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Fifty-five per cent of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport managers (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ staff grades 8 to 9) have chosen to relocate to Salford when ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport moves in 2011.

This is the largest percentage to say yes so far of those groups of staff who have had to make their decisions about relocation.

Barbara Slater, Director of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport, commented: "I am very pleased with the response we have received and both the numbers and high skills base of those saying yes.

"The move to Salford represents a transformational change for the whole ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and it is very exciting to know we can plan for our new future with a mixture of experience and the new talent we will need to attract.

"I also want to add that I fully appreciate what a major decision it is for people and that it has not been possible for all colleagues to say yes for a variety of personal and family reasons."

This new figure combined with the recently-announced decisions of others in grades 8 to 11 across the moving departments (Sport, Children's, 5 Live, Learning and parts of Future Media & Technology), and the senior managers' decisions announced at the beginning of May, means the combined total saying yes to moving to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ North at Salford Quays under the leadership of Peter Salmon is 45%.

According to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's independent relocation partner for the move to Salford, a figure over 40% on acceptance levels for large-scale relocation in both the public and private sectors is high.

Notes to Editors

Cartus is the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's independent relocation partner for the move to Salford.

The 55% acceptance represents 61 individuals saying "yes" and the combined total number of "yes" responses of all grades 8-11 and Senior Managers who have now had to make their decisions about the move is 45% – which represents 184 individuals.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is expected to begin moving into the new ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ North in a phased way during 2011, from around Easter onwards.

Departments relocating to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ North at MediaCityUK in Salford are Children's, Sport, 5 Live, Learning and parts of Future, Media & Technology.

An estimated 1,400 roles will relocate from London. Around 800 staff currently based at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Manchester will also move to the new ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ North in 2011.

Peter Salmon started his role as ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Director North full-time on 1 June 2009, while Richard Deverell, Head of Children's, has already been announced as the Chief Operating Officer for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ North.

Whilst all decisions have not been made indications show that a higher number of people than expected will decide to move to Salford.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's priority is to redeploy staff who are not able to make the move in order to minimise redundancy costs.

In the event that redeployment is not possible, the individual may be offered redundancy when the move is finally made.

The final round of decisions by staff whose roles are moving will be made in the autumn of 2009.

MC2