Agenda London

The agenda is fluid and we reserve the right to adapt programming. Speakers are added as they are confirmed.

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Event Schedule

8:30 am - 9:15 am

Info

Doors Open & Arrival

Connect with our team, grab your lanyard, and dive into roundtable sign-ups. Explore our sponsors, greet fellow attendees, and recharge with a cup of coffee. Breakfast will also be served. Let the event excitement begin!

9:15 am - 9:25 am

Info

Opening & Welcome

Welcome from GCUC UK Producer, Emilie Lashmar.

Kick off the day with our MC, Freddie Fforde, Founder and Managing Director of Patch, a pioneering network of neighborhood spaces designed for work and community gatherings. In this opening session, Freddie will set the tone for the day, covering essential housekeeping details and providing key information to help you navigate the events and activities ahead.

Emilie Lashmar


Director & Producer, GCUC UK

Freddie Fforde


Founder, Patch

9:25 am - 9:45 am

Presentation

The State of The Market

We’ll kickstart our day with an insightful presentation, delving into the current landscape of the coworking and flexible workspace industry. 

9:50 am - 10:35 am

Panel

Evolving Occupier Needs in the Flex Space Market

An in-depth panel discussion on “Evolving Occupier Needs in the Flex Space Market,” where industry leaders will explore the dynamic landscape of flexible workspace solutions. This session will focus on the challenges and opportunities of meeting the evolving needs of occupiers, covering topics such as the impact of the current political landscape on the flex space industry, the role of technology and innovation, brand differentiation, and retention strategies.

Our panelists will share insights on how operators can adapt their offerings and services to enhance the member experience, leverage technology for improved efficiency, and stand out in a competitive market. Attendees will gain practical advice and actionable strategies to navigate the ever-changing demands of occupiers, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the flex space industry.

Danny Babington


Global Lead - Agent & Broker Partnerships, Mindspace

Amy Taylor


International Partner, Head of Flex Office Advisory UK, Cushman & Wakefield

Greg Miley


Vice President, Desana

Niamh Martin


UK Managing Director, Convene

Robert Stevenson


COO, Techspace

10:35 am - 11:15 am

Info

AM Break

Recharge with a cup of coffee or tea, water, soft drinks and snacks for those any time breaks.

Don’t forget to mingle with sponsors and connect with fellow attendees to make the most of your day!

11:15 am - 11:50 am

Panel

Financing Future Flex – Exploring Funding Options for Growth

In an evolving industry like coworking & flexible workspaces, securing the right funding is crucial for growth and innovation. This panel will delve into the diverse range of financing options available to flex operators—from angel investors and crowdfunding to large private equity backing. Our expert speakers will also explore alternative avenues such as strategic partnerships, funds, and support from government or local authorities. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each funding route, shedding light on what attracts investors to the sector and the barriers that may be holding back further investment.

Whether you’re a startup seeking seed funding, an established player looking for expansion capital, or exploring collaborative opportunities, this discussion will provide valuable insights into navigating the financial landscape of flex. Join us to discover what’s driving investment in the industry and what’s still standing in the way.

Kristina Pereckaite


Founder & Director, South East Angels

Ann-Marie Kinlock


Founder, KindHaus

Grace Bills


Head of New Location Partnerships, Plus X Innovation

11:50 am - 12:25 pm

Presentation

Hot Takes: Expert Insights

Get ready for a dynamic session packed with insightful perspectives in our “Hot Takes” segment. This section features short presentations, highlighting cutting-edge topics from industry experts.

Coworking Spaces as Catalysts for Community Impact

Clayton Shaw – STEAMHouse

  • The Power of Partnerships
  • Driving Social Impact
  • Beyond Just Real Estate

Sales Fails: Why Some Leads Don’t Convert

Ben Wright & Abigail Groves – The Instant Group

Take a deep dive with the Instant Group into the evolving world of leads, lead conversions and what’s around the corner for the industry.

Clayton Shaw


Head of STEAMhouse (Commercial), STEAMhouse

Ben Wright


Global Head of Partnerships, The Instant Group

12:25 pm - 1:40 pm

Info

Lunch

Help yourself to a delicious lunch, mingle and check out our sponsors.

1:40 pm - 2:50 pm

Workshop

Workshops & Roundtables

Dive into deeper conversations and forge meaningful connections in our Workshops & Roundtables session at GCUC UK. This segment features six separate sessions, allowing attendees to pre-select their area of interest. Each session is designed to facilitate focused discussions and provide specific Q&A opportunities with industry experts.

Sign ups for these workshops to come.

Consensus Workspace Workshop: Achieving Exceptional Results Without Overspending

Discover how operators can achieve exceptional results without breaking the bank! In this engaging workshop, Ollie, Consensus Workspace, Sales Director, will share his expert insights on balancing cost and quality, clever strategies for maximising limited budgets, and real-world examples of impressive fit outs that didn’t come with a hefty price tag.

