John Sharp, the chief executive of the Business Continuity Institute, which advises on "disaster recovery", said: "The New York disaster is making many organisations rethink the locations of their 'disaster recovery' facilities. The major players, including the big four banks, are looking at locations outside London."
The idea of the so-called disaster recovery centre is that it would enable a commercial organisation to continue functioning after an emergency, when its offices in central London had been put out of action. In normal times, the recovery centre would function as an office, albeit with spare capacity.
Mace has already received commissions for such centres. David Grover, a project manager, said: "Banks are searching for locations to create financial trading space some 15 to 20 miles outside of London, whereas up until now they would usually locate near the City."
Grover added: "Until now, a lot of banks have outsourced disaster recovery centres to third parties. Now there is recognition that they want greater control."
He said firms that would not usually consider taking up disaster recovery space were reconsidering their plans.
Banks are searching for locations to create financial trading space some 15 to 20 miles outside of London
David Grover, project manager, Mace
