Hertfordshire

Woodhouse Workspace create a corporate ‘home for the family’ for Herts Chamber Patron: CAE Technology Services

CAE partnered with Woodhouse to create their brand new 30,000 ft2 destination workspace in Hemel Hempstead.

As we all know, the pandemic

has changed the way in which we work, and has catalysed positive acceleration in a more flexible approach towards how and where work is conducted. There are many challenges that have come with this, so the importance of getting CAE’s new office right for them, was critical. As well as an office space for 180 resident and visiting staff, this space was to be the main location for meeting clients and demonstrating what CAE does best: a case study for technology as soon as a visitor crosses the threshold.

Working with Herts Chamber Member Brasier Freeth, CAE identified a new building on Maylands Avenue. The office fit-out started with an in-depth strategy phase conducted by Woodhouse, to gain an insight into what was required to create the optimum ‘home for the CAE family’. It was not only looking at the building in terms of space optimisation and design, but exploring the way the space would be used, the culture of CAE, and ensuring it would facilitate healthy interaction that would build cohesion, and reinforce a sense of belonging for the team. The office has really been redefined as the essential ‘mergespace’ - the place that people come to for the best interaction and collaboration.

The outcome is a stand-out showcase for CAE the brand and CAE the home. Visitors step into an open reception area with a light-filled atrium connecting the ground floor to the first floor. A stunning tiered seating installation sits at the centre of this area. Viewed as the heart of CAE, this space is ideal for informal ‘town hall’ meetings or receptions and larger events that bring the whole CAE team together. Outside of these times, staff use this area much like people would use town hall steps on a warm summer’s day – for a quiet coffee, a quick telephone chat or a catch-up with work friends. A coffee bar with a relaxed seating area sits to the side, with a bar-style games room to the rear, providing ample opportunity for staff to mingle. Further wellbeing areas are upstairs, including a prayer room, and separate wellness room which have been very well-received by employees. Phone booths and video conference booths allow for private calls and meetings and library areas enable staff to work quietly and without interruption. The open-plan areas are used cleverly to enable teams that work closely together to easily collaborate, without fear of disturbing others. Planting is used for a tranquil and engaging setting whilst helping to naturally divide space so that it doesn’t feel too exposed. The client areas demonstrate what CAE does best and are designed so that staff can proudly show visitors around. Equipment-configuration areas are places of precision – clean, clinical and organised. The service desk is a hi-tech hive of activity with live screens showing activity levels and status updates. Aggrey Lutta, the Culture Director, comments “At CAE, we pride ourselves on having a very strong culture… what is amazing is that Woodhouse have encapsulated the essence of CAE here in this building.” The end result of this project is a bustling destination workspace which offers staff a variety of different options in which to collaborate, create, concentrate or simply just be. It is a showcase of the CAE brand and a home in which the CAE family, and their culture, can thrive.

For further information, visit www.woodhouseworkspace.com or call 01707 255300

Chamber Members KGK Genix and VolkerWessels develop ‘mutually beneficial working relationship’

By Paul Edwards Key Account Director at KGK Genix

Having recently

upgraded to Patronage with the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, Mary Sykes, took some time to explain about the Chamber and the opportunities that membership could offer the business. One key benefit was that, as part of the membership, direct introductions could be made to other relevant Chamber members.

KGK has a great deal of experience working in the building and construction sector, so there was an excellent potential synergy and opportunity for a great working relationship with Hertfordshire-based VolkerWessels UK. An introduction was shortly set up between KGK Genix and Volker’s Head of Corporate Communications, Hilary Kendrick. A meeting between Rod Williams, Creative Director, Paul Edwards, Key Account Manager, and the VolkerWessels UK team followed, and KGK were delighted when, as a result, Volker briefed them on their requirements for some graphics and marketing materials. Over recent months, KGK have worked with the business on a wide range of activities and tasks, including the production of high quality stands for Highways UK - one of the construction industry’s leading events. Hilary said: “The benefits of working with a local organisation – albeit one with national reach – cannot be underestimated, and it has been invaluable to have been introduced to and work with KGK. They have supported us on a number of key projects, as well as with a wide range of everyday communications and marketing requirements now - the introduction from the Chamber has certainly paid off on both sides!” Paul said, “This mutually beneficial working relationship is one that probably wouldn’t have been possible without an introduction from the Herts Chamber. We can’t thank them enough for their help.”

#KeeptheHeartinHerts

Art By Vanessa has literally been “Keeping the Hearts in Hertfordshire” Her business card is a heart bookmark!

Vanessa Hastings, Art by Vanessa

was an exhibitor at the Wellbeing Conference back in October.

Through her engagement, she subsequently secured several clients:

• Optima-Life • Hertfordshire Constabulary • Huunuu Ltd • Herts & Middlesex Wildlife trust

In 2015, psychologist and art therapist Dr Cathy Malchiodi cited multiple studies confirming that being creative can increase positive emotions, lessen depressive symptoms, reduce stress, decrease anxiety, and even improve immune system functioning. A 2016 study in The Journal of Positive Psychology supported these findings, concluding that “spending time on creative goals during a day is associated with higher activated positive affect (PA) on that day.” PA is the extent to which people experience positive moods, such as joy, happiness, and optimism. A higher PA lowers stress and “expands our perspective so that we notice more possibilities in our lives,” Wellness Coach Elizabeth Scott says. Vanessa is also a member of the Entrepreneur Foundation and is being supported by this amazing initiative. She has met with Jeremy Bishop and Colin Spiller who endorsed Vanessa’s dream of bringing creative activities to companies to bolster positive team cultures and in turn, a well workforce.

Vanessa is a volunteer with Age UK Dacorum and is also supporting The Blue Tangerine charity for young SEND students.