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Project
Howden Insurance
A united workplace to support Howden’s northern expansion
Manchester
20,000
sqft
Office Space
A united workplace to support Howden’s northern expansion
Manchester
20,000
sqft
Office Space
Outcomes
Challenge
People
Enhancing connection, enjoyment, communication, well-being, pride and ability to share ideas.
Insight
Place
Reducing the space by 15,000 sq ft has resulted in significant total occupancy cost savings per year.
Solution
Planet
Achieved a SKA-rated Silver sustainability award.
Enhancing connection, enjoyment, communication, well-being, pride and ability to share ideas.
Reducing the space by 15,000 sq ft has resulted in significant total occupancy cost savings per year.
Achieved a SKA-rated Silver sustainability award.
No items found.
A united workplace to support Howden’s northern expansion.
Global insurance giant Howden began in 1994 as a small London broker. Through continual mergers and acquisitions, they now have 18,000 employees and are the largest employee-owned insurance business in the world.
Howden’s rapid growth in the North West, including the acquisition of Reich Insurance Brokers, left the organisation with three separate locations and multiple legacy businesses.
We partnered with this ‘people-first’ organisation to bring their employees together in one cohesive, recognisable space. Following the principles of their recently completed London HQ – at a more pragmatic cost – we designed and built their new northern hub.
This impressive space features a welcoming client lounge, ergonomic furniture, a new heating and cooling system, and powerful brand imagery that captures the spirit of Howden and creates a sense of comfort and familiarity.
A collaborative change journey
This project was about driving meaningful change. Howden were not only refreshing their brand identity, but also uniting people from different organisations under one roof. To make the transition a success, we needed to ensure employees felt a part of the change journey.
Establishing a group of ‘Change Champions’ meant employees from across businesses had a voice in shaping the new workplace. These representatives, drawn from different departments, shared the practical needs and desires of those who would be using the space. Through interviews, focus groups and walkthroughs, Howden’s team of advocates became central to the project’s success – minimising resistance to change, contributing ideas, and communicating the transition throughout the organisation.
Collaborating with Howden’s Change Champions not only addressed immediate operational needs but also aligned with Howden’s vision for a flexible, future-ready environment and a unified brand experience.
Welcome to Howden
From the moment they arrive, employees and visitors are made to feel welcome and energised. The ground floor serves as the social heart of the building, featuring an inviting coffee bar, a client lounge and spaces for informal gatherings. Throughout the building, there are work settings such as collaborative spaces, touchdown zones, workstations, focus rooms and a flexible meeting suite.
Every design decision has been made to improve the user experience, including ergonomic furniture, brew points, a well-being and faith room, shower facilities and a new heating and cooling system.
Sustainable and cost-effective design
By repurposing elements from the existing building, we achieved a cost-effective and eco-friendly transformation. The project focused on sustainability and longevity, integrating energy-efficient LED lighting, new mechanical systems, and acoustic materials made from recycled plastics – an approach that earned Howden an SKA Silver Award for sustainable design.
“The space that’s been created for Howden House is unreal. The impact this will have on the business overall is that it will give Howden a place on the North West map. It’s a massive, massive transformation.”
– Jackie Bircham, Head of Projects at Howden (UK&I)
Reflecting Howden’s global standards
This Manchester hub aligns seamlessly with Howden’s global brand, serving as an extension of their new identity. The new office is bold, uplifting and dynamic, balanced with biophilic elements that offer a relaxed and calming atmosphere.
Designed with nods to Howden’s prestigious London workplace, it captures the informal nature of deals done in coffee shops while also reflecting the unique character of Manchester. Personal touches, such as local artwork, add a distinct sense of place, combining regional identity with Howden’s global brand.
By focusing on people, planet and place, we delivered a future-ready environment that will continue to support Howden’s growth. Key outcomes from this project include:
- Co-creating alongside Howden’s Change Champions to design a space that caters to a diverse workforce, enhancing employee satisfaction.
- Consolidating Howden’s offices into a single location reduced the overall footprint by 15,000 sq ft, resulting in significant yearly occupancy costs.
- Taking a sustainable approach to a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly workspace, saving costs and reducing the organisation’s carbon footprint.
- Integrating new technology systems for seamless hybrid working, allowing Howden employees to connect globally and deliver an elevated customer experience from anywhere.
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