London’s most outstanding workplaces have been revealed at the British Council for Offices (BCO) Regional Awards. Held at the London Hilton on Park Lane on 29 April, the BCO’s annual London Awards Lunch recognised projects that demonstrate best practice in office design, fit-out, operation and sustainability, setting the standard for excellence across the sector.
The seven winners of this year’s competition highlight the diversity of offices across the capital, ranging from a “neighbourhood” able to accommodate 10,000 workers to a Grade II listed building sensitively repurposed as a showcase for modern engineering. Whether featuring a vertical farm or an auditorium with the “wow factor”, all the winners are united in their intelligent consideration of user experience, community value and environmental impact.
The BCO Regional Award winners for London are:
Praising the winner of the Best Corporate Workplace award, the judges said 1Ed City Walk was an incredibly challenging scheme for a not-for-profit organisation to deliver. The project was led by a passionate client team from children’s educational charity Ark who surrounded themselves with a wider team that was equally as enthusiastic and aligned to their ambitions. The result is a building perfectly designed for end-users’ requirements, providing office, auditorium and education spaces. With strong amenity provision, the ground floor has a café open to local residents, while staff also benefit from a stunning rooftop terrace. It has delivered a beautiful new home for Ark that sets up the charity for future success. The judges said the scale of the social offer of this scheme is unrivalled, and its community and civil impact make it a deserving winner.
Taking the Best Commercial Workplace award, 40 Leadenhall is more than an office building – it’s a neighbourhood that will accommodate up to 10,000 people. With a strong focus on well-being and the tenant experience, the building responds positively to the surrounding context, while making a confident statement on the City of London skyline. The design is timeless and elegant, including historical assets which have been sympathetically restored. The scheme has redefined the amenity, social and hospitality offer within offices, including a well-stocked library, 30-seat cinema room, auditorium, extensive health and fitness facilities, restaurants and terraces. A range of floorplate sizes caters to varying tenant requirements, and strong sustainability credentials include targeting BREEAM Excellent and Nabers 5-star ratings. Overall, the scheme stood out in a highly competitive category, with the amenity provisions pushing it to the next level.
Capital Group’s new European headquarters at 1 Paddington Square, winner of the Best Fit Out of a Workplace category, boasts an impressive client reception and hospitality bar that is seamlessly connected by a stunning lighting sculpture. Two feature staircases provide vertical connection through the office with a clever use of lighting that helps you effortlessly flow through the space. The office floors feel generous, with amazing access to natural daylight. The transition floor offers a variety of amenities and social areas, providing users with an assortment of spaces in which to connect and collaborate. The conference suite is beautifully appointed, showcasing some impressive artwork, and includes a box-in-box outward-facing auditorium that delivers a real “wow” moment. The open and inclusive workplace projects style and elegance, providing facilities and amenities to inspire and encourage anyone to spend more time in the office.
This year’s Best Project up to 2,500m2, The Living Lab is a transformative workspace that combines innovation, sustainability and functionality within a historic setting. Developed as engineering firm Hilson Moran’s new headquarters, it supports business growth while showcasing cutting-edge engineering and sustainability practices. Adapting a Grade II listed building, the team prioritised circular economy principles, resource-efficient solutions and high-performance environmental strategies. Features such as non-metallic ductwork, demand-response ventilation and modular furniture reduce embodied carbon and allow for future flexibility. Meanwhile, the open, transparent design fosters collaboration and the judges praised the integration of sustainability, wellbeing and adaptability. Hilson Moran has used the space to showcase its skills in the best way possible, making The Living Lab an exemplary next-generation office.
Norton Folgate was crowned Best Refurbished/Recycled Workplace for transforming three underused and vacant buildings on the edge of the City into a vibrant mixed-use development that showcases the meticulous restoration of historic structures dating from the late 1800s. By integrating these with thoughtfully designed new constructions, the project maintains the architectural integrity of the Elder Street Conservation Area while offering a variety of office spaces tailored to different business needs, alongside retail and leisure facilities. The all-electric retrofit project achieved high BREEAM ratings for both new and existing structures, while collaborations with local food and beverage tenants and the support of local businesses underscore the project’s dedication to social responsibility. Through its sensitive architectural approach, strong ESG commitments and enhancement of public spaces, the project fosters economic and social vitality, setting a new benchmark for sustainable urban regeneration.
ESG Award winner 11 Belgrave Road revitalises a dated 1950s office building, introducing elegant new façades that improve the streetscape and harmonise with the Pimlico Conservation Area. Its Nabers 5.5-star, BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Platinum certifications make 11 Belgrave Road one of the most sustainable office buildings in the UK. The development was shaped by an exemplary engagement process with local residents and the adjacent school, ensuring alignment with community needs. A portion of the space has been allocated to local charities, while publicly accessible amenities – including flexible workspaces – further integrate the building into the social fabric of the neighbourhood. Through its bold commitment to low-carbon materials, energy efficiency and community engagement, the project not only significantly reduces embodied and operational carbon but also enhances the social fabric of Pimlico, demonstrating how commercial buildings can drive both environmental and social progress.
When GSK decided to relocate its headquarters from Brentford to central London, it set itself the challenge to “create the world’s healthiest workplace”, founded on the guiding principles of health, collaboration and sustainability. The resulting Project Emerald on New Oxford Street earned it this year’s Innovation Award. Following extensive research into the best workplace environments, GSK has provided 13 different work settings, gym and terraces, plus Europe’s largest indoor vertical farm, which supports an impressive restaurant offering for both GSK’s people and the public. The judges praised GSK’s research-based approach to the project brief and understanding of how office environments impact stress, cognitive performance and wellbeing. The team has used scientific findings to design a space that truly enhances the lives of everyone who steps inside – an approach the judges said was over and above anything they have seen applied at this stage of a project and which provides lessons for others.
Angela Joseph, Development Director at Brookfield Properties and BCO London Judging Chair, said: “This year’s winners have really raised the bar in terms of putting sustainability and community at the heart of modern office design. Visiting all the finalists in this year’s awards was both exciting and inspiring as we saw how projects are prioritising well-being and occupier experience to create diverse spaces where workers want to spend time. Demand for quality workspaces continues to be a key driver for the market, and the innovation on display among our award winners suggests a bright future for London offices.”
Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said: “Once again, the BCO’s Regional Awards have shown how far offices have evolved, and are continuing to do so, to meet the needs of the next generation of occupiers. As I come to the end of my tenure as chief executive of the BCO, I feel hugely positive about the future of this vital sector and proud of the way our members are raising standards in design, sustainability and occupier experience. Well done to all the 2025 London winners and best of luck for the National Awards this October.”
The London winners will compete for the BCO National Awards on 7th October 2025.
The lead sponsor for this year’s BCO Awards is AET Flexible Space. Category and Gold sponsors are AECOM, Glamox and Troup Bywaters + Anders. The BCO awards are in association with Estates Gazette.
ENDS
About the BCO
The British Council for Offices’ (BCO) mission is to research, develop and communicate best practice in all aspects of the office sector. It delivers this by providing a forum for the discussion and debate of relevant issues.
Established in 1990, the BCO is the UK’s leading forum for the discussion and debate of issues affecting the office sector.
Its members are all organisations involved in creating, acquiring, or occupying office space, whether architects, lawyers, surveyors, financial institutions, or public agencies. The BCO works to advance the collective understanding of its members, enabling them to work together to create more effective office space.
Media Contact:
ING Media
T: + 44 (0) 20 7247 8334
The North’s most outstanding workplaces have been named, with prestigious British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards presented to six landmark office buildings across the region.
On Thursday 3 April at Manchester’s Kimpton Clocktower, the BCO’s annual Northern Awards recognised projects that demonstrate best practice in office design, fit-out, operation and sustainability, setting the standard for excellence across the diverse sector.
The BCO Regional Award winners in each category for the North were:
Highly Commended workplaces were:
The BCO Northern Awards judging panel was chaired by Adam Tillis, Operations Director of Dragonfly Contracts, alongside Nathalie Baxter, Head of Workspace (Strategy) at the Home Group; Danielle Ford, Associate Director at GenNorth; Lee Treanor, Director at HBD; Richmal Wigglesworth, Associate Partner at Sheppard Robson.
Commenting on each of the winners, the BCO judges noted:
Winner in the Projects up to 2,500 sqm category, Henry Boot Group’s (HBG) new headquarters at Isaacs Building, Sheffield, is a workplace transformation that exemplifies modern, flexible, and sustainable design.
The judges noted: ‘This relocation from the historic Banner Cross Hall represents a significant cultural shift, fostering collaboration and innovation. Sustainability was central to the project, which achieved a BREEAM Very Good rating and reducing carbon emissions by 79%. By aligning workplace strategy with HBG’s net-zero 2030 goal, the new headquarters enhances employee engagement, boosts productivity, and sets a benchmark for sustainable workspaces. This forward-thinking approach solidifies HBG’s reputation as a leader in progressive workplace design and environmental responsibility.’
As Refurbished/Recycled Workplace of the Year, the Foundation redevelopment in Altrincham is an award-winning transformation, repurposing the former Rackhams department store into a dynamic hub for work, leisure, and community engagement.
Judges noted that the project revitalises the town centre, providing a new gateway with modern offices, co-working spaces, retail, and dining: ‘Foundation sets a new benchmark for urban regeneration, proving that adaptive reuse can drive long-term economic and social impact.’
Deloitte’s office at 100 Embankment, Salford, was named champion in the Fit Out of Workplace category.
Judges said: ‘This award-winning office exemplifies innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity, setting new benchmarks for hybrid working environments. The 6,085 sqm space is designed to foster collaboration, flexibility, and well-being, incorporating cutting-edge technology, sustainable materials, and dynamic workspaces. This transformative workplace embodies Deloitte’s vision, creating a thriving community hub that redefines employee experience and business innovation.’
West Village in Leeds received the Corporate Workplace award for masterfully unifying two separate buildings into a single, cohesive estate, anchored by a striking 20,000 sq ft extension that forms a bold gateway.
Judges said: ‘The 115,000 sq ft transformation redefines modern workspace design, prioritising innovation, sustainability, and employee well-being. The fit-out seamlessly blends biophilia, advanced technology, and flexible work environments. Key features include a fully landscaped courtyard and an open-plan entrance, eliminating a traditional reception to create a more welcoming atmosphere. With collaborative workspaces, wellness facilities, inspiring art installations, and Net Zero Carbon strategies achieving an EPC A rating, this project sets a new benchmark for contemporary workplace excellence.’
A double winner in the ESG and Commercial Workplace categories, Eden in Salford was highly praised by the BCO judges:
‘Eden is a groundbreaking, award-winning office development that sets a new standard for sustainable workplaces. This 12-storey, Net Zero Carbon building features Europe’s largest living wall – an astonishing 3,300m² of greenery with 350,000 plants, redefining urban biodiversity. As the UK’s first 5.5-star NABERS UK Design Reviewed project, alongside BREEAM Outstanding and EPC A ratings, it proves that commercial spaces can be both high-performance and environmentally responsible. Beyond sustainability, Eden’s social impact is equally transformative; it prioritises well-being, offering a vibrant social hub including local business Spice & Grind, wellness spaces, and a rooftop terrace.’
Oldham Spindles was given the Innovation award for its groundbreaking, adaptive reuse of a building that has transformed a struggling 1990s shopping centre into a vibrant, multi-functional workplace and community hub.
Judges commented: ‘Oldham Spindles is an innovative project that reimagines urban regeneration, proving that underutilised retail spaces can be repurposed for modern office environments. It sets a bold precedent for repurposing failing retail assets into thriving workspaces. A combination of architectural ingenuity, sustainability, and social impact makes it a worthy recipient of the BCO Innovation Award, showcasing a transformative model for urban regeneration.’
Alex Stork, Regional Committee Chair for the BCO, said: ‘This year’s BCO Northern Awards winners exemplify excellence in office design. These outstanding workspaces demonstrate how innovative strategies in well-being, sustainability, and community engagement can create remarkable commercial environments where people take pride in working.
