Toby Benzecry on Workplace Culture, What the Budget Means for Business and the SBID Awards Night 2024

In this month's Innovate, our CEO and Founder, Toby Benzecry , discusses how to build a strong office culture and why this is instrumental for business success. We also unpack what the Labour Budget means for business with expert advice from tax professionals at Bonham & Brook , and celebrate our success at the SBID International Design Awards? .

Toby Benzecry on Workplace Culture, Company Energy, and the Impact of Office Relocation

In a recent podcast with Caleb Parker , Toby Benzecry , CEO of Workplace Futures Group and founder of Modus, shared insights into workplace culture, and evolving expectations for office spaces. Central to Toby’s discussion was company culture and energy, which he described as a vital, often intangible quality that binds people together. As a firm believer that the energy of in-person collaboration can’t be replicated remotely, he explains that true company culture goes beyond perks like stocked fridges or office treats. Instead, it’s about a unique, shared atmosphere that sparks creativity and innovation.

During the podcast, Toby and Caleb discussed the challenge of balancing flexible work policies with the need for in-office presence to sustain culture and collaborative energy. While Toby recognises the practicality of flexible working, he stressed that a strong team dynamic thrives best when people come together in person. He encourages coming into the office, understanding that collective energy is crucial for long-term business success.

Drawing from his doctoral research on office relocation, Toby described how a move can act as a “rebirth” for organisations. His findings show that relocation, when strategically planned, can revitalise culture, boost morale, and enhance organisational performance. This gives companies an opportunity to redefine their space to align with their values, creating a tangible sense of pride and renewal among employees. Toby’s research demonstrates the potential of office moves to transform company dynamics, showing how thoughtful design can positively impact team cohesion, engagement, and overall productivity.

Looking to the future, Toby highlighted a growing trend towards smaller, high-quality spaces that are tenant-ready? and rich in amenities. This “flight to quality” reflects how companies are increasingly prioritising adaptable, well-designed spaces that support and harness team energy. You can learn more about Toby’s doctoral research on the impact of office relocation on our website.

What Does the Budget Mean for Business?

Rachel Reeves delivered Labour’s highly anticipated Budget three weeks ago, making history as the first-ever woman to do so. While there was some positive news (we’ll all be saving a penny per pint this winter), several policies affecting businesses, tax, and property were more nuanced and required further analysis.

To unpack what the Budget means for businesses and the wider market, we collaborated with our long-term partner and expert tax advisor, Bonham & Brook , to host a professional panel. Held at Lord’s Cricket Ground and moderated by former England cricketer Angus Fraser, the panel brought together insightful perspectives from leading tax experts and CFO’s.

Key takeaways from the discussion included:

• While no changes to R&D Tax Relief were announced in the Budget, HMRC will be significantly increasing scrutiny on claims to address the reported ￡1.2bn in annual fraud. Therefore, securing a reputable and knowledgeable advisor is essential.
• HMRC plans to launch a consultation to review the tax treatment of predevelopment costs, potentially introducing stricter compliance requirements and necessitating tighter record-keeping and cost categorisation, but also presenting new opportunities for tax relief.
• For corporate purchases above ￡500,000, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) has increased from 15% to 17%

It was a pleasure working alongside Bonham and Brook, whose expertise was invaluable in making sense of these complex changes. Special thanks to Tibor Diossi , CFO of our parent company, Workplace Futures Group , for his analysis of how these changes will directly impact businesses. We look forward to sharing more insights from this engaging panel with our clients in the coming months.

SBID Awards Night 2024

We recently celebrated our win in the prestigious Office Design Over 2,000 SqM category at the SBID Awards for our work with Publicis Sapient . It was a fantastic evening, and we would like to thank the SBID International Design Awards? team for organising such an outstanding event.

Our award-winning design for Publicis Sapient’s workspace centred on employee engagement and inclusivity, supporting a diverse workforce with spaces that accommodate a variety of work styles. All areas of the workspace are carefully considered and designed to empower employees to feel comfortable and perform at their best. Each floor has a unique spatial offering to encourage social connection and movement - from a barista bar to an outdoor terrace and a library area - and these are linked by a feature staircase that enhances flow and creates a sense of unity across the space.

Winning this award underscores our commitment to creating impactful workspaces that align with our clients' visions and values. We’re honoured to receive this recognition for a project that celebrates diversity and exemplifies the best of workplace design.

Modus in the Media

This month we're pleased to announce that our award-winning project with Publicis Sapient has been featured by Mix Interiors ! Read the full article, "Modus designs Sapient’s new workspace as a ‘melting pot’ of diversity", on the Mix Interiors website.