One of the most talked-about topics at this year’s Watercooler Event (7–8 May, Excel London) is the growing debate around the return to office. Ryan Jans, Regional Head of Leasing at WeWork, offers a unique take: the future of work won’t be shaped by rigid mandates, but by intentional workplace culture and a renewed focus on community.
In his Day 1 session, “Prioritising Moments Over Mandates – Why the Future of Work is Driven by Intention”, Ryan will explore how employers can transform office spaces into hubs of connection, collaboration, and collective wellbeing. His insights align perfectly with Mental Health Awareness Week (12–18 May), whose 2025 theme is ‘community’ — a crucial element in building healthier, more engaged teams.
With a background in real estate rather than traditional health and wellbeing, Ryan brings a fresh perspective on how flexible workspaces and thoughtful design can help employers create a purpose-driven workplace that supports both performance and mental health.
You’re talking about the return to office debate. Tell me about that…
Honestly? It feels like a lot of people are regurgitating the same arguments. I actually think we’re having the wrong conversations. They are too binary.
What should we be talking about?
Office purpose. That’s the piece that seems to be missing. Covid forced us to rethink what the office is for. But that was half a decade ago, yet we are still having a debate about ‘returning to normal’. If you are still pushing for the world to ‘go back’, you are wasting your time. When it comes to the office space, some are getting it really right, and some are lagging behind. And I don’t think it has anything to do with back-to-work mandates.
What do you think offices are for now? Which companies would you say are ‘getting it right’?
The companies that are leading the way are those that understand the office now needs to be a place that people want to go to, a ‘destination workplace’.
These offices are full of great amenities that encourage collaboration, purpose and engagement. But even today, that’s also not enough. Nobody wants to show up to a shiny, well-designed office that is only 40% full, where you’re jumping on a Zoom call because most of the team isn’t there.
So, we need to go one step further. The office needs to have intention. It should foster a community where people feel like they are part of something bigger. When it’s done well, the impact is remarkable.
So how do you create community and these kinds of purpose-driven spaces?
I work with thousands of businesses all over the world, helping them rethink how they engage with their employees in our spaces. Sure, free breakfasts and lunchtime yoga classes might get people through the front door, but that’s not what builds a community.
Presence is important, but only when it’s tied to intention and connection. When I talk about intention, I’m talking about purposeful ‘micro moments’ in the day that are intentionally designed to bring people together, that may facilitate brainstorming, or bolster company culture – it’s the secret ingredient to feeling like workers belong, they’re part of a team, they have social relationships with colleagues and friends. We’re social creatures, and if all you’re focusing on is how many people show up to the office, you’re missing the point.
Can you give me an example of this?
Absolutely. Take our team in Singapore, they’ve implemented a daily lunch hour where everyone shuts down their laptops, heads to the pantry, and just chats about life. This can be about work, family, weekend plans, whatever. It’s been amazing to see how this simple change has brought the team closer and made them feel more aligned and connected.
Do you think, from what you’ve seen, there is an ‘ideal’ number of days to work at home and the office?
Honestly, as cliché as it is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer, because every business has its own culture, needs and priorities. That being said, we are definitely seeing a trend toward the formalisation of hybrid working, where teams come together on specific days, usually about three days a week.
Can you tell us about any companies who you think have got it right?
Currys is a great example. They were located on the outskirts of London, but they made the bold move to a more central, high-quality space that is designed for connection and productivity. They leverage their office space to bring central teams together, improve corporate efficiency but also build that invaluable community and culture. And it’s paying off.
How can you measure the ‘success’ of a space?
As other experts in the industry will know, measuring ROI in office spaces has become a lot trickier. Five years ago when you were having a real estate discussion, it was generally with the Head of Corporate Real Estate or the Chief Financial Officer looking at numbers and statistics. Today, it’s more common to see the Head of People or HR involved in these conversations, who are responsible for keeping a pulse on how employees are feeling, and what their overall experience is like.
It’s less about hard metrics like badge swipes, and more about staff churn, NPS scores, and listening circles and surveys that tap into how happy employees are actually feeling in the office. Why? Because the value of coming in should outweigh the cost of commuting.
How do Curry’s measure the success of their space?
They take a close look at how their space is being used, tweaking work models, adjusting layouts, and finding ways to make things more engaging. They also check in with employees through surveys to see how everyone’s feeling. Curry’s is a great example of a company that really gets their workforce. The feedback has been positive, and their office utilisation is very strong.
How does a diverse workforce play into the role of the overall workplace experience?
The connection and community of an office can build relationships with like-minded individuals, and also people that have a completely different background or lifestyle to you. The power of this cannot be overstated. At the office, work projects, deadlines, tasks create a shared interest and a goal to hit. There’s a sense of togetherness, and it’s the role of the workplace to facilitate this connection.
Something I have noticed is a widening gap between generational workers. We’re seeing younger generations pushing businesses to be more thoughtful about managing the psychological contract that exists between a worker and a workplace, and they’re not afraid to call businesses out on it. My view is, let’s open the lid on these conversations. It’s incredibly important to figure out ways to move forward and innovate.
What do you think will be the big trends regarding workplaces over the next year?
Like I said earlier, I think we’re going to continue to see the formalisation of hybrid work; a continued shift from an unstructured to structured model. It’s true that certain industries and professions will need to come together 5 days a week, but the majority of industries will figure out and land on a hybrid set up that works for them.
Also, I think younger workers will start flocking back to central hubs in big cities. They’re craving culture, energy, and a huge range of opportunities to socialise that you can only really get in big cities. I can definitely see that becoming a big trend.
What are you most looking forward to at The Watercooler Event?
I’m looking forward to hearing other experts talk about how they are thinking about the future of the office, and the trends they’re seeing firsthand. We’ve made so much progress as an industry, but the world of work is changing fast, and so is the office. We’re all constantly coming up with new ideas and fresh perspectives, so it’s exciting to be part of that.
You can hear Ryan speak at The Watercooler Event, which takes place on 7th and 8th May 2025 at ExCeL in London, which is Europe’s leading trade show, with free-to-attend content, dedicated to creating workplaces that empower both people and business to thrive.
You can find out more and register to attend here.
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