SHEPHERD Construction, one of York’s major employers, has opened a new office in London.

But a spokeswoman for the company stressed its headquarters and roots remained firmly in York.

She said: “The London office will strengthen the company’s national presence.”

The £500 million turnover contractor, which employs more than 3,000 people nationally, has taken a ten-year lease on 4,300 sq feet of office space in Pentonville Road near Kings Cross.

The object is to enable the company to capitalise on the first signs of a recovery in London and to be nearer to customers, business partners and the large number of UK consultants who are based in the capital.

Shepherd’s 30-strong south division team, headed by managing director Ian Cheung, has relocated from Slough to the new base.

Projects currently being handled by the south division include a £58 million new school project at Holland Park, and a £110 million project to deliver new facilities for the Institute Of Animal Health at Pirbright in Surrey.

Richard Vining, Shepherd Construction’s chief executive, said: “Having a base in London makes perfect sense for us to strengthen our operational base and raise our profile as a national contractor. It also gives us a strong presence in the capital to forge stronger relationships within the construction and property industry while maintaining close links with our other operational bases throughout the UK.”