Search Results for: commercial

UK government plans to parachute AI experts into departments to ‘turbocharge’ productivity

UK government plans to parachute AI experts into departments to ‘turbocharge’ productivity

So-called 'digital gurus' from the private sector will be 'parachuted' into government departments as part of radical plans to 'turbocharge' the technological and AI skills of civil servantsSo-called ‘digital gurus’ from the private sector will be ‘parachuted’ into government departments as part of radical plans to ‘turbocharge’ the technological skills of civil servants, Cabinet Office Minister Jeremy Quin has announced. Delivering a speech at the think tank Policy Exchange, Minister Quin set out a number of measures which he claims will drive forward the government’s plans to harness innovation and technology including AI to make Whitehall run more efficiently.

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Office landlords take efficiency-boosting measures to cut energy costs

Office landlords take efficiency-boosting measures to cut energy costs

A new poll of 250 office landlords from infintSpace and Instant Group claims to have identified the most widely used energy saving measuresA new poll of 250 office landlords from infinitSpace and Instant Group claims to have identified the most widely used energy saving measures at their properties.  The study set out to identify which energy-saving measures are the most widely used and which landlords are prioritising in the years ahead as ambitions for a net-zero commercial real estate sector become increasingly focused. More →

Generations in the workplace: setting the record straight

Generations in the workplace: setting the record straight

A middle aged man and a younger male colleague sit in comfortable chairs having a conversation to illustrate a conversation between generations of workersIf there were an algorithm to create a word cloud in response to searches for ‘What millennials want in the workplace?’, you’d expect to see Google spew out terms such as ‘flexibility’, ‘meaning’, ‘fairness’, ‘equality’, ‘inclusivity’, ‘opportunity’, ‘connections’, ‘socialising’ and ‘experience’. Do the same with ‘Gen Z’ replacing ‘millennials’ and – guess what – you’ll see the exact same word cloud, although perhaps in a different colour and order so you don’t think it’s based on the same homogeneous assumptions about younger generations. More →

The circular economy is a great opportunity, but it doesn’t add up yet

The circular economy is a great opportunity, but it doesn’t add up yet

The circular economy offers huge opportunities and is vital for a ‘greener’ future. Currently, it just doesn’t make commercial sense for widespread adoptionThe circular economy, carbon measurement, product material content, rental, ‘take back’, reuse and recycling – all actions for a more environmentally responsible workplace sector. But what are the priorities? Manufacturers and suppliers are arguably challenged by lack of clarity, requirements for significant investment, combined with cost pressures in a heavily subscribed market. More →

The Furniture Makers’ Company announces Design Guild Mark 2023 holders

The Furniture Makers’ Company announces Design Guild Mark 2023 holders

Innovation of materials and creativity remain at the forefront of British design as 30 outstanding submissions from three categories are to be awarded the coveted Design Guild Mark in 2023Innovation of materials and creativity remain at the forefront of British design as 30 outstanding submissions from three categories are to be awarded the coveted Design Guild Mark in 2023, The Design Guild Mark is awarded by The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, to drive excellence and raise the profile of British industrial design. More →

BCO Awards for Central England continue focus on wellbeing and the environment

BCO Awards for Central England continue focus on wellbeing and the environment

the BCO Awards for the region set out to recognise projects that demonstrate best practice in office design, fit-out, operation and sustainabilityWhat are claimed to be the Midlands and Central England’s most outstanding workplaces have been announced, with British Council for Offices Awards going to five office buildings across the region. Held at ICC in Birmingham, the BCO Awards for the region set out to recognise projects that demonstrate best practice in office design, fit-out, operation and sustainability. The organisers claims that the winners of this year’s competition in the Midlands and Central England stand out for their user-centred design credentials, as well as their creative implementation of wellbeing and sustainability measures. More →

Ahrend UK and Techo UK to merge with opening of joint showroom at Clerkenwell Design Week

Ahrend UK and Techo UK to merge with opening of joint showroom at Clerkenwell Design Week

Ahrend UK and Techo UK have announced their merger and a joint showroom. The companies operate under the global name Royal Ahrend.Ahrend UK and Techo UK have announced their merger which becomes effective on the first of July 1st. The move will see the companies operate under the global name Royal Ahrend and will be evident at the opening of a renovated joint showroom during Clerkenwell Design Week in London from May 23rd to 25th, 2023. The Techo name will continue to exist as a distinctive product brand and will be part of the Royal Ahrend brand portfolio. The firm claims that by combining forces, it will be able to ‘further strengthen the customer experience with an exceptional customer-oriented service, aimed at both the direct market and the dealer market in the UK’. More →

Environmental concerns and wellbeing continue to dominate BCO Awards

Environmental concerns and wellbeing continue to dominate BCO Awards

As was the case with the winners of other regional BCO awards, the winners of this year’s competition seem to focus on user-centric design, wellbeing and sustainabilityThe BCO Awards for the South of England and South Wales have been announced, with recognition going to six office buildings across the region. Held at The City Hall in Cardiff, the BCO’s annual South of England and South Wales Awards Dinner claims to recognise projects that demonstrate best practice in office design, fit-out, operation and sustainability, setting the standard for excellence across the sector. More →

Most firms don’t see retrofit as part of their net zero strategy

Most firms don’t see retrofit as part of their net zero strategy

Without boards changing their attitudes and government action, the UK faces a building retrofit crisis which threatens the nation’s ability to ever reach net zeroDespite organisations and the Government setting environmental targets, when it comes to buildings, there remains a lack of commitment to prepare for net zero. Without boards changing their attitudes and government action, the UK faces a building retrofit crisis which threatens the nation’s ability to ever reach net zero. That is the main finding of a new report which explores the current state of retrofit for commercial property in the UK. More →

Office furniture giant Flokk opens showroom in heart of Manchester

Office furniture giant Flokk opens showroom in heart of Manchester

Norwegian furniture powerhouse Flokk have opened a stunning new showroom in the vibrant city of ManchesterNorwegian furniture powerhouse Flokk have opened a stunning new showroom in the vibrant city of Manchester. The open plan space showcases the Flokk portfolio with popular designs from brands Offecct, HÅG, Giroflex, RH, Profim and the newest brand to join the family, Connection. Positioned in the city centre, with unrivalled access to all railway stations and the airport, Flokk’s Manchester showroom will welcome guests from across the North-West and beyond. More →

Over two-thirds of office landlords have no sustainability strategy

Over two-thirds of office landlords have no sustainability strategy

The vast majority of UK office landlords do not have a sustainability strategy in place despite evidence showing that it would increase the attractiveness of their properties to tenantsThe vast majority of UK office landlords do not have a sustainability strategy in place despite evidence showing that it would increase the attractiveness of their properties to tenants, according to a new poll commissioned by infinitSpace in partnership with The Instant Group. The survey defined a strategy as several policies with an overall aim to reduce greenhouse emissions and/or promote environmentally friendly practices. More →

BCO Awards winners for North of England again focus on sustainable office design

BCO Awards winners for North of England again focus on sustainable office design

Following last week’s announcement of the annual BCO Awards winners for London, the British Council for Offices has announced the winners of its annual Awards for the North of England. In fact all but one of the winners are located in Greater Manchester and the one that isn’t lies within twenty miles of it. The organisers suggest that the theme of sustainable office design runs through the submissions of the winning entries. More →