27 Apr 2022

The future of the workplace is yours to design

Courtesy of Eilidh Tucker

There could be no better setting for the launch of the 2022 BCO NextGen Ideas Competition than the HYLO, a self-proclaimed ‘basecamp for brilliance.’

The evening of Thursday 31st March saw members of the BCO NextGen Committee gather for a long-awaited in-person networking event in one of London’s most exciting new buildings. Kicking off proceedings was Multiplex’s Andy Campbell, chair of the London and South East NextGen committee, who provided an overview of the evening, and directed attention to our fundraiser for Ukraine. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the ongoing devastation in Ukraine, and it felt pertinent to use our event to contribute positively in some way. Donations can still be made here.


 
Stephen Cherry, Managing Director at HCL Architects, Steve Riddell, Partner at CIT Group, and Michael Hynd, Associate Director AKTII, provided an in-depth run through of building spec and hosted a brief Q&A on the HYLO development. A guided tour of the building followed, with NextGen members split into groups and led through the development with a related party on hand to answer any queries. Experiencing this excellent example of a future-focused workspace served as an ideal forerunner to the main event — the launch of the Ideas Project.

The tour was rounded off by drinks and nibbles on the top floor, readying the next generation of talent to foster their best ideas over an evening of networking. Emily Pallot, Director at Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt, led a galvanising launch, pitching the central concept of the BCO Ideas Competition and calling on members to submit their entries for the future workspace. The 2022 competition looks for individual submissions, widening the gateposts and encouraging more creative freedom than ever before
the onus is on you to decide what the future should look like.
The deadline for entry is Friday 20th May 2022, and all details are available here.

Anyone can enter, provided that you are a member of the BCO NextGen. Consider how you could shape the modern workplace for the better, by incorporating one of the four focus categories in your design:

• Addressing the Climate Emergency

• Integrating New Technologies

• Designing the Human Experience

• Creating Diversity and Inclusion /Social Impact








The HYLO proved to be a hotbed of inspiration. Sunlight streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows in the early evening, casting light on animated conversations. There was much discussion of ‘best ideas’ and their origins, some more offbeat than others, as we found…

Heba Tabidi:

Where do you come up with your best ideas? — “At a rave! It makes you disconnect in a way, but there’s also such a big part of your brain that is occupied by the music. I always feel inspired afterwards”

What do you do if you’re stuck for an idea? — “Yoga. Or on a bigger scale, travel by myself. Both stimulate me”

John Hunter:

Where do you come up with your best ideas? — “Before I go to sleep. There are no distractions, it’s just me and the ebb and flow of my thoughts. ”

What do you do if you’re stuck for an idea? — “When I’m stuck for ideas I reach out and speak to people, that never fails to inspire me. Through the BCO I have met people who encourage you to think bigger, but in a neutral environment. It’s not competitive, but it encourages you to better yourself. At BCO events you interact as people, not just as professionals.”

If being an instrumental factor in the future of workspace wasn’t enough incentive, the BCO is also offering six finalists “a world-class opportunity to learn to articulate, refine and amplify your ideas” through incredible Ted-talk style public speaking training with Ginger Leadership Communications. You will then have the opportunity to flex your newfound skills, pitching your ideas publicly at the final Ideas Project Event, attended by key leaders across the industry and fellow BCO members later this year. Sarah, head of Ginger Communications, and her team will lead you through a series of workshops that will enable you to:
“take your seed of an idea and turn it into something transformational.”
Grab the chance to boost your profile in the industry and learn to sell yourself in a way that will stick.

We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who helped in bringing this event to life, with special thanks to HYLO for hosting us, and of course to our sponsor of the evening, LA Construction.

The limits are what you make them, so you can dream big. Take it from James Pellatt, Director of Workplace and Innovation at Great Portland Estates and one of our 2022 judges: “Very few people get creative ideas in an office,” so what is your solution?

The future of the workplace is yours to design. Enter now for your chance to be the change you want to see.

22 Apr 2022

BCO Conference tickets are 90% SOLD. Have you booked?

 

 

 

 

 

ENJOYABLE SOCIAL EVENTS
 

We kick off the Conference with a drinks reception at Manchester Cathedral, a Grade I listed masterpiece in the heart of the Medieval Quarter. 