‘The North continues to lead with some of the most exciting office developments, fuelled by collaborations between forward-thinking organisations, local authorities, and expert design and build specialists. Our judges were highly impressed by the exceptional quality of submissions this year. We extend our congratulations to the winners and those highly commended, and we eagerly anticipate the ongoing growth of the region’s office landscape.’
The Northern region winners will now compete for the BCO National Awards in October 2025. More details will be announced soon.
The lead sponsor for this year’s BCO Awards is AET Flexible Space. Gold sponsors are AECOM, Glamox and Troup Bywaters + Anders.
ENDS
Media contact:
Inform Communications
aaron.eastwood@informcomms.co.uk
T: 07791653149
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If you haven’t yet booked your accommodation, we have reserved a limited number of rooms at preferential rates. Take a look at the varied options and secure your room directly with the hotel of your choice by quoting the promotional code or using the booking link listed on our website. The availability of rooms with preferential rates will be limited from March onwards. We therefore recommend that you make your reservations at the earliest opportunity.
This week, we are celebrating the women in our industry as part of International Women’s Day and Women in Construction week; giving us the perfect opportunity to shine the spotlight on the outstanding women joining us to speak in Milan this May.
Helen Berresford: Helen is passionate about designing for people, championing an activity-driven design approach that puts human experience and requirements at the heart of the design process. The breadth of Helen’s knowledge allows her to expertly advise clients on every step of the project journey, from the early due-diligence and strategy, to creating efficient and inspiring spaces that encapsulate the culture of an organisation.
Betsy Brady: Betsy works in Knight Franks London Development Consultancy where she advises developers looking to regenerate the City of London’s stranded assets. Her focus is ensuring the next generation of commercial property within the Square Mile has sustainable purpose throughout its life cycle and meets the anticipated needs of the future workforce. Betsy has to solve the complex equation of the financial implications of the changing nature of the workplace and how can the desired outcome be achieved.
Victoria Caines: Victoria is an Associate Director at Turner & Townsend alinea, who specialises in MEP services. She recently joined the BCO National Judging panel, with her first judging role in 2024.
With over ten years of experience, Victoria has worked across various sectors, primarily focusing on commercial offices. Her expertise extends to both fit-out projects and shell-and-core developments.
Sophie Davies: Sophie is an Associate at Heyne Tillett Steel who takes a particular interest in heritage projects. With her research-based approach and eye for detail, she is adept at solving problems with existing fabric to mitigate risks in the early stages of design. Over her ten years in structural design, she’s worked on a variety of different projects, from complex high-rise commercial buildings to historic conversions and retail refurbishments, and she’s experienced working in multi-disciplinary teams on large and small developments over the full project lifecycle.
Katy Ghahremani: Katy is one of Make’s directors and has been a Maker since 2004. Her portfolio spans a variety of sectors and includes designs for a number of prestigious hotels around the world, including the award-winning Temple House hotel in Chengdu, China. Katy is currently leading Make’s high-profile refurbishment of Hornsey Town Hall. She’s passionate about interiors as well as architecture, and is often called upon to help clients develop their brand philosophy and identity.
Nicola Jones: Nicola is Customer Experience General Manager for GPE, with a passion for creating efficient customer journeys to increase customer satisfaction and customer retention. Nicola has extensive experience working cross property functionally to develop customer strategies that align with the business’s priorities and initiatives.
Angela Joseph: Angela is Director of Development working across a number of commercial developments within the Brookfield Properties portfolio with a current focus on delivery. Angela has experience working across both Australia and the United Kingdom as both a Quantity Surveyor and in Development with broad sector experience having worked on large scale commercial, life science and cultural projects. Angela is also the current Chair of the judging panel for the BCO Awards for London and South East.
Lauren Lewis: Lauren is a BCO NextGen committee member and actively involved in Arup’s London Property Leadership team. She is a mechanical building services engineer with a passion for low energy, architecturally integrated designs within the commercial property sector. Lauren has led the MEP design and delivery of over 20 co-working spaces for a well known global brand as well as being involved in significant masterplans such as Television Centre and a recently completed 330,000ft2 redevelopment close to Liverpool Street ; both of which push the dial on achieving low carbon buildings.
Philippa Wagner: Philippa Wagner is a leading voice in the hospitality industry, celebrated for crafting future-focused brand experiences that combine cultural insights with strategic consumer understanding. As founder of PeoplePlacesSpaces, she collaborates with global brands such as Ennismore, Gleneagles, TFE Hotels, and Locke to develop innovative concepts and reimagine guest experiences to ensure lasting impact in a changing market.
Chiara Zanello: Chiara Zanello is a Corporate Real Estate Manager within Willis Towers Watson’s Corporate Real Estate team in Europe, with over 10-years experience helping organisations to achieve strategic business goals by shaping and delivering successful Real Estate strategies.
Learn more and read their full biographies here.
Meet the BCO Awards Judges – What makes an award winning building?
Winning a BCO Award is an accolade to be proud of – a coveted industry benchmark for excellence in the workplace. Our annual awards programme celebrates quality design, commerciality, and sustainability.
What does it take to win an award? It is not a competition in architecture, scale of the project or budget, but an assessment across weighted criteria including aims and enterprise, value for money, utilisation of BCO guidance
and best practice, internal environment, quality of spaces, ESG, and finally how the building “lifts the spirts”. The assessment process is thorough – dedicated volunteer judges pour over the details of every submission and visit shortlisted projects, evaluating each against the stated criteria.
Would you like to understand more about the entry or assessment process, how the scoring is undertaken by the judges, how to present your project to have the best chance of success, and gather some insight and tips from the BCO judges?
Mike Burton, National BCO National Awards Chair and Building Engineering Director at AECOM, ably supported by a team of regional BCO Awards Judges, including Angela Joseph from Brookfield Properties and Mark Lacey from Turner & Townsend alinea will be on hand during coffee and lunch breaks to answer any questions you may have. Look out for the stand!
Want to know more? Download this year’s conference brochure. Here you will find detailed information on all aspects of the 2025 conference programme, including the party at Superstudio Più, as well as the photography competition, back for the 6th year running.
