Industry veteran Jonathan Weinbrenn to lead sector game-changer
BE Offices today announces the launch of a new division offering large corporate occupiers requiring flexible space an all-encompassing one-stop service.
The new division, BESpoke, will be led by industry veteran Jonathan Weinbrenn who joins BE from The Instant Group (formerly Instant Offices) where he had been a senior director running its corporate solution development business for the past two years.
For the first time large corporate clients requiring flexible space can now turn to one company for their entire property needs.
BESpoke, under Jonathan Weinbrenn’s leadership, will be able to source suitable space, negotiate terms, design, manage and implement the fit out, design and install a complete IT package and continue to manage the property on behalf of the client for the entire length of the lease or licence period.
Uniquely BESpoke will directly lease properties from landlords and then negotiate an appropriate flexible lease or licence for the corporate occupier. In certain cases BESpoke will lease more space than the client requires if it is the right building in the right location and meets all its needs. BESpoke will then simply convert the surplus space into a BE serviced office.
David Saul, BE’s Managing Director and co-founder said: “I believe the creation of BESpoke is an industry first. It will be a real game-changer for large corporate occupiers who need short term flexible space tailor-made for their specific needs.
“For the first time major occupiers can turn to one provider to source their entire flexible space needs that will include a complete design and fit-out package aimed at reflecting a company’s own corporate identity.”
Jonathan Weinbrenn commented: “Having spent most of my working life in this sector I recognised the need to eliminate as much hassle and stress as possible for corporate flexible space occupiers by offering a virtual cradle to the grave service. This will enable companies to source, occupy and leave offices with the minimum of fuss.
“BE is, in my view, the only provider in the sector with the capability and expertise to offer and deliver this incredible package. It ensures our clients only have to be concerned about their own business and not the property they occupy.
“The beauty of BESpoke is that while we become the ultimate outsourcing model we provide a service tailored to the specific needs of each client. Importantly it will offer companies speed of expansion and total flexibility.”
BESpoke intends working with property consultants and agents retained by either landlords or occupiers. It will use the BE covenant to lease space and then effectively sub-lease the accommodation to its client. However with current changes to accounting regulations some companies may wish to take a licence rather than a lease.
Although BE has been traditionally London centric BESpoke will be able to cater to clients’ needs anywhere in the UK and once established will look to service companies’ overseas requirements too.
From BE’s perspective the creation of BESpoke is a major step forward in the company’s planned expansion. It achieves a number of key objectives including growing its portfolio and fully utilising its own highly experienced IT and fit-out divisions.
Added David Saul: “One of the advantages from BE’s perspective is that it will be akin to taking on new centres with a major pre-let in place and a fit out cost that is amortised over the life of the lease or licence.
“We have the necessary expertise across all aspects of the property market that enables us to offer the most incredible pain-free solution to occupiers’ needs. We believe this is a service that major corporates have been looking for and we will be the first in our industry to satisfy that demand.”
