Search Results for: professionals

More than half of UK freelancers have considered quitting self-employment in past year

More than half of UK freelancers have considered quitting self-employment in past year

More than half of UK freelancers and small business owners have considered giving up self-employment over the past year, according to new researchMore than half of UK freelancers and small business owners have considered giving up self-employment over the past year, according to new research from The Accountancy Partnership. The survey of 1,060 self-employed professionals found that 50.7 percent have thought about returning to traditional employment in the past 12 months. Of these, 16.4 percent said they had seriously considered leaving self-employment altogether, while 34.3 percent said the idea had crossed their minds briefly. (more…)

Recent events highlight a clear shift in how firms approach workplace strategy

Recent events highlight a clear shift in how firms approach workplace strategy

Two recent events hosted by HubStar in London and Amsterdam suggest there has been a shift in how organisations now approach workplace strategy, with a growing focus on three core prioritiesTwo recent events hosted by HubStar in London and Amsterdam suggest there has been a shift in how organisations now approach workplace strategy, with a growing focus on three core priorities. The regular quarterly gatherings bring together senior leaders from corporate real estate, facilities management, HR, IT and workplace experience to discuss current challenges and emerging trends. Conversations at the two sessions centred on how organisations are responding to changing expectations around hybrid work and the role of the office. Organisations are increasingly focused on creating workplaces that: justify the commute; develop a clearer understanding of how space is used through better data; and adopt more flexible approaches to planning and design. (more…)

How to spot a good investment from a mile away

How to spot a good investment from a mile away

strong investments often reveal themselves through simple, consistent signals that anyone can learn.  You do not need insider knowledge or complex formulas to spot quality opportunities early. What you need is a clear mindset and the ability to recognize patterns that repeat over time.  Let’s learn a few ways you can identify a good investment from a distance.Investing can feel overwhelming, especially when every opportunity claims to be the next big thing. You see bold promises, confident pitches, and glowing testimonials that sound almost too perfect. The truth is that strong investments often reveal themselves through simple, consistent signals that anyone can learn.

You do not need insider knowledge or complex formulas to spot quality opportunities early. What you need is a clear mindset and the ability to recognize patterns that repeat over time.

Let’s learn a few ways you can identify a good investment from a distance.

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Women working from home or on reduced hours at greater risk of damaging their career

Women working from home or on reduced hours at greater risk of damaging their career

Women working from home or on reduced hours are at greater risk of losing their professional and managerial careers, but men are not affectedWomen working from home or on reduced hours are at greater risk of losing their professional and managerial careers, but men are not affected, new research suggests. Women professionals not working a standard week in the office were more likely to end up in less prestigious careers than those in full-time work, the study found. Sizhan Cui, of the University of Oxford, analysed survey data on 11,981 British women and 9,829 men gathered from 2010-2024 to link changes in careers to the use of flexible working arrangements such as working from home, part-time work, job sharing and flexitime. (more…)

Creativity, thinking and expertise in the workplace should be safeguarded from AI

Creativity, thinking and expertise in the workplace should be safeguarded from AI

Workplace professionals and general managers should proceed with caution if they want to use AI to improve efficiency and human capital in the workplace, and should take steps to ensure creativity and critical thinking are preserved, new research from the University of Bath School of Management suggests. The research team identified two types of knowledge which appeared partially compatible with AI – encoded knowledge, which encompasses rules, procedures, policies, and datasets; and embedded knowledge – essentially digitalised processes and routines. (more…)

Tarkett introduces iQ Motion to its industry-leading iQ range

Tarkett introduces iQ Motion to its industry-leading iQ range

Tarkett, a global leader in sustainable flooring and circular innovation, has expanded its elite iQ portfolio with the launch of iQ Motion, the newest addition to the world’s highest performing homogeneous vinyl (HO) flooring rangeTarkett, a global leader in sustainable flooring and circular innovation, has expanded its elite iQ portfolio with the launch of iQ Motion, the newest addition to the world’s highest performing homogeneous vinyl (HO) flooring range. Engineered for environments where durability, hygiene and long-term performance are essential, iQ Motion continues the legacy of the iQ range. The collection is a single-layer, homogeneous vinyl flooring designed to meet the demanding needs of healthcare, education and other heavy-traffic settings. (more…)