The British Council for Offices (BCO) has appointed a new chief executive to steer it through its next phase of growth.
Former EG editor and well-known advocate for the real estate sector Samantha McClary will take up the role from 6 May.
She succeeds Richard Kauntze, who has held the position for over 25 years, guiding the BCO through transformative growth and evolution. During Kauntze’s time as chief executive, the BCO’s membership has grown from 585 to more than 4,000. NextGen members (those who are 35 and under) now represent over a quarter of the BCO’s membership as a whole.
McClary has more than 20 years’ experience in the real estate sector, championing and challenging it through the pages of one of the sector’s core publications, Estates Gazette.
In her new role, McClary will seek to build on Kauntze’s achievements by working to grow the BCO’s membership further and to amplify its role as a guiding light for the workspace sector.
Samantha McClary, incoming Chief Executive, British Council for Offices, said: “The workplace has been through such a transformation, accelerated by Covid, but remains such an important element of our built environment. Where and how we work plays a vital role in building community. Our workplaces have a unique ability to bring people together, to enable innovation and collaboration. How we design and build these spaces has a phenomenal impact on people and the planet.
“It is vital that we support this important industry and make sure that everyone understands the role it plays in supporting economic growth, in creating community and in helping solve the climate crisis. This is why I’m excited and honoured to be taking up this role and to be working with the BCO Presidential team and the whole of the BCO membership to ensure the UK workspace sector leads and gets the recognition it deserves.”
Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive, British Council for Offices, said: “It has been an honour and a pleasure to hold the role of chief executive of the BCO for more than 25 years. I am delighted to be handing over the reins to Sam, and I know that she will do an excellent job of guiding the organisation through the years to come.
It is a real testament to the strength and ingenuity of our membership that the BCO has continued to grow and adapt in response to challenges such as the financial crisis, hybrid working, and, more recently, the rise of AI. The office continues to play a vital role in the greater ecosystem of towns and cities, and it is with anticipation and excitement that I will be watching this new chapter for the BCO unfold under the leadership of its new chief executive and formidable presidential team.”
Peter Crowther, President, British Council for Offices, said: “Sam has been at the forefront of the sector for years, not just working to champion the best of its achievements but working to challenge its limits and seek out avenues for progress where needed. I look forward to working alongside Sam as we continue the BCO’s work of helping the sector achieve its best. My heartfelt thanks go to Richard for his years of service to the BCO, a sentiment which I know is shared by the wider membership. Richard has been synonymous with the BCO for as long as I can remember and his tireless work has been instrumental in seeing the organisation grow and establish its place as a rigorous and respected source of guidance, support and progress.”
As a leading advocate for diversity, inclusion and talent, McClary will also seek to further grow the BCO’s NextGen membership and activities, with a focus on collaboration across sectors to ensure the future of the real estate sector remains in safe hands and continues to deliver the places our businesses, people and planet deserve.
ENDS
Please find relevant images HERE.
Media contact
ING Media
BCO@ing-media.com
T: + 44 (0) 20 7247 8334
About the BCO
The British Council for Offices’ (BCO) mission is to research, develop and communicate best practice in all aspects of the office sector. It delivers this by providing a forum for the discussion and debate of relevant issues.
Established in 1990, the BCO is the UK’s leading forum for the discussion and debate of issues affecting the office sector.
Its members are all organisations involved in creating, acquiring, or occupying office space, whether architects, lawyers, surveyors, financial institutions, or public agencies. The BCO works to advance the collective understanding of its members, enabling them to work together to create more effective office space.
We are delighted to introduce the BCO Customer Experience Award, a brand-new category in the BCO Awards Programme 2025. This award recognises office buildings, campuses, business parks, and science parks that go beyond great design and functionality to create exceptional customer experiences for occupiers, employees, and visitors.
Following the launch of BCO’s latest research report, “Towards Experience Utopia – Customer Experience Best Practice in the UK Office Sector”, this new award further highlights and celebrates organisations that are setting new benchmarks in workplace experience.
As workplace expectations continue to evolve, this award honours excellence in leadership, service delivery, customer engagement, well-being, sustainability, and innovation. If your office space is redefining customer experience, we encourage you to enter!
Key Details
How to Enter
To enter, download the Customer Experience Award Entry Guide and Entry Form, then follow the instructions to prepare your submission. Once completed, email your Entry Form along with any supporting documents to events@bco.org.uk.
Submission Deadline: Thursday 10 April 2025, 5pm
30 January 2025
BCO launches new guidance for office design reflecting hybrid working patterns and net zero transition
In first update since 2011, the third edition of the flagship Guide to Fit-Out offers advice from leading UK experts on the next generation of office interiors – from smart tech and AI to well-being- enhancing amenities and minimising climate impact
The British Council for Offices (BCO) has launched the third edition of its flagship Guide to Fit-Out, which sets out best practice and expert advice on office interior design for occupiers and built environment professionals.
The Guide is an important resource for occupiers and their design teams seeking to attract and retain talent amid changing working patterns and environmental regulations. It offers recommendations for every stage of the fit-out process, from the selection of materials and procurement processes to regulations for the management of office spaces in-use. It is intended to be used in conjunction with the BCO’s Guide to Specification, which offers a framework for delivering best-in-class workplaces tailored to occupier needs.
Key guidance for best-in-class office fit-out includes:
This is the first new edition of the Guide to be published since 2011, which now includes standalone sections on health and well-being, fire, acoustics, vertical transportation and structural engineering. These changes reflect the increased importance of these areas for occupiers seeking greater flexibility, adaptability and connectivity from their workspaces.
The Guide highlights the growing importance of offering a variety of amenities and spaces to help meet the changing needs of diverse workforces. In particular, it notes a shift in workspace design in reaction to hybrid working patterns, whereby space previously allocated to desks can now be used for collaborative and social spaces, as desks are made to ‘work harder’ through a hot-desking approach.
The Guide likewise offers a checklist for multisensory design interventions to promote occupier health and wellbeing. These include connections with nature through the introduction of plants and natural materials. The promotion of active working is covered, through a mix of spaces and furniture for standing, walking and sitting. The Guide also recommends spaces for quiet work and rest, and the use of sports facilities and artwork to alleviate stress and stimulate thought.
