The workplace sector has undergone rapid changes over the past year, with the needs of a new generation of occupiers and working models, along with increasing sustainability targets, spurring on the continued evolution of office design, development and management.
With the industry changing at pace, it is vital that we look to the next generation of leaders to find innovative ways to keep driving the sector forward. Now in its 8th year, the British Council for Offices’ (BCO) NextGen arm was set up to do just that.
Spanning London, the South East and the South West to East Anglia, the Midlands, the North and Scotland, the BCO NextGen programme offers a platform for young professionals in the commercial property sector to share ideas, develop knowledge and build a network of contacts.
The number of NextGen members grew from the 1,083 recorded in 2022 to reach 1,234 in 2023, forming almost a quarter of the overall BCO membership. This steady expansion highlights the ongoing success of the NextGen programme, which includes members from a range of backgrounds, including architecture, property management and lettings.
2023 saw the launch of a NextGen Wellness Programme, which involved holding yoga classes on the rooftops of some of London’s iconic office buildings, rides with the cycling club, and the annual NextGen Ideas Project Competition.
This year, the BCO NextGen committees also hosted a total of 10 building tours, six panel discussions and 20 networking events across the country. In particular, the London committee events centred on three themes: circular economy, hospitality and diversity inclusion, which formed the basis for the topics explored in dynamic “Let’s talk about…” panel sessions.
Marking a continued focus on diversity and inclusion, the BCO NextGen partnered with national charity Career Ready, to help enhance social mobility for young people and unlock diversity in the commercial property sector. This partnership is testament to the BCO NexGen’s commitment to talent advocacy and supporting career development for individuals from all backgrounds.
Of the partnership, Hannah Buxton, chair of the BCO NextGen committee for London, said: “The Career Ready partnership is something that we are really proud of. Your background should not be a barrier to your career and our aim is to create new opportunities for young people across the workplace sector. Going into schools to talk about careers in real estate has been really rewarding and it is important to see companies recognising the talent of students from different backgrounds as they come for work experience or internships.”
Celebrating talent is something the BCO is well known for and the annual BCO NextGen Awards (pictured), which took place on 1 November, are seen as one of the biggest nights of the year for the community.
As Sarah Mitchell, chair of the BCO NextGen committee for the South West, said: “The NextGen Awards are a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the rising talent we have in the workplace sector. It’s also a great way to champion our sector and the great people who innovate and move it forward.”
This year’s winners were chosen from a total of 109 entrants, the largest number of nominations received by the BCO since the beginning of the NextGen Awards. The 2023 winners have been recognised for their engagement in sustainability and social value projects, whether by taking part in charitable work, mentoring peers, or pioneering the decarbonisation of commercial real estate.
According to Sarah Lawson, chair of the BCO NextGen committee for Scotland, the awards are an important means of recognising the evolution of the industry. As she said: “This event means that we as a sector are taking a moment to place significance on the intelligence, innovation and ambition of future generations. It gives a voice to a generation of now to discuss ideas and values that will shape the future of the workplace.”
This year’s winners all demonstrate an ambition to keep moving the industry forward, making the future look all the brighter for the office sector in the years to come. To quote Hannah Buxton, BCO NextGen chair for London: “Here’s to the next generation!”
