It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.  It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years. Here we speak to leadership expert Kul Mahay, who believes that creating cultures that focus on staff retention and confidence will be critical for most organisations in 2023. With further industrial action planned across both the public and private sector – and more than one million working days lost to strike action by the end of December, according to the Financial Times – Kul Mahay says that creating healthy cultures will be key to success in 2023 for many industries. “Organisations are made up of people with varying complexities, and we need to embrace this,” said Kul, who has worked with NHS Trusts, oil companies and the police on making improvements. “Looking after our people by creating cultures where people feel valued and psychologically safe is probably the number one priority for a lot of organisations right now. “Yes, we are seeing people taking industrial action across many sectors, including education, rail industry and health – but it isn’t all about pay. People want better working conditions, including leadership styles. “I have worked with some organisations where staff have repeatedly told me that the organisation’s ‘command and control’ leadership style over the past two years has left them feeling mistrusted and devalued. “There is a real need for human-centric leaders. Leadership is about building relationships based on trust and that needs to be the focus for 2023.”

It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.  It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years. Here we speak to Rob Day, chairman and founder of Blueprint Interiors. For 2023 I think we will see the evolution of the challenge which started off as Covid retreated and we saw the general return to the workplace. Businesses were asking what the office is for but a year on, they now have strong evidence that these physical spaces need to provide the core resource to encourage and support the cultural behaviours that give great organizations the competitive edge in terms of recruitment, retention and a fully engaged workforce. Last year, my colleague, Chloe, predicted that business owners will be questioning how much office space they are going to need and identifying how their people will want to work, as the work-from-home trend becomes widely accepted. This is resolving into the recognition that the simplistic notion of offices as “accommodation at desks” is not now (and never really was), the best use of office space. We are focussed with our clients on providing much more activity-based workplaces to deliver the required levels of both visual and acoustic privacy, IT support, welfare and social facilities – all of which delivers cultural enrichment and efficiencies that inevitably lead to measurable business improvement. The integration of collaborative technology continues apace – everyone knows how to use Teams, but importantly, they now know its limitations. Using the right tools at the right time and in the appropriate place allows for great flexibility and indeed, better opportunities to tackle business objectives. The workplace is becoming understood as an environment for people – real human beings to thrive, rather than something for employees to survive. I rather like the image of the old-fashioned office as a daily assault course to be endured. Let’s see the end of that! The realisation that a well-designed workplace delivers a far wider range of resources in terms of physical and mental well-being is a trend to be welcomed in the New Year.

