By: Gareth Ainley, Senior Associate

This year, DFC’s annual summer party took place in Leeds, celebrating our office relocation to The Granary in the South Bank area of Leeds city centre. The event provided a valuable opportunity for the team to gather, hear a business update and engage in social activities, bringing together colleagues from all four of our offices.

During the event, the directors shared a detailed business update and showcased the features of our new office space at The Granary. The Granary is an inspiring space for our team to thrive with ample room for growth and collaboration. It was particularly interesting to see the number of projects that DFC has undertaken just in the immediate vicinity of the new office, including the recently completed Tower Works. This insight truly underscored the role DFC is playing in shaping the landscape of Leeds city centre, which adds an exciting dimension to our connection with the area.

Image above: The Granary, Leeds – office space.

One of the highlights for me was the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate our team members’ achievements. Five have recently been promoted, accounting for more than 10% of our staff. It’s great to see their hard work and dedication being acknowledged and appreciated. This not only reflects the positive growth and development within our team but also celebrates the supportive and rewarding environment we strive to cultivate for all our team members.

Additionally, our new colleagues from 2023’s recruitment drive have settled in well and are showing consistent growth and progress. Looking ahead, we discussed our recruitment plans, including plans for senior hires, summer placements and our upcoming graduate intake (some of whom are former summer placements – they clearly enjoyed their DFC experience).

After the presentation, we took a short walk to the Lock Kitchen Bar and Terrace at Double Tree by Hilton Hotel where we had a barbecue on the terrace that overlooks Leeds-Liverpool canal. The setting provided a welcoming atmosphere for everyone to reconnect and unwind. Even the sun made an occasional appearance, adding to the day’s warmth and positivity. In summary, it was a truly uplifting and pleasurable afternoon for all.