Key Highlights include

  • Balancing Cost and Quality – Learn how to achieve outstanding results without overspending.
  • Maximising Limited Budgets – Discover innovative strategies to make the most of your resources.
  • Real-World Examples – See impressive fits and designs that were achieved on a budget.
  • Practical Advice and Creative Solutions – Get actionable tips for delivering exceptional flex and serviced offerings.
  • Competitive Edge – Understand how to stand out and attract prospective members or tenants to your space, ensuring true value for your money.

Whether you’re involved in coworking, flexible workspaces, or any field where fit is essential, this discussion offers valuable insights and solutions to help your business thrive.

The Wellbeing Agency: Chair Yoga for everyBODY & Mind

Join Josephine, a seasoned expert in optimising corporate work environments, both at home and in the office. Her sessions are uniquely tailored to benefit every participant, focusing on enhancing well-being through practical chair yoga techniques.

Session Highlights

Introduction to Chair Yoga: Understand the benefits and importance of incorporating chair yoga into your daily routine

Posture Assessment and Improvement: A quick assessment of typical sitting habits, followed by a step-by-step guide to achieving optimal posture

Sample Sequence

  • Seated Warm-Up: Gentle exercises for the neck, shoulders, and chest to release tension.
  • Standing Sequence: Activities to improve hip flexor and hamstring mobility, crucial for those who sit for long periods
  • Seated Mobility Exercises: Focused movements to enhance glutes and spine flexibility
  • Guided Meditation: Conclude with a mindfulness meditation to foster positivity and gratitude

Key Takeaways

  • Enhance flexibility, vitality, and energy levels
  • Clear and focus your mind
  • Learn practical techniques to improve your posture while working

This session is designed to help GCUC UK attendees incorporate simple yet effective yoga practices into their day, promoting overall well-being and productivity. Learn from Josephine and transform your daily routine as well as get you energised for the rest of the conference.

Does Brand Matter? Roundtable with Caleb Parker

Caleb will facilitate an engaging roundtable discussion on the topic of “Does Brand Matter?” This session will delve into brand differentiation, storytelling, and the effective translation of brand values and purpose. Participants will explore how a strong brand identity can shape customer perception and loyalty, and discuss strategies for creating cohesive brand experiences that resonate with both customers and employees.

Key discussion points will include:

  • Communicating brand values through design elements and service interactions
  • Ensuring every touchpoint reinforces the company’s mission and vision
  • Case studies of successful brand implementation across various industries

This roundtable promises practical insights and actionable strategies to help your brand stand out in a competitive market. Enhance your understanding of brand differentiation and its impact on your business.

Navigating our Leadership & Entrepreneurship Journey with Claire Carpenter

Roundtable led by Claire Carpenter, European Pioneer of Coworking, and Executive Coach.

You’ve got the vision, ambition, brand, finances, lease or mortgage on physical space/s, IT & operating systems, staff & associates, the community building strategy and even got punters.

So, what could possibly go wrong? Why are there always so many fires to fight? When will it stop?!…

It’s a long game to develop any successful business, no matter the scale or what you do with any profits.

A small group setting is perfect for an intimate conversation, sharing experiences and proven frameworks / models. This brief exploration of the ‘deeply human elements’ of business will help participants better navigate the many complexities faced on their leadership and entrepreneurship journeys, and stay in the game for the long-haul. Chatham House Rules will apply.

Key discussion points will include:

  • The fires we have to fight – VUCA
  • Understanding & avoiding burnout
  • Resourcing yourself for the journey
  • Managing time and attention – there’s never enough!
  • Introduction to the SCARF Model for getting the best out of your people (and yourself)

This roundtable promises practical insights and actionable strategies to help you navigate the complexities of leadership in an enterprise environment, build a better business and enhance your leadership experience.

What Does the Next Generation Really Want from the Workplace? with The Land Collective

Curious about how the future workforce envisions their ideal workspace? Join members of The Land Collective for an insightful roundtable discussion where you can ask what kind of environment and culture they hope to see in their future workplaces.

While they may not have extensive experience in offices yet, they’ll share their thoughts on what they want their workspaces to feel like, what excites them about flexible working environments, and how coworking spaces can meet their evolving needs.

This is a unique opportunity to gain early insights into the expectations of the next generation and how to create an appealing workspace culture for the future.

 

Roundtable Host

Sarah Hayford, Founder & CEO | The Land Collective

GenZ participants

Ben Vu

Lorcan Knox

Rayan Rizza

Yasmin Hassan

Oliver Plastow


Sales Director, Consensus Workspace

Josephine McGrail


Yoga Instructor, The Wellbeing Agency

Caleb Parker


CEO, Brave Corporation

Claire Carpenter


Coach, Mentor, Facilitator & Consultant, Claire Carpenter Coaching

Sarah Hayford


Founder & CEO, The Land Collective

1:40 pm - 2:05 pm

Presentation

Industry Data Unpacked

Join John Williams for an insightful and interactive session where the latest industry research and data on coworking will be presented, critiqued, and discussed openly. Using slides from recent reports—John will lead an honest conversation about the validity and applicability of the findings. Are these numbers reflective of what’s happening in your region? Do they align with the realities on the ground.

