The Information Commissioner’s Office is to relocate its headquarters to Bruntwood SciTech’s No.3 Circle Square in the heart of Manchester.
The independent data protection and freedom of information regulator has agreed a lease for 20,000 sq ft of workspace and will move from Wilmslow, Cheshire in autumn 2026.
The £87m, 267,000 sq ft innovation hub is the latest phase of the Circle Square neighbourhood to be brought forward. The building is being delivered by Bruntwood SciTech, a joint venture between Bruntwood, L&G and Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
The ICO said relocating to the Oxford Road Corridor places the regulator at the heart of one of Europe’s most dynamic knowledge quarters, offering direct access to Manchester’s world-leading universities, a highly skilled graduate talent pool, and a vibrant urban environment.
It follows a series of significant moves to the development including global sportswear brand PUMA, which is relocating its UK headquarters to No.3 Circle Square, and Auto Trader, the UK’s largest digital automotive marketplace, which has committed to seven floors within the same building.
It joins an established cluster of innovation-led businesses already based at Circle Square, including Avalere Health, Roku, BlueSkeye AI, and HP Enterprise, as well as those located in the dedicated startup Tech Incubator – all contributing to a thriving ecosystem of technology, health, digital and creative leaders.
The development of No.3 Circle Square follows the successful completion of the fully-let No.1 and No.2 Circle Square and forms part of an ongoing £243m investment across seven assets currently being built or undergoing refurbishment in Manchester city centre by Bruntwood SciTech, including Pall Mall, King’s House, 117-119 Portland Street, and Greenheys at Manchester Science Park, as well as Citylabs 4.0, which officially opened its doors in March.
Josh Whiteley, commercial director, Bruntwood SciTech, said: “This latest commitment underlines our vision for Circle Square as a destination of national significance for digital, data and technology-led organisations. The ICO’s decision to relocate its UK headquarters here reflects the strength of Manchester’s knowledge economy and the value of being part of a dynamic innovation community.
“At Circle Square we’ve created an environment that brings together forward-thinking businesses, academic institutions and emerging talent in a place purpose-built for collaboration and growth. Whether they’re global leaders or scaling disruptors, our customers benefit from access to tailored support, a connected ecosystem, and workspace designed to meet the needs of modern, mission-driven organisations.
“Manchester has long been recognised as one of the UK’s most ambitious and innovative cities – and this letting further reinforces its position as a hub for data, digital services and policy leadership. It’s also a significant milestone in Bruntwood SciTech’s mission to support the UK’s knowledge economy through long-term, place-based investment – ensuring that businesses have the infrastructure and community they need to thrive.”
Jen Green, executive director – strategy and resources at the ICO, said: “Our relocation to Circle Square will create a working environment that better supports how we operate now and into the future. The new space will provide a more flexible, collaborative setting for our teams, with improved access to the facilities and connections we need.
“Wilmslow has been a welcome home for the ICO for 40 years, and we will continue to have a small presence in the area beyond next year. Moving to Manchester puts us close to universities and other organisations working in data and digital, and will also support our efforts to attract new and diverse talent and strengthen the way we engage with the wider sector.”
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We welcome the ICO’s decision to make Manchester its new national headquarters. It is further evidence of how attractive our city – with a huge talent pool, access to expertise including from our world class universities, and national and global connections – is proving to employers considering the best place to be. This move underlines Manchester’s momentum and how Circle Square, which has recently also attracted Puma’s national headquarters, is contributing to it.”