BAE Systems reaffirms commitment to Brough

The defence and aerospace giant will maintain its 500,000 sq ft centre for digital engineering excellence at the 79-acre Humber Enterprise Park for a further 10 years.

BAE leases office, warehouse, and R&D space at HEP. The renewal of the lease coincides with BAE Systems’ recent recruitment announcement for a potential 100 new roles, adding to the existing 700 BAE Systems employees already working at the site.

The company’s association with the Brough site, west of Hull, dates back to 1916, when aeroplane pioneer Robert Blackburn chose the Brough site for its manufacturing facility due to its proximity to the Humber.

Programmes supported or run from the site now include BAE’s future combat air system Tempest, and the Dreadnought submarine fleet.

James Hardstaff, general manager of the BAE Systems Brough site said: “There’s a really bright future ahead for BAE Systems in Brough. With activity focusing on engineering some of the most advanced Air and Submarine programmes in the world, our people will be contributing to the development of critical future technologies.

“The renewal of our lease with Humber Enterprise Park and recent investment in the site ensures we will retain our longstanding history with the area, providing high-skilled jobs and supporting the local supply chain.”

Other occupiers at HEP include Eco Engineering, Wren Kitchens, and Supercraft. The park was acquired by Westcore Europe in 2020.

Victoria Morgan, director of asset management at Westcore, said the deal was “testament to the strategic location and strong connectivity, with the railway station just a few minutes’ walk away, as well as the expanding amenity/wellbeing provisions on site for our working community”.

Working with asset management partner Citivale, Westcore has refurbished five office buildings at Humber Enterprise Park in Bluebird, Firebrand, Hawk, Buccaneer and Mercury, amounting to a combined 40,000 sq ft of refurbished space, the largest being a single building of 18,000 sq ft.

Humber Enterprise Park is 10 minutes’ walk from Brough town centre and two miles drive to the M62.

Citivale acted for Westcore Europe and PPH Commercial is marketing agent for the scheme.