Surrey-based Gordon Murray Group has revealed plans for an all-new global headquarters in Windlesham. The new technology campus will be built on a 54-acre site providing ‘state of the art’ facilities for world-leading automotive design, engineering and advanced vehicle development and manufacturing.

This announcement closely follows the launch of the T.50 supercar and underscores the development of the Gordon Murray Group.

The 130,000ft² development, encompassing three buildings, will also see the Gordon Murray Group create more than 100 new highly skilled jobs within the next three years.

Phase one is aiming to commence construction and will house a vehicle manufacturing centre, customer sales and the Gordon Murray Group heritage collection. The whole site is due to be completed by the end of 2024 with a total investment of £50 million.

Professor Gordon Murray, chairman of Gordon Murray Group, led the vision for the new global headquarters and architects — Design Engine — were responsible for the design.

The Gordon Murray Group will be working closely with Surrey Heath Borough Council to ensure that both the business and the buildings are sympathetically integrated into the historic site.

The picturesque parkland on the existing site will be retained, preserving and enhancing its natural beauty and making it a welcoming setting for employees and visitors.

Huge step forward
Professor Murray said: “This new technology campus and global headquarters is a major investment and a huge step forward for the Gordon Murray Group, as we gather momentum for the next phase of our business and our brands, spearheaded by the all-new T.50 supercar.

“Our innovative new technology campus is a fantastic new home and will give us world-class facilities that have been designed with a lot of attention to communication, workflow and social interaction – which will bring new levels of productivity to our already very efficient team.

“This new headquarters is a significant investment and will create high value-added new jobs. We are also proud to be already making a significant contribution to UK exports, and helping to secure the vital UK automotive supply chain.

“Over 90% of the content of the new T.50 comes from UK suppliers, which is something that we specified from the start — it is designed, engineered and manufactured from world-class British components in Great Britain.

“On a personal note, I have lived and worked in Surrey for over 50 years and we look forward to working with the Surrey Heath Borough Council and the local communities to integrate our business into the borough and to sensitively develop this site which has so much potential.”

Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Member of Parliament for Surrey Heath: “We are delighted that the Gordon Murray Group has announced moving into the Surrey Heath constituency. It is a highly respected business, globally renowned for design and technology. I am especially pleased that this will bring a number of highly skilled new jobs to Windlesham.”

Significant investment
The new headquarters incorporate a revolutionary layout in the design and prototyping area of the main engineering facility, which will deliver an ultra-efficient, world-class vehicle development process.

Individual build bays for prototype vehicles are sited adjacent to their respective design team with common access areas to ensure engineering teams communicate and work together efficiently.

Elsewhere on the technology campus, the new headquarters will house office and presentation facilities, while a dedicated R&D structure will continue to advance the group’s leadership in automotive engineering and materials research.

Richard Jobson, Design Engine founding director, said: “We are delighted that our scheme has reached this important milestone. It is incredibly exciting to develop a series of buildings that will enable the Gordon Murray Group to continue to be at the forefront of global car design.”

Alan McClafferty, Leader, Surrey Heath Borough Council said: “We are delighted that Gordon Murray Group will be moving to the Borough and expanding their business. They are a local firm with a strong family ethos, which, despite the current global pandemic, are moving forward with these exciting plans for their business.

“While changes to the site are still subject to planning approval, we wish them every success in their continued development.”

In addition to the new Windlesham facility, the Gordon Murray Group will retain its existing facilities. The site at Dunsfold Park will be used to manufacture the exclusive T.50 supercar and T50s track-focused version, as well as continuing R&D in the innovative and agile iStream manufacturing system. The original Shalford site will be occupied until the technology campus is finished.