West Midlands tech and digital hub secures latest "innovative" tenant

Corporate gifting company, XD Connects (formerly Xindao), is to move its UK headquarters to the West Midlands tech and digital hub, Innovation Birmingham.

Part of the Bruntwood SciTech national network of innovation districts, a 50:50 joint venture between Bruntwood and Legal and General, the Dutch multinational, which also has offices across Europe and China, is due to take 2,700 sq ft of space at Innovation Birmingham, adding to the 100-plus ecosystem of tech entrepreneurs and businesses at the campus.

Specialising in the sale of sustainable promotional products online, XD Connects recently rebranded as it transitions to a low impact corporate and employee gifting model.

In addition to developing more traceable and recyclable product ranges, the business has established a number of partnerships that see it donate proceeds to initiatives being delivered by environmental organisations including Water.org, Trees for All and Justdiggit.

With 20 years’ experience operating in the UK, XD Connects also selected the Bruntwood SciTech campus due to their sector-leading ESG credentials which mirror with their own, including commitments to be Net Zero Carbon in all operational areas by 2030.

XD Connects is the latest in a wave of “innovative” tech and digital companies to join the Innovation Birmingham campus over recent months, with the campus securing 25 per cent of new leases signed in Birmingham during the last quarter.

Located at the heart of the city’s Knowledge Quarter, alongside Aston and Birmingham City Universities, businesses locating to Innovation Birmingham have access to Bruntwood SciTech’s specialist business support programme to all digital businesses wishing to scale, including access to funding, highly skilled talent, new markets, and a large partner network.

Joseph Venables, head of business development at Bruntwood SciTech, commented: “In relocating to Innovation Birmingham, XD Connects joins one of the UK’s most exciting and innovative tech clusters.

“The campus was designed to provide space that inspires collaboration between the many brilliant and growing tech and digital businesses in the West Midlands, while supporting their progress towards a more sustainable future.”

Paul Maye, UK & Ireland country manager at XD Connects, added: “The move to Innovation Birmingham is a huge step for our UK and Ireland operations and is an ideal way to mark our 12th anniversary in the city.

“Our move is about more than just servicing soaring demand; we want to connect our customers with the positive change we’re making and that starts with how we operate as a business.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily