The winners of the British Council for Offices London Awards 2026 have been announced, recognising six outstanding workplace projects that demonstrate design excellence, meaningful sustainability and a strong focus on people and place.

The BCO regional award winners for London are:

• Best Corporate Workplace: Deutsche Bank, 21 Moorfields
• Best Commercial Workplace: Stonecutter, 1 Stonecutter Street
• Best Refurbished / Recycled Workplace: 76 Southbank
• Best Fit Out of Workplace: Rabobank, 60 London Wall
• Best Project up to 2,500m²:170 Piccadilly
• ESG Award: TBC.London, 224-226 Tower Bridge Rd

This year’s winners mark a decisive shift away from demolition‑led development towards long‑term urban stewardship, with projects such as 76 Southbank, delivered by AHMM for Wolfe Commercial Properties, and TBC.London, developed by FORE Partnership with Stiff + Trevillion, demonstrating how existing buildings can be re‑engineered into world‑class workplaces through material reuse, architectural restraint and net‑zero ambition.

Angela Joseph, development director at Brookfield Properties and chair of the BCO London judging panel, said: “This year’s projects show a real maturity in how the industry is working. Teams have taken on enormously difficult sites; building over live rail infrastructure, working sensitively with listed fabric, and turned those constraints into the driving force behind better design. I’ve been impressed by the brave and thoughtful choices made by teams, from reusing structural steel to making sure that all workspaces work harder to achieve a range of uses for occupiers and the highest possible sustainability standards. These are buildings shaped by long-term thinking rather than short-term solutions.”

Integrated design, where architecture, engineering and interiors were conceived together, emerged as a recurring practice across the winners. BCO Judges commended the collaborative approach at 21 Moorfields, led by WilkinsonEyre with tp bennett and a multidisciplinary engineering team, as well as at Stonecutter, where tp bennett, Hoare Lea and CO‑RE aligned sustainability, structure and tenant experience from an early stage to deliver a fully electric, highly sustainable commercial workplace.

Social value and ESG beyond compliance also differentiated this year’s winners. Projects were recognised not only for environmental performance, but for how teams invested in skills, craft and community. Judges pointed in particular to TBC.London’s pioneering approach to reclaimed steel and bricklaying training, Stonecutter’s focus on education and community engagement, and the public realm improvements delivered at Lendlease’s Moorfields and along the South Bank.

Clare Ashmore, chief operating officer at Parkeray and chair of BCO London committee, said: “This year’s London winners show that wellbeing is no longer a nice‑to‑have in workplace design, but central to how offices are conceived and delivered. With ESG shaping everything from architecture and construction to long‑term social impact, these projects demonstrate how workplaces can support people, strengthen their surroundings, and still perform commercially. They set a strong and inspiring benchmark for the next generation of London workplaces.”

Samantha McClary, chief executive of the BCO, added: “What these London winners demonstrate is a wider shift in mindset across the office sector. Faced with unprecedented economic, environmental and social change, the industry is showing it can adapt with confidence, investing in quality, reuse and long-term value. The winners also reinforce the role of the office as critical infrastructure for cities like London by supporting productivity, wellbeing and connection.”

Please see below for full list and description of winning projects:

Best Corporate Workplace: Deutsche Bank, 21 Moorfields

Described as “a building that is a bridge”, 21 Moorfields is a landmark corporate headquarters delivered above a complex operational rail interchange in the City of London. The project combines architecture, engineering and interiors in a highly integrated way, creating a flexible, future-ready workplace while significantly enhancing the public realm with new routes and public spaces linking Moorgate and the Barbican. Judges praised the project as a market‑leading example of user-focused design delivered under extraordinary constraints.

Best Commercial Workplace: Stonecutter, 1 Stonecutter Street

Stonecutter impressed the judges with its thoughtful response to context, drawing on the area’s historic diamond‑cutting heritage to inform its design. The all‑electric building delivers strong environmental performance alongside a clear social value agenda, particularly its focus on education and community engagement. Fully let ahead of completion, judges described the project as a highly sustainable workplace designed to stand the test of time.

