Office design a key contributor to return to the workplace in the finance sector

Financial services firms that are encouraging their staff to return to the office should prioritise office design if they want their policies to prove successful. This is according to data from global workplace design experts, Unispace.

Responding to the move by some major finance groups to encourage staff to return to the office with either a range of perks or mandated days in the workplace, data from Unispace’s Returning for Good study suggests that it is not a lack of perks that is preventing employees from being in the workplace more often, but rather the environment. 

The study revealed 65% of professionals within the financial services and banking industries struggle to do their core job when in the office due to the number of distractions they find there.

The report also revealed 57% of workers in the sector are reluctant to return to the office on a more regular basis. The individual reasons behind this reluctance include; preferring the privacy of working from home (34%), feeling more effective in a quieter home working environment (31%) and being more productive when not in the office (24%). 

When it came to why they enjoyed being in the office, financial services professionals said they liked the social interaction (35%) and wanted the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues (29%) as well as having access to better IT facilities than at home.

Consequently, Unispace argues that financial services employers should consider the way they are using their available space and whether it aligns with what their workers need from the modern office, before investing in incentives that are misaligned with staff requirements or mandating returns.

Lawrence Mohiuddine, CEO EMEA at Unispace, said: “Whilst it's positive to see financial firms looking to encourage their staff to return to the office, many tactics we’re seeing do not address the root cause of the reluctance to return that prevails. 

"The only way these employers will see real, lasting change in behaviour and sentiment towards being in their workspaces is by designing these areas to enable better productivity and efficient work.”

“This means listening to and engaging with your staff to find out what they really want and need. Our data indicates professionals enjoy having privacy and being more effective in quiet areas, but they're  also looking for opportunities to socialise and collaborate, too. While these sound like two disparate concepts, being flexible with your office design and creating different areas that align with these needs will help really encourage people to return on a more regular basis.”

To request your own copy of the report visit https://www.unispace.com/returning-for-good

Unispace Group strengthens its life sciences offering by acquiring Bulb

Global life sciences strategy, design, and construction firm, Unispace Life Sciences, has acquired UK laboratory and office fit-out specialist firm Bulb. 

This is the second life sciences design company the business welcomes in less than two years, after attaining BioPharma Engineering (BPE) in Cork, Ireland in 2022. Bulb will operate as ‘Unispace Life Sciences’, part of the Unispace Group, with a highly experienced team fully dedicated to creating inspiring facilities, labs and workplaces for this sector.

This is another significant step for the business’ life sciences segment, which has demonstrated remarkable growth so far to date and is on target to continue to expand significantly over the next two years. The merger with Bulb will deepen its industry specialization particularly within the UK market.

Bulb designs and builds inspiring working environments in the life sciences sector, including R&D facilities, high-tech laboratory spaces, production facilities, and corporate offices. Bulb operates across the UK and has delivered complex projects for clients, including Kadans Science Partners and Advanced Research Clusters (ARC).

CEO at Unispace Life Sciences, John O’Reilly said: “We're obviously thrilled to welcome Bulb to our growing life sciences segment. Our businesses are well aligned, we share similar values, growth ambitions, and our combined teams have a wealth of experience to offer all our clients.

"Life sciences is one of the strongest performing sectors in the UK, and to maintain business growth biopharma firms need access to quality facilities and working environments that attract the best talent, drive innovation, and enable collaboration.

With our new team on board, we're feel we are well placed to support clients with their changing needs in a fast-moving market.”

Derek Jones, who is Bulb's MD said: “We are excited to join a fast-growing, global business such as Unispace Life Sciences; our joined-up team of experts will be able to offer clients a much wider range of capabilities and services. 

"And we look forward to beginning our new journey as Unispace Life Sciences and continuing to deliver inspiring and sustainable work environments that address the challenges today’s life sciences businesses are facing.”