Reading: EY goes for co-working space as it boosts employee numbers

Accountancy and advisory firm EY has announced plans to expand its office space in Reading by securing a co-working arrangement with Work.Life at the White Building. 

EY currently employs over 530 people in Reading. The new office space at the White Building will give EY the scope to increase this to over 600 employees and marks a key stepping stone for EY’s continued growth in the region.

Work.Life is one of the UK’s fastest growing co-working brands and home to a diverse range of businesses, from start-ups through to established brands like MTV and now EY. As part of this co-working arrangement, EY will work closely with the local business community in a collaborative space that benefits both its employees and clients.

EY has signed a 12-month licence with Work.Life, effective from August 2017 when the firm will start moving teams to the nearby development. EY’s current office at Apex Plaza will also undergo refurbishment in September to upgrade the existing working environment and create additional space. EY has occupied Apex Plaza since 1992. 

Richard Baker, EY’s managing partner in Reading said: “We see this co-working arrangement as a great opportunity to reinforce our support of business prosperity in the region. It will enable us to work alongside start-ups and scale-ups in the local market, which is a brand that needs to be promoted and supported. It will also give our people opportunities to work more collaboratively – it’s an exciting time for our regional business.”

David Kosky, co-founder for Work.Life, commented: “We are extremely excited to welcome the EY team to Work.Life Reading. The workplace has never been more important in retaining and engaging talent and it is great to have the opportunity to work with EY.”

This co-working arrangement builds on the success EY has experienced in other UK and global offices, enabling its people to work in a variety of ways that are more flexible for employees and clients.  

Andrew O’Donnell, EY’s real estate lead across EMEIA, added: “Co-working gives us the opportunity to change how we use office space and support fluid and collaborative teams. Our workplace strategy is to support our people to deliver client work from a range of different working environments and implement solutions for the changing future of the workplace. Co-working is a great way to do this.”