Best Refurbished / Recycled Workplace: 76 Southbank

76 Southbank is an exemplary refurbishment and extension of Sir Denys Lasdun’s final major building, delivered with exceptional care and attention. Judges praised architect AHMM for its sensitive material approach, including the replication of the original precast granite panels, and the transformation of the building’s relationship with the public realm through new entrances and generous riverside terraces. The result is a world‑class office that reconciles heritage conservation, net‑zero ambition and civic presence.

Best Fit Out of a Workplace: Winner: Rabobank, 60 London Wall, Highly Commended: Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC), 22 Ropemaker Street

Rabobank’s fit out was recognised for its calm, refined design and strong emphasis on sustainability and wellbeing. Extensive material and furniture reuse underpin aspirations for BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Platinum, while communal spaces sit at the heart of the workplace. PIC was highly commended for its thoughtfully executed office, where flexible layouts, generous terraces and embedded wellbeing spaces support long‑term adaptability.

Best Project up to 2,500m²: 170 Piccadilly

170 Piccadilly was praised for successfully balancing heritage with modern workplace standards. Working sensitively alongside a listed building, the project unlocks new amenities, including a rooftop terrace and end‑of‑trip facilities. while delivering high environmental performance. Judges described it as a model example of how heritage buildings can be adapted to support contemporary working.

ESG Award: TBC.London, 224–226 Tower Bridge Road

TBC.London set a new benchmark for ESG-led development. The judges highlighted its pioneering reuse of reclaimed steel through “urban mining”, its handcrafted brick façade delivered via a training programme, and its commitment to net‑zero carbon in operation. Beyond the building, the project supports local communities through affordable spaces, a curated food offer and partnerships with Southwark Council. Judges praised it as a project that genuinely goes beyond box‑ticking.

The London winners will go on to compete at the BCO National Awards in October.

The Gold sponsors for this year’s BCO Awards are: AET Flexible Space and Troup Bywaters + Anders. The London regional sponsor is Wilmott Dixon. Estates Gazette is media partner.

Please find a link to images of the winners here.

Earlier this year the BCO teamed up with CoStar to tour the UK providing a unique and focused look at the UK office market, where it has been and where it is going. Over the course of three weeks, we visited six cities – London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Cambridge, and interacted with more than 400 BCO members.

Here, we share key takeaways and insights from all six presentations.

Executive summary

• Recovery, but uneven: Net absorption turned positive through 2025 (Figure 1) and vacancy has broadly stabilised, yet remains elevated in weaker sub markets; CBDs lead recovery while older/out of town stock lags.
• Two tier market is entrenched: Prime/new or best in class refurbished assets lease faster at rising headline rents; secondary stock faces persistent obsolescence pressure and, in places, conversion.
• Development drought supports rents: Starts are thin outside London; even in the capital a meaningful slice of pipeline is pre committed, pushing earlier campaigns and pre lets. retrofit-first is the default route to viability.
• Costs shape decisions: High fit out and build costs elongate leasing cycles and push demand toward fitted/managed product that de risks capex and speed to operate, while also meeting tenants’ growing preference for greater flexibility in lease terms.
• Amenity & experience are decisive: ESG is now “entry ticket”; location, cost, certainty, amenity and customer experience drive choices.
• Regions diversify the story: Bristol and Glasgow are supply constrained with rising rents; Manchester shows breadth of demand but 2026 new delivery is thin; Birmingham is opportunity rich but needs identity and amenity uplift; Cambridge is simultaneously over and under supplied as construction rises.

The national picture

The market has turned a corner. Leasing volumes and net absorption improved through 2025, stabilising vacancy. Normalisation will take time, however, as legacy space is re priced or repurposed. The “flight to quality” has hardened into a two tier market. Prime assets (including deep refurbs) are outperforming, while older peripheral stock trends to repositioning or change of use. Investment pricing mirrors this bifurcation.