The growing integration of smart technology is reflected throughout, with recommendations included on its application for a host of operational needs, from security and maintenance to managing space and helping to attract talent.
The Guide offers comprehensive guidance on setting clear, KPI-driven sustainability briefs aimed at reducing the life cycle carbon of offices. Along with monitoring energy use to identify areas for improved efficiency, it encourages occupiers to consider their environmental and social ambitions before deciding on a brief for fit-out.
To help with the reduction of embodied carbon, the Guide outlines the benefits of a circular economy approach to fit-out, whereby incoming and outgoing occupiers can work together with building owners to minimise waste and maximise reuse and retention of furnishings and fixtures. The adoption of materials passport systems is also singled out as a means of increasing opportunities for the reuse of building materials.
To help the industry access case studies of best practice, the Guide includes examples from BCO Award-winning projects. The interactive digital publication links to a rich online library that will be updated on an ongoing basis.
The production of the Guide was led by Neil Pennell, Head of Design Innovation and Property Solutions, Landsec and Peter Williams, Senior Technical Advisor, Stanhope – Chair and Deputy Chair respectively of the BCO Technical Affairs Committee. Over 100 industry professionals contributed to and supported the creation of the final document, through participation in working groups or peer reviews.
Neil Pennell, Head of Design Innovation and Property Solutions at Landsec, said: “The new edition of the Guide to Fit-Out reflects the evolution in the way people use offices over the past decade. When developing the insights and recommendations shared in the Guide, we paid close attention to what people want from their workspace today, and what they are likely to demand in the future. This starts with a healthy environment that features less desks and more amenity spaces that create valuable, fulfilling experiences. With sustainability increasingly influencing business decisions, reducing embodied carbon in the fit-out process is more important than ever and the advice on circularity principles shows how multiple stakeholders can play a part in helping to cut waste during the fit-out process.”
Peter Williams, Senior Technical Advisor at Stanhope, said: “The Guide is ultimately a tool for attracting and retaining the best workforce possible. The pandemic accelerated changes that were already in train in the sector, meaning that office spaces now need to work harder to set themselves apart. By creating sustainable, human-centric and tech-enabled workplaces, office occupiers can offer an experience that simply can’t be recreated in the home working environment. The increased flexibility we’re seeing in office design is recognition that offices are ultimately spaces for people to come together, spark new ideas and collaborate.”
Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive at British Council for Offices, said: “The BCO Guide to Fit-Out is not just theoretical but highly practical. In today’s climate, the importance of health, wellbeing, and sustainability cannot be overstated. Encapsulating the latest industry trends, the new edition of the Guide is an indispensable resource in the current era of rapid workplace transformation. This is essential reading for anyone involved in office design and fit-out, reaffirming the BCO’s role as a leader in shaping the future of work environments.”
ENDS
Media contact
ING Media
BCO@ing-media.com
T: + 44 (0) 20 7247 8334
About the BCO
The British Council for Offices’ (BCO) mission is to research, develop and communicate best practice in all aspects of the office sector. It delivers this by providing a forum for the discussion and debate of relevant issues.
Established in 1990, the BCO is the UK’s leading forum for the discussion and debate of issues affecting the office sector.
Its members are all organisations involved in creating, acquiring, or occupying office space, whether architects, lawyers, surveyors, financial institutions, or public agencies. The BCO works to advance the collective understanding of its members, enabling them to work together to create more effective office space.
New British Council for Offices report tells employers and office designers to treat office workers like customers that need to be acquired and retained, and to find out what they want by means including experimentation and analysing metrics
A new British Council for Offices (BCO) report says staff must be treated like customers if employers want them back in the office. This means making the office a place that gives them the experiences they want.
Towards Experience Utopia provides the ultimate guide to creating ideal working environments that blend the best aspects of remote and in-office work. Commissioned by the BCO Occupiers Group, which comprises representatives of leading employers such as NatWest, PwC, Deloitte, Hines, Goldman Sachs, Gilead, BT and Citi, the ‘state of the nation’ report sets out the latest thinking on the implications of rise of hybrid working and the profound transformation in the office sector.
Just as consumer behaviour has changed in recent years, so too have the preferences of office workers. Expectations of what the office should offer are soaring, particularly from Gen Z, who value flexibility and work-life balance highly. The absolute focus for top employers should become designing and delivering enjoyable and inspiring places to work, as they compete with the comfort of home environments.
Previous BCO reports have implored building owners to treat their occupiers as customers to support revenue, retention, and reputation. This new research emphasises that this is no longer enough; the employee has become the ultimate arbiter of value, necessitating a paradigm shift in the design and operation of office buildings.
Metrics such as occupancy rates, badge swipes, meeting room use, and employee surveys can support in making data-driven decisions, in a similar way to how brands use insights on their customers to deliver personalised experiences and identify new opportunities.
The report provides practical guidance for occupiers, investors, developers, agents, architects and designers, engineers, technology experts, and property managers through strategies and checklists, as well as best practice case studies from the likes of Legal & General and the Government Property Agency.
The report makes the following recommendations:
Andy McBain, BCO Junior Vice President, Chair of the BCO Occupiers Group, and Head of Future of Workspace & Design at NatWest, said: “Employees must now be treated like customers, with their experience and satisfaction as the top priority if their loyalty to the office is to be earnt. Rising generations have different expectations of the workplace and combined with advancements in tech, this has brought about a tectonic shift in ways of working – and consequently how offices should be managed and serviced.”
Dr. Danielle Sanderson, Associate Professor of Real Estate at UCL and Senior Consultant at RealService, added: “For many of us, the office remains the central hub of our professional lives but today, the ability to work flexibly or remotely is not just a perk but an expectation. Hybrid working has challenged everything that we previously understood about the purpose of the office. Employers and workspace providers should be trying to ‘sell’ time in the office, gather insights into what their ‘customers’ want, and design customer journeys to deliver an excellent customer experience. Such a Customer Experience strategy offers real commercial benefits, as my research has repeatedly shown.”
