The Sunday Business Post: Open up market with flexi-desks
Open up market with flexi-desks
This article first appeared in the 30.04.2017 version of The Sunday Business Post.
IDA Ireland will continue to secure significant foreign direct investment (FDI) in the years ahead, according to Michael Kelly, managing director of flexible office space provider Glandore.
“In the past, most of this investment came from the US, but IDA is now focused on winning investment from China, India, Japan and other markets too,” said Kelly.
The positive impact of Brexit will see many British-based financial services companies decide to set up a base in Ireland or expand their existing base in this country, Kelly said.
Glandore recently welcomed two new financial services companies, which set up in Ireland instead of London, as a direct result of Brexit.
Glandore joined Ireland Gateway Europe (IGTE) when the organisation was established in 2011 to support the efforts of the IDA in winning FDI for Ireland.
“Gateway members are all involved in servicing international companies which set up operations in Ireland,” Kelly said.The leading provider of flexible workspace in Ireland, assisting international firms when establishing in Ireland, Gateway was a natural fit for Glandore, he said. Employing 60 people, Glandore has four office buildings in Dublin and 800 desk spaces. It also has two locations in Belfast, with 600 desk spaces. This year the company plans to add a further 400 desk spaces in Dublin. “Companies setting up in Dublin can start with a few desks and grow with Glandore to up to 300 desks in the same building, with many businesses greatly valuing this flexibility and scalability,”said Kelly.
Two events organised by Gateway in London on April 6 and 7 were, Kelly said, in support of the IDA’s efforts in spreading the message within London’s financial circles that Ireland can provide a base for them within the EU following Brexit. Speakers at the Gateway events included John Bruton, Willie Walsh and the Ireland’s Ambassador in London, Dan Mulhall.
This unique series of Gateway events is significantly different from others being organised in the market, according to Kelly.
“Gateway members, who are providing services to companies setting up in Ireland, were all in attendance and prepared to deal with those practical questions around setting up in Ireland.”
An Irish family-owned and managed company, Glandore was founded in 2001 to provide fully-fitted flexible and scalable office space in Dublin and Belfast.
The company headquarters are at Fitzwilliam Hall, Fitzwilliam Place in Dublin 2. In Dublin, Glandore also operates Suesey Street Bar and Restaurant and No. 25 Fitzwilliam Place, its exclusive private dining and event venue. Glandore has been proud to partner with and provide European and international headquarter locations for many of the world’s leading and fastest growing companies, Kelly said.
These include Facebook, Twitter, Bulgari, Dropbox, Ancestry.com, Quantcast, Eaton, Bloomberg, Rapid 7, Comgest, GlobeOp and Worldpay. As well as office space, Glandore provides a full range of services to help support these companies’ growth, from meeting rooms, catering and IT support to relocation assistance and wellness initiatives. It also offers co-working space which caters for start-ups and freelancers.
The Glandore members’ network and community is at the forefront of everything the company does, according to Kelly. “To encourage and facilitate connections, we host a range of exclusive member events: from educational seminars and workshops to fireside discussions, social gatherings, business briefings, fitness classes and more within our unique business network,” he said.
With Glandore, international companies can establish a presence in Ireland without committing to a 20-year lease.
“Businesses based here can expand in overflow space while reaping the rewards from Brexit. They also have the option to grow from one to many at a natural pace rather than relocating all of their employees at once,” said Kelly.
There are a number of reasons why international firms have set their sights on Ireland, Kelly contended. These could include the Irish common law system, Ireland’s place in the single market and our English-speaking population.
“However, one of the main motivating factors is our proven track record with FDI. Ireland has attracted some of the world’s most successful companies in recent years and inward investment accounts for one in every ten Irish jobs,” said Kelly.
This article first appeared in the 30.04.2017 version of The Sunday Business Post.