INTERACTIVE INVESTOR CREATES MORE JOBS AS IT INCREASES HEADQUARTERS

Interactive Investor is creating jobs after signing a deal to increase its Manchester headquarters by 50%.

The company, which was acquired by investment giant Abrdn for £1.5bn in 2022, has taken on a new floor at 201 Deansgate. The move means the business will now be spread across three floors at the five-storey building.

Over the last 12 months, Interactive Investor has recruited 127 new employees in Manchester while it currently has 32 live vacancies.

The business, which is the UK’s second largest platform for private investors, agreed its new lease with Aviva Investors, asset manager of the building on behalf of the landlord.

Richard Wilson, CEO of Interactive Investor, said: “Our 201 Deansgate headquarters means that Manchester has one of the biggest and fastest growing FinTechs in Europe in the centre of town.

Having been acquired by Abrdn plc, our commitment to Manchester is stronger than ever and our investment in North West talent continues apace. Manchester is one of the biggest and fastest growing FinTech areas in Europe, with an incredible talent pool. We are proud to call it our home.”

Joe Roche, engagement manager at FinTech North, added: “We’re delighted to see ii doubling down on its commitment to Manchester’s thriving FinTech ecosystem. This is yet another ringing endorsement of both Greater Manchester and the wider North as a destination of choice for FinTechs.

We look forward to involving ii in our community here at FinTech North and we can’t wait to see what WealthTech innovation is produced right here on our doorstep.”

Interactive Investor has had a base in Manchester since it bought TD Direct in 2017. It then made the city its headquarters. Now it has 415 members of staff based at its head office alongside more in Leeds and London.

Julian Cobourne, head of regional investment management at Aviva Investors, said: “We are delighted to accommodate the expansion of Interactive Investor at 201 Deansgate, an important building to our portfolio in Manchester.

It is great to see one of our key customers expanding their operation in the building and the city. Manchester has all the attributes we expect will enable it to continue to thrive as one of Europe’s top creative hubs.”

The new lease agreement comes after Interactive Investor’s owner Abrdn made a loss of £615m during its latest financial year. However, Interactive Investor’s revenue surged by almost 40% to £176m while it’s operating profit more than doubled to £94m.