Global law firm Ashurst to hire 150 people for new Brisbane back office

ONE of the world’s top law firms is set to hire 150 people for a new back office centre in Brisbane lured by a State Government push for more corporate offices in Queensland.

ONE of the world’s biggest law firms will employ 150 people at a new back office centre in Brisbane as part of a government push to entice more corporate headquarters to Queensland.

Ashurst has chosen the city over competing locations across Australia and Asia for the centre that will create 150 jobs over the next five years and handle document review, human resources, finance and IT functions for the law firm’s global network of offices.

Ashurst received support for the centre from the $150 million Advance Queensland Industry Attraction Fund (AQIAF) that aims to entice more businesses to the state.

State Development Minister Cameron Dick will travel to Sydney this week to kick off a campaign to attract more corporate headquarters and offices to Queensland.

“We have a strong and diverse economy, competitive business costs, an enviable lifestyle, world-class universities and proximity to the Asia-Pacific,” said Mr Dick.

“By attracting national and international businesses to set up their headquarters in Queensland, we can create hundreds of local jobs.” Founded in 1822, London-based Ashurst now has 27 offices around the world.

State Development Minister Cameron Dick. PICTURE: Matt Taylor.

Ashurst Brisbane office head Richard Knox said the firm’s new centre in Ann St would focus on efficient legal service delivery through increased use of legal technology such as artificial intelligence and automation. About 85 people have already been hired at the centre.

“This project has built on Ashurst’s successful establishment of a similar innovative business and legal services office in Glasgow, which since 2013 has seen over 300 new roles created,” Mr Knox said. “Together, Brisbane and Glasgow will support our global offices across Australia, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the United Kingdom and the United States.”

Mr Dick said the government would now commence the campaign to lure more corporate headquarters and back office centres north, commencing with a series of meetings with senior company representatives.

Mr Dick said AQIAF had been a powerful tool to encourage businesses to relocate to or reinvest in Queensland, creating jobs and stimulating regional growth. AQIAF had funded 14 projects, generating 1097 new jobs and more than $367 million in capital investment.

Companies which had recognised the benefits of establishing themselves in Queensland included YOUI Insurance, which has its national headquarters on the Sunshine Coast employing more than a 1000 people.