Optimum Credit expands in move to new premises

Cardiff-based second charge mortgage provider, Optimum Credit, is relocating to new premises within the new Capital Quarter development. The move supports planned company growth and job creation following acquisition in 2018 by Australian-owned finance company, Pepper Money.

The new office premises at 4 Capital Quarter offer 18,500 sq ft of accommodation with room to grow the current headcount of 130 to around 250. This will give the company scope to achieve its expansion plans, both for the existing Optimum second charge mortgage business and the wider Pepper Money strategy, which includes the launch of new product lines with teams based in Cardiff, making the most of the vibrant financial services sector in South Wales to recruit top talent.

Sam Marshall, Chief Executive Officer at Optimum Credit, said:

“The move to the new offices in the Capital Quarter reflect the growth we have experienced since we launched in 2014 and the ambitious plans we have to continue that under the ownership of Pepper Money.

 

“This is an important move for us in terms of what we can offer as an employer in Cardiff to attract and retain the best people. We wanted the new offices to reflect our culture and who we are as a business. We’re not a traditional financial services company and we’re not a call centre. The majority of our roles are technical and highly skilled, and we have a casual office environment with our values and the social side of things being very important to us. We’ve established ourselves as a leading employer in Cardiff’s financial services sector, and we are confident that this growth is set to continue as we build and diversify the skills of our growing team.”

Design-led interiors company, Imium, were appointed to design and fit out the new premises with a brief to create a state-of-the-art work environment that reflects the business’s culture. The office provides a variety of environments to allow colleagues to choose their preferred style of working.

Commenting on the design of the new office space, Paul Collett, Corporate Development Director at Imium, said:

“We’ve created a modern and functional workplace with comfortable and interesting zones which showcases the working culture at Optimum Credit. The finishes are a timeless palette of greys, blacks and pastel tones in various textures, while the muted tones give the scheme longevity.

 

“This will allow the firm to apply its own branding to a level of their choosing without feeling overly corporate. The main office area has been designed with collaboration in mind; each department is linked via a pathway to encourage collaboration between teams. There are a range of agile zones throughout each floor, as well as large work tables with power and localised lighting so that colleagues can work collectively or have a place to escape their desk.”

Continued learning and development plays a huge part in Optimum Credit’s culture, so individual study booths have been installed to provide areas for quiet study and help support students on the Welsh Graduate Programmes, in which Optimum is a participant.

There are also break out spaces to host large company gatherings, group lunches, 1-2-1 conversations and agile working to ensure collaboration. Two large kitchens will comfortably accommodate the growing workforce as well as creating an area to host after work social events.

The Cardiff office of Savills were tasked with assisting Optimum Credit with their relocation. Gary Carver, director in the business space team, comments:

“Optimum Credit provided us with a detailed brief for their new offices in Cardiff, which offer inspiring office space and enough room to enable their continued expansion. After an extensive search it was clear that 4 Capital Quarter gave them what they needed.”