Staff at a financial mutual have moved into brand-new, purpose-built offices to help continue supporting its UK-wide members and financial advisers.
Cirencester Friendly Society, a member-owned company that provides income protection insurance to UK workers, recently moved into their new offices at Mutuality House, South Cerney, which were fitted out by Gloucester-based interior design specialist, Cobus.
The family-run firm was tasked with creating a high-quality, professional working environment ahead of the relocation, whilst incorporating Cirencester Friendly’s values, motives and colours.
The full furniture fit-out included the main building reception, both open-plan and private offices, a training room, breakout spaces, boardroom, canteen, washrooms, meeting rooms and kitchens.
The initial stages saw the design team produce 2D floor plans, 3D renders, and mood boards detailing fabrics and finishes for Cirencester Friendly to ensure their core values were being reflected accurately, in the open, light, contemporary and flexible design.
One challenge Cobus encountered during the ambitious project was having to introduce an open-plan office to staff who, due to the old office layout, had been ‘departmentalised’ in separate rooms. It was, therefore, important to accommodate each department with their specific requirements, using a detailed strategy designed specifically for the relocation.
Michelle West-Wiggins, Head of Customer Care at Cirencester Friendly, said: “Our overall project brief was to design an impressive working environment to accommodate up to 95 staff members in comfort. It had to be capable of bringing people together and incorporating our brand subtly, ensuring the building had a professional feel whilst keeping in mind that we are a mutual and member-owned business.”
Since the relocation, staff have been making the most of their new working environment, which has been fitted out with the latest fashionable and ergonomic furniture, including PITCH desking, POIZ tables, EGO stools, and Trillipse chairs.
Michelle added: “As a member-owned business, we wanted Cobus to understand our ethos and a strong desire not to waste money. They met all of our requirements coupled with a very approachable and flexible relationship, the whole project felt personal.
“To spend nine months discussing, designing and looking at images and samples, to then walk in and see the finished project we had made together was amazing – I was quite emotional!”
Gemma Gold, project manager at Cobus, said: “With our 40 years’ experience in interior design, Cirencester Friendly felt they could trust us to carry out the work to their exact requirements and, subsequently, were thrilled with the end results. We hope they enjoy their new working environment and that it enables them to continue to offer excellent service to their members and supporting advisers.”
To find out more about the project, please visit: https://cobus-spaces.com/