Toyota (GB) Celebrates 20 Years at its Surrey HQ
It’s been two decades since Toyota (GB) moved into its state-of-the-art headquarters in Burgh Heath, near Epsom in Surrey. The futuristic building was officially opened on 10 July 2001 by Fujio Cho, then President of Toyota Motor Corporation.
The headquarters, designed by architects Sheppard Robson, is set on a 5.66ha site in the parkland of a neighbouring Grade II listed building. The 14,000m2 building was carefully designed to relate to its landscaped surroundings while providing a dynamic new workplace for staff of both Toyota (GB) and Toyota Financial Services (UK).
Toyota (GB) PLC is the national marketing and sales company for Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the UK, responsible for all sales, marketing, after sales and customer relations issues nationwide. Toyota Financial Services (UK) PLC offers a range of innovative finance and insurance products for both Toyota and Lexus.
Around 100 guests, including senior personnel from associate companies and Toyota colleagues from around the globe, attended the event, hosted by Ken Kuroki, Toyota (GB) Chairman at the time. Also present were the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, the Japanese ambassador to the UK, Sadayuki Hayashi, and Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling
A presentation in the stylish rotunda reception area was followed by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. In celebration of the new premises’ opening, Toyota also presented a donation to the Children’s Trust charity, based in nearby Tadworth.
While the building has continued to provide a modern, flexible working environment for around 450 people, its grounds have undergone extensive landscaping. In 2014, Toyota launched a partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to create a natural environment that would foster biodiversity with native plants and wildlife. This motor industry-first initiative has turned the site into an Eco-HQ, reflecting Toyota’s global commitment to protecting and enhancing the natural world.
Beehives, bat and bird boxes and other features have been installed in the orchards, meadow areas and ponds that encircle the building to encourage birds, animals and insects to make their home there.
Meanwhile, inside the building, constant efforts are made to improve the business’s environmental efficiency, reducing waste, energy and water consumption and encouraging material recycling and re-use.
ENDS