Real estate sector showing resilience in spite of global volatility

Real estate sector showing resilience in spite of global volatility

Improving market fundamentals and a rise in available capital are helping the global real estate sector as a new cycle begins

Improving market fundamentals and a rise in available capital are helping the global real estate sector as a new cycle begins. Inflation and interest rates are becoming more stable. Property values also appear to be recovering from recent lows, and investment activity is returning in the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific. However, uncertainty linked to deglobalisation, geopolitical tensions and difficult economic conditions still poses a significant challenge for investors. This is according to the Emerging Trends in Real Estate Global Outlook 2026 report from PwC and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). (more…)

New digital issue of Works magazine is available for you to read online. If you don’t get the print edition, you’re missing out

New digital issue of Works magazine is available for you to read online. If you don’t get the print edition, you’re missing out

The new issue of Works magazine is now available for you to read online free. 2026 promises to be yet another revolutionary year for work and workplaces and we'll be with you at every step along the waThe new issue of Works magazine is now available for you to read online free. 2026 promises to be yet another revolutionary year for work and workplaces and we’ll be with you at every step along the way. In this issue: you’ll find three case studies and a round up of projects highlighting new thinking and best practice in workplace design; we consider how Canary Wharf and other business districts are in rude health in spite of the obituaries we may have read about them in recent years; there’s commentary from Adam Scott, Su Lim and Stephanie Fitzgerald; we have reports from two round tables in London as well as a look back on Design Mumbai; the latest news on products, materials and events. Plus there are loads more features, including our podcast series with Shaw Contract exploring the different facets of comfort. (more…)

Government expands regional civil service hubs through Places for Growth programme

Government expands regional civil service hubs through Places for Growth programme

The UK Government has reaffirmed its commitment to relocating civil service roles out of London as part of its Places for Growth programme

The UK Government has reaffirmed its commitment to relocating civil service roles out of London as part of its Places for Growth programme, a long-running initiative aimed at strengthening government presence across the UK and reducing reliance on the capital. Updated information published by the Cabinet Office outlines how the programme is intended to support regional economies and bring decision-making closer to communities by creating a more geographically distributed civil service workforce. (more…)

New white paper offers actions for managing trauma in the workplace

New white paper offers actions for managing trauma in the workplace

A new white paper offering practical guidance for employers on how to recognise, understand and respond to trauma in the workplace has been published by Nottingham Business SchoolA new white paper offering practical guidance for employers on how to recognise, understand and respond to trauma in the workplace has been published by Nottingham Business School (NBS), part of Nottingham Trent University. Recent national figures show that more than 8.5 million adults in England and Wales are survivors of childhood abuse, underlining the scale of trauma?related experiences within the UK workforce. Managing Trauma in the Workplace: Strategies for Wellbeing and Organisational Resilience brings together research, survivor perspectives, and evidence?based recommendations to help HR professionals and managers create psychologically safe working environments. (more…)

Furniture industry invited to explore how sustainability can drive commercial success

Furniture industry invited to explore how sustainability can drive commercial success

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, is inviting furniture and furnishings professionals to attend ‘Making Commercial Sense of Sustainability’, a one-day industry eventThe Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, is inviting furniture and furnishings professionals to attend ‘Making Commercial Sense of Sustainability’, a one-day industry event focused on turning environmental responsibility into commercial opportunity. Taking place on Thursday 19 March (11:00am – 4:00pm) at Furniture Makers’ Hall, London, the event will bring together business leaders, sustainability experts, manufacturers, designers and specifiers to examine how sustainability can be embedded into business strategy in a way that supports growth, resilience and long-term profitability. (more…)

Furniture Makers accepting nominations for 2026 Young Professional Industry Experience 

Furniture Makers accepting nominations for 2026 Young Professional Industry Experience 

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, is accepting nominations for its Young Professional Industry ExperienceThe Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, is accepting nominations for its Young Professional Industry Experience. The programme provides aspiring young people working in the industry a unique opportunity to visit sector leading companies and understand all areas of the wider trade, including materials, designing, manufacturing, pricing, marketing, sales and customer service. (more…)