The public consultation about devolution plans for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham will end on Monday 9 January. There have been thousands of responses so far, with more expected before the closing date. The consultation, which opened on 14 November, is an opportunity for everyone in the area to have their say about devolution proposals. It is open to residents, businesses, community and voluntary groups, and other organisations in the region. The four councils are urging everyone in the area to have their say on the proposals before the consultation closes. The leaders of Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council, and Nottingham City Council all signed up to work on a devolution deal on 30 August at Rolls Royce in Derby, following an announcement from the Government that a package of new powers and funding, worth £1.14 billion, were available for the two counties and two cities. Since August the councils worked on agreeing a more detailed proposal for the consultation, which includes more information about how devolution would work in our area. The four councils agreed to go ahead with a public consultation as the next step in the process, so everyone has the chance to give their views on the proposal. Barry Lewis, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “Devolution is about getting a better deal for Derbyshire and the East Midlands and achieving a fair share for our region. It will bring us more money and mean we can make more meaningful decisions here, rather than in London. “This deal will bring more and better jobs and opportunities for training, improve the local economy, result in better transport and housing, and accelerate our route to Net Zero. I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and give us their views on devolution. “A devolution deal, should it be agreed, would be the beginning, not the end. We’re determined to build on this deal over time, as other areas have done.” Ben Bradley MP, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “It’s great news that we’re moving forward with devolution plans for Nottinghamshire and the wider area. I’m really pleased that we’re making progress with this. “Devolution can bring real benefits for local people, as it has done in other parts of the country. It will mean more funding for our region, and the opportunity to have more meaningful decisions made here, near the people they affect, rather than in London, so they can be better tailored to local needs. “This is an opportunity to create jobs, boost our economy, enhance transport, build more and better homes, improve our environment, and more, and we need to grab it with both hands. I don’t want our area to miss out on a chance to improve things for everyone who lives and works here. “Devolution can help us be more effective locally, make better use of public money, and most importantly, improve people’s lives. It would lay the groundwork for us to build on in the future, to benefit future generations. “I’d encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and give us their views on the devolution deal.” Chris Poulter, leader of Derby City Council, said: “The East Midlands has long been overlooked and held back compared to other areas of the country. The cities and counties in our region should have a bigger voice, and this devolution deal would give us the influence, funding, and powers that we deserve. “The investment in this deal will bring with it many opportunities. We could see more jobs, better transport and housing, an enhanced greener environment, and more value for money of services provided for our people. “The proposals that we’re consulting on are just the beginning, and we’re determined to build on it over time. I would encourage everyone to give us their views on the deal by taking part in the consultation.” David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “This deal has the potential to make a significant difference and local people would see the real benefits from the investment with more and better jobs, housing, training and much more. “For too long this region hasn’t had the investment it needed and deserves – by working on a deal we can start to address this, but this is just the start, and I will make sure that we get our fair share and make the most of this funding. “Importantly the deal would give us more control over our own area, where local people would have a say in the region’s priorities rather than decisions made in London. I look forward to hearing people’s views on the deal.” Devolution would provide the region with a guaranteed income stream of £38 million per year over a 30-year period, and would cover around 2.2 million people, making it one of the biggest devolved areas in the country. If the plans go ahead, it will mean a new regional mayor and it would create the first of a new type of combined authority for the two counties and two cities, which requires new legislation from central government. The new elected regional mayor, like those who are already in place in other areas, would represent the whole area. The role of the mayor would be to look at major issues affecting the whole region, give the area a bigger voice, and take advantage of local knowledge and expertise. As well as the £1.14 billion, devolution plans include an extra £16 million for new homes on brownfield land, and control over a range of budgets like the Adult Education Budget, which could be better tailored to the needs of people in our communities. Devolution would mean that a future mayor and combined authority could:

• Work towards Net Zero and cleaner air with new low carbon homes, retrofit existing houses with external wall insulation, promote the use of renewable energy, and protect and enhance green spaces, like areas for wildlife and green verges.
• Build on the region’s existing knowledge and expertise in green technology and promote the growth of a future low carbon economy by investing in related skills training at colleges and other training facilities.
• Set up and coordinate smart integrated ticketing and enhanced concessionary fares schemes.
• Work with Homes England to build more affordable homes, by using new powers to buy land and housing (With district and borough council consent).
• Enhance the region’s economy by developing new commercial space to maximise opportunities.
• Work with national government on initiatives to address homelessness, domestic abuse, community safety, social mobility, and support for young people.
• Take advantage of economies of scale by using combined and devolved budgets to deliver more value for taxpayers and more cost-efficient services.

The four councils sent initial proposals to negotiate a combined devolution deal back in March 2022, after being named as pathfinder areas by the Government in February and then being invited to apply for a devolution deal. If the devolution deal is formally approved, the Government would pass legislation bringing a new combined authority for the East Midlands into existence. The first election for a regional mayor for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire, would then be in May 2024. The regional mayor would lead the new combined authority, which would also include representatives from local councils, with decision making powers and resources moving from London to the East Midlands. Local businesses would also have a voice, as well as other organisations. The devolution deal would not mean scrapping or merging local councils, which would all continue to exist as they do now and would still be responsible for most public services in the area. The mayor and combined authority would instead focus on wider issues like transport, regeneration, and employment across both cities and counties. More information about the consultation, and a link to the online survey, are available on the devolution website.

