INSURANCE giant Hiscox has revealed the construction firm which will be behind building its new £19 million offices in Hungate.

The offices, set be the company's largest outside of London covering 50,000st ft, will ultimately bring 500 jobs to the city.

Yesterday Hiscox announced it has appointed BAM Construction for the build, with construction set to get underway next month.

With its North East offices in Leeds and Gateshead, BAM has worked on a number of projects in York including Network Rail's £27 million "Engineers Triangle" featuring the rail operator's new Route Operating Centre and Workforce Development Centre.

BAM was also behind the University of York's Ron Cooke Hub, the Melrose Stand at York Racecourse, several other projects for the University including a Biosciences Building, and Selby War Memorial Hospital.

Steve Langan, managing director of Hiscox UK, Europe and Asia, said: “Our new office in York will set the benchmark for Hiscox’s future approach to office design and working practices.

"This means it’s incredibly important to us that we work with a building contractor that shares our focus on excellence and attention to detail.

“BAM stood out as one of the foremost contractors in the UK. They set high standards in construction and we were impressed by their enthusiasm for the project from the outset.

"They were the obvious choice for us; they have a proven track record of working on prestigious developments and a high regard for health and safety, they share our vision for the build, and most importantly they have the expertise and experience we need to make it happen.”

Hiscox's four-story office has been designed by architects MAKE and will feature a cantilevered concrete frame, structural glass curtain walling and a winding staircase in a full-height atrium.

BAM construction director John Phillips, said: “This is a very exciting project, turning a site of historical interest into a modern facility that complements the wider regeneration plans for this part of the city.

"With its iconic design and well constructed layout, the building will be aesthetically pleasing as well as provide a well-equipped, user-friendly working environment.

"We look forward to building on the strong relationship with Hiscox that our facilities management business has developed with them in recent years."