VIDEO | Future-proofing the workplace

One of the office market’s big buzzwords is flexibility, but what does that mean in a world where fully secure hybrid working is a must for occupiers?

In this roundtable sponsored by Telcom, a panel of experts discussed key issues like understanding the true cost of connectivity, the value of pre-connected buildings and what occupiers really want.

Participants

• Lee Treanor, director, HBD
• Richard Lace, director, OBI
• Alice Bolton-Gough, asset manager, MEPC
• Patrick Kennedy, flexible workspace specialist, Colliers
• Halima Berdeg, general manager, Clockwise
• Josh Hancock, head of commercial, Bruntwood
• Ciaran O’Doherty, head of engagement, Telcom
• Chaired by Neil Tague, Place North

Key talking points

In the post-Covid landscape, organisations are still trying to assess the best fit of hybrid working for them, and the data-gathering ahead of any new office project has become a major exercise: what do you need, how should it be configured, what are the type of settings and non-desk environments people need?

The technology side has also changed: the growth of virtual meetings has led to rising demand for multi-screen set-ups and meeting spaces that fully support both in-person and virtual attendees.

An education process is still ongoing about how crucial connectivity is. Pre-connected buildings have solved many issues for a certain size and type of occupier, and the smarter landlords are finding ways to make high quality, no-fuss connectivity reachable for smaller occupiers.

Although classification systems such as WiredScore and NABERS are helping raise the bar for new-builds, do we need better ways to assess legacy buildings? Manchester in particular has such a wealth of listed and other heritage assets that play a crucial role, but are left behind by the accreditation systems as they stand.

You can hear highlights from the roundtable in the video at the top of this article, as well as on the Place North YouTube channel. 

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