IWG added 314 new office buildings to its network in 2017, for a total of 5.5 million square feet of workspace in 2017. The amount of space added was 36 per cent higher than in 2016, taking IWG’s global reach past the 50m sq ft marker. That’s the equivalent of 116 Wembley Stadiums, 261 Sydney Opera Houses or 3,718 Olympic swimming pools.

The company said demand for flexible workspaces is now global, with IWG expanding in regions across the world including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. IWG also opened workspaces for the first time in Angola, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iceland, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Trinidad and Tobago in 2017, as well as adding to its existing presence in many other countries, helping more than 2.5 million people to work more productively.

IWG – through its diverse brands Regus, Spaces, No18, Basepoint, Open Office and Signature – can now offer businesses a base in almost 3,300 locations across 1,000 cities and towns in over 110 countries. Growth is continuing in 2018, with plans to open even more workspaces across the world.

Noelle Coak, country head for Thailand, Taiwan, Korea at IWG , said IWG is forging a new working culture across the world via the brands it operates.

“Together, IWG’s portfolio of brands are improving and strengthening flexible working culture and providing businesses with easier access to a variety of flexible offices, both in Thailand and around the world,” Coak said.

Bangkok

In Bangkok, Regus and Spaces, part of IWG, has already made great waves in the workspace revolution. Regus have 19 locations across Thailand and one location for Spaces. To meet with growing demand for flexible working spaces, Regus is opening three further locations this year, one in Chiang Mai, one in Singha Complex and another on 23rd floor Bhiraj Tower at BITEC (Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre). Spaces is also expanding, opening a second Bangkok location, at Chamchuri Square, which is expected to be completed next month.

Mark Dixon, IWG Founder and CEO, said that the increased appetite for flexible workspaces reflected that business leaders are seeing the benefits that they offer – and that 2018 could be a tipping point in attitudes to work globally.

“Businesses around the world are increasingly recognising that flexible workspace can create competitive advantage, cut costs, boost productivity, and help attract and retain talent. We are at the tipping point – and the results of this will transform the working experience for millions of people.”

Dixon added that this revolution is driven by technology and the increased ability for people to plug in and work from anywhere. It’s also important to note that flexible workspaces provide real advantages to organisations. All businesses – from start-ups to multi-nationals – can gain cost benefits, increase their strategic flexibility, and be more agile in today’s fast moving and competitive digital environments.”