What’s in Store for 2025 in Flexible Workspace

As we enter a new year, we asked members of the Flexible Space Association’s Board for their thoughts on what 2025 might bring for flexible workspace.

52 weeks, 12 months or 365 days is a long time, so we won’t hold them to what they’ve said!  However, it’s interesting food for thought for our vibrant industry.  Our Board members represent a broad range of sizes of companies, and therefore bring insights with different perspectives on the sector.

Andrea Kolokasi, Chair of the FlexSA Board and Head of Business Development at Workspace Group, said: “The flex market is at the forefront of redefining the approach to work. I expect to see this gather pace in 2025 as more businesses and individuals embrace the benefits of flexible workspace.”

Andrew Butterworth, Vice-Chair of the FlexSA Board and Chief Commercial Officer at Bruntwood, commented: “I anticipate that flexible workspace operators will continue to improve the quality of their space and amenity offer, and through that see occupancy and returns improve.”

Freddie Fforde, member of the FlexSA Board and Founder of Patch, said: “I believe that political and economic stability will release pent up demand for office buying decisions, particularly if rates come down in H1.”

Nick Riesel attends Board meetings as a representative of our brokermembers, and is MD of Free Office Finder.  He’s predicted: “I believe we will see a greater emphasis on employee wellbeing in flexible workspaces, with increased demand for health-focused amenities, like gyms, meditation rooms and wellness classes.”

Denise McGeachy is a FlexSA Board member and COO of Leeds-based Bracken Workspace Plus.  She commented: “In 2025 I see the continued rise in demand for flexible workspace as diligent companies focus in on both cost and operational efficiencies along with enhanced employee wellbeing. Our industry is maturing, and we’ll continue to see more adopters both as providers and clients and the emergence of flex into other specialist areas.”

Chris Mapp is the newest member of the FlexSA Board, and COO at Wizu Workspace.  He’s suggested: “As an industry I believe we will continue to see further growth in quality flex space in the regions in order to support the change in work/life demands. Landlords and Asset Managers will continue to release a better quality of building to flex operators in order to fulfil levelling up agendas and create site activation”

Finally, the FlexSA Treasurer is Jonathan Price, and he is also a Non-Executive Director at Business Lodge.  He said:  “After two years in which the stock market investors have not been very receptive to new issues, I expect to see a return of IPOs in 2025 along with renewed interest in bond issues in the main world currencies.

“I also expect to see the prices of property company shares return to more normal levels, and the disappearance of the discounts to NAV that still exist in many REITs.

“This availability of finance may in turn prompt an increase in the number of mergers and acquisitions in the sector and in further investment in the underlying real estate. I would also not rule out the appearance of another large operator to compete with IWG and WeWork.”