The future of work is on everyone’s agenda. This event brings thought leaders together to share cutting edge ideas on the future, from both a people and technology perspective.
It will allow an understanding of the key drivers of change and enablers of innovation that will shape how, where and when work takes place. Our conference programme will explore future technologies, cutting edge award-winning workplaces and people, change and engagement within the financial sector.
London’s financial leaders are under pressure to deliver workplaces that embody corporate purpose while driving measurable performance. This theme explores how organisations are aligning workplace strategy with ESG goals, regulatory expectations, and investor demands — creating spaces that serve people, profit, and planet in equal measure. Learn how the financial sector is reimagining its real estate portfolios to reflect values, sustainability commitments, and long-term resilience.
Financial services is at an inflection point — caught between regulation, talent pressure, AI acceleration and the realities of hybrid work. In this opening session, Philip Ross shares global, real-world examples from leading financial institutions across the US, Europe and Asia that are rethinking how work actually happens. From AI-enabled workplaces and data-led office design to new models of leadership presence and cultural cohesion, this session cuts through hype to focus on what’s working, what’s failing, and what’s scaling.
The future of financial work will not be shaped by office design alone — it will be defined by the city ecosystems that surround it. As shifting expectations, hybrid working and global competition continue to reshape financial services, the City of London is moving beyond its identity as a purely 9-to-5 office district. This session explores why place reputation, experience and urban design now matter as much as talent and tax in attracting firms, investment and people.
The built environment generates nearly 50% of annual CO2 emissions, putting a substantial pressure on building owners to address their carbon footprint. While the focus has been on carbon reduction building materials (with embodied carbon) have been overlooked. Grant Thornton’s commitment to climate change mitigation with reduction of embodied carbon for their new 95,000 sf workplace achieved a 79% reduction. Hear how to redefine material reuse, develop new cost-effective ideas for deep decarbonization strategies while maintaining design intent.
Hybrid work and digital ecosystems are now the infrastructure of performance. This theme examines how workplace platforms, automation, and AI are driving operational efficiency and employee empowerment. Explore how financial institutions are moving toward “frictionless work” — integrating physical, digital, and human systems into a single, intelligent experience.
By connecting a large volume of workplace data across functions, they are creating a clearer picture of how people, place and services interact – and how that drives day‑to‑day operational decisions across corporate offices. Through practical examples, the session explores how these insights are already shaping operational decisions – from improving workplace efficiency and capacity management to strengthening operational performance, financial transparency and governance. Looking ahead, we consider how, building on these data foundations, assisted and artificial intelligence could further transform workplace management, enabling organisations to move beyond insight and towards more proactive, intelligent workplace environments.
In a sector shaped by regulatory pressure, executive scrutiny and complex operating demands, workplace strategy cannot be cosmetic - it must be commercially and operationally sound. In this candid conversation, James Davies reflects on Lloyds’ transformation journey and evolving the organisations real estate model to support a more agile approach. From navigating hybrid working at scale to balancing efficiency with experience, we explore the tensions leaders face when aligning space, technology and workforce expectations.
What does an intelligent workplace look like when digital platforms and physical space are designed to flex around people, not policies? We explore how integrated software, smart workplace hardware and adaptable environments are redefining the office. How are financial services organisations responding to evolving work patterns by combining real-time data, flexible work and space strategies to improve utilisation, operations and elevate employee experience. From space planning and collaboration to wellbeing, choice and performance, we share how workplaces are shifting from static to dynamic.
A pre‑launch highlight of the 2026 Global Workplace Adaptivity Index, an upcoming Vecos report developed in partnership with WORKTECH Academy, on how people really use the workplace. Using billions of online locker data points and expert insight, this session shows how Financial Services organisations can design adaptive, people‑centred workplaces that lift human performance while improving space and facilities efficiency.
Tomás specialises in designing intelligent, human-centric workplaces that seamlessly integrate data, automation, and user experience. As CEO of Hereworks Tomás will share his passion for leveraging technology to bridge the gap between built environments and the people who use them, driving efficiency and well-being in modern workspaces.
Workplace strategy has become a talent strategy. In a high-cost, competitive market, this theme explores how financial institutions are reshaping their environments to strengthen culture, equity, and belonging. From flexible work policies to inclusive design and leadership transparency, discover how the most progressive organizations are creating workplaces that attract and retain the next generation of financial talent.
This case study explores how Standard Chartered partnered with M Moser Associates to adapt its London headquarters. In this session, Surasen Naidu (Managing Director, Head of Corporate Real Estate & Services, Europe & Americas, Middle East, Pakistan & Africa, Standard Chartered) and Natalie Sanders-Todd will share how close engagement with executive, trading and functional teams supported the evolution of this headquarters from a legacy desk-led model to a collaborative workplace that actively supports the delivery of Standard Chartered’s strategy of combining differentiated cross-border banking capabilities with leading wealth management expertise Bringing workplace strategy, design and construction together under single-point leadership, the programme was phased over three years while live trading and other business functions continued on site. The discussion will explore the realities of change at scale within financial services — balancing hybrid ratios, unlocking greater efficiency and managing risk across a live environment.
Agentic AI is set to transform the financial profession – shifting how financial services companies work, how their workplaces function, and how offices are designed. This session explores the impact of autonomous systems on workplaces, decision-making, and space planning, and asks how organisations must adapt their culture, technology, and built environment to stay competitive in an increasingly intelligent, AI-driven world.
As financial institutions rethink their global footprints, London stands at the intersection of consolidation and expansion. This theme explores portfolio transformation - from flexible leasing and space optimisation to workplace-as-a-service models. How are organisations balancing cost, culture, and carbon in a volatile market?
In today’s hybrid working era, Executives, Facility Managers, and Workplace Strategists face mounting pressure to balance efficiency, employee experience, and sustainability. This session explores how even the smallest details (like smart locks) can make a significant impact. Discover how technology is redefining access management and security by combining innovation with environmental responsibility. Learn how smart, energy-efficient solutions can contribute to greener operations, reduce maintenance costs, and support the transition toward truly sustainable workspaces.
This panel brings together senior women driving the real estate and workplace transformation agenda within financial services and professional institutions. From redefining workplace portfolios and real-estate strategies to embedding culture, sustainability and talent in the built environment, our panellists share how they are turning property from a cost centre into a strategic enabler of business performance and employee experience. Expect insights on real-estate decisions, hybrid & flexible workplace models, portfolio rationalisation, talent attraction & retention in a high-cost market.
As the day concludes, join us to reflect on key themes, insights, and takeaways from the conference. This interactive session will distil key learnings, spark discussion, and explore how the ideas presented can drive future action. Share your thoughts, gain fresh perspectives, and leave inspired to turn insights into impact.
