CooperVision announces new Vision Centre

Proposed frontage and outside theatre space

CooperVision has announced plans for a new, state-of-the art technical, commercial and business hub in Southampton, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and employee well-being.

Set for completion in 2026, the Vision Centre will bring together CooperVision’s UK-based research and development (R&D) team, its UK-based Global Technical Innovations Group, and various commercial and business functions. At just over 10,000 square metres – and with capacity for more than 400 employees – the facility “represents a significant investment in both people and place, further cementing the company’s footprint on the UK’s south coast”.

Featuring a light-filled atrium and what the company terms a ‘green heart’ at its centre, the two-storey facility is designed to foster collaboration and promote innovation. It will feature the latest in workplace design thinking and include modern amenities, such as a well-being suite, eco-friendly design elements and versatile workspaces to accommodate the diverse needs of the company’s growing teams.

Debbie Olive, president EMEA at CooperVision, highlighted the importance of the new facility saying: “We are proud to be a global leader in the contact lens category and this investment highlights our commitment to providing world-class environments that enable colleagues to be at their absolute best at work.”

Francis Erard, vice president of R&D at CooperVision, added: “The design brings together colleagues from R&D, technical innovations, commercial and business functions into one inspiring and supportive environment. In parallel, our US-based R&D team will integrate into our corporate headquarters in California under the same concept.”

The Vision Centre is part of CooperVision’s regional four-point strategy to develop the Workplaces of Tomorrow, focusing on:
• Place: Creating world-class work environments.
• People: Ensuring outstanding work experiences.
• Value: Developing smart workplaces that enhance efficiency.
• Sustainability: Commitment to practices that benefit both people and planet.

In addition to the development of the Vision Centre, the company is exploring opportunities to further enhance its Delta Park commercial and distribution facility and make further investment in its Hampshire manufacturing sites.