Scottish Business and Government Leaders Join PRA Group to Unveil New Office in HALO Kilmarnock

Finance Secretary for Scotland celebrates global company’s investment in sustainability and growth

KILMARNOCK, Scotland – Global financial services company, PRA Group, Inc., today celebrated the grand opening of its new offices in Kilmarnock’s HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre (HEIC) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Local leaders spanning the business, government and third sectors heard from speakers including Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes, who congratulated PRA Group on the official launch of its new premises. 

PRA OPENING HALO FROM LEFT TIM KIRK, STEVE ROBERTS, KATE FORBES, MARIE MACKLIN AND MARTIN SJOLUND.

Ms. Forbes said: “It is great to have an international company like PRA Group, one of Kilmarnock’s largest employers, as the anchor tenant for the new HALO facility. We are committed to tackling climate change in Scotland and PRA Group’s move to this new net-zero facility will help us to reach these goals. The new facility will also attract high-skilled digital and cyber jobs to the region and play a pivotal part in our economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Nasdaq-listed PRA Group is a global leader in providing nonperforming loan solutions. Founded in 1996 in Norfolk, Virginia, the business has grown to operate in 18 countries around the world. 

PRA Group’s Executive Vice President, Global Operations Officer Steve Roberts remarked: “Ten years ago on this site, the Johnnie Walker Blended Scotch Whisky plant closed after over 190 years of operation and officials from Kilmarnock and across Scotland had the courage to set a plan for regeneration. Today we are here to recognize the achievement of that vision and the work of so many.” 

Roberts continued: “Also ten years ago, PRA Group had a vision to grow to become a global leader in nonperforming loan solutions by doing the right things, for the right reasons, with a long-term focus. Our expansion began right here in Kilmarnock, and we are proud that our U.K. operation based here in Kilmarnock remains our largest outside of the U.S., and that we can now give back to this community as one of the area’s largest employers.”

Over the past decade, PRA Group has nearly doubled its presence in the town. Through the company’s investment in HALO, Kilmarnock will also serve as a hub of digital innovation for the company.

HALO Kilmarnock is one of the most environmentally friendly developments in the U.K. It sets the standard for low carbon energy sites by building a sustainable community powered by renewable energy. Since its completion, it has been recognized during the annual British Council for Offices’ (BCO) Regional Awards as Scotland’s Best Corporate Workplace and by thScottish Property Awards for Best Regeneration Project. The futuristic facility was also designed to optimize the workplace environment to promote the health and well-being of employees. 

President of PRA Group Europe Martin Sjolund added: “We could not have found a better home for our U.K. operational hub, and we are immensely grateful for the supportive environment that Scotland offers as we prioritize our investments in innovation, sustainability and European growth.”

To learn more about opportunities with PRA Group in HALO and around the world, visit pragroup.com/careers.