The Leeds Building Society has awarded a contract for the complete refurbishment of its Head Office building to Claremont Group Interiors.

Claremont, the UK's largest office design and fit-out company outside London, will begin work immediately on the heritage building in Leeds city centre.

The refurbishment follows a review of the firm's property which has been its home for 120 years. The decision to stay means that the head office will continue to be home to over 450 staff and will continue to provide to the firm's branch network, call centre operations and online facilities. Claremont Group Interiors has been appointed as principal contractor for the re-design and refurbishment of the 1930s building. The current office accommodation will be totally refurbished to provide a modern, vibrant and open plan working environment for the Leeds' staff. The firm will also be using energy efficient systems including reactive lighting, new lifts, integrated air cooling systems in offices as well as biodegradable carpet and ceiling tiles.

Peter Hill, Operations Director of Leeds Building Society said,

"Although the head office has been regularly updated, now is the time for a complete overhaul. We have considered a range of options but feel that staying in our existing location offers the best solution for staff and members. Leeds is very important to us and we believe it is vital that the only major independent financial services organisation with its Head Office in Leeds remains here. This solution offers the most cost effective way to improve our infrastructure and enable us to continue to deliver good value for money products backed up by excellent service."

Mike Gardner from Claremont said,

"We are delighted to play such a key role in the re- development of this important heritage building. Whilst the building will retain its outside character, Claremont will be working closely with Leeds Building Society to deliver the highest standard of office modernisation."

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Notes to Editors

Claremont Group Interiors

• Claremont is one of the UK's largest interior design and fit-out companies
• Established for 25 years, its clients include Halliwells, United Utilities, Astra Zeneca, Reckitt Benckiser, Coca Cola, Microsoft, Unilever and law firm Bevan Brittan

• Workplace analysis and design
• Workplace interior fit-out
• Management of fit-outs and installation
• Provision of workplace technology including audio-visual systems
• Support services including maintenance, change management and storage and data management
• Retail and showroom design and fit-out
• Design and installation of training and educational environments

Leeds Building Society

Leeds Building Society has assets of over £8.1bn and 70 branches throughout the UK and Gibraltar. The Society has operated from the centre of Leeds since 1886.

The Society won the title of Best Building Society in Mortgage Magazine's 2006 awards. This award is judged by an independent panel and takes into account long term value, customer service, how easy products are to understand and commitment to mutuality, as well as competitive interest rates.

The Society received the Gold Award in the Lending Excellence Awards from Lending Strategy Magazine, in relation to an independent national consumer survey of 7,800 customers who have recently taken out a mortgage. The awards measure customers' opinion of their mortgage providers by asking them to define their expectation of service in the key areas of the process and to comment on their actual experience.