This session invites audience participation, encouraging attendees to share their own experiences and perspectives on whether the industry data accurately reflects their local markets. Together, we’ll explore the truths behind the statistics and aim to bring more candour to the presentation of industry trends.

2:05 pm - 2:50 pm

Panel

The Global Coworking Connection

In an increasingly connected world, the coworking industry continues to expand globally, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Join our panel of international experts as they share insights on how coworking spaces are evolving in different regions. This interactive session will explore how we can leverage the global network built by GCUC, address cross-border collaboration, and identify areas for growth and innovation in the flex space sector.

During the session, attendees will have the chance to engage with panelists through Q&A segments and audience-led discussions, providing valuable opportunities to ask pressing questions and contribute to the conversation on shaping the future of coworking globally.

Jean-Yves Huwart


Founder, Coworking Europe

Sarah Travers


CEO, Workbar

Cliff Ho


CEO/Co-Founder, The Commons

2:50 pm - 3:20 pm

Info

PM Break

Recharge with a cup of coffee or tea, water, soft drinks and snacks for those any time breaks.

Don’t forget to mingle with sponsors and connect with fellow attendees to make the most of your day!

3:20 pm - 3:45 pm

Presentation

Storytelling Through Design

Dean Connell, a seasoned Creative Director with extensive experience at WeWork and Knotel, will delve into the art of storytelling through design in coworking spaces. At WeWork, Dean led large-scale, complex projects globally, mastering the adaptation of the brand’s identity to resonate with local cultures and communities. His experience creating the Old Sessions House Workspace for Knotel further solidified his expertise in creating flexible, scalable workspace solutions tailored to the needs of diverse clients. In this session, Dean will share his insights on the challenges and strategies involved in designing unique, timeless spaces that reflect community culture and values, with a focus on circular design and sustainable furniture. A short Q&A will follow.

Dean Connell


Founder, IAMDC

3:45 pm - 4:30 pm

Panel

People Are Your Competitive Edge

Join us for an insightful panel discussion on the critical role of people in the coworking and flex space industry. Our experts will delve into what it takes to build and retain a world-class team that drives exceptional member experiences.

Vanessa Belleau


Founder and MD, High Fifteen ltd

Derek Lutz


Chief Executive Officer, Bottle Rocket Search

Sarah Hayford


Founder & CEO, The Land Collective

Pauline Roussel


Co-Founder and CEO, Coworkies

Cameron MacRae


Head of Flexible Workspace Recruitment, Property Management Recruitment

4:30 pm - 4:55 pm

Presentation

Lightning Talks – Hospitality, Community & Events

Get ready for a rapid-fire session in “Lightning Talks – Hospitality, Community & Events.” In this speed round, established and up-and-coming community leaders will deliver 8-minute presentations on specific initiatives or focuses within community and hospitality. With three back-to-back presentations, this session promises to be packed with fresh ideas and innovative approaches.

Gerald Vanderpuye


Founder, Impact Brixton

4:55 pm - 5:15 pm

Fireside Chat

Fireside Chat

In this fireside chat with Liz Elam and Robert Teel, you’ll gain an in-depth look at the intersection of technology, culture, and strategy within the coworking industry. Rob Teel, representing Yardi, delves into macro trends shaping coworking, the growing embrace of coworking by landlords, and the implications of WeWork’s ownership changes. He also shares insights into Yardi’s pivotal role in the “future of office” conversation, highlighting their innovative AI-driven Virtuoso app, designed to streamline processes and enhance customer engagement. The discussion will also cover Yardi’s affiliate program, connecting spaces with corporate customers, and the exciting roadmap for Yardi Kube, with a focus on marketing, CRM, and lead generation through platforms like CoworkingCafe. This session is a must for anyone interested in the future of coworking, technology integration, and Yardi’s strategic direction in this evolving landscape.

 

Liz Elam


Founder, GCUC

Rob Teel


President of Global Solutions, Yardi

5:15 pm - 5:20 pm

Info

Close

As the day concludes, let’s come together for a final gathering, the perfect opportunity to reflect before connecting with other attendees over drinks.

Freddie Fforde


Founder, Patch

5:20 pm - 7:00 pm

Info

Drinks Reception

Cap off the conference with a splash of relaxation! Join us for reception drinks—an opportunity to unwind, network, and savour the success of a day well spent. Cheers to connections made and ideas shared.

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Info

GCUC UK Official Afterparty

To be announced.

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Tour

Coworking Tour 1

Details to be announced shortly.

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Tour

Coworking Tour 2

Details to be announced shortly.

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Tour

Coworking Tour 3

Details to be announced shortly.