Google to create new London headquarters and 3,000 jobs at King's Cross

Expansion: the new offices will be alongside the Pancras Square headquarters opened in June
Google
Tom Powell17 November 2016

Google has confirmed plans to expand its London headquarters at King’s Cross and create 3,000 new jobs in the capital.

The firm's chief executive, Sundar Pichai announced plans to build a 10-storey, 650,000 square foot complex alongside its new offices in Pancras Square.

It comes as a major boost following months of speculation over the future of technology firms in the capital after Britain leaves the EU.

Speaking on his first visit to the UK as the technology giant's chief executive, Mr Pichai said it will be the first wholly owned and designed Google building outside of the US.

It is believed the project will cost in excess of £1 billion.

An artist's impression of the new Google office at King's Cross
Google

He added: "Here in the UK, it's clear to me that computer science has a great future with the talent, educational institutions, and passion for innovation we see all around us.

"We are committed to the UK and excited to continue our investment in our new King's Cross campus."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan called the announcement a "vote of confidence" in the city.

"Google's commitment to London is very welcome," he said.

Sundar Pichai was speaking on his first UK visit as Google's CEO
PA

"This is a global, pioneering company at the forefront of new technology - and so London, a pioneering city, and home to many of the world's most talented and innovative people, is a great and natural choice for expansion.

"This is a vote of confidence in our great city - creating high-skilled jobs, supporting growth and demonstrating that London is open to business, new investment and talent from around the globe.

"London is one the world's leading technology hubs and investment into the capital post-Brexit remains robust, so Google's expansion will further strengthen our city's reputation as a global leader in digital technology."

In June, 2,500 employees began moving into the firm's new King's Cross offices, its largest in Europe.

First pictures of Google's huge new offices in the King’s Cross

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The announcement of the planned expansion was also greeted with enthusiasm by Chancellor Philip Hammond.

"This is big vote of confidence in Britain's leading position as a global tech-hub and more evidence that leading firms are choosing to invest here," he said.

"Our technology industry is central to securing future economic growth and this Government is committed to ensuring it continues to thrive. It's further proof that Britain is open for business and that we continue to be an outward-looking, world-leading nation."

Mr Pichai, speaking at Google's offices in King's Cross, also admitted the recent US election, which has divided many, had raised "questions of equality" and other "challenges" for the technology giant to face.

Google's search engine was criticised for promoting allegedly misleading and 'fake news', including a story that suggested President-elect Donald Trump had won the popular vote against Hillary Clinton, despite votes still being counted in some states.

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