Osborne Clarke launches connected working in the Thames Valley

“Agile” and “flexible” aren’t necessarily words traditionally associated with the working patterns of a large international legal practice – even if it does boast some of the country’s leading technology lawyers.

“We are an international, sector focused law firm with a reach that is unique in the region in terms of being able to offer a City level service outside London as well as access to a global footprint. Servicing the needs of sector clients doing business electronically and working across our offices is part of our DNA and we were among the first UK-based firms to open in Silicon Valley,” says James Massy-Collier, head of Osborne Clarke’s Thames Valley office since 2012 and a Partner in the corporate practice.

The top 25 firm originally launched its office in Reading’s Apex Plaza in 1997 to serve the large number of corporate and high-growth businesses in the area, particularly in areas such as technology and life sciences. The change of location to Forbury Place was prompted by the desire for the Thames Valley office to be a central hub for UK and international operations, somewhere that provides space and facilities in which teams and clients can meet, regardless of their usual office location.

Working with sustainable designers tp bennett for architecture and interior design and workplace consultants The Agile Organisation, the result is a sit anywhere, work anywhere, paper-light and clear desk culture.

Technology and connectivity mean that anybody can work at any time, anywhere. This includes other Osborne Clarke locations, client offices, from home, while travelling or in public spaces like hotels or cafes. When in the Reading office, anyone can work at any desk or in the office’s new work or social areas. To make the most of this approach, desks are set out in loosely designated team areas with no individual allocation, which boosts interaction with colleagues and cross-team working.

“We’ve been working open plan and flexibly since 2001, so we really see connected working as more of an evolution than a revolution in working style, commented Ray Berg, UK Managing Partner.

“We’ve constantly emphasised the overarching reasons as to why we are doing this; to enhance the level of service to our clients and to free our people from some of the traditional constraints of office working. The buy-in from amongst our people and clients has been fantastic. This process will also serve to future proof our business as the knowledge that we’ve acquired will, in time, allow us to use connected working concepts throughout Osborne Clarke,” said Ray.

Massy-Collier added: “It has already become obvious that connected working is actually easier, more efficient and beneficial to people’s general wellbeing than the more ‘traditional’ arrangement that preceded it.