Plans to double Barclays Scottish workforce unveiled

Barclays is unveiling plans for a new campus - which could see the bank double its workforce in Scotland.

The new building in Glasgow’s Buchanan Wharf would have room for an extra 2500 staff.

It would house the bank’s functions, technology and operations teams.

Barclays today announces plans to develop a new campus at Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow, which will provide a state-of-the-art workplace for the bank’s functions, technology and operations teams.

The banking firm is currently working with developers to finalise the design of the new facility.

The project has been made possible in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, with a funding grant of £12.75m agreed. The firm’s also working with Glasgow City Council to deliver the new offices.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said, “This is a project that will be transformational for Glasgow, creating up to 2,500 new jobs in the heart of the city.

“The new campus will strengthen Glasgow’s financial services sector and shows Scotland continues to be a highly attractive location for inward investment.

“I am particularly pleased that as part of this investment, Barclays has committed to employing local people who often face barriers into work, including those with disabilities and young people.”

Paul Compton, Chief Operating Officer at Barclays, said, “The Glasgow campus, alongside others in Whippany, New Jersey, and Pune, India, is part of a global strategy to create world-class facilities for our functions, technology and operations teams. This new campus at Buchanan Wharf is a flagship project for the bank, which builds on Barclays’ long history in Scotland and clearly demonstrates our commitment to supporting the UK economy. This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen our close ties with local communities and academic institutions to attract and retain the very best talent. It will be somewhere that our colleagues are incredibly proud to work.”

A grant provided by Scottish Enterprise states that at least 42% of the new jobs will be high value, and at least 341 will be for disadvantaged workers or those who have a disability.

Councillor David McDonald, Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council, said, “This announcement is of historic importance to Glasgow as we welcome the single biggest inward investment to have ever come to Scotland. This development on the banks of the Clyde at Tradeston will see a huge amount of Grade A office space, new homes and new jobs coming to the city centre.

“This project - which is truly on an unprecedented scale - is a game-changer for Glasgow, and will transform not only Tradeston and this part of the waterfront, but our wider economy as opportunities become available for the people and business of the city and those wishing to invest here. We are delighted with this decision by Barclays, and I am pleased that the efforts of all those who have worked so hard and long to bring this enormous and fantastic project to Glasgow have been rewarded.”

Buchanan Wharf is a major mixed-use scheme currently being developed by Drum Property Group.