Hybrid working “going to be the norm” following WFH year, office giant IWG’s boss predicts

The company was not immune to Covid-19 disruption last year. It was impacted by non-cash write downs, with site closures and disruption from WFH rules.

IWG recorded a £620.1 million pretax loss for the year, compared to a £55 million profit in 2019. But it expects to benefit from more hybrid working in future.

During the period it opened around 141 sites but closed 217. It today has around 3400 centres, including approximately 100 across London.

Dixon said: “2020 was the most extraordinary year of my career. On the one hand, it was extremely challenging, not only for our trading performance but also for our customers, their employees, their families and communities across the 120 countries where we have a presence.”

But he added: “On the other hand, this was also a year in which IWG's global market took a massive leap forward as companies across the world discovered first-hand that their workforces could be highly engaged and productive while utilising the hybrid way of working: at home, in a local office, and occasionally at corporate HQ.”