BSI opens new EMEA headquarters in Milton Keynes

Press release - 07 July 2011

British Standards Institution, which has been helping businesses innovate, manage risk and improve their performance for more than 100 years, has today opened its new EMEA corporate headquarters in Milton Keynes.

The new headquarters, named ‘Kitemark Court’, bring together a number of BSI’s national offices to house over 350 members of staff with a view to further expansion in the future. The refurbishment of the new premises at Davy Avenue, Knowlhill, has taken five months and cost £5.3 million.

The offices were opened officially by BSI’s Chairman Sir David John and the ceremony included speeches from BSI CEO Howard Kerr, Deputy Mayor of Milton Keynes, Catriona Morris, and Chairman of Milton Keynes Dons, Pete Winkelman. Local charities that are supported by BSI, including Willen Hospice and Milton Keynes Rotary Club, also attended the event.

On the back of increased revenue between 2009 and 2010, there is a need to consolidate previous offices onto one site in Milton Keynes. The newly refurbished and larger premises allow BSI to provide a more integrated customer centric service and they should also enable the company to grow further.

Howard Kerr, CEO of BSI, said: “I am very excited to be here today to open BSI’s new headquarters for its EMEA and global testing and healthcare businesses. We’ve had a long association with Milton Keynes and I am pleased to take our investment in the area to a new level with the opening of our new office. Milton Keynes is not only a great place to do business but offers excellent accessibility to the rest of the UK, which is ideal as our business continues to expand in the UK and globally over the coming years.”

As part of BSI’s clear best practice approach, suppliers and contractors were selected based on whether they were certified by BSI to appropriate standards for management systems, including those that apply to quality, the environment, energy efficiency, business continuity, responsible sourcing and health and safety.

The offices have been certified in line with BREEAM, the world’s foremost environmental assessment method for buildings. BSI also ensured that as many products as possible used within the building will hold the BSI Kitemark.

About BSI

BSI (British Standards Institution) is a global organization that equips businesses with the necessary solutions to turn standards of best practice into habits of excellence. Formed in 1901, BSI was the world’s first National Standards Body and a founding member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Over a century later it continues to facilitate business improvement across the globe by helping its clients drive performance, reduce risk and grow sustainably through the adoption of international management systems standards, many of which BSI originated. Famed for its marks of excellence including the instantly recognizable Kitemark®, BSI’s influence spans multiple sectors including aerospace, construction, energy, engineering, finance, healthcare, IT and retail. With over 70,000 clients in 150 countries, BSI is an organization whose standards inspire excellence across the globe.

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