BCO Media, Author at BCO - British Council for Offices

The BCO Annual Conference provides a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with your peers old and new, and expand your professional network. We have a busy three days lined up, but there will also be plenty of opportunities to socialise, relax and enjoy Birmingham.

Make sure you’ve checked off your ‘To Do’ list:

Secured your ticket.
Found somewhere to stay with our preferential room rates.
Booked your transportation (for information on greener travel choices, see page 59 of the conference brochure)
Registered for your chosen tours and seminars.
Referred to the delegate list to see who’ll be joining you.
Explored the official conference charity page.
NextGen member? Take a look at our supplementary NextGen programme.
If you have already booked your ticket, but are yet to decide on your personalised conference agenda, we encourage you to do so soon. Simply log in to the booking system and select ‘Edit Registration’.

What are you hoping to get out of the BCO Annual Conference 2024? Join the conversation online using #BCOconference #Birmingham2024

#BCOconference #Birmingham2024

In this blog, David Porter – Head of the Manchester Commercial Office for Knight Frank and Vice Chair of British Council for Offices in the North – offers the lowdown on the region’s thriving office market.

2023: a mixed bag

According to Knight Frank’s UK Cities 2024, different factors, including economic difficulties, high costs, and conflict overseas, challenged office market activity in 2023. The result was a broad decline in office take-up, with investment volumes falling below average.

However, looking at the North on a city-by-city basis, there were some significant stand-outs last year:

Despite the second half of the year showing improvement, office take-up in Manchester fell short of the 1m sq. ft. mark, finishing at 942,000 sq ft. – which is 14% below the five-year annual average. Manchester saw 221 deals completed against an average of 213; above the five-year average.
Compare this to Leeds, which experienced strong occupier demand in 2023, with the city registering the highest level of annual take-up in four years. A total of 651,461 sq. ft. was acquired, 10% above the five-year annual average and a 9% year-on-year increase. The number of deals rose slightly from the previous year: 127 completed, which was 17% above the five-year annual average.
In Sheffield, occupier activity increased in 2023, with take-up of 374,120 sq ft. – a 21% increase on the previous year that was 6% above the 10-year annual average. Despite above average levels of take-up, just 40% was for grade A space, owing to the lack of suitable space available in the city.

So, while the overall outlook for the UK in 2023 wasn’t exceptional, there was definite cause for optimism, especially in the North – a huge growth area for commercial development.

It’s now time to turn our attention to this year, and look forward to a successful year for the office market.

What’s in store for 2024?

Businesses will continue to look through a ‘green lens’ when it comes to achieving environmental goals through their investment in commercial spaces.

ESG standards, including energy-efficient upgrades and green certifications, are vital for investors, occupiers and lenders. But according to Knight Frank’s latest research, approximately 79% of office spaces in the UK fall short of an EPC B rating, requiring upgrade work to avoid depreciation or obsolescence.

Wondering where to stay? Take advantage of our special room rates

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 in Birmingham this May.

Maggie Grogan: Maggie joined Muse in 2020 and having launched the Midlands office in 2022, Maggie secured Muse as regeneration partner for the £3.2bn Arden Cross project – one of the Midlands most important regeneration opportunities. In less than three years Maggie has risen through the ranks, blazing a trail for women in property and becoming the first female regional Managing Director at Muse, delivering the company vision to create new places across the Midlands.

Alexandra King: Alex King is lecturer on the BA Interior Architecture and Design course at Birmingham City University. She has a MA in Architecture from the University of Edinburgh, a Part II Graduate Diploma in Architecture from the University of Westminster, and is a Fellow of the HEA. Alex has worked within architectural practice and interior design across various locations including London, New York and Birmingham. The majority of her time in practice was spent working on heritage and educational projects for international practice Hawkins\Brown, and within the hospitality sector for StudioIlse.

Selina Mason: Selina Mason is an Architect and masterplanner who is responsible for delivering high quality design and masterplanning across Lendlease’s UK and Europe urban regeneration portfolio. Currently she is also Development Director on Smithfield Birmingham. Selina also has an Honorary Fellowship from RIBA and she is a Design Council Ambassador and was recently appointed by the Government to the Urban Centre Recovery Task Force.

