Reflecting on 2024 with Richard Johnson

Reflecting on 2024 with Richard Johnson

Reflecting on 2024: A Message from Richard Johnson, Managing Director of UBC Flexible Offices

As we wrap things up for another year, I would like to take the opportunity to reflect on the successes, challenges, and milestones that have defined 2024 for UBC Flexible Offices and the wider flexible space industry. This year has been remarkable in many ways, and I'm proud of what we have achieved together both as a team and as a company.

Welcoming New Leadership

One of the highlights of this year has been the appointment of Harun Biswas to our board of directors. Harun brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective, and his appointment has already started to shape our strategic direction for the future. His insights and leadership are helping us strengthen our position as a leading provider of flexible office solutions.

Industry Recognition

The FlexSA Annual Gala and Awards provided us with the opportunity to once again celebrate excellence in our industry, and I was delighted to see UBC nominated in 4/5 regions for awards in Customer Service Excellence. Seeing the team recognised for such a core aspect of our business, the service we provide, reflects the dedication and hard work of our teams across the country, who continually go above and beyond to deliver exceptional service to our clients.

Consolidating our Brand

Following the acquisition of Inigo in late 2022, we have worked to integrate the two brands into a single identity. I'm delighted to share that UBC Flexible Offices now stands as a cohesive brand that is stronger than ever. Our unified vision and streamlined operations are helping us provide the best for our clients and enabling us to do so better than ever before.

Refurbing our Spaces

This year saw significant investments in a number of UBC locations, ensuring they remain modern, sustainable and tailored to the needs of today's businesses. Highlights include:

  • The completion of a full refurbishment in Southampton, featuring new coworking spaces and meeting rooms.
  • Solar panel installations at UBC Fleet, contributing to our sustainability goals.
  • Securing investment for refurbishment in UBC London, Henley and Cirencester, with some projects already underway.
  • Renewing our commitment to UBC Henley-in-Arden with an agreement through to 2035, ensuring we can provide exceptional serviced offices there for years to come.

Breaking Records for Charity

UBC's commitment to making a difference goes far beyond the workplace. This year, we smashed our fundraising target of £5,000 for The National Autistic Society, thanks to the incredible efforts of our team and clients. For 2025, we've set our sights even higher with a record-breaking £10,000 target for Children with Cancer UK. We're already planning exciting fundraising activities to support this vital cause, aiming to top last year's abseil, so stay tuned!

Celebrating Excellence at UBC

While ever member of the UBC team contributes to our success, I want to take a moment to spotlight Magda and Natalie in Fleet, whose dedication and hard work has resulted in them achieving full occupancy at times this year. Their work is a testament to the power of teamwork and persistence. Similarly, our Warrington team Sam and Paige have seen significant increases in meeting room bookings and revenue, reflecting the exceptional service provided there to clients. We also celebrated Sales and Marketing Director Jane Erasmus, who has been with the company for 20 years!

Looking ahead: Industry Insights for 2025

The flexible workspace industry continues to face challenges, but 2024 has proven that as a business, we are more than capable of holding our own. We've made significant advances both commercially and operationally this year, gearing up for a bright 2025.

My prediction for the coming year is that the return to the workplace will continue, albeit gradually. Hybrid working is here to stay for the foreseeable future, but I believe businesses will increasingly look for productive and comfortable spaces that offer high-quality customer service and amenities. At UBC, we're committed to partnering with businesses to provide the environments they need to thrive.

Gratitude and Optimism

As we finish up 2024, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to every member of the UBC team, our clients, and partners. Your support is the driving force behind our success. I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together in 2025.

Here's to a prosperous 2025 for all!

Richard Johnson, Managing Director UBC Flexible Offices

Richard Johnson

Managing Director

UBC Flexible Offices