Atom bank sets its roots deeper in the North East

For Immediate Release

Atom signs 10-year lease for Rivergreen Centre as it expands and secures its future in the City

Atom bank, the UK’s first digital only bank, has confirmed its future in the region by taking a long lease on the award-winning Rivergreen Centre in Durham. Atom, which now employs over 300 people, has been operating across two sites on the Aykley Heads business park since last September. The move brings the team back under the same roof where the founders started the business in May 2014.

The decision to adopt the Rivergreen Centre followed a lengthy review of options across the North East and a consideration of future growth objectives for the bank. The review confirmed Durham’s location as a centre for accessing talent from across the region and its access to financial centres in London, Edinburgh and Leeds. The award winning Rivergreen Centre was already hosting the bank’s technology teams, and the bank welcomed the opportunity to move its entire operation into a building that uses biofuel and innovative design to keep its environmental impact to a minimum.

Atom’s Chief Innovation Officer, Edward Twiddy said “After three great, but increasingly crowded years in Northumbria House the time has come to bring everyone under one roof and create some space for future ambitions. We are extremely grateful to Durham County Council, our landlords at Northumbria House, for their considerable support in making Durham an attractive place to locate our business”.

“The move to Rivergreen is a really important affirmation of our intentions and I am delighted to be moving into such a high quality and environmentally sensitive building. The move has only been possible with the support of many local partners and in particular the team at Rivergreen who will continue to look after ourselves and the other businesses based in the Centre. We look forward to welcoming more visitors and new members of the team to enjoy the great atmosphere and environment at Rivergreen.”

Peter Candler Managing Director of The Rivergreen Centre said: “The Rivergreen Centre was designed to take a fresh and innovative approach to the creation of modern workspace. We wanted to create a positive work environment with an emphasis on the individual and the team while at the same time having a consciously minimal impact upon the environment. It’s therefore fitting that Atom bank should choose the building as its preferred location to further develop its business.”

Real estate specialists at Muckle LLP, the North East largest independent law firm for businesses, advised Atom bank on its 10-year lease at the innovative, energy efficient premises.

Will McKay, Muckle LLP real estate partner said: “Having a major PLC commit to developing its business within the North East is fantastic news for the region and I’d like to congratulate Atom bank on moving to these top quality premises”

Note to Editors

Atom is determined to set the agenda for what the future of banking looks like, redefining the relationship customers have with their money, providing a unique, branch-free, banking experience, built around the best interests of customers. They want customers to be more engaged with their finances, giving them the ability to manage their own money just by using the Atom App. A dedicated 24/7 support team will be on hand to help with any customer queries through phone, chat, email and social media, working out of their Durham HQ.

Atom is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the PRA. Founded in 2014 and based in the City of Durham, Atom has a growing team of over 300 people drawn from across the country, working with partners to bring pioneering technology to Europe for the first time. Atom is building the UK’s first bank designed specifically for digital, offering easy and convenient banking, along with unique and engaging ways to manage money. Atom has been recognised in KPMG’s 2016 Fintech 100, being in the Top 10 companies using technology to drive disruption globally within the financial services industry.

ENDS