Leah Jones: Leah has had an extensive career delivering transformational change in challenging environments. Change portfolios Leah has led have included digital, legislative and workplace transformation. Leah has been with the Government Property Agency since 2019, joining as the Programme Manager for the cross-government Smarter Working Programme and is now responsible for the Workplace Experience team, a collaborative, empowered and customer-focused team who are making a tangible difference to Civil Service ways of working.

Hannah Critchlow: Dr Hannah Critchlow is an internationally-acclaimed neuroscientist, broadcaster, author and Fellow at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge. Best known for demystifying the human brain, she has appeared on BBC, ABC and Korean TV and Radio, notably in the Great Minds Series, Tomorrow’s World Live and BBC Radio 4’s Destiny and the Brain. In 2022 Hannah received an Honorary Doctorate from Brunel University for her work in neuroscience and communication, and in 2019 was named by Nature as one of their ‘Rising Stars in Life Sciences’.

Learn more and read their full biographies here.

#BCOconference #Birmingham2024

Rick Lee is the NW&Y retrofit leader for Arup, and he will be sharing his experience of delivering the challenging refurbishment of the Grade I listed York Guildhall complex. Rick will cover the history of the site, the challenges the client, consultant and contractor teams overcame to secure the next stage of this iconic building.

Rick is a structural engineer who specialises in retrofit and heritage projects and led the Arup team civil and structural team for over 7 years on the York Guildhall refurbishment.

Friday, 8 March 2024
12 pm – 3 pm
The Guildhall, York

Come and enjoy the vibrant and historic atmosphere of the Guildhall whilst networking over a delicious three-course meal. This event offers attendees the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and share insights into the future of the workplace.

To book a table or place, simply download the BCO Northern Lunch Booking Form and return to:

Pru Sly, Createvents, 450 Brook Drive, Reading RG2 6UU

E: pru@createvents.co.uk | T: 01183 340085

Tables are allocated on a first come/first served basis, so we encourage you to book early to ensure a prime position.

With thanks to our sponsors:

We are pleased to see that delegates have been quick to secure tickets now that bookings for the 2024 Annual Conference have opened to both BCO members and non-members. If you are planning on joining us in Bimingham this year, we strongly encourage you to book sooner rather than later.

DISCUSSIONS & SEMINARS

This year’s plenary sessions will hear from leading voices that will bring to light multiple perspectives and discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead. Seminars will reflect the extraordinary times in which we live and work, and will provide a forum for an intimate exploration of a variety of topics including AI and culture. Join the debate on the power of partnership in development and regeneration projects, the impact of social value on lending for developers, and what today’s life science occupier looks like. Read more.

TOURS

Over the past decade, this city, famously known as the ‘workshop of the world’ has lived up to its name, quietly delivering a number of sizeable new developments, including 103 Colmore Row, Enterprise Wharf, and the Paradise regeneration project. We are pleased to say the conference programme will offer opportunities to tour a number of these schemes. There are currently 14 options to choose between, from innovative buildings and offices to cultural walks – there are plenty of tours to inspire. Be sure to secure your top tour choices as soon as possible! View the full list.

GOLF CLUB

Join us on Wednesday 22 May at the Arden Golf Club to play the Arden Course. Located in the heart of the Midlands, the Forest of Arden is set in 10,000 acres of Warwickshire parkland and ancient woodland and is recognised as one of the premier golf destinations in the UK. The Arden Course, designed by Donald Steele in 1992, has played host to a succession of international tournaments, including the British Masters and the English Open. The day concludes with BBQ lunch and prize giving. Check the itinerary.

CYCLE CHALLENGE

This year’s cycle challenge, in support of The Brain Tumour Charity will take place from Sunday 19 to Wednesday 22 May. The ride will depart on Monday morning from Newcastle. With distant views of the North Pennines, the ride will showcase the best the northeast has to offer before heading further south offering distant views to the Yorkshire Dales in the west and North York Moors and Howardian Hills in the east. On the final day riders will skirt the edge of the Peak District before arriving in Birmingham on Wednesday afternoon! Further details.

The BCO’s NextGen community is growing fast. Numbers have increased up more than a quarter over the past year to more than 1,200 members, making the NextGen contingent a third of the total BCO membership. This vibrant community will play an important role in this year’s conference. This year’s offering includes a series of events targeted at NextGen members, as well as several networking opportunities.
Further details.

#BCOconference #Birmingham2024

Friday, 8 March 2024

12 pm – 3 pm
The Guildhall, York

We are excited to announce the first of two speakers for our inaugural Northern Lunch!

