CASE STUDY HERMES UK
ensure that when a team works on a project
together, they can do so in a truly agile way.
“There are bench desks and whiteboards
throughout the workspace to encourage
team working and innovative ideas,” says
Young. “Sometimes teams will work across
two workspaces, so we’ve got areas where
they can stand and have a quick exchange.
We’ve also ensured there is enough space
and air throughout, and included lots of pot
plants and an ivy wall to bring the outside in.
With everyone using mobile phones, no one
is tied to a desk.”
Overseeing the works and the move was
another challenge, due to the unique nature
of an estate that rarely shuts down. “We had
to plan our works for a live environment and
deliver as little disruption as possible,” says
Young. The project began last November
with a design period that lasted until
February, followed by a nine to 12-week
building phase. The building contractor,
O ice Insight, was also responsible for the
design. The mobilisation process had to be
quick, adds Young, because the lease was
coming to an end on the building where the
teams were located.
SETTLING IN
A‡ er a couple of months it’s obvious the
project has been a success. “The sta really
like it and so too do the senior management
team and our clients,” comments Young.
“We’re all settling into the space, and I find it
easy to manage because the desks and the
spaces are laid out really well.”
26 AUGUST 2019
He’s especially pleased with the living area.
“It’s a space where the guys can relax and do
what they need to do, but equally it’s a space
which showcases our innovations, including
the delivery drones that we are trialling and
the other exciting stu that we do. There is
even a screen which rotates where people
can access Apple TV and games. People will
work and then come to the living area to
play before going home, meaning they can
unwind here before commuting.”
This is not to say, however, that the
innovative workplace appeals solely to a
young, technically astute generation. “We do
have a mix of di erent generations here, and
I firmly believe that people, no matter what
their age, are now looking for a workspace
rather than a traditional o ice. We’ve various
demographics that have come here and said
‘wow, it’s a very cool space’.”
Designing, fitting out and running such an
innovative workspace for people who are,
in turn, developing new ways of connecting
with customers and clients has also inspired
Young, who admits to “a passion for using
technology and innovation to deliver an
amazing workplace experience”.
“Facilities management has got to keep
mobile and agile to develop the businesses
that we work in,” he says, “and we’ve got to
look at innovative ways of doing so. We’re
already looking at the way we manage
services. For instance, if there’s a broken
light you should be able to go on an app to
request that it’s fixed. One of the drivers of
our strategy is that guys on site with little
We’ve got a ƛ ne balance
between giving our people what
they want and encouraging them
to stay around and socialise with
each other to help create a
better work-life balance”
interest in building management will take a
picture of a broken light and get someone
out to fix it. In this way, we’re looking at the
tech Hermes is bringing to our industry and
seeing how it can be applied to FM.”
The new hub has been so successful
that the company is now looking to roll
out the model. “We’ve got a fine balance
between giving our people what they want
and encouraging them to stay around and
socialise with each other to help create
a better work-life balance,” says Young.
“All this has been achieved within a very
workable o ice space where high-end and
leading-edge work is completed. It’s a really
good space, and I’m proud of what we’ve
delivered.”