Outside London, new starts are sparse; London’s pipeline to 2030 is partially pre let, effectively compressing uncommitted supply. High all in build costs tilt decisions toward retrofit-first where floorplates allow, with pre lets increasingly required for new build. Elevated shell/core and £300-£500 per sq ft – in London – fit out costs are a strategic constraint. Data centre/infrastructure demand is also pulling on contractor capacity – making deliverability a competitive edge.

With high build costs and limited contractor capacity, deep refurbs that decarbonise MEP, uplift EPC and other sustainability credentials, and add visible amenity will out compete speculative new builds unless exceptional site/floorplate economics apply.

The market is shifting to hospitality led offices: fitted/managed floors; club floors and outdoor space; credible wellness; high quality end of journey; and data led post occupation tuning. Target 3,000 to 5,000sq ft turnkey suites, 10,000 to 15,000 sq ft grow on, and 20,000+ sq ft whole floor options with pre marketed fit out standards.

In the investment market, liquidity is back for the very best assets, while regional opportunities skew to value add and refurb plays; forced sales and price discovery may create selective entry points. Overseas, especially US, buyers eye relative value in the UK regions as yields remain wider than London. Disposals from funds reaching maturity extensions may unlock opportunities.

The regional picture

• London & the South East
  Capital flows rebounded in 2025, with large lot sizes clearing and prime yields tightening; Elizabeth Line continues to reshape occupier maths and footfall. Pipeline scarcity continues. Refurb-first often wins vs £1,000-£1,300 per sq ft new build costs.
• Manchester
  Demand breadth across TMT, education, professional/financial services; prime rents £45 per sq ft with £48-£50 in view. New delivery in 2026 is thin; >1m sq ft under construction skews to 2027–28. Flex enlarges to full floors.
• Glasgow
  While on first glance vacancy figures in the city look high, true Grade A vacancy sits at just 0.3% to 0.5%, with those headline vacancy figures overstated by unlettable stock. Rents are moving toward £50 per sq ft with selective £55-£60 per sq ft by 2030 for a small cohort. Funding is hampering new build, while rates relief changes weigh on heritage refurb capex.
• Birmingham
  Core markets (Colmore/Paradise) lead demand recovery; however, very thin Grade A supply and tough viability (yields, costs) make refurb the main lever. The city needs clearer identity/amenity to capture inward investment.
• Bristol
  Among the best performing regional markets; leasing at multi year highs. Severe Grade A shortage (only 126,000 sq ft available) implies pre let driven delivery and rent growth (trajectory to £55-£60 per sq ft by 2027). Demand for fitted, amenity rich space is pronounced.
• Cambridge
  A market of contradictions. Construction starts are on the up, temporarily lifting vacancy in some mid sizes. The long term fundamentals are strong, despite weakness in the life sciences market.

Outlook: What to expect in 2026 and beyond

• Rents: Prime headline rents continue to rise in supply starved cities (notably Bristol, Glasgow, selective West End sub markets); secondary rents diverge or flatten without capex.
• Leasing: Earlier pre-lets; more best and final processes on scarce prime floors; greater use of fitted/managed for speed and capex certainty. Vacancy to remain stable over the next 24 months (Figure 2).
• Supply: A refurb led cycle dominates 2026-2028; new builds cluster later in the decade where pre lets and funding align.
• Repurposing: Out of town 80s/90s and weak secondary assets see heightened conversion and selective demolition where refurbishment is not viable.

10 key takeaways

1. Pipeline scarcity = pricing power for true prime; prepare for rent led viability and earlier pre lets, especially in London, Bristol, and Glasgow.

2. Retrofit first wins in most regional cases: faster delivery, lower embodied carbon, and lower risk than £1,000-£1,300 per sq ft new builds.

