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Friday, 8 March 2024

12 pm – 3 pm
The Guildhall, York

We are excited to announce the first of two speakers for our inaugural Northern Lunch!

Gerald Jennings

Gerald is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and has worked in the property sector for over 30 years. He joined Land Securities in 1999 after spending 14 years with the Burton Group formerly known as Arcadia, where he was responsible for the company’s property portfolio throughout the UK. Before stepping down in 2015, Gerald was Land Securities’ Retail Portfolio Director based in the company’s Leeds office.

Gerald is a passionate member of the business community and has also been actively involved in several social enterprises and charities. Amongst his roles, he was Chairman of the contemporary art gallery at The Tetley and a Non-Executive Director at the Ahead Partnership. He helped set up and introduce the Leeds BID and was a Governor at the Leeds City College group (now known as the Luminate Group) until the new campus at Quarry Hill in Leeds was developed and opened in September 2019.

He is currently a Non-Executive Director at Henry Boot PLC, the Chairman of Social (Leeds), and the Chairman of the Morley Town Deal Board. He also runs his own property investment and consultancy business, G R Jennings Properties Ltd

The networking lunch will be held at The Guildhall, York on Friday, 8 March 2024. The Guildhall has been recently restored by the City of York Council and offers a captivating space to host the BCO’s first Northern Lunch.

Come and enjoy the vibrant and historic atmosphere whilst networking over a delicious three-course meal. This event offers attendees the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and share insights into the future of the workplace. Following lunch, attendees will also hear from our industry speaker, Gerald Jennings.

To book a table or place, simply download the BCO Northern Lunch Booking Form and return to:

Pru Sly, Createvents, 450 Brook Drive, Reading RG2 6UU

E: pru@createvents.co.uk | T: 01183 340085

Tables are allocated on a first come/first served basis, so we encourage you to book early to ensure a prime position.

With thanks to our sponsors:

CREATING VIBRANCY

We are delighted to announce the full programme for the BCO Annual Conference 2024 in Birmingham. This year will see a brilliant series of events taking place pre-conference, along with a host of learning and networking opportunities throughout. As ever, it will be a test of stamina for those taking part!

Scroll down for more information and to download the conference brochure.

This year’s BCO Golf Cup will take place at the Forest of Arden, with golfers playing the Arden course, designed by Donald Steele in 1992. The now renowned BCO Cycle Challenge will see cyclists pedal 270 spectacular miles across 3 days, and will raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity, our partner charity for the conference.

Hear from leading voices during the plenary sessions that will bring to light multiple perspectives and discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead. Seminars will reflect the extraordinary times in which we live and work, and will provide a forum for an intimate exploration of a variety of topics including AI and culture.

The tours will provide an alternative option to the conference seminars and they will uncover the city’s rich architectural heritage, and explore the headquarters of some of the most innovative companies.

BCO NextGen will again offer a supplementary programme for young professionals within the sector, providing activities that sit alongside the main itinerary, to add value to the conference experience and encourage greater participation from this important community within the BCO.

Want to know more? Download this year’s conference brochure. Here you will find detailed information on all aspects of the 2024 conference programme, including the party at the Luna Springs in Digbeth, one of the most iconic neighbourhoods in Birmingham, as well as the photography competition, back for the 5th year running.

“I encourage you all to join us as this is an important moment for the office, where the future of the
workplace continues to be a topic of debate”. Read more from Peter Crowther, BCO Senior Vice President and Conference Chair.

Merseyway Innovation Centre

On Wednesday 24 January, up to 40 BCO North members were given an in-depth look at the prime commercial space, situated in the middle of the town’s retail district.

Mersey Innovation Centre has been transformed from a vacant 1960s retail space into a vibrant and sustainable co-working space.

The centre now offers flexible serviced office and coworking accommodation for new start-up and existing small businesses. The revamped space includes a business lounge, shared and individual offices, and shared meeting and collaboration facilities.

The BCO North Talk & Tour event was hosted by Phil Doyle, who served as BCO North Chairperson from 2018–2021 and is the founding director of 5plus Architects. The Manchester-based practice led on the designs that brought the Merseyway Innovation Centre vision to life.

Representatives from Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council presented their wider plans for the town centre, followed by an update on the South Manchester office market by CBRE. There was then a panel debate, including MIC operator Oxford Innovations Space, on the role of the office sector in the future of our regional town centres and high streets.

Phil commented: “It’s great to see Merseyway Innovation Centre injecting new life into a vacant retail space; transforming part of Merseyway to create a dynamic, modern and thriving hub for local businesses and entrepreneurs.

“As ever, the BCO Talk & Tour gave our members and other attendees a first-hand look at how forward-thinking office accommodation can help to repurpose spaces and reposition urban centres.

“We’d like to thank our guest speakers for showcasing their exceptional work and passion for regeneration.”

Formally opened in November 2023, the creation of Merseyway Innovation Centre was made possible through funding from the EU’s European Regional Development Fund (via Northern Powerhouse), Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Cultural Development Fund.

It is central to the wider regeneration of Merseyway by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, which includes a brand-new library along with significant public realm improvements that supports private sector office and retail investment.

The BCO North Talk & Tour event was sponsored by TMT.

British Council for Offices researches, develops and communicates best practice in all aspects of the office sector. It delivers this by providing a forum for the discussion and debate of relevant issues. Membership is drawn from those who occupy office space, and those professional organisations and people who design, build, and manage office space. For more information on becoming a BCO member, visit this page.

Friday, 8 March 2024

12 pm – 3 pm
The Guildhall, York

Gerald Jennings

With thanks to our sponsors:

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Friday, 8 March 2024

12 pm – 3 pmThe Guildhall, York

Gerald Jennings

With thanks to our sponsors:

Latest news

Want staff back in the office? Think ‘Customer first’ and prioritise experiences

BRITISH COUNCIL FOR OFFICES CROWNS THE UK’S BEST WORKPLACES

British Council for Offices Chief Executive Richard Kauntze to step down in summer 2025

12 pm – 3 pm
The Guildhall, York