Purple lays foundations for growth with new HQ

A global WiFi software business is laying the foundations for further international growth with the opening of a new headquarters.

Purple has moved into Annie Kenney Mill in Chadderton, Oldham, as it looks to expand its global footprint.

The company operates across 80,000 venues worldwide and has earned recognition as a Visionary in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Indoor Location Services. 

It has also reported profits of more than £1 million.

Bosses say the move reinforces Purple’s commitment to Greater Manchester and the North West.

The company was attracted by the building’s sustainability credentials, including an EPC A rating, solar panels and electric vehicle charging points, while its location also pays tribute to Annie Kenney, the Oldham-born suffragette who became one of the most influential working-class figures in the campaign for women’s voting rights.

Purple is now focused on increasing its international footprint, with a target of generating 60 per cent of its revenue from overseas markets within the next three years.

The business is also building on its success in the public sector, having worked with Newcastle City Council on a city-wide WiFi model that combines public connectivity with real-time analytics.

Gavin Wheeldon, chief executive of Purple, said: “The return to hybrid working and our office location is the next step in a story that has already seen us establish a network of over 80,000 venues, lead a city-scale deployment in Newcastle that is now the blueprint for how public Wi-Fi should work, and a platform that gives organisations from independent businesses to global retailers the kind of connectivity and insight that simply was not available before.

“The professional world continues to evolve from a remote working model and we’re excited to bring our teams back together under a hybrid working model, which offers the best of both worlds - flexibility and in person connection.  

“It means we’ll be able to build closer relationships with each other, stronger trust across our teams and learn from each other through real time collaboration.”

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