A Global recruitment group has signalled expansion plans with new headquarters in Southampton.

2 February 2010

Faststream, established in the city 11 years ago by Mark Charman, relocated to The Quay, a waterfront premises at Ocean Village, following a £150,000 fit-out and refurbishment carried out by Southampton-based ODT Business Interiors.

The group provides maritime, oil & gas and built environment recruitment from offices in the UK, Singapore, USA and Norway and is widely regarded as the shipping market’s leading recruiter for technical and commercial shore-based placements.

Mr Charman, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our new inspirational and productive headquarters, which we have just moved into, offers the business a solid base to grow into the future and expand on our current workforce of 65 specialist global consultants.

“The refurbishment has transformed what had been a relatively gloomy space into a bright, clean and attractive working environment which reflects our values-led corporate identity.”

The project for ODT Business Interiors represented a hat-trick at The Quay, a four-storey office at 30 Channel Way, having completed contracts worth nearly £450,000.

It carried out makeovers for international commercial property consultancy CBRE and on behalf of accountancy group PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Andrew Saunders, Sales Director of ODT Business Interiors said: “Speaking generally, the office refit market in the Solent region is beginning to emerge from recession after the taps were turned off by the credit crunch 18 months ago.

“Office upgrades are a bellwether of the local economy, a visible statement of confidence in the future, so the fact that we’re busy is a good sign that things are starting to improve out there.”

Faststream has leased 7,500 sq ft (696 sq m) of space at The Quay, which is owned by a private landlord.

The group was previously based at Town Quay in Southampton.

Image shows: Andrew Saunders of ODT Business Interiors, fifth from right in front, with Faststream’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Charman, fourth from right, and Faststream colleagues at the group’s new HQ in Southampton.

For further information:

Web:www.faststream.co.uk