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.
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.
This session explores how the Workplace Solutions team at M&G is using workplace data to drive operational efficiency and evidence-based decision making in a hybrid working environment. As workplace complexity increases, the ability to access live, connected and cross-functional insight has become essential to managing performance, cost and experience. We share how M&G is building the data foundations required to move beyond reactive reporting, while positioning the function for future AI-enabled capability — turning workplace data into a strategic asset rather than a by-product of operations.
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.
Sedus
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 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 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?
Modern workplace operations now sit at the intersection of people, place, data and experience.
With stronger data foundations in place, we can evolve from understanding our workplace to actively shaping it. By receiving live, trusted insight from our data colleagues, operational teams can now move beyond reactive responses and become architects of purposeful, high‑performing workspaces.
This is how we are harnessing information to redesign our corporate offices, uplift supply chain performance, and create seamless, enjoyable experiences for every end user.
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.
