent, and we have achieved a rating of ‘Excellent’ by BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).​ 

Twitter: @AscentOffices 

Instagram: @Ascent_Offices  

Website: www.ascentfarnborough.co.uk   

About Federated Hermes 

Federated Hermes is a leading global investment manager with $605.8 billion in assets under management as of Mar. 31, 2020. Guided by our conviction that responsible investing is the best way to create wealth over the long term, our investment solutions span 135 equity, fixed-income, alternative/private markets, multi-asset and liquidity management strategies and a range of separately managed account strategies. Providing world-class active investment management and engagement services to more than 11,000 institutions and intermediaries, our clients include corporations, government entities, insurance companies, foundations and endowments, banks and broker/dealers. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Federated Hermes’ over 1,800 employees include those in London, New York, Boston and several other offices worldwide. For more information, visit FederatedHermes.com. This communication has been distributed by the international business of Federated Hermes. 

About Infor

Infor is a global leader in business cloud software specialized by industry. With 17,000 employees and over 67,000 customers in more than 175 countries, Infor software is designed for progress. To learn more, please visit www.infor.com.

Infor customers include:

·       The top 20 aerospace companies

·       9 of the top 10 high tech companies

·       14 of the 25 largest U.S. healthcare delivery networks

·       19 of the 20 largest U.S. cities

·       18 of the top 20 automotive suppliers

·       14 of the top 20 industrial distributors

·       13 of the top 20 global retailers

·       4 of the top 5 brewers

·       17 of the top 20 global banks

·       9 of the 10 largest global hotel brands

·       7 of the top 10 global luxury brands