Bradford-based Sovereign Health Care is set to move into a modern office building in Saltaire. 

The health care cash plan provider has completed its purchase of The Waterfront, next to Salts Mill and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

It comes after the 150-year-old firm announced plans to sell its headquarters at the Royal Standard House on Manningham Lane.

As part of the changes, Sovereign decided to permanently close its counter service, which had already seen a drop off in demand from customers. That means premiums can no longer be paid by cash.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

CEO Russ Piper hopes the move will help better support Sovereign's needs and employees’ health. 

Mr Piper said: “The pandemic and the changes to how we work highlighted our need for a modern, open plan environment with improved technology, offering space and facilities for increased collaboration and new ways of working. The Waterfront building offered all this and more.

“Following our relocation, the opportunity to purchase The Waterfront has also allowed us to diversify into other business areas whilst utilising our capital reserves effectively.

"We are in the process of selling Royal Standard House, so the net cost of moving has been quite small.

"We are now proud owners of The Waterfront, providing first-class office accommodation in a thriving Bradford business community, which has the potential to generate healthy capital growth whilst increasing our investment income.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: An old Sovereign Plan brochureAn old Sovereign Plan brochure

Sovereign Health Care’s purchase of The Waterfront been supported by a number of local businesses, including Gordons LLP, Eddisons Chartered Surveyors, Naylor Wintersgill and the Ultimate Group.

Nick Chamberlain, commercial property partner at law firm Gordons, said: “It was great to work in partnership with the Sovereign Health Care team and the other professionals involved to secure the acquisition.

“Gordons and Sovereign Health Care are both advocates of taking a collaborative approach to deliver the best outcomes. The purchase of The Waterfront ably demonstrated the effectiveness of this way of working together.”

John Padgett of Eddisons added: “We are delighted we were able to conclude negotiations swiftly with the vendors to facilitate a smooth relocation to the Waterfront, which provides the undoubted quality of environment our client demands for their people and offers great opportunities moving forward. 

“We have also successfully arranged a sale of Royal Standard House and this will ensure jobs and investment both for Bradford and Shipley. Working with Sovereign Health Care and their other professional providers has been a joy and very rewarding.”

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