A BRIGHTON firm with an ambition to be one of the top 100 companies to work for in the country, has opened a new state-of-the-art centre for technology and innovation.

Paxton, which manufactures security systems for smart buildings, has opened the centre for technology alongside its current Brighton head office just off Lewes Road.

The 29,000-square feet Paxton Technology Centre will be home to the company’s product research and development departments.

This means that Paxton can continue to be at the cutting edge of design and technology within the security industry.

Adam Stroud, group chief executive, said the investment into the new facility forms part of the company’s business growth strategy and marks a positive commitment to the area.

He said: “We are delighted with our new facility and feel it’s a real statement of intent showing the direction the company is moving.

“It’s far from an ordinary working space and that’s because Paxton’s growth journey is also far from ordinary.

“We’ve enjoyed a period of impressive growth with turnover doubling over the past four years.

“We love being based in Brighton and for over 30 years we have been proud of our Sussex roots, having first established the business in Lewes before moving to Brighton in 2004.”

He said the company is continually investing in local talent to help grow the business.

He said: “We hope the opening of the Paxton Technology Centre will continue to attract the brightest and the best to work with us.

“The building has been designed to create a dynamic and collaborative working environment.

“This includes the Paxton Café, a large, social area which provides a comfortable space for staff to eat, relax and recharge.

“The open plan working space creates the perfect environment to support thousands of decisions being made every day, to progress the company towards further global expansion and the diversification of its extensive product range.

“The large atrium also includes two trees which each stand at seven metres tall.

“They help with the acoustics in a large open space and are a striking design addition to the office environment.

“The Paxton Technology Centre is so much more than just a new building for Paxton. It is the physical embodiment of all our hard work, and a symbol of the company’s continued growth and success.”