roundtable


The Business Magazine with Thames Valley 250 sponsors HSBC, accountants Moore Stephens, lawyers Gateley plc, and Henley Business School, invited senior business leaders to Bearwood Lakes Golf Club near Wokingham for this discussion


Location Location … Location?


Workplace location used to be job-related, then flexible and remote working made location less essential, and now, is location that essential to a successful business? Underpinned by worldwide 24/7 internet tech-comms availability, the traditional workplace is increasingly under pressure to adapt to suit the needs of a today’s workforce – wherever and however it wants to work. Or is it?


Participants


Hannah Dutfield: Business development manager, Henley Business School


Sarah Friend: Partner, Moore Stephens Ravi Gidar: Director, Gold Care Homes


Aki Stamatis: Chairman, Fourfront Group


The Roundtable team Journalist John Burbedge reports the highlights


How is today’s workplace changing?


“It’s not just about creating the right working environment; location still matters,” said property agent David Thomas. “We are seeing occupiers looking to change the workplace offering – agile working, breakout spaces, collaboration through layout, etc – but also making sure they are in locations that offer over-and- above a traditional office building with a car park.” Amenities such as in-house ‘coffee- shops’, bike-racks and showers were becoming standard but staff still wanted proximity to pre-work, lunchtime or after- work activity options. Traditional businesses in mediocre town or city locations were struggling to recruit or retain, he added. “It’s more than providing a workplace now. It’s about providing a lifestyle environment.”


Attractive business locations can drive recruitment, stated urban planning and infrastructure developer, Scott Witchalls. When PBA re-styled its Reading head office, its Thames-side location was fundamental. “It is as much what’s around the building, as what’s in it. Employees like busy centres with amenities available on their doorstep.”


David Murray queried whether traditional business sectors were changing their approach to the workplace?


Gateley lawyer Paul de Vince responded: “Law firms aren’t perceived as being at the cutting edge of change, but the reality is that we are moving forward. We may never be ahead of the game, but our whole working style, the division between home and office, has become less polarised.” Even legal tomes cluttering many firms’ desks might soon disappear into the cloud, he suggested. “We have to respect that people today want to work flexibly, dip in and out, and enjoy their whole life in a better way. We are seeing that in our own offices.”


Banking and legal staff in India work predominantly via mobile phones, noted Ravi Gidar.


Having worked with global partners in Australia, Aki Stamatis revealed: “Some of the most interesting cutting-edge workspaces I’ve seen recently were actually at law firms In Sydney, and these environments have been powerful aids to recruitment for them. Young lawyers will almost spend their lives in these


David Thomas: Regional managing partner, Vail Williams LLP


Paul de Vince: Commercial partner – Thames Valley office, Gateley plc


Scott Witchalls: Partner, Peter Brett Associates


David Murray: Managing director, The Business Magazine, chaired the discussion


workspaces, because they provide services – food, dry-cleaning, social activities, you name it – that cater for their lifestyles.”


Witchalls: “There is no obligation on employers to offer such services, but we provide these because we value our staff and their requirements highly, and when recruiting it can certainly be a differentiator in attracting new staff.”


Stamatis felt the line between work and home had blurred. “I don’t think work- life balance exists any more; the two are now integrated. The question is: What does all this mean for leases, a building’s longevity, the owners and developers?”


Are out-of-town locations less popular?


Thomas: “No, not for their buildings or leasing; it’s the provision of amenities


THAMES 250 VALLEY ®


32


businessmag.co.uk


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – DECEMBER 2017


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