What do corporate occupiers really want? Workplace guru behind Google’s first office reveals all

Despina Katsikakis, the workplace consultant behind the first iteration of the Google office design, has been appointed by Cushman & Wakefield as global head of occupier business performance.

Katsikakis has over thirty years’ experience advising corporate occupiers including Microsoft, Unilever and BP on the impact of workspace on business performance and is currently advising the team delivering Sir Stuart Lipton’s 22 Bishopsgate, set to be Europe’s first major WELL-certified new-build project.

 

The former architect has joined Cushman & Wakefield in a full-time role to help the firm’s occupier clients - as well as the building owners and landlords seeking to attract them - understand how real estate can be repositioned to drive performance and productivity.

 

Speaking exclusively to EG, Katsikakis said: “The expectation is that I link the real estate world to the corporate occupier world and bring them into a closer, iterative relationship.

 

“The war for talent is shifting the priorities for corporate occupiers from short-term cost reduction to long term business value, primarily around attraction, retention and engagement. That’s why I think this role is very opportune.”