Talent can be retained in office campuses

Since the pandemic there has been much written about how the world of work is changing. Mike Wiseman describes how office campuses provide attractive, high-quality workplaces to attract and retain key talents.

Companies are increasingly focusing on their employees’ wellbeing, a trend that accelerated during the pandemic. This trend continues as companies look for ways to bring staff back into the office after the massive shift to working from home following Covid.

When I ask businesses seeking office space about their key to success, they always say that it is “our people”.

How do you retain and attract the best employees in a world of fierce competition and where younger workers are more likely to change jobs today than they were a few decades back? How can you get them to come back together so that they can learn, collaborate and create a strong company culture?

Businesses are rethinking how they allocate space for their employees.

The days of employees sitting in dark cubicles on faceless business parks with no other option than a nearby cafe for lunch are over. In order to attract high-performing employees back to the workplace, it must be more enjoyable than staying at home. But how?

British Land manages and owns three “campuses” in central London. We are owners of buildings and spaces surrounding them. This allows us to create safe, vibrant places that tenants can enjoy.

We’ve seen a huge increase in interest for office space at these campuses since the pandemic. These campuses are in central London and close to major transport hubs like Paddington, Liverpool Street, and Euston. They offer restaurants, bars and shops as well as gyms and outdoor green spaces for relaxing during the day. These factors all make coming to work more pleasant and productive.

What other benefits can you get from renting space on a university campus, besides bringing your employees together under the same roof? Business owners are increasingly concerned with how to manage their portfolios efficiently.

Office Flexibility

Our long-term strategy and high environmental standards mean that all of our buildings meet the best operational standards and help our customers achieve their sustainability goals. Being part of a university allows our customers the opportunity to take advantage of economies of scale, and resources sharing. This further reduces environmental impact. Consolidated deliveries reduce transport emissions, while shared infrastructure such as energy systems allows for more efficient resource use.

Second, flexibility. The campus model allows us to assist our customers in running more efficient real estate portfolios. Flexible space is essential in a world where business needs are constantly changing, there are cost pressures and AI impacts, as well as a changing work environment.

Storey Club is a space within a building that provides meeting rooms for all tenants on campus. This allows a company to avoid wasting valuable space by having meeting rooms on their own floors that are empty.

Cluster together

A campus also allows businesses to work together in a community, share ideas, build relationships, and do business. Over the last eight years, we have seen the positive effects that clustering has on our Broadgate Campus in the City, where small fintech companies can grow. The campus was then able to attract law firms and financial services companies who wanted to become part of the ecosystem.

This approach is being replicated at Regent’s Place in London’s Knowledge Quarter. Science and technology companies can collaborate with Google, Meta, and other big names in the tech industry. They can also take advantage of the location, which is just a few steps away from the Wellcome Trust and the Francis Crick Institute. These innovative businesses will go through rapid changes, so they need the flexibility that a university campus can offer.

Workers are increasingly discerning when it comes to the environment they prefer to work in. Companies are responding to this by creating attractive, high-quality workplaces that are also amenity rich and engaging. Campuses can provide all that and more. They can also be an important part of your puzzle to keep employees happy and motivated.

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