Business

Work starts to transform new £1.6m headquarters for Mount Charles

Announcing the new Mount Charles HQ are its chairman Trevor Annon (left) and managing director Cathal Geoghegan Charles.
Announcing the new Mount Charles HQ are its chairman Trevor Annon (left) and managing director Cathal Geoghegan Charles. Announcing the new Mount Charles HQ are its chairman Trevor Annon (left) and managing director Cathal Geoghegan Charles.

CATERING firm Mount Charles has announced a new company headquarters in a £1.6 million pound investment to purchase and renovate its new premises.

The company, Ireland’s largest indigenous food service and outsourced business support organisation, will move into the 10,000 square foot Maxol House on Ormeau Road, former HQ of Botanic Inns.

Mount Charles’ rapid growth trajectory means that the 27-year old company with an almost 2,000 strong employee base has outgrown its current premises, with the decision to purchase rather than rent a larger building based on its commitment to the local marketplace.

The company's managing director Cathal Geoghegan said: “We're excited about this move, which we view very much as a game changer for Mount Charles.

"The company has evolved so much in the recent past, with the addition of new divisions and services that have quickly made a big impact on our market share.

“We feel that a new state-of-the-art headquarters will much better represent who we are now as a company, and that is a dynamic and innovative locally-owned business that is taking on the multinationals and providing a lot of local employment opportunities.

“Purchasing this building is a big statement of intent from us, that we remain extremely committed to doing business in Northern Ireland, while also growing our business outside of Northern Ireland.”

Work has begun to transform Maxol House, with contractors Mascot Construction expected to finish the job by late summer.

“We are investing significantly to ensure that this new headquarters is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, with a focus on creating an open plan environment with shared spaces and break-out areas that will encourage collaboration between our various divisions,” Mr Geoghegan added.

Mount Charles has swept up £7.3m of new contracts in the past 12 months, boosting turnover from £25.5m to £28.1m, and it says it will recruit more than 200 new employees this year.

In March Mount Charles qualified as one of Ireland’s Best Managed Companies by Deloitte for the sixth year running.