BT announces Dundee as key location

• Significant investment to provide future-fit workspace for colleagues

BT Group has today announced Dundee will be one of its key locations, providing a future-fit workplace for colleagues.

The technology and telecoms firm has announced plans to review its property options in the city, which could involve looking for a new home for its operations and will work with partners, including Dundee City Council, to review opportunities. Dundee will remain a key location for BT in Scotland.

BT Group is one of the largest private sector employers in Dundee, supporting around 1,200 jobs through direct employees and contractors in the city.

The announcement is part of BT’s ‘Better Workplace Programme’ – one of the largest workplace improvement and consolidation schemes of its type ever undertaken in the UK. Dundee joins Glasgow and Edinburgh as currently confirmed locations for the company in Scotland.

The five-year programme, due to complete in 2024, is a major investment for BT that will significantly improve and consolidate the company’s footprint of corporate offices, contact centres and specialist sites across the country.

John Alexander leader of Dundee City Council said: "We will be working closely with BT, who are one of Dundee’s largest employers, on a range of topics to help the company develop its plans. I am delighted that BT has now confirmed that Dundee will be one of its key locations.

"Our focus is on supporting companies who want to invest in high quality jobs, skills and training, particularly in the growing digital economy that BT underpins and especially at this difficult time during Covid-19, it’s great to see a commitment to investment and employment from this announcement.”

Jane Wood, BT Group director in Scotland, said: “This is a real sign of BT’s commitment to Dundee and Scotland generally.

“I’m so pleased we are able to announce this investment at a time when it’s more important than ever to demonstrate our confidence in Scotland’s ability to make a sustainable recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. We’ll continue to work with our partners in Dundee on potential options to ensure our colleagues have a future-fit workplace.”

Teams based at BT’s new and refurbished buildings will benefit from the company’s investment in the latest technology, including full-fibre broadband. The Better Workplace Programme will deliver a combination of refurbishments as well as new offices. The programme is due to complete in 2024.

BT Group plays an important role in Scotland and is responsible for generating £1 in every £110 produced in the country, according to an independent report. It generated nearly £1.2 billion to the Scottish economy in “Gross Value Added” GVA, during the 2017/18 financial year.* BT Group employs nearly 7,700 people across the nation.

BT has also confirmed plans today to refurbish and expand its Glasgow office, where it also employs hundreds of people. Dundee and Glasgow join other locations already announced including Edinburgh, Birmingham, London, Manchester, Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff and Ipswich (Adastral Park). More announcements will follow in due course.