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Equal Experts needed to move fast and had unique requirements for LEVEL to meet.
With a focus on knowledge sharing, their team delivers long-lasting value by upskilling teams so they can conduct business more effectively and efficiently.
When it was time for Equal Experts to upgrade their office space, their Engagement Manager, Amelia Bampton, reached out to LEVEL founder and Managing Director, Joe Averill.
Amelia had met Joe previously and knew first-hand the level of service, professionalism and care he brings to every job, making it an easy decision to choose LEVEL.
She said: “When we were looking for a new office relocation for Equal Experts, I reached out to Joe straight away. I always recommend him to others as well.”
Equal Experts was previously in Spaces on Deansgate. They liked the location, but had outgrown it to the point where it was actively hindering the company’s day-to-day business.
Amelia said: “There were times, especially on key days each month, when we found ourselves tripping over each other in what was definitely a much smaller space.”
They needed to accommodate their team better, especially as more people began returning to the office after COVID. The previous office was never meant to be a permanent base and that was showing in a big way.
It was also not a good fit for the company’s future growth plans. While it had allowed them to evaluate what hybrid working might look like for Equal Experts, it was clear that the future growth of the business required something more.
Amelia said: “Now that we have a better understanding of our employees' work patterns, needs, and preferences, we've been able to secure a new space that better reflects what our team requires today.”
Equal Experts operates a business model that creates unique workspace needs. They operate as a consultancy and can never say for certain how many people they will have in the office at a time – both staff and visitors.
That need for flexibility was a key factor in the search for a new workspace.
Kev Roberts, who heads up UK North for Equal Experts, also emphasised the company’s need for different types of workspaces, saying they need: “Quiets paces for deep, focused work, collaborative spaces for teamwork, and larger areas for hosting events.
“Essentially, we needed an office that could support a range of activities, from individual work and team gatherings to large scale customer engagements.”
When LEVEL began searching for a new space for Equal Experts, we had to take time into account budgetary, time and space constraints from the start.
The business had a fixed exit date from their previous space that meant a quick move was a necessity. They also needed room for an estimated 25-30 people at any one time, but the space had to be flexible so that teams could collaborate easily and even hold events.
Finally, the office had to be accessible. The Equal Experts team is spread out and includes employees around the UK. The location of the new space had to take that into account and be accessible from Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria stations equally.
However, Equal Experts knew that there was more to finding the right space than just getting the budget, timing and location right. The final requirements were ascertained by speaking to the staff directly to find out what they needed and wanted most.
The company held a workshop during an alignment day where employees could share their priorities from practical necessities to more ‘wishlist’ items. These were then grouped and prioritised based on frequency and importance.
Amelia said: “At Equal Experts, we take a human-centred approach not only with our customers but also with our employees. We don’t operate in a top-down hierarchy, everyone’s voice matters.
“While not every request could be implemented, everyone was heard, and we ensured that the most frequently raised needs were accounted for. Our workplace culture reflects this, which is part of why we ranked No. 2 on Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work this year, improving from No. 4 last year.”
Joe and the LEVEL team were instructed while the workshop was going on and had to move fast. We had the high level information about budget, size and location, and needed to put together options that could meet all the possible outcomes from the staff workshop.
Using our knowledge of the Manchester office market and our past experience finding workspaces based on the needs of employees, we were proactive and delivered an initial list of options to Equal Experts.
That was narrowed down to a shortlist and a full day of viewings was scheduled.
Amelia said: “The tour was well structured. It wasn’t just jumping from one side of Manchester to the other. The scheduling made sense, allowing us to move seamlessly across different locations with enough time at each stop. By the end of the day, we had enough information to make an informed decision.
“LEVEL was also extremely accommodating. Given how busy our schedules were, we had to adjust the tour date, but they handled it without any issues. When we arrived at each building, everything was well organised, and we were warmly received. There were no unexpected delays or confusion. It was a smooth, structured process that allowed us to achieve a lot in just one day.”
Equal Experts ended up choosing a stunning space at Colony which provided flexibility, collaboration spaces, and the event hosting capabilities they were looking for.
Even better, the Colony Group’s setup gives Equal Experts access to multiple buildings across Manchester so they can use even more facilities across the city such as One Silk Street’s rooftop garden.
For a company unsure of how much space they will need each day, and who might need a range of spaces at short notice, this arrangement is ideal.
The flexibility on offer at Colony also allowed them to do a phased transition to the new office. A small group has started using the space first to raise and address any issues, then the full company will be moved in by May – ahead of their contract at Spaces ending.
That situation created a one-month overlap in rental payments because Equal Experts couldn’t change the exit date in their previous contract. However, LEVEL helped to negotiate with Colony to secure the first month rent-free to cancel out that overlap.
Amelia said: “We’re confident that the new office will support our hybrid working style, accommodate our fluctuating headcount, and provide the right environment for both focused work and larger team gatherings.
“We’re also planning a launch event in May to celebrate the move and make the most of the new space.”
A smooth, easy move facilitated by LEVEL
Despite the potentially tricky limitations that came with this move, LEVEL delivered a smooth and hassle-free search process that facilitate an easy move for Equal Experts.
Amelia said: “The process was very well organized and LEVELwas flexible to our needs. Everything went smoothly, to be honest.
Joe Averill, founder and Managing Director at LEVEL, said: “Equal Experts had a range of unique needs that made finding the perfect new workspace an interesting challenge for the LEVEL team.
“However, using our knowledge of the market and what can be negotiated with landlords, we found a flexible solution that offered everything they needed and helped them eliminate a potentially costly rent overlap period at the same time.
“We wish them every success in their new home and can’t wait to see the company keep growing!”
Need to find a flexible office to rent in Manchester in a hurry? We can help you move fast, even if you’ve got complex requirements! Book your free discovery call today to get started!
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