A global footcare business sold recently by Reckitt has agreed a deal for substantial office space that will see key operations stay in Hull.
Scholl’s Wellness Company has chosen Two Humber Quays as the base for its ‘northern powerhouse’. It will be home to 30 staff working in R&D, regulatory, medical, quality, packaging and design and finance, taking an entire floor within the JR Rix & Sons headquarters.
Reckitt divested Scholl, a company with more than a century's heritage, in 2021. US private equity company Yellow Wood Partners swooped. It has its global headquarters in Bracknell, Berkshire.
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Scott Seville, Scholl vice president for research and development, quality and regulatory, said: “The buy-out could have proved a catalyst for a move away from Hull. However, when a new home was sought, the appeal of Two Humber Quays and working closely with JR Rix & Sons proved a perfect option.
“We’ve invested heavily in the quality of the team and expanded the skill sets we have here in Hull, and so when it was clear we needed to find a new home following the sale from Reckitt, we wanted to remain in the city. To do that we needed to find somewhere that provided an inspiring place to work, especially given the increase in home working following the pandemic. We wanted a destination premises and a location which facilitated collaboration, socialisation, and also offered wellbeing benefits to our staff.
“Two Humber Quays not only boasts amazing views over the Humber and a fantastic location in terms of the marina, cafes and bars for our staff, but also sits within a really strong business community which helps one another in this part of the city. It ticked all the boxes for us, as did working alongside JR Rix, who from the very first interaction have been so friendly, helpful and welcoming.”
Rix had taken on the building in early 2021, buying it from Luxembourg-based investment company Colsilverbird. It moved its headquarters from Spyvee Street to the building, using the full ground floor and parts of the second and third floors, with major investment and the appointment of tenant Chameleon Business Interiors. RSM UK and BCD Travel are also tenants.
Edward Beech, R&D innovation manager at Scholl’s Wellness Company, said the premises offer the business scope for further growth in the future. “We’ve grown our talent pool in recent years by adding in quality, packing and design professionals, as well as finance teams, and there is scope to increase our team up to 50 plus people here with a mix of office and home working,” he said.
“Being in this quality environment is crucial to recognising those ambitions as it will help us with the recruitment and retention of talented employees. “Additionally, being located at Two Humber Quays allows us to tap into the thriving business eco system springing up around the Fruit Market, both of which we view as real tangible competitive advantages.”
Garness Jones advised for JR Rix & Sons Ltd.
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