DWF plans to significantly deepen and broaden its City capability, effectively doubling its London headcount to 600 people over the next three years, to meet growing client demand for its commercial and insurance services, as well as further developing its national offering delivered through its presence in 12 leading commercial centres in UK and Ireland.On 1 September 2014 all of national law firm DWF’s London-based people are moving from two separate offices in the City into the single-site landmark 20 Fenchurch Street, EC3 building, a move designed to enable the national law firm to complete and fully realise the benefits of its recent M&A activity, lateral team and partner hires and, significantly, to help deliver its future national growth strategy.
The firm's flexible working strategy, combined with the highly space-efficient design of the building, means that the top 20 firm has taken only 43,428sq ft of space but benefits from all of the building's exceptional facilities including its Sky Garden, which will be the highest in Europe, as well as restaurants, bar and event space. Designed by world-renowned architect Rafael Viñoly, the building is BREEAM rated excellent, and offers unrivalled panoramic views across London. DWF is currently the only law firm to have taken space in the building alongside a number of global insurance and financial services companies including RSA, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Tokio Marine Kiln and Vanquis, and has leased all of the 32nd floor and part of the 31st floor, sufficient for its 308 people and with further additional capacity for planned future hires.
DWF's Managing Partner & CEO Andrew Leaitherland, says: "We are significantly expanding in London, deepening and broadening our talent base in the City to meet growing client demand for both our commercial and insurance services. As well as a central City location close to some of the firm's major clients, 20 Fenchurch Street offers an exceptional working environment. It's a flexible space designed to encourage agile working, teamwork and great client interaction. We remain committed to growing and developing our regional offerings because our national footprint gives us a significant advantage in the market. It is due to the hard work and commitment of everyone across the business that we have been able to make this investment in the City, giving us an even stronger platform for future growth."
20 Fenchurch Street has been developed by a joint venture partnership between two of the UK's leading property companies, Canary Wharf Group and Land Securities. DWF was advised by Strutt and Parker.
