Broadcaster ITV has announced plans to reduce its London office space and expand flexible working.
The FTSE100 firm plans to relocate about 2,000 staff in London to a new office in White City, Shepherd’s Bush, where it already has space for 450 people. The new space is being vacated by the BBC. The move will entail leaving two more central London buildings, in Chancery Lane and Grays Inn Road.
ITV said that it expected there to be fewer people on sites each day, so it had less need for dedicated desk space.
Teams moving to White City include HR, management and finance.
ITV’s chief executive Carolyn McCall said: “Our people have made it really clear to us that they want to build on the positive aspects of their experience over the last 18 months to have a more balanced approach to office based and remote working. That balance will vary from team to team given the kind of work we do and we know that face-to-face collaboration is crucial for creativity and innovation – we’re looking forward to this new hybrid way of working.”
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She added: “Our new office will bring everyone from ITV in London together and will provide the size and flexibility to enable everyone to perform their roles, help ITV deliver on our strategy as well as get the balance they want in their lives.”
The BBC meanwhile is moving people within White City and out to other London locations as part of its hybrid working plans.
BBC group managing director Bob Shennan “we have been able to consider the London footprint and make some changes”.
Meanwhile, appliances warranty group Domestic & General has also joined the ranks of businesses that have announced they are embracing hybrid working on a permanent basis.
The company is reopening its London office in Wimbledon, where 500 of its 2,500 UK staff are based, from 26 July. It is anticipated by the firm that staff will spend two or three days a week in the office and will spend the remaining days working at home.
Major changes are taking place at its Wimbledon office, with desk space reduced from 600 to about 350. New breakout areas are in the offing and there will be far more indoor plants to make the floors more attractive.
Bike storage facilities and the numbers of lockers will be increased.
According to chief operating officer Nick Ulycz, six internal surveys consistently showed staff wanted hybrid working, but “coming together regularly” remained important for the company, which will extend the working model across its UK offices.
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