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Seven Investment Management (7IM) recently acquired London-based financial planning firm Partners Wealth Management (PWM). While PWM operates as an independent company, retaining its brand, identity and leadership, the whole business needed an office combining the two functions so they could continue to grow side by side.
A collaborative partnership between independent project management firm Spring 4, 7IM, and Peldon Rose meant that the project started off on strong footing. Peldon Rose guided the business through the building selection process. This part of the project included test fits of various floorplates, resulting in 7IM’s decision to take level four of Angel Court as its new destination workplace of 22,500 sq ft. The wider building is a 300,000 sq ft office development with a rooftop terrace and panoramic views of the city of London, at a location that fully supports the continuing success of the business.
After choosing the location it was time to showcase how considered office design can bring two business functions with distinct identities under one roof, ensuring they operate separately and privately, while harnessing a feeling and reality of oneness. The result was a space for the businesses to catalyse their growth trajectory together.
A sleek reception area leads into the client lounge, which includes a satellite tea point, inbuilt wardrobes and soft seating. Nearby, and before you enter the main office, is a suite of client-facing meeting rooms. Keeping these separate ensures that the back-of-house business operates in privacy and comfort; a space just for employees.
Through access-controlled door is the main office social space and tea point area, where employees from both 7IM and PWM can enjoy their meals while socialising. This area offers different seating arrangements to accommodate an array of working modes: from touchdown booths to high breakfast stools or cafeteria-style tables and chairs. Perhaps most striking is a dark grey acoustic curtain which, when drawn, creates a meeting room or private function space right in the heart of the area. Pendant lighting, detailing on the floor and dark grey banquette seating alongside larger round tables and chairs creates an atmosphere of sophistication and privacy.
On either side of the reception area and tea point, the two companies split into separate ends of the floorplate, with more access-controlled doors to ensure privacy of their own respective functions.
Differentiated branding runs through each space, establishing their identity and helping employees feel a sense of belonging. Design elements included in both offices are similar, with suites of meeting rooms offering a seamless tech and AV experience, fabric wall panels to optimise acoustics, and practical yet high-end furniture. Each wing also has large open-plan desking areas, and on 7IM’s side, there are also executive offices for the COO and CFO, who operate across both arms of the business.
The Peldon Rose team delivered the design to schedule, and reacted as a collective to challenges within the building, such as when managing a complex permit system, and overcoming access limitations which are intrinsic to Angel Court’s central location in the City of London. 7IM and PWM now enjoy an office which brings together two distinct and private businesses under one roof; a space which empowers their growth trajectory.
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