VERTUAL’S SUCCESS BECOMES A REALITY AS PPH HELP SECURE NEW ANCHOR HOUSE HEADQUARTERS IN HULL

Vertual Ltd, a leading provider of virtual reality training in radiation therapy (VERT), is enjoying a rapid expansion and has negotiated a new lease with PPH Commercial to move into a fully-refurbished office suite at Anchor House, in Hull.

Since forming in 2007 as a spin-off company from a joint research project involving Hull University and Hull and East Yorkshire hospital trust, the business has become a real success story.

Vertual’s state-of-the-art VERT technology has been adopted by universities and radiotherapy teaching hospitals across the world – and is now used by more than 140 institutions in over 30 countries.

Their virtual reality systems provide immersive training for radiographers and physicists, enabling them to practice complex procedures away from the patient. Their technology can also help patients who are planning to receive radiation therapy, reducing the initial fear of treatment. Patients can see what is going to happen in the treatment room and understand how radiotherapy works.

Vertual hope their move into The Maltings development, in Hull city centre, will accelerate their expansion plans – creating up to 10 new jobs during the next 12 months.

“We’re currently enjoying a period of accelerated growth and we’re hoping to capitalise on this success by entering new markets in the US, South America, China and South East Asia,” said Debra Leeves, who was recently appointed as Vertual’s first CEO after being head-hunted from Physeon GmbH in Switzerland.

“Hull has proven to be a great place for Vertual to do business because we can access the exact type of staff we need – particularly software coders and developers – thanks to the Computer Science courses offered by the University of Hull.

“Our move to Anchor House will allow us to expand and we’re expecting to create up to 10 new positions across the business this year, with further job opportunities also expected in the future. We’re delighted to be relocating – it’s very exciting times.”

PPH director Ben Cooper, who concluded the deal, said: “Vertual wanted a modern, vibrant office space and the former Hull Brewery building is perfect after recently enjoying a significant investment and refurbishment by the property owners.

“Last year saw us complete a 10,000sqft letting to Enact Conveyancing and let a ground floor suite to Optical Express. A refurbished suite of 1,500sqft remains available and the third floor is currently undergoing a full refurbishment, which will also be available on completion of the works. It is great to see the owner’s significant investment in this building coming to fruition.”

For more details on the remaining office suite available at Anchor House, email ben.cooper@pph-commercial.co.uk or call 01482 626912.