3. Experience is the tie breaker: service, programming and amenity beat certificate one upmanship when budgets are tight.

4. Cost certainty sells: fitted/managed floors at 10,000 to 20,000 sq ft help occupiers overcome capex/fit out barriers and speed moves.

5. Target real demand bands: persistent strength in 3,000 to 5,000 sq ft and 15,000 to 20,000 sq ft; 8,000 to 12,000 sq ft is harder.

6. Regions aren’t monolithic: Bristol = acute Grade A shortage; Glasgow = ultra tight true prime; Manchester = sectorally broad but 2026 delivery thin; Birmingham = identity/amenity challenge; Cambridge = temporary vacancy from rising construction.

7. Investment is back for the best; core capital is on the look-out, with selective value add via refurb and opportunistic entries expected as fund maturities unwind. In London, more big-ticket transactions are anticipated.

8. Delivery capacity is strategic: contractor scarcity (data centre drag) means early supply chain lock in and credible deliverability stories will win mandates.

9. Policy levers matter: targeted rates relief and planning performance agreements can unlock heritage refurb and election proof delivery timetables.

10. Talent is a planning issue: placemaking and city amenities (food, culture, active travel) directly affect occupancy and retention, councils and owners should act jointly.

The BCO (British Council for Offices) today announces the commissioning of a major update to its Good Practice in the Selection of Construction Materials guide, with Arup appointed as technical author.

Arup will co-fund the report with the BCO.

Last published in 2011, the guide replaced ineffective materials exclusion lists with practical, risk-based guidance for materials selection. Widely referenced by legal professionals, regulatory authorities, and industry practitioners, it has become a trusted guide for good practice in the selection of construction materials.

The 2026 update will reflect significant developments in regulation, sustainability expectations, and technical standards. The revised guidance will strengthen the focus on sustainable design and responsible specification.

Key areas of enhancement include:

• Sustainability and environmental impact: materials health and toxicity, responsible procurement, embodied carbon, circular economy approaches, and nature impacts of materials supply chains.
• Expanded materials coverage: concrete systems, composites, membranes & textiles, alongside updated insights for brick, timber, stone, and other conventional construction materials.
• Alignment with evolving regulation and standards: including fire safety, testing and certification, and whole-life carbon assessment.

Samantha McClary, chief executive of the BCO, said: “The original guide encouraged the industry to move from blunt materials exclusion lists to a more thoughtful, risk-based approach to materials selection. With regulatory requirements and sustainability expectations evolving rapidly since 2011, this update ensures the guidance remains relevant, practical, and aligned with today’s best practice.”

Neil Pennell, chair of the BCO Technical Affairs Committee and Landsec’s head of design innovation and property solutions, added: “Materials selection is increasingly complex and risk sensitive. Our priority with this update is to keep the guidance practical, clear, and grounded in real project decision-making. The refreshed guide will be an essential resource for industry professionals providing teams with comprehensive advice on how to make informed choices on their projects. ”

Graham Dodd, Arup fellow and director, said: “Materials specification sits at the heart of the industry’s response to climate, health, and resource challenges. We are pleased to support the BCO in updating this guide. This update will reflect the latest standards, respond to emerging risks and encourage more sustainable decisions on materials, sourcing and wider environmental impacts, where they matter most.”

The guide is scheduled for release in October 2026. It will maintain the clarity, consistency, and practical focus that has made it a trusted reference across the legal, regulatory, and construction communities.

On 5 March 2026, the BCO NextGen London & South East committee, in partnership with Savills, hosted a webinar exploring the forces shaping Central London’s office market. The discussion highlighted a market that remains resilient despite economic pressures, with occupiers prioritising high-quality, well-connected office space to attract talent and drive productivity.

The speaker panel, Victoria Bajela, Andrew Barnes, and Hunter Booth from Savills, identified two key market drivers: the ongoing “flight to quality” and the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence companies as new occupiers.