Gerald Jennings

Gerald is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and has worked in the property sector for over 30 years. He joined Land Securities in 1999 after spending 14 years with the Burton Group formerly known as Arcadia, where he was responsible for the company’s property portfolio throughout the UK. Before stepping down in 2015, Gerald was Land Securities’ Retail Portfolio Director based in the company’s Leeds office.

Gerald is a passionate member of the business community and has also been actively involved in several social enterprises and charities. Amongst his roles, he was Chairman of the contemporary art gallery at The Tetley and a Non-Executive Director at the Ahead Partnership. He helped set up and introduce the Leeds BID and was a Governor at the Leeds City College group (now known as the Luminate Group) until the new campus at Quarry Hill in Leeds was developed and opened in September 2019.

He is currently a Non-Executive Director at Henry Boot PLC, the Chairman of Social (Leeds), and the Chairman of the Morley Town Deal Board. He also runs his own property investment and consultancy business, G R Jennings Properties Ltd

The networking lunch will be held at The Guildhall, York on Friday, 8 March 2024. The Guildhall has been recently restored by the City of York Council and offers a captivating space to host the BCO’s first Northern Lunch.

Come and enjoy the vibrant and historic atmosphere whilst networking over a delicious three-course meal. This event offers attendees the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and share insights into the future of the workplace. Following lunch, attendees will also hear from our industry speaker, Gerald Jennings.

To book a table or place, simply download the BCO Northern Lunch Booking Form and return to:

Pru Sly, Createvents, 450 Brook Drive, Reading RG2 6UU

E: pru@createvents.co.uk | T: 01183 340085

Tables are allocated on a first come/first served basis, so we encourage you to book early to ensure a prime position.

With thanks to our sponsors:

CREATING VIBRANCY

We are delighted to announce the full programme for the BCO Annual Conference 2024 in Birmingham. This year will see a brilliant series of events taking place pre-conference, along with a host of learning and networking opportunities throughout. As ever, it will be a test of stamina for those taking part!

Scroll down for more information and to download the conference brochure.

This year’s BCO Golf Cup will take place at the Forest of Arden, with golfers playing the Arden course, designed by Donald Steele in 1992. The now renowned BCO Cycle Challenge will see cyclists pedal 270 spectacular miles across 3 days, and will raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity, our partner charity for the conference.

Hear from leading voices during the plenary sessions that will bring to light multiple perspectives and discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead. Seminars will reflect the extraordinary times in which we live and work, and will provide a forum for an intimate exploration of a variety of topics including AI and culture.

The tours will provide an alternative option to the conference seminars and they will uncover the city’s rich architectural heritage, and explore the headquarters of some of the most innovative companies.

BCO NextGen will again offer a supplementary programme for young professionals within the sector, providing activities that sit alongside the main itinerary, to add value to the conference experience and encourage greater participation from this important community within the BCO.

Want to know more? Download this year’s conference brochure. Here you will find detailed information on all aspects of the 2024 conference programme, including the party at the Luna Springs in Digbeth, one of the most iconic neighbourhoods in Birmingham, as well as the photography competition, back for the 5th year running.

“I encourage you all to join us as this is an important moment for the office, where the future of the
workplace continues to be a topic of debate”. Read more from Peter Crowther, BCO Senior Vice President and Conference Chair.

Key recommendations include the development of the BCO’s ‘2030 vision for the office’. Four priority focus areas are identified in the Research Programme Working Document, which sets the agenda for upcoming research over the near and medium term. These are economy, business, technology and ESG (environmental, social and governance).

The agenda is a direct response to the current and ongoing dynamics in the office sector. It seeks to focus the BCO’s research on the areas where in-depth understanding is most needed of fast-moving trends and emerging opportunities. The publication aims to lay the groundwork for a new vision of the office as an economically productive, occupier-first, technologically enabled and sustainable part of our built environment.

The papers are introduced by a forward from Bill Hughes, Global Head of Real Assets at Legal and General Investment Management, and have been authored by leading industry specialists, who explore economy, business, technology and ESG, respectively:

Nick Axford, Global Head of Research at Avison Young,
Chris Kane, Co-Founder at EverythingOmni,
Nigel Miller, Managing Director at Cordless Consultants
and Hannah Davis, Director at Faithful+Gould.

