Public Sector

"Bristol is an historic, interesting and vibrant city to live in. This enables us to recruit from national, as well as strong local labour markets" (Lucy Pow, Head of Organisational Development, Higher Education Funding Council for England).

The public sector has a strong presence in the Bristol area:

• In 2007 the Ministry of Defence established the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) organisation following the merger of the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) and the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) - DE&S headquarters are based at Abbey Wood, north of Bristol, with over 9,500 staff.
• The Environment Agency has chosen to locate its new national headquarters in Bristol city centre. This will be one of the greenest buildings in the UK.
• Ofsted is relocating a further 50 posts to Bristol following the expansion of its office presence in the city to accommodate its headquarters for the south of England.

The Audit Commission's regional office and national ICT function are based locally, as is the Government Office for the South West.

Bristol's offer to public sector organisations was underlined by the Lyons Review of public sector relocation, which rated Bristol as a 'top location' for higher value, policy and science functions

Defence Equipment & Support (MoD) Case Study

Ofsted Case Study

UK Transplant Authority Case Study

Another recent public sector investment is the redevelopment of Bristol's Grade II music venue, Colston Hall into one of Bristol's top concert venues with a £20m Phase 1 funding package. Bristol City Council has provided £13m of this funding together with £7m from the Arts Council England. This redevelopment of Colston Hall is due for completion in spring 2009. The Government has also approved plans for a privately funded £45m South Bristol Community Hospital (Hengrove Park) - due to open in 2009.

Bristol and its surrounding area are covered by 4 local authorities (Bristol City, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire), all of which are significant employers along with Bristol's NHS Trusts.

 

Please contact the Economic Development Team of Bristol City Council for further information on Public Sector Relocation Assistance:

Tel: +44(0) 117 92 22928

Email: investinbristol@bristol.gov.uk

 

Useful links:

Office of Government Commerce

South West Regional Development Agency