Hybrid working has largely stabilised around a four-day office model, said the panellists but fast-growing tech and AI firms are rapidly moving from flexible space into full-scale headquarters, reinforcing London’s status as a global innovation hub.

Cost pressures shaping occupier decisions

Rising fit-out costs are reshaping occupier behaviour, said Savills, with average workplace fit-outs now around £250 per sq ft, with premium schemes exceeding £500 per sq ft. Fitted offices are increasingly attractive for occupiers in the 5,000–20,000 sq ft range, reducing upfront capital expenditure and accelerating move-in timelines.

In 2025, roughly 60% of businesses evaluating “stay versus go” opted to renew, reflecting both cost pressures and uncertainty over future supply.

Market stability amid uncertainty

While UK businesses face weak growth, high borrowing costs, and geopolitical uncertainty, Central London’s leasing market has remained stable. Occupiers are increasingly comfortable operating in a post-pandemic environment, and London’s global business role continues to underpin office demand, supporting talent, innovation, and international connectivity.

AI firms are already a notable source of new demand, scaling quickly from small flexible offices to large headquarters. Meanwhile, the “flight to quality” continues. Last year around 77% of office take-up involved newly built or refurbished space, reflecting strong preferences for modern, sustainable, amenity-rich buildings. Weekly office occupancy sits about 10% below pre-pandemic levels, with many organisations adopting a four-day in-office model.

Constrained development pipeline

The development pipeline is tightening. While projects completing in 2025–26 will add supply, activity for 2027–29 remains below historical norms as construction costs and expensive debt weigh on new starts. Vacancy rates are extremely low in core locations, around 3.6% in the West End core and 2.6% in City tower buildings, supporting strong rental growth. Prime West End rents now average £170 per sq ft, with some deals exceeding £200 per sq ft in Mayfair and St James’s.

Transport access remains critical for occupiers, with the Elizabeth Line heavily influencing location choice. Employees also prioritise reliable technology, commute time, natural light, and functional workplace design, underlining the increasing importance of convenience and quality in modern offices.

Positive long-term outlook

Despite current economic pressures, the long-term outlook for Central London remains robust. The city leads global peers in projected employment growth, particularly in technology, science, and professional services. As occupiers adapt to rising costs and evolving workplace expectations, Central London continues to attract international companies and maintain its status as a resilient, high-value office market.

The discussion was chaired by Poppy Taylor, associate partner at Rubix and member of the BCO NextGen London & SE committee.

You can watch the webinar in full here

As Version 1 of the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard is released, the BCO is pleased to see several recommendations from its expert committees incorporated into the Standard.

These include:

• Introduction of “PC On Track” validation
• “Deemed to satisfy” arrangements with NABERS and Passivhaus
• Landlord-only and tenant-only verification for office buildings
• Mixed-use rules allowing limits to be apportioned pro-rata across different uses
• Clarification on the rules and derogations for PVs
• Introduction of performance evaluations, allowing buildings that don’t meet all criteria (e.g., refrigerants), alongside fully compliant net zero carbon–aligned buildings, to still be recognised for the areas they achieve

Read the BCO’s full response here.

View Version 1 of the Standard here.

Landsec’s head of design innovation and property solutions, Neil Pennell has been awarded the BCO’s first annual honours.

Pennell, who has chaired the BCO’s Technical Advisory Committee for almost 20 years, was revealed as the first BCO Honour at a glittering awards dinner held at Raffles in London on Thursday 26 February.

He was one of more than a dozen potential honourees put forward by members following a BCO survey last year. Pennell received multiple nominations and was ratified as the perfect first recipient of this award by the BCO’s presidential team.

Since his first BCO conference in 1998, Pennell has been giving his time and expertise to the BCO, helping to create not just one, not just two but eight – and counting – different versions of the BCO’s Guide of Specification and Guide to Fit Out.

