34 Boar Lane Lands FTI Consulting in Leeds Double Deal

FTI Consulting and Black Cat Building Consultancy take studios in The Commons, leaving the refurbished landmark opposite Leeds Station almost full

Two more firms have signed for space at 34 Boar Lane, the refurbished Leeds landmark opposite the city’s new station entrance. FTI Consulting, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, is opening a Leeds office at the building, alongside Black Cat Building Consultancy. Both have taken studios in The Commons, the 5,000 sq ft business lounge on the first floor. For a city short of quality city-centre space, a NYSE-listed consultancy choosing to plant its flag in Leeds is a notable vote of confidence.

Why This Matters For Leeds

A NYSE-listed firm building a Leeds team means more high-value professional jobs, and a landmark filling to near-capacity says demand for quality space is outstripping supply just as the station quarter is reborn.

Who Is Moving Into 34 Boar Lane

FTI’s arrival is big headline. The firm advises on restructuring and debt across the globe, and its Leeds base, a strategic priority, according to head of UK restructuring Matt Callaghan, builds on a Manchester office it opened three years ago. Black Cat Building Consultancy is also using the move to enter the Leeds market, with Amie McGagh framing the city as a natural next step. Both firms join a building that is filling fast. Global technology consultancy FDM Group signed a 10-year lease on the fourth floor in early 2025, and Manchester brunch favourite Federal opened its first Leeds cafe on the ground floor. Kinrise, the developer behind the refurbishment of the Grade II-listed property, says only two studio offices now remain.

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“We’re committed to continuing our investment in Leeds to build our team and deliver exceptional service to clients across Yorkshire and beyond.”

— Matt Callaghan, Head of UK Restructuring, FTI Consulting

What It Signals for Leeds Office Space

The deals land in a tight market. Leeds has been chronically short of top-quality city-centre offices, prime vacancy has sat close to 1%, well below a healthy level, so refurbished, characterful space like 34 Boar Lane is being absorbed quickly. Its position matters: the building sits directly opposite the revamped station entrance, and the surrounding public-realm improvements have made the address more attractive to occupiers weighing a city-centre move. FTI’s entry also thickens the city’s professional-services base, the cluster of legal, financial and advisory firms increasingly marketing Leeds as a northern rival to the traditional square mile. For a restructuring specialist, sitting minutes from the station and a regional client base is the draw.