Current Occupier Opportunities: Flexible Office Solutions

Amanda Lim, Head of Flexible Offices, shares insights into how flexible workspaces are reshaping occupier strategies, and how businesses of all sizes can benefit.

Q: What exactly does “flexible office space” mean?

AL: Flexible office space is exactly what it sounds like - workspace that adapts to a business’s needs. Instead of being tied into a long-term lease, you can commit for a shorter period - often one to three years - and access fully fitted, ready-to-go space.

It’s not just about flexibility in lease terms though; it’s also about ease of access. Many tenants don’t want the hassle of managing a fit-out, hiring contractors, or dealing with procurement. They want to know that they can walk into a space that’s ready to go, so they can focus on running their business.

Q: What types of clients are looking for this kind of space?

AL: The great thing about flexible space is that it suits almost any size or type of business. We help startups and scaleups who can’t plan beyond two or three years and don’t have in-house real estate teams, but we also support large corporates who might need interim project space, overflow for headcount growth, or a satellite office outside of their HQ.

For example, we’ve worked with several major corporates who needed extra capacity quickly - perhaps for a project team or a temporary relocation. Coordinating lease timings can be tricky, so we take away that pain point by finding them quality, fully fitted space that’s available immediately.

Q: What are the biggest challenges businesses face when securing office space?

AL: Speed and complexity are the two big ones. It’s very easy to underestimate how long it takes to fit out an office - from sourcing furniture to managing lead times and RFP processes, it’s incredibly time-consuming for whoever’s responsible, plus that person usually has another full-time job – perhaps an office manager, CFO, COO, or even the founder.

Our role is to remove that stress. We provide one point of contact and the reassurance that everything is being handled professionally and efficiently. It’s peace of mind, really.

Q: What are some of the benefits of flexible leasing compared to traditional office arrangements?

AL: There are several:

• Speed: You can move in within weeks, not months.
• Simplicity: No need to manage multiple contracts for fit out, cleaning or maintenance – just one agreement, one bill.
• Cost control: You avoid large capital expenditure at the outset.
• Quality: Many flexible spaces come with Grade A amenities - gyms, cafes, meeting rooms - which smaller businesses couldn’t otherwise access.
• Adaptability: You can scale up or down as your business evolves.

Ultimately, it’s about making workspace an enabler, not a constraint.

Q: Can you share a recent example of how the team has helped a client?

AL: We recently worked with a client who wanted staff back in the office more regularly, but their existing space couldn’t accommodate everyone, their HQ was at capacity.

We had a three-month turnaround to find space for 150 people, within walking distance to their HQ, with comparable quality and amenities. We secured a fully fitted space that was ready to move into, maintaining the same level of comfort and standard their staff were used to.

If they’d tried to go out to market themselves, it simply wouldn’t have been possible in that timeframe. For them, it was a temporary solution - but an essential one that kept their business moving smoothly.

Q: What makes your Flexible Offices team stand out?

AL: We’re a UK-wide team that’s truly client-centric. We don’t just know the market - we understand how businesses operate, what they need to achieve, and how to deliver the right outcome.

Whether it’s a 10-person startup or a multinational with hundreds of staff, we tailor our advice to make the process easy and stress-free. The way people work is constantly evolving, and expectations are higher than ever - everyone wants Grade A space, regardless of size.

Q: How can clients get started if they’re exploring flexible options?

AL: Just reach out to our team. We’ll talk through your requirements, understand your timelines and budget, and provide a shortlist of options that fit - within days, not weeks. We understand that it’s about finding the right space - fast - and making the process as seamless as possible.

To discuss flexible office opportunities or to find out more about how we work, contact Knight Frank’s Flexible Office Solutions team.