Over the course of his tenure his has contributed to too many TAC briefing documents to measure, providing invaluable insights to members on highly technical and complicated matters.

Helen Hare, BCO president and director of projects at GPE, said: “Neil has dedicated many years to the BCO, providing essential thought leadership and guidance while always championing innovation.

“We are delighted to be awarding our inaugural Honours Award to Neil Pennell. We are enormously grateful for his unwavering contribution over many, many years. I feel honoured to have been able to celebrate his success with him and am personally grateful for his counsel and friendship.”

On receiving his award, Pennell said: “I am a firm believer in the more you put into something the more you get from it and that is how I think of my involvement with the BCO. I have met so many great people and learned so much from them and the buildings and workplaces they have produced. It has reinforced my commitment to strive for excellence, to learn and grow, use every opportunity to make a difference, and in whatever small way I can give something back to an industry that has given me so much.”

BCO chief executive Samantha McClary said: “One of the best things about the BCO is its people and since becoming chief executive I’ve been blown away by the volume of time, effort, expertise and passion that our members give to the BCO. Without this incredible volume of voluntary hours, the BCO would not be what it is today, so it is so rewarding to be able to launch our Honours Award and I don’t think there could be a more appropriate first recipient than Neil.”

She added: “While Neil’s ability to unite diverse contributors and disciplines has ensured our flagship publications remain authoritative benchmarks for office design, sustainability, and performance his thought leadership extends far beyond the page. Over decades of service, Neil’s expertise, generosity, and tireless commitment have profoundly shaped the BCO’s technical direction and the wider built environment and for that we thank him.”

Landsec chief executive Mark Allan, congratulated Pennell on the award, adding: “We’re never the finished article’ is one of the phrases we use within our business to describe the qualities of great Landsec people. Neil Pennell has been the absolute exemplar of this trait. For almost 40 years, he’s helped businesses like ours to design and develop workplaces that continue to bring life and value to cities across the UK.

“Few people have had such a positive impact on the British office sector. From putting in place the foundations of Landsec’s sustainability team through to spearheading innovation on projects like The Forge in Southwark, Neil has shaped the very best practice that is replicated across the country today.

“He continues to strive for excellence, mentoring and inspiring the next generation that will follow him in shaping the offices of the future, here at Landsec and beyond. I’m delighted he is being recognised by the BCO for his ongoing contribution.”

As a BCO Honour, Pennell was awarded a bespoke BCO cube, designed by architects Make, and receives a free lifetime membership to the BCO.

The award will return in 2027, with nominations opening in November this year.

Following its successful launch last year, the Customer Experience Award returns for 2026 as a dedicated category recognising excellence in how office buildings are operated and experienced – not just how they are designed.

The entry guide is now available, allowing organisations to begin preparing their submission ahead of entries opening on Monday 9 March.

The BCO has long championed excellence in office design and development. The Customer Experience Award recognises that the real value in offices often comes from how they are operated, and that human interaction is central to their success. Workspaces are not simply a product, but a service, and operational excellence is fundamental to performance.

In a hybrid world, the workplace needs to earn the commute. Design alone is no longer enough – how buildings are operated and managed plays a critical role in occupier attraction and retention, employee wellbeing, brand perception and overall asset performance.

The award highlights the growing professionalism of customer experience leadership across the property sector, from strategy and governance through to measurable outcomes. Shortlisted buildings will receive a judges’ visit, providing an opportunity to demonstrate how strategy translates into lived experience.

Entries will be submitted via a dedicated portal opening on Monday 9 March at 9am. Applicants will complete the online entry form, upload a PDF submission addressing the five core customer experience themes, and provide project imagery.

Download entry guide

Entries open: Monday 9 March, 9am

Entries close: Friday 17 April, 5pm

The BCO has established a new regional committee in Oxford and announced Emily Slupek as its chair.

Slupek, who is head of the Oxford project management team and divisional science sector co-lead at Savills, brings more than 20 years’ experience delivering complex development projects across offices, science and technology, higher education and residential sectors.

