How we transformed our office into a Best Working Environment

Author: Meg Ackroyd, Head of Brand, Wiser

Ten years. Nine office moves. One final home.

When Wiser first started out 10 years ago, we were working from hotel basements, spare bedrooms, and even had a brief stint in a Dragon’s Den office (the less said about that phase, the better). But in 2018, we found our forever home at Baker’s Yard, and we’ve been evolving it ever since. For us, our office isn’t just where we work — it’s where we grow. Where our purpose comes to life for our people and clients. We’re in the business of changing how people think about work, and that means we had to start with ourselves.

Creativity starts at home

Our mission was to build a space where creativity and productivity meet comfort. Our people, when not using our flexible working policy, are in the office 4 days a week. For us, facetime is essential for speedy progress and true inspiration. Our clients move quickly, and so do we. 

We’ve got all the basic productivity essentials covered. Great meeting room tech, speedy Wi-Fi, arguable enough laptop chargers to power a small city. I know what you’re thinking, what about that is award-winning?

We strive to be ignore the ordinary with everything we do. The way we communicate over email (you’ll never see someone from Wiser write “hope you’re well” or “kind regards”), the way we onboard clients like lifelong friends, the way we design our office.

We’ve got a custom-built VW Campervan-turned-meeting room, a real ‘Wisdom’ tree in the middle of the office, and even a secret Log Cabin where our best brainstorming happens. Oh, and did I mention the Rainforest? Yep, a lush, green, 500-square-foot haven, complete with hammocks, water features, and the occasional stuffed jungle animal hiding in the leaves.

Our approach has always been to blend work and life seamlessly — because the space you work in should make you want to be there. And, trust me, it works.

We’re unbelievably proud of our space and our recent UK Company Culture Award win, but it’s not always been sunshine, rainbows, wagons and rainforests. If you’re at the start of your journey to revamp your space, I’ve picked out some learnings you can use along the way.

Learning #1: Prioritise comfort and creativity

Look beyond the basics. Sure, tech matters, but what about creating an environment that sparks joy and inspiration? 

You might not have the space or resource to build a rainforest, but can you introduce somewhere dedicated purely for quiet and calm work? Or is there something you can add to make people smile, something from your culture that will add an unexpected element of fun to your people’s days. 

Ultimately, if you want people to return to the office, it needs to be a place they’re excited to be, where they know they can get their best work done.

Learning #2: Keep improving

Just because we’ve bagged an award for our space doesn’t now mean we’ll wash our hands of it. We continue to improve and iterate, constantly optimising the office to suit our people’s needs.

It’s our people who shape how the space evolves. For example, when someone suggested adding desks to the rainforest for longer periods of focused work as the soft sofas were crunching their lower backs, we made it happen.

Recently, we’ve also added walking pads for those who need to hit their step goals on a rainy day, and soundproof booths for private calls. It’s all part of creating a workspace that adapts to the needs of everyone who uses it.

We even installed QR codes around the office to report any issues directly to our Happiness Team. Any reported issue? Fixed within 2 hours. It’s all about removing friction so people can focus on what they’re best at — doing great work.

Your team knows what they need to do their best work. Regularly ask for feedback on how to improve the workspace, and actually act on it. Even small tweaks, like better desk chairs or quiet spaces, can have a massive impact on well-being and productivity.

Learning #3: Measure the success

Assigning KPIs and metrics to your office space sounds a little alien. Surely you just revamp the space and you’re done, right?

Nope.

Set the standard across the company that you’re aiming to be the best place to work you can be. For us, we run regular surveys to check in with our team on how they’re feeling, how included they feel, and whether our workspace is supporting their needs. Our “What’s Up at Wiser?” survey runs year-round and has become an invaluable tool for continuous improvement.

One step above, we have a similar survey just for our managers. “Top Form” dives deeper into those questions, asking specifically what the teams need in order to be successful, what’s missing from their zones, what’s stopping people from enjoying the office.

Our 2023 Inclusion Survey showed equally impressive results, with 91% of our team saying they feel included at Wiser and comfortable bringing their whole selves to work. That’s a win in our books.

If you want to know if your office environment is working, you’ve got to measure it. Whether it’s through regular surveys, productivity metrics, or even tracking how much collaboration is happening in person, make sure you’re using data to drive decisions.

Learning #4: Make it yours

While I hope this article is helpful, it’s important you don’t follow everything to the letter. The key to making your office space resonate so your people are proud to work there — make it your own.

We’ve used our space to reflect our history and who we are. Each meeting room is named after a significant location in Wiser’s journey, and our main boardroom is a gallery of magical moments from our 10 years in business. Our office tells our story, and that’s something no one else can replicate.

Your office should reflect your company’s identity and values. Whether it’s through art, quirky meeting rooms, or just small personal touches, find ways to make the space feel uniquely yours. It’s a subtle but powerful way to foster pride and belonging among your team.

Some final thoughts

Creating the best working environment isn’t about having the most expensive furniture or the fanciest gadgets. It’s about building a space where people feel comfortable, creative, and connected. At Wiser, our office is a reflection of our culture—a place where people want to spend time, collaborate, and do their best work.

The best part? You don’t need a massive budget to create a great workspace. Start small, listen to your team, and focus on what truly makes a difference. That’s how you build an environment where everyone can thrive.