Mumbai: WPP has announced the official opening of One Southwark Bridge, its third London campus and fourth in the UK, marking a major milestone in the company’s ongoing investment in talent, technology, and sustainable transformation. The newly opened site—formerly the historic Financial Times headquarters—has also earned a BREEAM Outstanding rating, placing it among just 1% of UK non-domestic buildings and one of only 90 refurbished buildings in London to receive this top sustainability honour.
“Winning teams need a world-class facility to perform at their best, and this new London campus is exactly that. As a proud British company, this represents a significant and continued investment in our UK talent and infrastructure. It’s an engine for collaboration, bringing our exceptional people together into a creative and innovation hub that delivers for our clients,” said Cindy Rose, CEO of WPP.
A Strategic Anchor for the UK’s Creative and Tech Growth
The launch comes as the UK accelerates its next Industrial Strategy, with creative industries and technology positioned as central growth engines. One Southwark Bridge stands as a testament to WPP’s long-term commitment to the UK market—one of the world’s largest advertising hubs—reinforcing its dedication to nurturing the next generation of creative and technology talent.
The new campus will house nearly 3,000 employees from WPP Media and WPP Open teams, bringing together expertise spanning media, data, and AI. It will also play a pivotal role in the development of WPP’s AI platform for marketing, strengthening the firm’s leadership in intelligent, future-ready solutions.
Transforming an Iconic Landmark
Designed by BDG architecture + design, WPP’s in-house studio, the project includes a deep retrofit and extension of the original structure, expanding usable floorspace by 50%. The campus embodies WPP’s in-office culture, with a strong emphasis on wellbeing and accessibility. Key features include:
- A multi-faith room
- A sensory room for neurodivergent employees
- A parents’ room and dedicated wellness studio (PEACE)
- Outdoor communal areas and improved public pathways connecting to surrounding streets
- Enhanced cycling infrastructure with direct access to bike storage and showers
Sustainability at the Forefront
The BREEAM Outstanding rating reflects WPP’s commitment to sustainable construction and operations. Notable sustainability features include:
- 95% structural reuse, significantly reducing embodied carbon
- Air source heat pumps and high-efficiency HVAC systems
- 300 sqm of rooftop solar panels generating clean energy
- Intelligent façade design for optimal daylight and reduced heat gain
- Ethically sourced materials with tracked carbon journeys
- Reused and recycled furniture and interior elements
- Green roofs, courtyard planting, bird habitats, and insect hotels to promote biodiversity
- Repurposed diesel tank serving as a modern water management system
A New Home for WPP Media
One Southwark Bridge will serve as a central hub for WPP Media, uniting its key brands—Choreograph, EssenceMediacom, and Wavemaker—into a single collaborative ecosystem.
“One Southwark Bridge is designed to be a catalyst for connection and creativity, ultimately benefiting our clients. By bringing our people from across WPP Media together under one roof, we’re looking to drive stronger connections and world-class work,” said Kate Rowlinson, CEO of WPP Media in the UK.
