Sustainable solutions for financial services

If your business strives to stay ahead, it needs smart, sustainable operations. That is precisely what was delivered for a leading financial service provider. Our strategy transformed the company’s extensive real estate portfolio to align with ambitious sustainability and innovation goals.
Consumer industry managers discussing ESG goals and ESG investments for corporate capital markets

Project facts

  • Client
    Bank
  • Location
    The Netherlands
  • Date
    2024
  • Challenge
    Energy consumption and optimising productivity.
  • Solution
    Strategic roadmap, standardised requirements and smart workplace solutions.

The challenge

Change in corporate capital markets

The project presented several significant challenges. First, the client – active in corporate capital markets – needed to significantly reduce energy consumption across its real estate portfolio. Achieving this required developing a sustainable roadmap focusing on circularity. Alongside that, optimising business productivity while ensuring cost-efficiency was crucial to meet operational goals. Another significant challenge was the digital transition of all assets, necessitating better information management. Furthermore, it was key to base the workplace concept on the ’people experience’, ensuring that the environment was advantageous to the employees' needs. The project's scope also included providing special advice on aspects such as wellbeing, acoustics, ICT and AV connectivity and cultural change management.

The solution

Sustainability roadmap

To tackle these challenges, we began by conducting ambition workshops with the client and stakeholders to develop a clear roadmap for achieving the strategic objectives and ESG investments. These sessions were important in aligning everyone's vision and goals, ensuring a unified approach. Developing standardised programme requirements for the offices enabled quick and informed decision-making. This approach included creating an interactive simulation model that provided valuable insights into spatial and financial impacts, facilitating efficient cost management.

The sustainability roadmap emphasised circular economy principles, promoting the reuse and recycling of materials. Implementing smart, flexible workplace solutions reduced waste and improved resource utilisation. Additionally, the move to digital assets streamlined operations and reduced paper usage, contributing to environmental conservation.

The result

ESG goals

The project yielded significant benefits for the client. ESG goals and business productivity were optimised and cost-efficiency was achieved across the real estate portfolio. By significantly reducing energy consumption, the client aligned with its corporate ESG ambitions. The implementation of smart, flexible workplace solutions enhanced the people experience, creating a positive work environment for the employees. Furthermore, the digital transition provided the client with a competitive edge, enabling the company to stay ahead in the tech-driven market.

Our extensive experience across the consumer industry and capital markets enriched the project with innovative solutions informed by industry best practices. By integrating these diverse insights, we ensured that workplace solutions across the Netherlands for this client are fit for the future.

René Karreman - Global Director of Workplace strategies

RenéKarreman

Global Director of Workplace strategies