Lincolnshire-based commercial fit out and design company APSS has confirmed what it predicts will be the office design trends of 2023. Businesses will see staff take advantage of the office environment again but in new ways. Many have become accustomed to the freedom of working from home. However, rising costs mean staff are ready to move back to the office on a more regular basis. This is especially true if they are trying to heat the house for just one person. So, what does this mean for businesses? There will be a need to have an environment that accommodates its staff in more ways than an office has ever done. Over the decades, the only thing that has been consistent with the office environment is the requirement to allow people to work. Long gone are the days when magnolia walls, cheap carpet and a few desks were enough. Staff need so much more and when a company doesn’t provide the right environment, staff are seen leaving for greener pastures. Hybrid Offices With more staff returning to the office, the hybrid working environment continues to adapt and become more prevalent. However, the days of being chained to a desk are in the past. Staff enjoy having their home comforts in the workplace – a more relaxed sofa to work on, a range of collaboration areas for teamwork and smaller meeting pods for solo or smaller groups to help reduce noise and improve concentration. For some companies, a hybrid office can mean a downsizing. These companies are confident they will not host all staff in one office again for the foreseeable future. However, other businesses are keen to keep the culture and the energy of the office alive. They will adapt the office to fit the requirements of the staff, creating a more dynamic environment. When staff have been used to working at home, it’s important the office compliments the way they now work. Acoustics and Concentration in the Office One of the positives of working from home has been a quieter environment. This is great for calls, video conferences and the ability to concentrate better with minimal distraction. An open-plan office is great for communication and teamwork, but with more people in the office acoustics and quieter spaces will be imperative. Office designs for 2023 will see more quiet areas included through private workstations and meeting rooms. Acoustics has become a primary focus to reduce excessive noise levels. Biophilic designs help dampen noise levels with the incorporation of plants and water features. Acoustic ceiling rafters are taking their place in the office providing a great feature whilst providing a practical purpose of absorbing additional noise. Feature slat walls will also become more prevalent to help reduce echo and excess noise and look great too. Natural and Biophilic Office Designs Biophilic office designs have been on the rise for a while now. Awareness of the benefits of working in an environment tied to nature is high and this trend will continue to develop over the next year. In addition to the living green walls, it will move forward with more natural, earthy colour schemes. White finishes are expected to be a thing of the past as natural wood colours take over and enhance that tie to nature. More plants will be welcomed into the office environment, however these need to be incorporated sensibly. Too few and it looks like a token effort. Too many and your office suddenly begins to look like an overgrown jungle where you expect the cast of Jumanji to come running through at any second. Businesses are shifting focus to providing an environment for positive mental health. Maximising the natural light that is able to permeate the whole office continues to be on the agenda. A huge difference can be made by adapting offices from having one small window to incorporating curtain walling and glass partitions. Adding a water feature can be very impactful, creating a more tranquil environment for concentration. All of this provides another link to the natural world, creating a more relaxed feeling for staff. Staff Wellbeing The pandemic highlighted the importance of people’s personal well-being and looking after their mental health. Promoting a positive attitude to mental health and staff well-being has become a key factor in office design. Encouraging staff to be more active and providing the ability to adjust their posture throughout the day is a great place to start. Providing the right break space and boosting natural light is also essential. If your staff can’t get away from their desk for a break, you will see the quality of their work gradually decrease along with their motivation. Providing the right equipment, like stand-sit desks, or maybe installing a gym in an unused room, can help staff better balance their work-life balance. These are things staff are unlikely to have at home and are a big incentive for making that commute to the office. Staying Connected Even though staff are looking to make the move back to the office, many businesses’ customer base has stretched much further afield. This means connectivity and having the right space available for video calls are just as important as it was during the pandemic. As a culture, we took huge strides in technology in the last three years and this is now engrained into our daily lives. Small “phone booths” or Zoom meeting pods for video calls, or just a bit of quiet will be a big trend going forward. Media and interactive walls provide a great presentation stage for the online world too. Sustainable and smart office design Sustainability and the goal of having a carbon-neutral office remain a key focus for those on the hunt for a new design. This goes hand in hand with a smart office as they reduce the company’s bills and its carbon footprint. If you’re upgrading your workplace, updating the technology can save you in the long run, and of course, it’s better for the planet. Solar panels on the roof of your building help reduce your energy bills whilst also reducing carbon footprints but when it comes to internal design, recycled materials are becoming more popular. These fabrics, used for anything from carpet tiles to fabric for seating, look and feel great and help reduce pollution. Some of these fabrics are made with plastic dredged from the sea, so have a fantastic ethical reputation. Office designs for 2023 need to be smarter to help with sustainability. Light sensors and LED lighting help reduce unnecessary energy usage along with automated climate controls. These find usage patterns and regulates temperatures to create a more comfortable and sustainable working environment. APSS has expert staff on hand to help you create an effective and impressive working environment for your staff and visitors alike. Visit the website to see how APSS can help transform your office.