Clyde & Co vacates one if its City offices in transition to ‘hybrid’ working

International firm Clyde & Co has vacated one of its two City offices to reduce workspace as part of its transition to ‘hybrid’ working, which will see employees eligible to work from home for up to three days a week.

The firm’s London staff will move from its Beaufort House office to the St Botolph Building from 1 May 2021, with a hybrid working policy due to be introduced once lockdown restrictions have been eased. The firm has introduced measures, including a space booking system (first introduced in Summer 2020), which employees will be required to use, ‘neighbourhood’ spaces for teams in the office, and covid-19 safety measures. Once lockdown has eased, most staff will return to the office for a minimum of two days per week.

The move from Beaufort House will also enable the firm to invest in its remaining office to “create a space that meets our longer-term needs” according to Rob Hill, partner and chair of Clyde & Co’s UK board.

Speaking about the move to hybrid working, Hill said: “Remote working for a long period under the spectre of the pandemic has not been easy for anyone, but it has brought with it many benefits too, many of which our people have consistently told us they value highly. We also know that people miss working together in a physical office space and as a firm we are keen to maintain the very many benefits that face-to-face interactions and collaboration brings to us and our clients. We think our hybrid working model will allow for the best of both.”

Other firms have also adapted their working practices in light of covid-19; DAC Beachcroft has moved permanently away from compulsory office attendance, Slater & Gordon moved out of its office in September 2020 and Allen & Overy revealed that it will “considerably” reduce its office space in future.