She is joined on the new committee by Guy Parkes, regional agency lead at Vail Williams, and Lucy Wiltshire, senior pre-construction manager at Kier Construction.

Slupek said that the Oxford committee had been formed following strong interest from across the regional commercial market.

She said: “I am excited to lead this new sub-committee. I’m looking forward to showcasing some of the brilliant output from our local Oxfordshire region, and curating interesting and sociable events to further connect the vibrant real estate community in the area.”

The Oxford committee will operate as a sub-committee of the wider BCO South West & South Wales region, chaired by Cath Macpherson, director at Hoare Lea, who was appointed regional chair last year.

Macpherson said: “Following the success of the Inventa BCO tour last year, it became clear there was an opportunity to strengthen our regional coverage, particularly across the Oxford market. Establishing this committee is an important step in addressing that gap and further demonstrates BCO’s commitment to supporting the science and research sector.”

She added: “I am delighted to welcome Emily, Guy and Lucy to the South West committee and very much look forward to delivering a strong programme of events in Oxford.”

BCO is also exploring the creation of a complementary BCO NextGen Oxford committee to support early-career professionals in the region.

You can email us with any Oxford committee queries at mail@bco.org.uk

Follow BCO and BCO South West on LinkedIn.

Frances Brown, partner at Cundall, has been appointed as the new chair of the BCO’s research committee. She takes over the position from Rob Harris, principal at Ramidus Consulting. Harris had been chair of the committee since 2021 and stepped down last year.

Brown, who has been an active member of the BCO for several years, will be supported on the committee by vice chair Benjamin Koslowski, research lead at Fletcher Priest Architects, and BCO director of research Eric Chong.

“Over my last couple of years on the research committee I have learned a great deal from Rob Harris and I am looking forward to taking over the role of chair,” said Brown. “Having held several roles at the BCO and also having been a member for many years, I am hoping to bring the members’ perspective to our research agenda, not just in our choice of subjects but also in how we communicate with a wide audience and coordinate with the other expert committees.”

She added: “This is a great opportunity to bring my enthusiasm for great offices and the wider office market to the committee for the benefit of the members.”

Recent research publications from the BCO include A review of post-pandemic office utilisation, Redefining the Market: Beyond Grade A, which proposes a new grading system for office space and is currently out for consultation with members and the wider market, the BCO Sustainability Casebook, and Viability and Sustainability in the Regions, which seeks to understand why cities outside the Big Six are underperforming when it comes to the provision of sustainable buildings.

Two more research papers are scheduled to be published within the next few months, including a report looking at the importance and value of placemaking and third spaces and some compelling research about indoor air quality.

You can access all of the BCO’s research here.

The committee is also keen to hear from members about subjects they would like to see included on the BCO’s research calendar. Drop your ideas and thoughts on an email to mail@bco.org.uk

The BCO’s research committee comprises eight members and is currently on the lookout for more, committed experts to help drive our educational agenda forwards.

The full committee is as follows:

• Frances Brown, Cundall (chair)
• Benjamin Koslowski, Fletcher Priest Architects (vice chair)
• Derek Clements-Croome, Reading University
• Steven Lang, Savills
• Nigel Miller, Cordless
• Ben Simpson, M3 Consulting
• Asif Din, Perkins + Will
• Christopher Blust, AKT II
• Eric Chong, BCO

If you’re interested in joining the research committee or have an idea around subjects you’d like to see tackled, please email us at mail@bco.org.uk

Every year the BCO delivers its members a packed calendar of events, from talks and tours of the best buildings up and down the country, to insightful research and debate, our unrivalled awards programme, plus the best networking opportunities you could ever hope to attend.

