If anyone was asked to think of where to find the best examples of an office, I doubt very many people would reply ‘Milan’ but that may just be the reason that this year’s BCO conference was a resounding success. With Milan and its layers of history, culture, design and the vital ‘caffè’, we are reminded that workspaces are about so much more than function. A view certainly held by Amber Luscombe, Head of ESG at Oxygen, “This is my third BCO conference I was expecting more of the same, but the discussions have moved on with engaging speakers, stimulating conversations and a more positive – yet realistic – outlook from the attendees. So many factors influence, surrounds and support good office design, from fostering a sense of belonging and community to wellbeing and nature and they were all on the table at Milan.”
The property portfolios of companies have always been on the boardroom agenda because they take up such large portion of the capital expenditure, which is now overlayed with additional challenges, the WFH and RTO campaigns, prominence and increased understanding of wellbeing and mental health, requirement for diversity, artificial intelligence and sustainability.
The office isn’t just an asset class – it is central to commerce and a crucial part of the fabric of society, this is major reason why Milan was such a good choice – and it wasn’t just the prosecco and pasta talking! Conversations were overwhelmingly positive and support for the next phase and future agenda of the BCO was very real. Oliver Clements, Managing Director of Future Designs, was a key sponsor of the Next Gen activities at the event, he said, “Milan is of course glorious, but it was also the perfect backdrop to the renewed enthusiasm for the office and all it represents and supports in society.”
The schedule was varied; with three plenary sessions to introduce us to Milan and focus on its key USP – design and brand, tours of workplaces, the City and several insightful sessions fused together to create a hive of activity.
Pernille Bonser, CEO of Resonate Interiors commented, “I have been involved with the BCO since the early days and the triumph of Milan conference, from its thoughtful content and insightful tours, and new leadership, felt like a positive pivot moment, where enthusiasm and appreciation of the places we come together to work and collaborate is on the rise.”
The myth of work-life balance
The opening speech by Carlo Alberto Carnevale-Maffe, Professor of Strategy at Bocconi University School of Management was a true scene setter, making a strong argument as to why ‘work-life’ balance is a misleading target for life. The act of work need not be demonised as if employees are slaves to big business, in fact it has the potential to be a source of enrichment and fulfilment for everyone and a path to creating better livelihoods for people. (It is worth noting that the audience would have comprised mainly of individuals that have governance and agency over their own lives, as well as likely to be in roles they have chosen, and this is not true of the entire working population).
‘Work’ must be a slice of life that encompasses all the good, bad, laughter and frustrations that we experience elsewhere – to expect perfection is naive and unrealistic, because we are human.
Back to business
However, business – and where business happens is important and the appreciation of its positive force will be at its most powerful when the people are together in one place, where camaraderie can be nurtured, and the collective purpose amongst people is felt.
Lee Phillips, Managing Director of Wates Fit Out, said: “This was the inaugural BCO conference for Wates Fit-Out as the newest addition to the Wates Group and the fit-out sector. As I reflect on the week, I feel so positive and energised for the future – workplaces matter and what we all do is impactful for business and people.”
Brands that extend far beyond the logo are crucial, it must encapsulate the very essence of an organisation, corporate and individual behaviours, habits and attitudes. Bringing in the Milanese theme once more – we know Versace means glamour, just as much as we know Prada is more avant-garde. How many corporations could claim to have such an instant reaction? There is so much to be inspired by to create exciting and positive experiences if we let it.
To take the analogy of Milan as a city of gates and not walls and apply this to our office buildings, is a helpful metaphor not just from an organisations internal communication and culture but also the role businesses play in the local communities where they are located. Whether that be enhancing the physical environment, to supporting local food and beverage outlets and services, so they integrated into the community rather than an imposition.
People often report that they ‘feel’ more productive at home (and there is no doubt that on occasions this is absolutely the case), however as the numbers roll in we know that this may not be the case. There is a true societal impact of businesses that extend beyond one companies balance sheet and it’s a compelling reason to see a swing towards to office, taking the emphasis away from WFH. But the equations isn’t presence = profit, it is of course far more complex.
If we strive for collective purpose, respect and tolerance baked into the brand values of organisation with a responsibility to businesses, communities, colleagues and of course ourselves, we create cultures that people want to be part of. The BCO is in an amazing position to lead this discussion and the vibe in Milan at this year’s conference is the perfect opener for the conversation.