This new research and the launch of the new BCO Customer Experience Award in early 2025 will foster debate about what the best practice looks like for different occupiers, drive improvements and recognise achievements in delivering brilliant customer experiences.
ENDS
Media contact
ING Media
BCO@ing-media.com
T: + 44 (0) 20 7247 8334
About the BCO
The British Council for Offices’ (BCO) mission is to research, develop and communicate best practice in all aspects of the office sector. It delivers this by providing a forum for the discussion and debate of relevant issues.
Established in 1990, the BCO is the UK’s leading forum for the discussion and debate of issues affecting the office sector.
Its members are all organisations involved in creating, acquiring, or occupying office space, whether architects, lawyers, surveyors, financial institutions, or public agencies. The BCO works to advance the collective understanding of its members, enabling them to work together to create more effective office space.
The nation’s most outstanding workplaces have been announced. British Council for Offices (BCO) National Awards go to eight projects, with the life sciences TTP Campus receiving both the Best of the Best and the Corporate Workplace awards.
Held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London, the BCO’s annual awards celebrated designs that demonstrate and drive best practice in office design, fit-out, operation, community engagement and sustainability.
Recognised across the industry, the BCO National Awards programme sets the standard for best-in-class office buildings in the UK. The awards dinner, with guest speaker Clare Balding, attracted over 1,200 key players from the industry.
This year’s event also saw the launch of a new category, the Customer Experience Award, which will form part of the BCO National Awards from 2025 onwards. The award will celebrate office buildings, business parks and campuses where an outstanding experience is provided to occupiers, their employees, visitors and the wider community.
The winners of the BCO National Awards 2024 are:
Highly commended – Grainhouse, London
Highly commended – 8 Bishopsgate, London
Highly commended – EQ, Bristol
Highly commended – BP London
TTP Campus in Cambridgeshire has been crowned winner of both the Best of the Best and the Corporate Workplace awards. The life sciences campus for The Technology Partnership successfully encourages the cross-pollination of ideas across groups of innovative individuals across research, creativity and analysis to deliver world class solutions and technologies. With collaboration at the forefront, the campus consists of three key spaces – The Hive, The Exchange and The Tech Barn. The Hive sits at the heart of campus, adopting an open-plan layout mixing the various working spaces with lab work benches being placed adjacent to desk-working areas. The building hosts a central amenity area to encourage interaction amongst employees as well as clients, in addition to offering expansive views onto the surrounding landscape with glazed exteriors. The judges particularly commended the TTP Campus for its enhancement of biodiversity that supports the local area and village. The scheme has introduced two large wildlife ponds and planted wildflower meadows for both occupiers and the public to enjoy.
Winning the award for Commercial Workplace, 1 New Park Square, Edinburgh, played a crucial role in the regeneration of the business park typology in which it sits. Visitors are welcomed with a colonnaded entrance and an expansive reception area, featuring striking art in the form of a hanging tapestry weaved by a local art organisation. The judges were particularly taken by the pioneering mixed-mode ventilation and wider sustainable approach to materials. The project incorporates a new bakery and bar in addition to sports facilities such as a padel court and multi-use games area to create a vibrant and active environment for occupier wellbeing. By enhancing the public realm offer, the design leverages the new infrastructure and connections into Edinburgh and the wider region.
The Fit Out of Workplace award went to Osborne Clarke by Interaction in Bristol which followed a people and culture initiative, shifting away from the traditional legal workplace model. With a cradle-to-cradle approach to material selection, alongside using photovoltaic panels and greywater recycling, the building achieves the highest sustainability standards. The interior is decorated with an expanse of greenery in the form of interior gardens, a planted atrium and a landscaped roof terrace. The team also sourced local art to help support nearby business while creating a vibrant and lively space for the occupiers.
This year Projects up to 2,500m² was awarded to Statkraft, The Garment Factory in Glasgow, which involved the sensitive restoration of a category B listed heritage building, maintaining the character and original features of the existing building while meeting modern occupier needs. The renewal saw the creation of an open-plan office space with a creative, social and warm working environment, and visitors are met with a colourful wall made from rolls of materials in the reception area. The project team engaged with the future occupiers when making key design decisions, crafting a user-friendly and unique space that embodies the company’s heritage. Drawing on local, recycled and recyclable materials, the design was praised by judges for being both sustainable and socially conscious.
Receiving the award for Refurbished/Recycled Workplace, Tower Hamlets Town Hall, London, is an exemplar of what can be achieved through building restoration, demonstrating how workplaces can have a positive impact on surrounding communities. The project carefully modernised the existing Grade II listed building while retaining its strong heritage. The blend of the old Georgian façade and staircases alongside the new interventions create a dramatic building that is both welcoming to the community whilst also serving as a practical and efficient workplace. As a result, Tower Hamlets Town Hall is a new focal point of Whitechapel’s regeneration, bringing a historic London landmark back to life and reinvigorating it with a new purpose.
The Innovation award went to The Forge, London, which pioneered an innovative procurement route in championing design for Manufacture (P-DfMA). The project sets a new benchmark for construction by adopting new methods to improve safety as well as reducing waste and increasing build quality, from which its global recognition will help drive the wider industry forward for years to come. Powered only by renewable energy, the final design consists of two buildings with a welcoming landscaped courtyard and high quality amenity areas such as state of the art end-of-trip facilities, while a green roof contributes to its local biodiversity.
The ESG award was given to One Strawberry Lane in Newcastle Upon Tyne, an exemplar of how to deliver on all elements of ESG at the highest level, bringing a positive impact both to its building users and the wider community. While the ground floor is a dedicated community space delivering an array of social value activities for employees, the building also encourages public participation by opening meeting spaces up to voluntary community sector organisations free of charge. The project also gave back to the community during its construction, with 65% of project spending directed to local enterprises. The judges were equally impressed by the building’s approach to sustainability, which used an innovative carbon monitoring tool during construction to measure and manage carbon emissions throughout the building’s lifecycle.
