Co founder & CEO
Full of ideas and energy, cofounder Jon is the inspiration behind the fractional office concept, when his other business became the first fractional office host. He now runs that side of the business. Always on the go, Jon is full of ideas and energy. He has set up many different businesses before from decorating to recruitment business Pod Talent - where the Fractional Office concept was born. Jon is the unusual mix of an engineer and people person, and this allows him to run the Fractional side of the business with gusto and precision!
Here is what he has to say about the flexible office sector:
What do you think makes an office worth the commute?
In London, I think it needs to have a combination of everything. You need great facilities that are better than you have at home and design that makes you feel comfortable. But most importantly, the office needs to be full of people you enjoy working and collaborating with!
What are the biggest mistakes you see companies make when they are searching for an office?
Most companies put cost at the top of the agenda when speaking to brokers, thinking that’s the best way to get a great deal. But the reality is that while leaders have a right to get a great deal, finding the space their team will be happy in is far more important.
What flexible office industry secret do you think every company should know about?
There are ideal times to get a great deal. These can include summer months and the lead up to Christmas, but they can also be at the end of the month, when sales teams are thinking about targets and bonuses…
Which London district do you think is most under-rated right now? And why
It’s not a specific district, but I do think prioritising the quality of the space over the distance to a station gets the best deals. If you don’t expect your team to come in every day, why not walk a little further to be in a space you feel completely at home in?
What do you think is the most over-rated office feature that people think they need?
Showers. I honestly believe that most people don’t need a shower in their place of work, but one individual might push the agenda and then the majority miss out on considering loads of great options because the minority have already discounted them before shortlist.
What is the one thing most brokers won't tell their clients?
Brokers take a percentage of the rent deal you agree. That leads to some prioritising the biggest fee rather than the best value for their client. That’s why some won’t champion fractional spaces because they feel they won’t make as much money.
What questions should more companies looking for space ask but don't?
If you are in a serviced office, understanding which days are busy and how easy/difficult it is to get access to share facilities, such as meeting space, is very important.
Fast forward to 2028 - which office trends have stuck and which have fazed out?
Fractional spaces available for a portion of the week will be regularly offered. Imagine you are a 20 person business in London. Taking a space for half the week will save you around £70,000 a year. The average 20 person business makes about £300k in annual profit, so that would add more than 20% to the bottom line. NO BRAINER.
What is the weirdest request you've had for an office space?
Well I thought someone asking for a fractional office for a Monday and a Friday was quite weird… but we’ve just completed our first deal for Monday and Friday for a 20 person business in Shoreditch… and the idea is actually growing on me! You get to bookend the week nicely, have the quietest commute days, get all the facilities to yourselves…
