ENVIRONMENT Sponsored by
WORKPLACE OF THE YEAR
WINNER:
With employee engagement being a key objective of forward-thinking companies who recognise the growing need to gain, maintain, and retain talented staff within the Thames Valley, providing a workplace in which that talent enjoys working can be a highly beneficial advantage.
In this second award category the judges were looking for companies that used their property strategy to create new working styles, innovative new practices and actually made great working spaces for their employees.
Three workplaces were shortlisted: • Barton Willmore in Reading • Charles Russell Speechlys in Guildford • Peter Brett Associates in Reading
In June 2014 Barton Willmore, the UK’s largest independent integrated planning and design consultancy, moved its offices on the edge of Reading into the heart of the town, with its statement building The Blade. The 100-strong team moved just 15 miles but the contrast of building style was vast. It also better reflected the size, quality and culture of Barton Wilmore with its focus on collaboration and innovation. As the firm said: “The new workplace gave us the opportunity to showcase what we are about. How we can plan, design and deliver,
www.businessmag.co.uk
BARTON WILLMORE, READING
but also how our unique multi-disciplinary offer works so effectively in practice.”
The Surrey office team of law firm Charles Russell Speechlys also decided to relocate to the heart of its nearest main town – Guildford. And, the firm wanted to create a high-quality ‘fantastic’ open-plan workspace environment for its partners and staff, plus an excellent visitor experience at its new Guildford offices. Harmsen Tilney Shane’s design team worked closely with CRS. The result is a workplace that reflects the history and heritage of the firm while creating a contemporary, hospitable interior space.
Development and infrastructure consultancy Peter Brett Associates undertook an ambitious refurbishment of its Reading headquarters at Caversham Bridge House, to provide a flexible and collaborative working environment for its 260 staff. PBA wanted the offices to demonstrate that the firm ‘practices what it preaches’ in terms of sustainability, quality and value. With dedicated breakout areas, hot-desking, café services, a reference library and archive room, PBA has created a ‘great workplace’.
Allan Wood (pictured right), sales director at category award sponsor Optima Contracting, the leading expert in partitioning systems,
announced the winner…. the Reading office of Barton Willmore.
A delighted Ian Tant, senior planning partner at Barton Willmore, explained: “We moved from a cluster of refurbished older buildings into a stylish workspace where we could put all our previously smaller working teams together on one floor. It has made a huge difference to the atmosphere within the office.
“We now communicate and work together freely and also have central Reading facilities – the station, Forbury Gardens, shops and so on – in walking distance. It’s a complete transformation of our working environment.”
He also highlighted corporate image benefits. “We are a design practice and therefore need to demonstrate to those coming to us that we have design and style capabilities. Coming into a modern, well-designed, efficiently laid out, and attractive office makes such a difference. Our staff like it, and we find our clients are making it their venue of choice for meetings now.”
With commanding views over five counties, Barton Willmore’s new home at the Blade is not only a stunning workspace, but arguably also the home of the highest Thames Valley Property Award.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – JUNE 2015
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