The major investment for the firm will see the new office replace three sites in Carlisle and bring together more than 180 staff into the single location.  

In 2018, Armstrong Watson’s Rosehill office was closed to allow work to begin on the site, which formed the basis for the reconstruction to create the new head office.

 The 13,600 square foot building, in Montgomery Way, has two floors of open-plan offices, 20 meeting rooms, conference facilities, a bistro and social space, spread over three floors. The office also has four electric car charging points and 89 solar panels on the roof which produce the majority of the power needed and will have a major effect on the firm’s net zero strategy. It is easily accessed from the M6 and there is ample parking for visitors.

The building has been named James Watson House after the firm’s founder James Watson, reflecting a 156-year heritage.

Armstrong Watson CEO and managing partner Paul Dickson said: ‘James Watson House has been a vision for many years and I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved.

‘We have invested significantly to provide great facilities for our people and our clients in Carlisle and the surrounding areas. As a firm, we are a strong regional business with offices in major cities such as Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle, as well as in smaller towns such as Dumfries, Penrith and Skipton.

‘We are committed to Cumbria and have committed to maintaining our head office in Carlisle, as that is where our business was established as a leading firm of accountants, business and financial advisers for individuals, family businesses, owner-managed and privately-owned businesses.

‘We acknowledge the importance of investing in our teams, and of equal priority is the need to invest in the right environment for them to work in, and provide our clients with the best possible service.

‘Our new office will support Armstrong Watson’s growth for years to come, providing space for many more colleagues to join us as we continue in our aim to be the go-to firm for family and owner-managed businesses in the North of England and Scotland.’

The move to James Watson House comes after the firm brought together its Newcastle team under one roof in the city’s multimillion pound smart office One Strawberry Lane, following the acquisition of Joseph Miller in early 2023.

Armstrong Watson reported fee income of £32m for year end March 2022 and was ranked 31st in the Top 75 Firms survey. It has a network of 16 offices throughout the north of England and Scotland, with 37 partners and over 500 staff.