Global Banking School (GBS) has secured 69,000sq ft at 1 Brindleyplace in Birmingham, marking the largest traditional office lease in the location in more than a decade.

The higher education provider has signed a 15-year lease for the entire building with Macquarie Asset Management, advised by CBRE.

Part of Global Education (GEDU), GBS operates 10 campuses across London, Birmingham, Leeds, and Manchester, serving over 30,000 students.

Initially founded in 2010 as a specialist training centre for finance and investment banking, GBS now offers vocational, undergraduate, and postgraduate programmes in finance, accounting, business, construction, tourism, and healthcare.

1 Brindleyplace will be GBS’s third campus in Birmingham, joining locations at Fazeley Studios in Digbeth and Norfolk House on Smallbrook Queensway.

James Kennedy, deputy chief executive of GBS, said: “At GBS, we are working to deliver on the GEDU goal of changing lives through education.

“We offer students unparalleled flexibility to complete their studies within their already busy personal and professional lives, enabling them to take that next step in their careers.

“This expanded footprint will allow us to even better serve the Birmingham community, a city in which we are proud to have a presence.”

Theo Holmes, senior director and head of office agency at CBRE in Birmingham, advised Macquarie on the letting.

He said: “The education sector is particularly active in the office market, with several notable deals in the last 18 months, including QAHE’s 45,000sq ft letting at Louisa Ryland House; Arden University taking an additional 24,000sq ft in Crossway House; and University College Birmingham’s acquisition of 45,000sq ft at Baskerville House.

“The repurposing of office space for education use is a trend that is continuing to gather pace in Birmingham.

“Space requirements of education providers are very similar to office occupiers.

“When coupled with access to local amenities and good transport links, it’s easy to see why an increasing number are choosing this route to establish and expand their campuses in the city.

“Brindleyplace provides the perfect campus location, offering good quality-accommodation and affordable rents, within a safe, managed environment.”