Each paper identifies a series of key changes facing the office sector and how the BCO will lead investigation and discussion around them, resulting in new innovation and exemplar solutions.

This includes:

re-evaluating the notion of offices as capital assets in light of the broader role of offices as a source of community and place-making in the UK’s new and shifting economic geography;
responding to the rise of consumer power and rapidly changing business priorities by establishing an improved dialogue between the property industry and its occupiers;
developing strategic industry guidance around technology and its adoption in build and fit-out process;
working towards a common definition of ESG principles and providing technical guidance on full life cycle sustainability for office designers, planners, operators and asset managers.

An integral part of the brief for each research pillar was the need to consider change, not only in terms of the detailed issues being faced today but, critically, to take a longer-term perspective in order to anticipate challenges and turn them into opportunities.

Each pillar topic also considers the social relevance of the office as a fully integrated part of the broader infrastructure of UK cities and towns.

Intended to spark discussion, the BCO’s Research Committee will use this publication as a basis for its ongoing research around these subjects.

Members can download the BCO Programme Working Document here.

Helen has over 30 years’ experience in the construction and property industry. Having started her career as a quantity surveyor, she joined GPE as Project Manager, before becoming Head of Project Management and then Director of Projects in 2017 and 2019 respectively. More recently Helen’s role has been expanded and now includes responsibility for GPE’s Building Surveying and Technical Service teams.

Helen is an active member of the Construction Productivity Taskforce – which brings together leading figures in the construction industry to undertake practical interventions designed to make the sector more productive. The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) also welcomed Helen as Industry Chair earlier this year for its Building and Places Group.

Helen has been involved with the BCO since 2013, when she led the tours programme for the BCO’s annual conference in Madrid. More recently, Helen was the Chair of the Judging panel for the BCO Regional Awards for London in 2022 and 2023.

Helen joins current President, Despina Katsikakis of Cushman & Wakefield, and Senior Vice President, Peter Crowther of Bruntwood, on the BCO’s Board of Management.

Helen brings a wealth of knowledge to her new role as Junior Vice President as well as a passion for unlocking the potential of young people in the real estate sector and building the confidence of those new to the industry.
In her role at GPE, she holds responsibility for the delivery, procurement and maintenance of all projects across the development and flex workspace programme, future pipeline and existing managed portfolio.
In addition to her role at the BCO, Helen is a regular speaker at industry events and acts as a mentor for Mentoring Circle, an organisation which seeks to address the gender diversity gap at senior leadership level in the built environment.

Helen Hare, Director of Projects at GPE, said:

“It is an honour to be asked to join the British Council for Offices as its Junior Vice President. Having been part of the organisation for over ten years’ and seen first-hand its importance for informing, inspiring and sharing best practice, taking on a leadership role feels like a natural transition and I look forward to working with the BCO team as it continues to support the ongoing evolution of the office sector.”

Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said:

“Helen is a great addition to the BCO’s Presidential team. She has been a long-standing supporter of the BCO for many years, and I have no doubt that Helen will make an outstanding contribution to our organisation. Helen’s extensive experience will be invaluable to the BCO as we continue to make the case for the office as an integral part of our cities.”

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:

For further information please contact ING Media
BCO@ing-media.com / + 44 (0) 20 7247 8334

#BCOconference #Birmingham2024

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 in Birmingham this May.

#BCOconference #Birmingham2024

Friday, 8 March 2024
12 pm – 3 pm
The Guildhall, York

With thanks to our sponsors:

#BCOconference #Birmingham2024

Friday, 8 March 2024

12 pm – 3 pm
The Guildhall, York

Gerald Jennings

With thanks to our sponsors:

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#BCOconference #Birmingham2024

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 in Birmingham this May.

#BCOconference #Birmingham2024

Friday, 8 March 202412 pm – 3 pmThe Guildhall, York

With thanks to our sponsors:

#BCOconference #Birmingham2024

Friday, 8 March 2024

12 pm – 3 pmThe Guildhall, York

Gerald Jennings

With thanks to our sponsors:

Latest news

BCO London seminar and tour: Inside GSK’s smart HQ – buildings that help business and people thrive

BCO CEO Samantha McClary recognised with IBP Outstanding Contribution accolade

BCO Awards Entry Deadline Extended

Friday, 8 March 2024
12 pm – 3 pm
The Guildhall, York

12 pm – 3 pm
The Guildhall, York