Deloitte HQ – 1 New Street Square in London won the Test of Time award. The building provides a unique and flexible base for Deloitte, allowing the company to adapt in the space to meet its changing needs. Following the pandemic, Deloitte consolidated from six buildings into two, all while occupying the space. The fit-out has increased the connection to nature, such as through the addition of a greenhouse, as well as providing greater office flexibility for the future with alterative working spaces and seating arrangements to accommodate for fluctuating occupancy. The feature staircase boasting artistic design and a green wall is a new focal point of the office inviting mixing and collaboration across all workers.
Peter Crowther, President of the BCO and Partner at HERE, said: “The winners of this year’s BCO Awards highlight the need for offices to not only provide the most efficient and productive working environments but to also contribute to their surrounding cities and communities. As the demand for cutting edge lab spaces continues to rise, it is fitting that TTP Campus received two awards by raising the bar and driving the sector forward with its innovative and unique approach to design, collaboration and creativity. Congratulations to all the winners which each demonstrate a remarkable commitment which goes beyond expectation.”
Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, commented: “The aim of the BCO National Awards is to celebrate the achievements and progress within the industry by awarding the best-in-class and most forwarded thinking office designs. It was a joy to see that this year all the winners showed a unique approach to broadening the positive impact offices can achieve beyond their immediate occupiers. From incorporating local artwork to using advanced monitoring tools and modern methods of construction to drive ESG, this year’s winners set a new standard which I hope will guide the wider industry forwards.”
Mike Burton, Chair of the BCO’s National Judging Panel and Director at AECOM, added: “It was a pleasure to contribute to the selection and decisions in the BCO National Awards once again this year. All entries were of an especially high calibre and it has been truly inspiring to observe and evaluate such an array of commercial excellence. Congratulations to all the well-deserving winners.”
Gold sponsors of this year’s BCO Awards are AECOM and Troup Bywaters + Anders, and Silver sponsor is Quantem. The BCO Awards are in association with EG.
ENDS
Please find a link to images of the winners, along with image credits, HERE.
About the BCO
The British Council for Offices’ (BCO) mission is to research, develop and communicate best practice in all aspects of the office sector. It delivers this by providing a forum for the discussion and debate of relevant issues.
Established in 1990, the BCO is the UK’s leading forum for the discussion and debate of issues affecting the office sector.
Its members are all organisations involved in creating, acquiring, or occupying office space, whether architects, lawyers, surveyors, financial institutions, or public agencies. The BCO works to advance the collective understanding of its members, enabling them to work together to create more effective office space.
Media Contact:
ING Media
T: + 44 (0) 20 7247 8334
Working with the Presidential Team, Richard Kauntze has held the position for close to 25 successful years, guiding the BCO through transformative growth and evolution
After soon-to-be 25 years of serving as Chief Executive for the British Council for Offices, Richard Kauntze will be stepping down in summer 2025. His successor will be appointed by the BCO Presidential Team in due course.
During Mr Kauntze’s tenure, the BCO has grown in membership and become established firmly as the office sector’s source of education, guidance and discussion. Since Mr Kauntze joined as Chief Executive in 1999, membership has increased from 585 to over 4,000, spanning a range of disciplines from leading architects and developers to major office occupiers.
Mr Kauntze has also worked hard to increase the BCO’s geographical reach, expanding from its initial base in Reading to a strong national presence across regions with a London headquarters.
The BCO NextGen programme has advanced over the past decade, with 25% of the BCO’s total membership now comprising of NextGen members – members aged 35 and under – demonstrating that the BCO is shored-up for the future. Mr Kauntze was instrumental in the creation of the NextGen Committees, which provide a platform for knowledge-sharing, mentoring, networking and professional development across five regions.
The NextGen ideas competition was launched in 2017 and has evolved into the BCO NextGen Ideas Project celebrating the boldest, most innovative and creative ideas for the future workspace of the next generation. The programme aims to encourage the NextGen’s confidence, expand their network and help them advance in their career.
The BCO Awards programme has developed and expanded to recognise new priorities and innovation within the sector, such as the ESG Award introduced in 2023. A new occupier award is being developed by the BCO, to highlight the highest standards for workplaces while they are in in-use.
In collaboration with the BCO Research Committee, the Presidential Team and the BCO’s Head of Research, Mr Kauntze has steered the BCO Research programme to inform upon and investigate continually the critical challenges in the office sector. This has seen vital research published on topics ranging from sustainability, agile working, health and wellbeing to designing for neurodiversity.
Working alongside the Presidential Team, Mr Kauntze is overseeing the introduction of two new BCO Committees – the London Regional Committee and the Life Sciences Committee. Each committee is being created to respond to emerging major trends in the sector, including London’s unique position in the British office market and the growth of life sciences into a notable real estate market.
The BCO also launched its new website last week which reflects and supports today’s office sector, with clear, user-friendly access to essential resources such as BCO guides and research. It will showcase the best in office design while providing all the latest BCO news and details of upcoming BCO events.
Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said: “It will be bitter-sweet to say farewell to the BCO next summer. It has been an honour to hold the role of chief executive with the organisation for what will be 25 years this November. I will always have great fondness of the BCO and I am excited to see how it will continue to grow and progress with the excellent Presidential Team. Meanwhile, I am delighted to be launching the London Regional Committee and the Life Sciences Committee in this final year, which I believe will offer new springboards for discussion on progressive topics in the sector.”
Despina Katsikakis, President of the BCO, said: “I would like to express deep gratitude personally and on behalf of the BCO committees and members for Richard’s extraordinary work and commitment. For a quarter of a century Richard has focused on growing and diversifying the BCO’s membership and driving forward its purpose to research, inform and inspire best practice and discussion of key issues. Throughout his tenure Richard has positioned the BCO as the guiding light for a dynamic commercial office sector, a crucial role which we in the presidential team will continue to uphold and develop in line with the sector’s changing priorities and evolution.”
Peter Crowther, Senior Vice President of the BCO, said: “Fast approaching 25 years at the helm of the BCO, Richard has been a fantastic ambassador for the office sector, guiding members through economic recessions and the Covid-19 pandemic, to emerge stronger each time. Richard has steered the BCO to become one of Britain’s leading property bodies, producing publications heralded as ‘industry bibles’ and the BCO Awards have evolved to become acclaimed as the most rigorous and respected in our sector. He is an incredibly well-respected voice and leader in the industry. I am sure the entire membership and industry will join me in sincerely thanking Richard for his outstanding contribution and wishing him good health and happiness in his next chapter.”
