The regional director of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Richard Butler, and the Mayor of Solihull, Cllr Irene Chamberlain, helped Kier celebrate the official launch of its new Midlands offices at Blythe Valley Park, Solihull last week. The national construction, development and services group moved two of its local businesses to the park in the summer when their existing leases expired.

Affordable housing specialist Kier Partnership Homes, together with the central office of the group's regional contracting business, Kier Construction, moved to larger premises at the Tungsten building at the business park, off junction 4 of the M42 near Solihull, at the end of last year. Now fully bedded in to their fully-glazed new home, which provides over 23,000sq ft of prime office space on two floors, the Kier businesses took the opportunity to invite Mr Butler, the Mayor, and clients and customers to celebrate the New Year and to take a peak at the facilities and space they now share.

Richard Butler commented: "I am delighted that Kier has made this investment in the West Midlands, and the launch evening provided a good opportunity to talk to a cross section of clients, suppliers and designers involved in the construction sector. I look forward to continuing to lobby and campaign central government on the industry's behalf as CBI views construction as having a key role to play in moving forward the economy."

Cllr Chamberlain added: "I am delighted and very proud of the fact that Kier has chosen Blythe Valley Park as its new home. Solihull has much to offer new and established businesses wishing to work across the region as it is ideally placed in the heart of the country. I wish Kier every success as it grows the business over the coming years and I look forward to the creation of new jobs and opportunities for local companies to benefit from the presence of such a major local employer."

Kier Group chief executive, Paul Sheffield, talked to guests at the launch about the decision to relocate both companies to Blythe Valley Park, commenting that it reflects Kier's desire to maximise the collective strength and skills of its different businesses by bringing them together under one roof, enabling them to work more closely in order to offer total integrated solutions to Kier's expanding client base.

Mr Sheffield explained that the excellent location, with its first-class transport links by road, rail and air, coupled with its provision of a 21st century working environment, had encouraged the company to acquire the building outright rather than rent it, demonstrating Kier's long-term commitment to the area.

Blythe Valley Park covers an area of 257 acres, including a dedicated countryside park, and is home to companies and organisations such as Arup, Oracle, British Gas, Caterpillar Finance, Goodman and Virgin Active.