The Human Case for Returning to the Office
16th August 2025
Let’s be honest, for a lot of people, “back to the office” still sounds like a punishment. The commute. The packed lifts. The sad coffee machine.
But here’s the thing, across key sectors in London, the return is already happening. It’s not nostalgia, it’s strategy.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
This isn’t just a whisper trend: it’s a market move. Recent British Chambers of Commerce data shows that 48% of UK businesses now expect staff to work on-site full time, up dramatically from just 27% in 2023. Meanwhile, Savills reports that banks and insurers accounted for 29% of Central London office take-up in H1 2025, 34% above the long-term average.
Vacancy rates are falling, supply is tightening, and if you want to attract, retain and inspire talent, the “just enough desks” approach won’t cut it.
Translation? London’s serious about showing up in person and the finance sector is leading the charge.
The Employee Reality
The reality is more nuanced. Three days in the office is the sweet spot for many. It’s enough to see your team but not enough to lose your sanity. And, the benefits of hybrid models are real with lower burnout, greater work-life balance and the flexibility to do the school run between Zoom calls.
Heavy-handed mandates can backfire. Push too hard and top talent may look elsewhere. The challenge? Create a workplace so good that people want to be there, even if they don’t have to be.
Delivering a Reason to Return
We don’t just deliver fit outs. We deliver reasons.
For financial services the stakes are higher than ergonomic chairs and a snack cupboard. You need:
- Spaces with purpose: collaboration zones, secure communications spaces and high-spec boardrooms.
- Hybrid-ready flexibility: hot-desking on Tuesdays, quiet focus pods on Thursdays and open areas for team strategy sessions.
- A touch of hospitality: reception areas that feel like boutique hotels, technical lighting designed for performance and amenities that make coming in feel less like a chore.
This isn’t “office as usual.” It’s your office as a strategic asset.
Why it Matters for the Finance Sector
In your world, every advantage counts. The office isn’t just where work happens, it’s where trust is built, clients are impressed, and teams feel part of something bigger. In a sector where talent is scarce and client loyalty is hard-won, your workspace becomes a differentiator that speaks before you even open your mouth.
A poorly designed space costs you more than rent. It costs you attendance, engagement, retention and momentum.
A well-designed space on the other hand? That’s your competitive edge.
The Bottom Line
Returning to the office isn’t about nostalgia for pre-pandemic times. It’s about creating the conditions for people, and business, to thrive.
That urgency is now reflected in the market. Prime City spaces are being snapped up, lease terms are being signed faster and the firms moving first are the ones getting the best spaces and the best talent.
If your people are going to make the effort to show up, give them a space that earns the commute. One that sparks connection and fuels performance.
The right workspace makes every square foot of your lease work harder and sends a clear message to clients and recruiters: you’re serious about the future and you’re moving with intention.
Sources: “UK firms push ‘return to office’ mandates” Financial Times (August 2025); Savills “London Office Market H1 2025” report (June 2025)
