Ascent Lands Major Renewal with Infor

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 (c. 2,287 m²) of space at the fully refurbished Ascent 1 building.

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.

“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,„ said Stephen Ellis, Senior Investment Manager, International Business of Federated Hermes. “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.”

“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,“ said Simon Quinton, Infor’s VP and Managing Director for UK & Ireland. “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.”

“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," added Jeremy Rodale, Partner at Cushman & Wakefield. “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.