Agenda Manchester

Start your day the right way: coffee, breakfast, and great conversations. Grab a fresh brew, fuel up for the day ahead, and meet fellow attendees before we dive into an action-packed agenda.

We’re kicking things off with a big dose of energy, connection, and what to expect over the next two days. Meet the community, get a lay of the land, and hear why this year’s GCUC is all about action, insight, and shaping what’s next — together.

Numbers don’t lie! This session dives into the latest data shaping the UK’s coworking landscape. From occupancy rates to investment trends, find out which markets are thriving, where demand is growing, and what shifts are on the horizon. Perfect for operators, landlords, and investors looking for data-driven insights to inform their next move.

What sets a workspace apart? The best spaces combine smart design, seamless operations, and a strong sense of community. They don’t just function well. They feel right.

This panel explores:

• The key ingredients of high-performing workspaces
• How top operators balance aesthetics, functionality, and culture
• The impact of brand on hiring, community, and long-term success
• Real-world examples of spaces that deliver an outstanding experience
• Regional vs. London-based coworking—what works where, and why

Great workspaces aren’t about big budgets, they’re about thoughtful choices that create a place where people want to be. If you’re building, investing in, or running a space, this session is for you.

Take a breather, grab a snack, and connect with fellow attendees. Whether you’re discussing the latest coworking trends or just taking a moment to recharge, this is your chance to refuel before diving back in.

Flex space is booming. But as landlords dive deeper into coworking, what does it mean for the indie edge? In this high-energy session, we bring together operators, landlords, and industry insiders to explore what the future holds for big flex and the indies – and how we can learn from each other along the way

Expect bold takes, real-world strategies, and live audience polling. This isn’t a clash of titans, but a collaborative deep dive into what resilience, relevance, and reinvention look like in today’s flex market.

Refuel and meet your next big connection over lunch!

• Women In Flex Pop Up Lunch
• Or simply relax, enjoy your meal, and chat with industry peers in a more casual setting.

The best conversations often happen over a good meal!

Get hands-on with expert-led workshops designed to give you practical, actionable strategies in key areas of coworking success. Choose from:

1️⃣ Low Cost, High Impact: ESG on a Budget

Think ESG needs a big budget? Think again.

This session is part case study, part creative challenge. You’ll hear how operators like Paul Nellist (Koba) have delivered high-impact sustainability wins for under £5k — and then you’ll get hands-on.

In groups, you’ll design your own ESG initiative to roll out in the next 6 months. We’ll explore what’s possible, who leads it, how to measure it — and then pitch back to the room.

Expect fresh ideas, practical takeaways, and a little competitive energy.

Facilitator: Sam Warren, Sales & Marketing Director, technologywithin

2️⃣ AI & Automations – The tech transforming coworking and how to implement it.

3️⃣ Can You Flex Enough – To Navigate Your Leadership & Entrepreneurship Journey?

Leadership is hard and complex, and often not talked about. In this session, be prepared for something different. Part round table, part workshop – we will playfully explore and illuminate complex topics. Expect an interactive, dynamic and fun learning environment. Prepare for some ‘serious play’ and gain deep insights into the rules of the games leaders play.

Walk away with insights, strategies & connections to apply to your business immediately.

Facilitator: Claire Carpenter, Claire Carpenter Coaching

A quick reset before the next sessions. Use this time to stretch, check emails, or grab a fresh drink before we dive into more high-impact discussions.

Coworking doesn’t live in a vacuum. While we’ve been building community and flexibility, other corners of the built environment have been refining operations, scaling globally, and squeezing every drop of insight from data and design.

Need an energy boost? Grab a coffee, tea, or snack and use this time to chat with fellow operators, investors, and flexspace leaders. The perfect moment to exchange ideas and business cards before we head into the final sessions of the day.

A rare, behind-the-scenes conversation with industry pioneers shaping the future of work and flexible real estate. Expect candid insights on:

• Scaling workspace brands in competitive markets.
• The intersection of real estate, hospitality & flex.
• What’s next for Manchester’s workspace scene.

An unfiltered discussion followed by an audience Q&A. Don’t miss it!

Celebrate a day of learning, insights & connections with a well-earned drink!

The perfect wind-down before the afterparty!

LOCATION: Content Studio, Media City

The learning is done, but the fun is just beginning! Join us for an epic afterparty. Expect drinks, music, and plenty of coworking camaraderie with the ‘best rooftop view of Manchester’.

Colony is an award-winning flexible workspace & coworking operator based across 7 venues in Manchester. Colony was born from the idea that workspaces should be environments where creativity and collaboration thrive. As depicted in their logo, they see their workspaces as “petri dishes” – or “culture dishes” – symbolising the growth of businesses within them that then develop into new and exciting communities.