How Flexible Offices Support Hybrid Work Models
Date Published: 8 July 2025 | By Stephen Cohen, Group director of Bright Designs SRL, for Serviced Office Portal
In my 15 years in tech and business leadership, few changes have been as profound—and permanent—as the shift toward hybrid work. Since Covid-19 reshaped the workplace, one question dominates boardroom conversations: How can we empower our people to do their best work, wherever they are? The answer increasingly lies in how flexible offices support hybrid work models. Let me take you inside this evolution and why it matters more than ever.
From Pandemic Pivot to Permanent Mindset
Before 2020, remote work was an exception, not the rule. Offices symbolised control, collaboration, and culture. But when lockdowns forced us all to adapt, many of us discovered something surprising: productivity didn’t collapse. In fact, it often improved. As a founder, I saw our team get more done with fewer distractions and more autonomy.
Now, three years on, business leaders aren’t asking when we’ll return to the office—they’re asking what the office should look like now. And that’s where flexible office solutions step in.
How Hybrid Work Actually Functions
Hybrid work models blend in-office and remote days. Most commonly, teams spend 2–3 days onsite and the rest from home or while travelling. This structure offers employees autonomy and work-life balance while still creating space for collaboration and team culture.
But this only works when the office is flexible—both in space and in mindset. Traditional leases don’t cater to sporadic use. Empty desks on Fridays or fully booked meeting rooms on Tuesdays? Not sustainable. Flexible office spaces are built for this rhythm.
5 Ways Flexible Offices Enable Hybrid Work
- On-demand meeting spaces: Book rooms only when you need them—ideal for agile sprints, client pitches, or quarterly planning.
- Hot desking: No more wasting real estate. Let employees reserve a desk when they’re in, and free it up when they’re out.
- Tech infrastructure: Flexible spaces come with robust Wi-Fi, video conferencing setups, and security—everything remote and hybrid workers need to connect.
- Scalability: Growing fast or scaling back? Adjust your footprint monthly, not annually.
- Employee morale: People love choice. Giving them a flexible, stylish workspace shows you trust them—and that builds loyalty.
Hybrid Work Frequency in UK Businesses
Leadership Has Shifted
Leading a team post-pandemic has meant rewriting the rules. Gone are the days of presenteeism. We now evaluate output, not hours. Our job is to provide the tools, the culture, and the environments people need to thrive. And that’s why I recommend flexible offices to any leadership team navigating this new reality.
Why Businesses Are Making the Move
At Serviced Office Portal, we’ve seen a surge in hybrid-first businesses adopting flexible offices across London and other major cities. From fintech startups to marketing agencies, they’re attracted by the ability to customise space to team needs, keep costs predictable, and offer staff a high-quality working environment when it’s needed most.
Finding the Right Fit
Choosing a flexible space starts with understanding your people. Do they value quiet focus or creative energy? Are you hosting clients weekly or quarterly? At Serviced Office Portal, we provide free, impartial guidance to help match you with a space that suits your workflow and your culture.
The Future Is Fluid
How flexible offices support hybrid work models is no longer a theory—it’s happening. And it’s working. If you’re rethinking your workspace strategy, I invite you to explore what flexibility can unlock for your business. Whether you’re scaling, consolidating, or simply upgrading your team’s experience, the right space is out there.