BE Offices (“BE”), the independent provider of flexible offices, today announces the next phase of its expansion programme with the acquisition of coworking specialist Headspace Group (“Headspace”).
Headspace develops and manages inspiring, flexible work and event space for the UK’s tech, media and creative communities.
This latest acquisition is an important strategic move because it enables BE to enter a rapidly expanding sector of the flexible workspace market for the first time and adds a third division to its portfolio.
Currently BE operates in the corporate pro-working sector of the market and has been looking for a vehicle that gives it access to the important media, creative and fintech coworking market segments.
In addition, BE recently launched its new BESpoke division headed by Jonathan Weinbrenn which targets major corporate occupiers looking for substantial flexible office accommodation. These acquisitions enable BE to be a one-stop shop offering flexible and coworking environments to clients from all sectors and sizes.
Founded five years ago by Jonny Rosenblatt, Headspace has expanded in line with the growing demand for creative, flexible workspaces amongst freelancers, startups and, increasingly, large businesses. Managing three spaces, in Marylebone, Farringdon and Manchester, it operates at near 100% capacity.
The boutique operator has built a reputation for taking inspiration from the buildings it occupies, incorporating classic features such as original marble columns and staircases alongside modern aspects such as exposed brick, glass partitions and bespoke art. Headspace prides itself on its community focus and counts an array of businesses from startups to tech unicorns and PLCs amongst its membership base.
It is intended that the Headspace brand will be retained with BE looking to expand the brand to as many as 20 centres over the next three years. Founder Jonny Rosenblatt will exit the business to focus on new opportunities.
David Saul, Managing Director and co-founder of BE, said: “Headspace is a fantastic brand that has established itself in the highly creative sector of the flexible workspace market. Each centre has its own slightly quirky and funky design that has tremendous appeal to the creative industries which we will continue to target.
“We believe that with our financial resource and well-established management team we can really develop the Headspace brand and fully realise its potential to become a major force in the coworking and flexible workspace sector.
“Importantly I believe that it will enable BE to grow dramatically over the next three to five years as our highly focused divisions take full advantage of the rapidly growing interest in the flexible space and serviced office market across all sectors.”
Headspace founder Jonny Rosenblatt, added: “This is a hugely positive move for Headspace and our members and I’m in no doubt that the team at BE Offices will build on the success that we’ve enjoyed to date. BE Offices is an established player and have the expertise and infrastructure to really fast track the growth of the business.
“Headspace has always been about shunning the coworking clichés to focus on what really matters – creating beautiful, community-driven spaces for businesses that want total flexibility. From the moment I first started speaking to David and his team, it was clear to me that they share that same ethos. I look forward to seeing Headspace continue on its trajectory to become one of the major players in the UK’s creative workspace market.”
Currently BE operates a total of 16 centres, the majority of which are in London with four in provincial locations including Reading, Bristol, Milton Keynes and Basingstoke.
The company recognises the importance of having expertise in a range of market sectors at a time when the serviced office industry is becoming increasingly competitive with a number of new operators entering the industry almost daily.
BE believes it is one of the few operators capable of offering a wide range of flexible space and coworking occupiers a complete one-stop shop, irrespective of whether it is simply a desk, coworking membership or a corporate occupier requiring 30,000 sq ft of short-term flexible space.
