PwC is moving to the city with 225 jobs

The Telegraph & Argus can reveal that Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) is the company set to move into the office development on Godwin Street, in part of the former TJ Hughes building.

The company is taking 9,000sq ft of office space and hopes to move into the building within the next month.

READ MORE: 'International' company to move into offices in Bradford city centre

A launch date has been set for May 23 when bosses are confident everything will be up and running in the Bradford home of their Assurance Department.

Sixty people have already been employed and are currently working from the business' Leeds office before moving to the city where they will be part of a team that will help develop the company's national audit work for businesses of all sizes.

Will Richardson, a Senior Partner at the Leeds office and Bradford Opportunity Board, explained why Bradford was chosen for the move.

"There are two reasons, firstly what Bradford can be and it's a great time to invest.

"Bradford used to be one of the richest cities in the world and at the turn of the 20th Century it was a powerhouse and to see how that has developed it certainly puts Bradford in a place where it shouldn't be with weak job growth and under-investment.

"It's the sixth biggest city in the UK and the youngest and has a good talent pool, infrastructure and transport links."

Whether someone is ready for a career change; at the start of their working life or just after a new challenge, PwC's new Assurance Centre will help develop skills and boost employability irrespective of background.

"We have started to recruit from a much bigger group of people," added Mr Richardson.

"We are talking about recruiting straight from school and people of a more mature age, which is much broader.

"We will provide them with the training they need.

"Bradford has a really exciting economic plan. If you look at the Local Plan being developed it talks about £4billion of economic growth until 2030.

"Bradford also stands within the Leeds City region and that's the largest economic region outside London.

"It's a really exciting place and Bradford is starting to achieve a lot."

Politicians and business figures have had their say on PwC's arrival in Bradford, with leaders heralding the company's decision to open an office in the city.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council and chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, said: "It's great news that such a prestigious brand is coming to Bradford for the first time.

"It’s also great news for the Leeds City Region that PwC is expanding its presence in our part of the world, creating skilled jobs and opportunities for local people.

“PwC want to attract the talents of the future and it’s brilliant that they acknowledge that Bradford, as the UK’s youngest city, is the place to do that. We look forward to working with them over the coming months and years.

David Baldwin, chair of the Bradford Economic Partnership, added: "PwC coming to Bradford is further evidence that what we are doing through our economic strategy for the Bradford District is paying dividends.

"We plan to make Bradford district one of the most dynamic places to do business in the UK.

"Clearly companies such as PwC are recognising our efforts to grow our economy by increasing the number of productive businesses in the district, leading innovation and investment and building on our strategic assets – our people, our businesses and our places."