ENDS
About the BCO
The British Council for Offices’ (BCO) mission is to research, develop and communicate best practice in all aspects of the office sector. It delivers this by providing a forum for the discussion and debate of relevant issues.
Established in 1990, the BCO is the UK’s leading forum for the discussion and debate of issues affecting the office sector.
Its members are all organisations involved in creating, acquiring, or occupying office space, whether architects, lawyers, surveyors, financial institutions, or public agencies. The BCO works to advance the collective understanding of its members, enabling them to work together to create more effective office space.
Media Contact:
ING Media
T: + 44 (0) 20 7247 8334
Crowther, Co-Founder of HERE, succeeds Cushman & Wakefield’s Despina Katsikakis, and GPE’s Helen Hare becomes Senior Vice President
LONDON, 27 June 2024: Peter Crowther, Co-Founder at HERE, has been elected President of the British Council for Offices (BCO) with immediate effect, following yesterday’s BCO annual general meeting. He succeeds Despina Katsikakis, Executive Partner & Global Lead, Total Workplace at Cushman & Wakefield.
The presidential team also sees Helen Hare, Director of Projects at GPE, take on the role of Senior Vice President, following on from Crowther in the role. Andy McBain, Head of Future of Workspace & Design at NatWest Group, becomes the new Junior Vice President.
Crowther brings to the role expertise in navigating the intersection between the office and other sectors, as well as a passion for creating and delivering innovative and sustainable workplaces. His career spans more than 25 years in real estate. In his previous role as Chief Development Officer at Bruntwood SciTech, Crowther led the evolution of the company’s development portfolio since he joined in 1997, including the advent of its commercial, science and technology joint venture with Legal & General in 2018.
In April 2024, Crowther co-founded HERE, with fellow Bruntwood alumnus Kate Lawlor. HERE is a development management and advisory company focused on the acquisition, reinvention, repositioning and ongoing management of operational real estate – with a focus on commercial offices and laboratory spaces.
Crowther first joined the BCO in 2010, acting as a member of the BCO’s Northern Regional Committee. He was also a member of the National Awards Judging Panel between 2012 and 2017, acting as Chair of the panel in 2015.
Last month, Crowther chaired the BCO’s Annual Conference in Birmingham, which was themed “creating vibrancy”. Crowther was instrumental in involving the BCO’s NextGen cohort – the 25% of BCO members who are aged 35 and under – in the organisation of conference panels on topics including how culture shapes workplaces.
Crowther’s focus as BCO President will be on how the sector can continue to evolve in response to the challenges posed by climate change and rapid technological advancements through solutions such as retrofit and the integration of AI, while improving occupier-experience for all.
During her 12-month presidency, Katsikakis championed the role of the office in supporting environmental, social and economic resilience and providing inspiring places for people to thrive. Katsikakis took part in the organisation of the BCO’s inaugural ESG conference and oversaw the launch of the BCO’s new research agenda in January this year. This significant update included the development of the BCO’s ‘2030 vision for the office’, concentrating on four pillars: economy, business, technology, and ESG.
Katsikakis also led the undertaking of a new research initiative to define the parameters of customer experience and create a new BCO awards category, acknowledging that the future of the office will be characterised by a greater focus on people and experience.
Other changes to the BCO’s Presidential Team include Helen Hare’s promotion to Senior Vice President. Bruce Paterson, Founding Partner at Quantem, continues in his role as Honorary Treasurer.
Peter Crowther, President of the BCO and Co-Founder at HERE, said: “It is an honour to take on the role of BCO President. As we adapt to the new realities of hybrid, tech-enabled working conditions, the role of the office will continue to adapt to best meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s workers. I look forward to working with the BCO committees across the regions and the NextGen as we explore new models for office design and operation, and how commercial real estate can feed into the broader development of UK cities.”
Despina Katsikakis, Immediate Past President of the BCO and Executive Partner & Global Lead, Total Workplace at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “My warmest congratulations to Peter for his appointment as President of the BCO. It has been a pleasure to hold the position of BCO President over the past year and to be part of the organisation’s ongoing evolution. For me, finding new platforms for collaboration and testing ideas is one of the most important ways forward and the BCO continues to play a vital part in the industry by giving members from different sectors the chance to come together to learn from each other. I am excited to see what Peter will achieve in the coming year and look forward to continuing to support BCO members through my new position as Immediate Past President.”
Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said: “I am delighted to welcome Peter Crowther to the role of BCO President. Peter has made his mark in the commercial sector as an innovative and ambitious leader, and I am a great admirer of Peter’s collaborative and creative vision for the future of the workplace. It was a huge pleasure to work alongside him on the curation of this year’s BCO conference in Birmingham, where his focus on social value and inclusivity was brought to the fore. I wish him the very best for this new role and look forward to seeing all he will accomplish during his presidential year.
“My sincere thanks go to Despina Katsikakis for her outstanding work over the past year. Despina has been a formidable leader for the BCO. Despina’s work with the BCO’s Research Committee to launch new research pillars to set the parameters for upcoming papers demonstrates her ongoing role in guiding the office sector as it continues to evolve in response to changing occupier needs, economic shifts, the rapid progression of workplace tech and growing sustainability standards. Despina’s human-centric approach, her inquisitive nature and her clear passion for creating spaces with wellbeing at their heart have left a lasting impression on the BCO.”
“I would also like to thank Bruce Paterson for his dedication and continued work as BCO’s Honorary Treasurer, congratulate Helen Hare, who now becomes our Senior Vice President, and welcome Andy McBain, our new Junior Vice President.”
About the BCO
The British Council for Offices (BCO) is the UK’s leading member organisation representing the interests of all those who occupy, design, build, own or manage offices in the UK. The BCO leads on thought leadership and best practice in all issues related to the creation and use of office space – through its research, awards, conference and events programmes. You can learn more about the BCO at www.bco.org.uk.
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May 12, 2025 
By Katharina Balassa 