Slough
Hitachi Digital
Bedford
Verifile
The Brief
To shape the future of their working environment, Verifile partnered with 360 Workplace to create a workplace strategy for their new office in Bedford.
Previously operating as a fully office-based company, Verifile transitioned to remote working during the pandemic and now embraces a hybrid model. For their new workplace, the team was keen to maintain the benefits of flexible and agile working, while also creating an environment that supports collaboration, innovation, and employee development.
About:
Workplace Strategy
Where:
Bedford
What We Did
Verifile pictured their new office as a destination that reflects their brand and values - a space designed to leave a lasting impression on both employees and visitors. The aim was to create an environment that fosters a strong sense of community while offering the flexibility and dynamic spaces to support a range of activities. With employees seeking more task-specific spaces, such as quiet areas for focused work, the design needed to address these requirements while encouraging collaboration and interaction.
An essential component of the project was integrating the right technology to support agile working. This would enable employees to transition smoothly between remote and office environments. The 360 Workplace Technology team recommended a strategy that included spaces for collaboration, equipped with the necessary tools to enhance teamwork and creativity.
Verifile also wanted the office design to focus on user experience, ensuring that the environment promoted employee wellbeing by providing spaces for relaxation and rejuvenation. The overall strategy was aimed at balancing the need for flexibility with the desire to maintain the positive aspects of office working, such as face-to-face interaction and socialisation.
To better understand the needs of the Verifile team, 360 Workplace conducted a series of engagement sessions. These included leadership visioning workshops to explore the company’s strategic goals and aspirations for the new workspace, as well as employee surveys to assess satisfaction with current working conditions and identify the types of spaces that would best support their work.
The feedback revealed a strong desire for a more flexible workspace, with areas for quiet focus and better collaboration spaces, addressing gaps in the previous office layout. Employees also expressed a desire for task-oriented spaces designed to support specific activities rather than being assigned by department or business area.
The Outcome
The insights gathered during our engagement process have shaped the proposed workplace strategy for Verifile’s new office. Our design approach accommodates a variety of working styles by creating distinct zones tailored to specific needs. These include dedicated quiet areas to enable employees to focus without distractions, open spaces to encourage teamwork and the exchange of ideas, and informal settings to promote social interaction and creativity.
To support agile working and ensure seamless integration with remote setups, we proposed embedding advanced technology throughout the office to empower employees to move fluidly between in-office and remote work environments. Employee wellbeing is at the heart of our strategy. We recommended including spaces that prioritise relaxation and refreshment, helping staff maintain a healthy work-life balance. The new office is envisioned as more than just a workspace, rather a destination that fosters a sense of community and belonging for employees and visitors alike.