With thanks to Helen Hare Director of Projects, GPE & Senior Vice President of British Council for Offices, for such an inspired choice, and so much more to come with Samantha McClary at the helm.
Anna is the Founder and Director of Informare and a commentator on workplace and design issues
June 6, 2025
Milan proves to be the perfect setting for an optimistic BCO conference
by Anna King • Comment, Property
The property portfolios of companies have always been on the boardroom agenda because they take up such large portion of the capital expenditure, which is now overlayed with additional challenges, the WFH and RTO campaigns, prominence and increased understanding of wellbeing and mental health, requirement for diversity, artificial intelligence and sustainability.
The office isn’t just an asset class – it is central to commerce and a crucial part of the fabric of society, this is major reason why Milan was such a good choice – and it wasn’t just the prosecco and pasta talking! Conversations were overwhelmingly positive and support for the next phase and future agenda of the BCO was very real. Oliver Clements, Managing Director of Future Designs, was a key sponsor of the Next Gen activities at the event, he said, “Milan is of course glorious, but it was also the perfect backdrop to the renewed enthusiasm for the office and all it represents and supports in society.”
The schedule was varied; with three plenary sessions to introduce us to Milan and focus on its key USP – design and brand, tours of workplaces, the City and several insightful sessions fused together to create a hive of activity.
Pernille Bonser, CEO of Resonate Interiors commented, “I have been involved with the BCO since the early days and the triumph of Milan conference, from its thoughtful content and insightful tours, and new leadership, felt like a positive pivot moment, where enthusiasm and appreciation of the places we come together to work and collaborate is on the rise.”
The myth of work-life balance
The opening speech by Carlo Alberto Carnevale-Maffe, Professor of Strategy at Bocconi University School of Management was a true scene setter, making a strong argument as to why ‘work-life’ balance is a misleading target for life. The act of work need not be demonised as if employees are slaves to big business, in fact it has the potential to be a source of enrichment and fulfilment for everyone and a path to creating better livelihoods for people. (It is worth noting that the audience would have comprised mainly of individuals that have governance and agency over their own lives, as well as likely to be in roles they have chosen, and this is not true of the entire working population).
‘Work’ must be a slice of life that encompasses all the good, bad, laughter and frustrations that we experience elsewhere – to expect perfection is naive and unrealistic, because we are human.
Back to business
However, business – and where business happens is important and the appreciation of its positive force will be at its most powerful when the people are together in one place, where camaraderie can be nurtured, and the collective purpose amongst people is felt.
Lee Phillips, Managing Director of Wates Fit Out, said: “This was the inaugural BCO conference for Wates Fit-Out as the newest addition to the Wates Group and the fit-out sector. As I reflect on the week, I feel so positive and energised for the future – workplaces matter and what we all do is impactful for business and people.”
Brands that extend far beyond the logo are crucial, it must encapsulate the very essence of an organisation, corporate and individual behaviours, habits and attitudes. Bringing in the Milanese theme once more – we know Versace means glamour, just as much as we know Prada is more avant-garde. How many corporations could claim to have such an instant reaction? There is so much to be inspired by to create exciting and positive experiences if we let it.
To take the analogy of Milan as a city of gates and not walls and apply this to our office buildings, is a helpful metaphor not just from an organisations internal communication and culture but also the role businesses play in the local communities where they are located. Whether that be enhancing the physical environment, to supporting local food and beverage outlets and services, so they integrated into the community rather than an imposition.
People often report that they ‘feel’ more productive at home (and there is no doubt that on occasions this is absolutely the case), however as the numbers roll in we know that this may not be the case. There is a true societal impact of businesses that extend beyond one companies balance sheet and it’s a compelling reason to see a swing towards to office, taking the emphasis away from WFH. But the equations isn’t presence = profit, it is of course far more complex.
If we strive for collective purpose, respect and tolerance baked into the brand values of organisation with a responsibility to businesses, communities, colleagues and of course ourselves, we create cultures that people want to be part of. The BCO is in an amazing position to lead this discussion and the vibe in Milan at this year’s conference is the perfect opener for the conversation.
With thanks to Helen Hare Director of Projects, GPE & Senior Vice President of British Council for Offices, for such an inspired choice, and so much more to come with Samantha McClary at the helm.
Anna is the Founder and Director of Informare and a commentator on workplace and design issues