In a bid to help you make sure you get the best out of your membership and can organise your diary for the year ahead, Team BCO has pulled together a handy overview of the biggest events of the year.                                                                              

January: The UK Office Outlook roadshow

The BCO has teamed up with CoStar to bring you the only office focused outlook event of the year. If you want to know what the future holds for workspace in 2026 then this is the event for you.

The roadshow kicks off in London before heading to Glasgow, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Cambridge.

Book your place here:

• 27 January – London 
• 29 January – Glasgow 
• 3 February – Birmingham 
• 5 February – Bristol
• 10 February – Manchester (booking details coming soon)
• 12 February – Cambridge (booking details coming soon)

February: The BCO Honours Dinner

A new event for 2026 that honours one special member of the BCO with a big thank you for all they have given to the organisation and the industry. Think glamour and gratitude and something extraordinary at The OWO at Raffles in London.

This event sold out quickly, but it will be back in 2027 so if you’ve missed out in 2026, make sure you’re quick to secure your spot next year.

March: The BCO ESG Summit

We gather in Manchester to ask and answer the tough questions around sustainability and social impact and tour some of the cities buildings that are leading the way.

Secure your space here.

The BCO will also be heading to MIPIM in Cannes in March to showcase and support the best of British workspace to an international audience.

April/May: The BCO Regional Awards

The most impactful awards in real estate start to get handed out as the BCO’s regional awards roadshow gets underway. This is the start of the biggy for BCO. If you’ve ever won one of these awards, you’ll know how much they mean. It’s too late to enter now, but you can still join the party. See you there.

Book your table here:

• 15 April – London Awards
• 24 April – Scottish Awards 
• 6 May – Northern Awards 
• 8 May – Midlands & Central England Awards 
• 14 May – South of England & South Wales Awards  

The BCO will also be at UKREIIF in May for the first time to advocate the importance of workspace in delivering sustainable and equitable, and valuable, places.

June: The BCO Annual Conference

The office and workspace world descends on Edinburgh and Glasgow for the biggest and best conference in the calendar. A Festival of Enlightenment is promised, and we will deliver.

Check out the programme here. 

And book your ticket here. 

September: President’s Party and AGM

We invite all BCO members to join us in London for a packed day of insights, education and an exclusive look into the future as we celebrate the inauguration of our new president at our President’s Party, AGM and some unique talk and tours.

More details to be shared soon, but mark 3 September in your diaries now.

October: The BCO National Awards and BCO NextGen Ideas Competition

The BCO returns to the Grosvenor House in London for the biggest celebration of the year as all winners from our regional awards compete in their categories at a national level and also battle it out to win the coveted BCO ‘Best of the Best’ award. 

Priority bookings for members open early June. Watch this space.

October is also the month in which the BCO gets to be truly inspired by the next generation of talent in the industry, seeking to solve some of the biggest challenges the industry faces.

The competition will launch in the Spring and we at the BCO actively encourage every member aged 35 or under to take part.

The initiative offers an incredible opportunity to showcase ideas to not only the BCO but also the wider workplace industry. All finalists will receive high-impact public speaking training and mentorship from both established industry professionals and last year’s finalists.

Finalists have the opportunity to develop and present their ideas and flex their new found skills at a TedTalk style event later in the year. It is a truly unmissable opportunity to nurture confidence, develop  ideas, expand networks and in turn advance careers.

November: The BCO NextGen Awards

The light keeps shining on fresh talent as we celebrate the BCO NextGen Awards. If you were there in 2025 as we celebrated a decade of BCO NextGen, you’ll know that this is the party that kicks off the festivities for the end of the year. 

Details of how to enter and how to secure your place at the best party to round out 2026 will be shared soon.

And that’s just a handful of the more than 120 events the BCO delivers every year.

You can find all of our events, including our talks and tours, webinars, seminars and networking, taking place all over the country on our events calendar. Events are updated regularly so be sure to bookmark the page and check back regularly.

If you’d like to propose an event, host or partner with us on any of our events, drop us an email at events@bco.org.uk and one of the team will be in touch.