A growing recruitment company has expanded into new offices at Sunderland’s City Hall.

Independent teacher recruitment company AK Teaching has opened its new headquarters at the city’s civic hub, 11 years after its launch in the city. The company, founded in Sunderland by Jonny Greener and Anthony Kirtley, recruits for roles in primary, secondary and SEND schools, with specialist consultants in each sector.

The firm also has bases in Newcastle and Leeds, helping it to provide services across the North East and West Yorkshire. Mr Greener said: “We’re delighted to have opened our new office in City Hall.

“Anthony and I are both from Sunderland, the company has always been headquartered here and this move will put us at the heart of the transformation happening in the city. The Riverside Sunderland project is so exciting and will be a game changer, so being part of it really does allow us to play our part in the area’s regeneration.

“We are proud to be based in Sunderland, our new site will provide a great platform for us to grow our business and to continue to provide opportunities for local people.”

City Hall forms a focal part of Riverside Sunderland, one of the UK’s biggest urban regeneration projects which also includes The Beam and The Yard, forthcoming offices Maker and Faber, a new Eye Hospital, culture venue Culture House, the National Esports Performance Campus and the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy, as well as new homes for up to 2,500 residents.

In all, the project will double the residential pompulation in the city centre and increase employment by 50%, backed by £100m of investment from Legal & General and £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

Coun Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “AK Teaching is a great example of a company that has started out in Sunderland and is now a key player in its sector, with offices across the North of England. We are thrilled the company has reaffirmed its commitment to the city, putting itself at the centre of Riverside Sunderland. I look forward to watching the company grow from its new site.”

Designed by leading architect FaulknerBrowns, on behalf of Sunderland City Council, City Hall opened its doors in November 2021.

As well as scooping numerous industry awards, including ‘Best Civic Building’ at the AJ Architecture Awards, ‘Best Corporate Workplace’ and ‘Best of the Best’ at the British Council for Offices Awards and a Royal Institute of British Architects North Regional Award, the building also hosts numerous community groups and activities and provides a modern accessible hub for the effective delivery of public services.

Other tenants in the City Hall, which was designed by Killingworth architects FaulknerBrowns and has won a number of awards since opening two years ago, include Sunderland City Council, The Department for Work & Pensions, Gentoo and Sunderland College.