Last week, I had the pleasure of exhibiting and attending The Workplace Event at the NEC in Birmingham – an engaging, high-energy gathering filled with vibrant conversations, meaningful connections, and insightful panel discussions. The atmosphere was buzzing from start to finish, with attendees from across industries coming together to exchange ideas, explore innovations, and collectively reimagine the future of work.
While the excitement on the show floor was undeniable, the lively nature of the event did pose a challenge at times—particularly when it came to hearing speakers clearly in some of the open stages. Despite the noise, the quality of the content and the passion of the presenters more than made up for it.
A notable theme that consistently emerged across the panels was the need to put people at the centre of workplace strategies. Whether the discussion was about mental health, workspace flexibility, inclusive leadership, or aligning real estate with culture, the core message was clear: the future of work is human-first.
Lessons Learned and Key Takeaways from the Panels
1. Making Mental Health a Workplace Priority
Led by Mike Jeffries from Mind Birmingham, this session emphasized that mental health is not just an HR initiative—it’s a business imperative. The conversation urged organisations to move beyond token gestures and invest in real, systemic support.
The key takeaway: mental wellbeing must be embedded into company culture to drive long-term engagement and retention.
2. Shaping Tomorrow’s Workspaces: Outlook 2025
An insightful discussion led by industry leaders, including Jenny Thomas and Simone Fenton-Jarvis, delved into post-2023 trends in workplace investment. It highlighted that despite recent economic uncertainties, organisations are optimistic and continue to invest in adaptable spaces.
The takeaway: the evolution of workspaces is being driven by strategic, tech-enabled decisions that enhance both productivity and experience.
3. Building Inclusive Workplaces
Sarah Audsley made a compelling case for balancing real estate strategies with flexibility and company values. The session positioned every organisation as its own micro-society, where a one-size-fits-all approach to return-to-office is ineffective.
The lesson here: successful workplaces align their environments with both business goals and the diverse needs of their people.
4. Period Dignity in the Workplace
Elisabeth Dewey’s panel was particularly powerful, shedding light on the often-overlooked topic of menstrual health. With the upcoming ISO/CD 45010 standards on the horizon, organisations were encouraged to lead the way in providing inclusive menstrual health support.
The key takeaway: supporting menstrual wellbeing is not only ethical—it’s smart business.
5. Leading Beyond Fear
With insights from Toyin Aderiye and Simone Fenton-Jarvis, this session focused on the evolution of leadership in today’s workplace. It underscored the importance of courage, accountability, and emotionally intelligent leadership. Importantly, it also explored how FM professionals can shape sustainable, innovative environments.
The core message: leadership must evolve from reactive to proactive, fostering cultures of trust and adaptability.
A Look Ahead
It was encouraging to see how far the conversation around mental health and women’s health—especially menstrual wellbeing—has progressed. These topics are finally being treated with the seriousness they deserve, not just as HR priorities but as business-critical factors. The momentum is growing, and I’m particularly excited to see how the upcoming ISO/CD 45010 standard will influence workplace policies in 2026 and beyond.
As the landscape of work continues to shift, it’s clear that the organisations that thrive will be those that listen, adapt, and invest in the human experience.
At YAROOMS, we’re all in on this journey. We're proud to offer innovative workplace solutions that empower people, bolster culture, and drive the kind of collaboration that transforms challenges into triumphs.
Here’s to more electrifying discussions, groundbreaking collaborations, and the continued evolution of workplaces that truly work for everyone.
