The sale of charity HQs

In 2023 Girlguiding, one of the UK’s most well-known youth charities, announced plans to close five of its activity centres to save money. A campaign by those using the centres was launched and proposed the charity instead save money by selling off its central London headquarters, located on Buckingham Palace Road.

As of July 2023, this was not a direction Girlguiding was considering. For many other charities the sale of their headquarters is also not on the agenda, as often these bases can be located at the heart of their community or near to the corridors of power, such as near Whitehall and parliament in London.

But many charities, including other high-profile names in the sector, are considering the move, as a route to freeing up assets and cutting costs. Research published by energy firm Utility Bidder in 2021, for example, found that hybrid working and reducing a reliance on the office can save charities with 100 staff more than £15,000 a year on heating and lighting costs alone.

The move to sell off HQs is also attracting interest amid the continued use of hybrid working post pandemic, as staff increasingly work from home or remotely and attend meetings online. Charities, like many other organisations, are questioning the need for large headquarters, when smaller bases can be used.

Another factor in selling HQs is the importance of being accessible as part of  equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) practices, with some older buildings harder to adapt to the needs of all.

Here we look at some of the charities that have already made or are considering selling their headquarters.

Parkinson’s UK

In April 2022 Parkinson’s UK sold off its Vauxhall Bridge site in London as part of plans to further embrace hybrid and flexible models of working.

Through the deal Parkinson’s has an agreement to remain at the offices at the site for three years, to give it time to search for new office space and incorporate remote working, which accelerated for the charity amid the pandemic.

The charity’s Chief Executive Caroline Rassell said at the time: “It’s clearer than ever that we no longer need as much space, and the space that we do need, has to work better for our colleagues, volunteers, and the Parkinson’s community.

“Staff surveys have shown that they want an office that allows easier and more effective collaboration with colleagues and the Parkinson’s community from across the four nations. This means accessibility and adaptability are key things we’re looking for in our new space – two things that we really don’t have currently, which stop us from being as inclusive as we want to be.” 

Income from its HQ sale are being used to facilitate this move as well as investing in its support, research, and awareness raising work.

RSPCA

The RSPCA’s 6.2 hectare headquarters in West Sussex was sold in July 2022 as the charity progresses with its plans to encourage flexible and hybrid models of working.

Its Wilberforce House site near Horsham had been listed for sale at £98.7m and has been sold to Legal & General to be developed into seven warehouse units and office space.

Instead, the charity is to set up a far smaller base in London for its Westminster lobbying team and other staff to be closer to stakeholders and policy makers. Meanwhile, many other staff will work at home or under hybrid arrangements.

When the move was announced in 2021 the charity announced that most of its 380-support staff based at the West Sussex HQ favoured more home working options. 

Emmanuel House

Homelessness charity Emmanual House Support Centre announced plans in October 2022 to offload two floors of its Nottingham base that were used as offices, meeting rooms, reception and kitchen area and instead turn it into accommodation for homeless people in the city.

Planning permission was approved in January 2023 by Nottingham City Council with work scheduled to start during the year.

Fundraising is taking place by the charity to meet the predicted £2m cost of this move to turn its HQ into accommodation.

The plan will see the charity repurpose the space to create 20 bedrooms and 24-hour support. The space will also provide one-to-one support, common rooms, computer suites and disabled access.

The charity sought to repurpose its HQ after struggling to find a suitable site in the city to provide temporary accommodation.

“The project fits with the city’s strategic plan to tackle homelessness,” said he charity’s Chief Executive Denis Tully.