ORGATEC organisers turn their gaze to Middle East markets

ORGATEC organisers turn their gaze to Middle East markets

Koelnmesse, the organisers of ORGATEC, and dmg events have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on developing trade exhibitions across the Middle East. The firms say this strategic partnership will ‘combine and leverage their respective brands, creating a dynamic synergy that promises innovative and impactful events’. Both see the Middle East as a growing and increasingly important opportunity. More →

Oxford rents poised to surge as office and lab space dwindles

Oxford rents poised to surge as office and lab space dwindles

Oxford’s thriving science and technology sector is facing a potential hurdle: a critical shortage of office and laboratory space. According to a new report by property consultancy Vail Williams, this scarcity could send rents spiralling upwards in the coming year. The report paints a concerning picture. The city, it suggests, has just about enough Grade A office and lab space to meet demand from life sciences and biotech companies for the next year. This limited supply is a stark contrast to the high demand, particularly considering the strong take-up figures from last year, which saw around 420,000 square feet of lab space leased. More →

Commercial real estate lending hits ten year low

Commercial real estate lending hits ten year low

New lending for commercial real estate fell 33 per cent last year to its lowest level since 2013, according to the latest bi-annual report from Bayes Business School, (formerly Cass). Researched and written by Dr Nicole Lux, Senior Research Fellow at Bayes Business School, City, University of London, the report also shows that a significant portion (42 per cent) of the £170 billion of loans outstanding will have to be refinanced within 12 months. Dr Lux expects that will cause ongoing stress in the market. More →

BCO London Awards winners focus on sustainability, wellbeing and user-friendliness

BCO London Awards winners focus on sustainability, wellbeing and user-friendliness

The British Council for Offices Awards for London have gone to seven office buildings across the city. Held at the Park Plaza hotel, 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. More →

CIPD Festival of Work moves to London’s ExCeL for free, two-day event 

CIPD Festival of Work moves to London’s ExCeL for free, two-day event 

The CIPD Festival of Work returns this June at a brand-new venue: the universally beloved ExCeL London.The CIPD Festival of Work returns this June at a brand-new venue: the universally beloved ExCeL London. The CIPD says the free, two-day event will be a jam-packed, interactive line-up that celebrates innovative ideas and discusses the dilemmas facing the world of work. The Festival will aim to bring together a wide range of exhibiters and over 150 international inspirational thought leaders and leading experts, across seven stages. They will be discussing a diverse range of topics that will ’empower everyone, no matter their profession or sector, to promote meaningful and positive change and create a better world of work’.  More →

Most firms lack the right tech for hybrid working

Most firms lack the right tech for hybrid working

A new poll from Ricoh Europe claims that the majority of organisations lack the technology to support flexible working, with only 30 percent of European employees saying they have all the technology to collaborate seamlessly when working with other colleagues. More →

Stress, unpaid overtime and other pressures taking a toll on people’s wellbeing

Stress, unpaid overtime and other pressures taking a toll on people’s wellbeing

A new poll from leisure operator Better suggests that the UK population is working far beyond its contracted hours, and this is taking a toll on the health of the nation. Two-thirds of people surveyed say they regularly work unpaid overtime, on average an extra two hours per week, equating to 14 working days per year. One in ten (11 percent) of 45-54 yrs work more than five extra hours per week; that’s the equivalent of 35 days of unpaid work per year. Those working in the education and HR sectors undertake the most unpaid overtime; at an average of 15 days per year. More →

Commuting costs continue to put strain on office worker finances

Commuting costs continue to put strain on office worker finances

UK employees are suffering higher cost-of-living expenses, especially due to transportation costs and tensions may rise as many companies enforce return-to-office policies. That is according to the latest study conducted by Capterra on 248 U.K. employees, the majority (69 percent) say their work-related costs have increased over the past 12 months, especially the price of groceries (95 percent), utilities (85 percent), eating out (78 percent), and petrol (63 percent). More →

US employee engagement plummets to lowest level in over a decade

US employee engagement plummets to lowest level in over a decade

A report by Gallup claims that employee engagement in the U.S. has sunk to its lowest point in more than a decadeAmerican workplaces are facing a crisis of disengagement. A report by Gallup claims that employee engagement in the U.S. has sunk to its lowest point in more than a decade, marking a concerning trend with significant implications for businesses across the country. The study, which began tracking employee sentiment in 2023, identified a growing disconnect between workers and their employers. Employees reported feeling a lack of clarity in their roles, lower overall satisfaction with their organizations, and a weaker connection to their companies’ missions. They were also less likely to feel valued and supported by their colleagues and superiors. More →

Wellbeing and flexibility are the keys to workplace success

Wellbeing and flexibility are the keys to workplace success

A new poll from BSI claims that employee health and employer flexibility are key elements to harness a future age-diverse workforce. Evolving Together: Flourishing in the age-diverse workforce considers how today’s business leaders think businesses and policymakers can respond to demographic changes to enable individuals to thrive and organizations to grow as greater numbers work beyond the age of 65. More →

Bisley extends colour palette with three new hues

Bisley extends colour palette with three new hues

British furniture brand Bisley has introduced three new shades to its curated colour palette. Through a meticulous selection process, the furniture manufacturer chose shades that would enhance its existing colour palette to offer customers even greater choice when purchasing furniture for their homes. The new hues, Marine Green, Berry and Natural Canvas take influence from emerging trends in fashion and interiors. They are alluring as individual shades, but can also complement each other when used together, forming a contemporary colour palette. Additionally, each of the new shades align with existing Bisley colours to create micro collections, giving greater versatility to the range. More →

Tentative signs of recovery in UK commercial property market, says the RICS

Tentative signs of recovery in UK commercial property market, says the RICS

The 2024 RICS first quarter monitor for the UK commercial property market indicates tentative signs that the market is moving into a recovery phase, though there is still ample evidence that there remains a challenging backdrop. Higher borrowing rates are holding back investments along with other structural headwinds such as a weak economy, online shopping, working from home (WFH) and environmental concerns. More →