The next day, our Conference Party will be one to remember (or not!). Held at Hatch, one of Manchester’s newest, award-winning food, drink and retail destinations in the city centre. Guests will enjoy a welcome cocktail on arrival before sampling a variety of delicious street food. Explore the open air spaces and terraces, trayed drinks and four bars. A DJ and live local band provide some of the entertainment for the evening. Details:
Drinks Reception & Party

UNMISSABLE DISCUSSIONS 


Starting with an introduction to Manchester, we will hear from Andy BurnhamMayor of Greater Manchester, and Joanne Roney OBE, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council.
 

We will then bring you four topical discussions with an outstanding lineup of speakers, culminating on the final day with Ed Gillespie, Leading Sustainability Expert, and Mark Stevenson, Futurist and Top Selling Author, aka The Futurenauts. In their usual rambunctious and provocative style, they will explore the live and ongoing mass experiment we are all engaged in regarding the future of work. Read more

 

ENGAGING TOURS & SEMINARS
 

From exploring Manchester’s renowned Northern Quarter district, to an exclusive peek inside Europe’s largest and leading studio complex, our extensive lineup of tours will provide an opportunity to showcase the latest in office design and occupation, with focus on regeneration, sustainability, public realm and refurbishment.

Seminars will provide a forum for more intimate engagement in the fields of technologies, the metaverse, ESG, Net Zero Carbon, future occupiers and science. Take a look at the
tours and seminars on offer.

NEW NEXTGEN PROGRAMME 


First up on our brand new NextGen-focused agenda is the Manchester 5K Running Tour, giving you the opportunity to see some of Manchester’s architecture and culture, whilst getting your fitness fix. You are then invited to join the NextGen Drinks Reception ‘After Party’ - an opportunity to meet and mingle with friends and colleagues at Freight Island, the perfect place to sample Manchester’s vibrant night life.

Over the following two days, there are lunches and mentoring opportunities to enjoy, as well as coffee and wrap roulette networking sessions. Learn more.

 

 

BOOK HERE

 

 

 

 

 





We are delighted to welcome Alex Lawlor and Vasiliki Bowler to the Photography Competition judging panel


 

Alex Lawlor, MRICS
Alex Lawlor, an Associate Director at Faithful+Gould, works within the corporate real estate sector delivering office fit-out and refurbishment projects for private sector clients. With an array of nominations and accolades under belt, she received Atkins Presidents Award 2018, finalist for BCO NextGen Rising Star L&SE 2019 and awarded Faithful+Gould's Employee of the Year in 2019. Her diverse qualifications in project management, structural engineering and architecture coupled with a personal interest in photography, she has a keen appreciation for creative design and an eye for detail. 

 

Vasiliki Bowler, MRICS
Vasiliki Bowler, a Senior Project Manager at Faithful+Gould, represents their Corporate Real Estate Forum and digital services. She specialises in client and stakeholder management, building prosperous relationships around her. Having recently been awarded the CIOB Rising Star Award, she now acts as a mentor, supporting professional development within Faithful+Gould as an APC supervisor and guest assessor. From school, to studying architecture to delivering fantastic construction projects – Vasiliki is passionate about the arts (visualisations, graphics, and photography to name a few) and appreciates its power to generate emotion and dialogue.



Thank you to Faithful+Gould for sponsoring the photography competition. Look out for the rest of the esteemed judges on the panel being announced before the conference! If you are thinking of entering the 2022 Conference Photography competition, take a look at some inspiration from around Manchester on Instagram:

 


We look forward to seeing what you capture while taking in the culture and sights at the conference! Enter and win up to £1000 in cash prizes. Learn more here.



#bcoconference

Photography Competition (Instagram) hashtag: #LeadingLightManchester

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19 Apr 2022

An introduction to the 2022 BCO NextGen Midlands Committee




Follow the BCO NextGen Committee on LinkedIn:


Alex Slatter, Associated Architects (Chair)
Rosie Cotterill, Turley  (Vice-Chair)


Andrew Bloxham, Core 5
Steve Townsend, Associated Architects
Amelia Hardman, Eversheds Sutherland
Justin Ford, Bruntwood
Will Higgins, Knight Frank
Ross Jones, CBRE
Ian Keeling, Cundall
Joe Vale, RLF


Learn more about the BCO NextGen here.