The Flex Market in Transition

The Flex Market in Transition is a Brave Ideas event

How changing supply, customer profiles and competition are reshaping the flexible office sector.

The event will bring together senior leaders from flexible office and coworking operators, landlords, brokers, agents and technology companies.

Flex industry veteran and expert Mark Bott will be our MC for the afternoon, guiding the programme and connecting the themes across both panels.

The first panel will interrogate the macro themes and market data shaping the sector. The second will explore how operators and landlords should respond as they plan for 2027.

Panel 1: 

What Are the Macro Themes Shaping the Evolution of Flex?

More Supply, Bigger Customers

Moderator: Jessica Morgan, Carnsight Communications

Panellists:

• Jim Groves, CEO at BOLTA & Rubberdesk

• Alexandra Livesey, Fractional MD at Mantle Space & C0-Founder of Little Red Donkey

• Rob Strachan, CEO, FlexiSpace Marketing

• Helena Hughes, Director of Global Occupier Services, Workthere (Savills)

The panel brings together market data, operator, marketing and broker-advisory perspectives.

The discussion will cover:

• What current data reveals about changing supply and customer profiles

• Whether growth in managed office availability reflects a structural market shift

• How comparing leased, serviced and managed offices is changing competition and product differentiation

• How greater transparency affects trust between brokers, operators, landlords and customers

• How the route to market is evolving across brokers, search, answer engines and direct enquiries

• The biggest market uncertainties approaching 2027

Panel 2:

What Will It Take to Compete in Flex in 2027?

Moderator: Zoe Ellis-Moore, Spaces to Places

Proposed panellists:

• Sophie Turnbull, Chief Revenue Officer at Orega

• Freddie Bailey, Commercial Director, Halkin

• Robert Schogger, CEO at MetSpace

• Michael Dean, Managing Director at BASE

• Gosia Hermanowicz, ESG Lead for MUTE

This panel will look ahead at:

• Expectations for the next 18 months

• Technology, AI and operational efficiency

• Pricing and market transparency

• How products and service models must adapt to changing customer requirements

• The evolving route to market

• Consolidation and the outlook for independent operators

Who Should Attend

Coworking & flex operators, interior designers, design & build companies, office landlords, and workplace enthusiasts.

Date: Thursday, 17 September 2026
Venue: MUTE Showroom - Clerkwenwell (London)
Main programme: 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Happy hour: 5:00pm to 6:30pm

This event is presented by:

BOLTA

BOLTA - The Enquiry Management System for Commercial Property
Manage and win tenant enquiries in one workspace - leases, subleases, serviced and managed offices, all live, with real-time availability, engagement and reporting.

MUTE
Explore how Mute is leading the adaptable office architecture evolution, offering modular solutions to futureproof office investments while significantly reducing construction costs and CO₂ emissions. Tap here