Mark Dixon Steps down as IWG PLC (Regus) CEO after 40 years  

Big news reported by Reuters, Costar and others as reported Mark Dixon has as announced he is stepping down after nearly 40 years at the helm. He will transition to the role of Executive Chair, continuing to advise the board and provide strategic guidance. 

He will be succeeded by Christian Schmitz, formerly IWG’s Chief Transformation Officer and previously a partner at McKinsey & Company and a director at KKR Capstone.  

Love them or loathe them, there’s no denying that without Mark Dixon and IWG, the flexible workspace industry wouldn’t exist as we know it. So, this shift is interesting; the company is clearly gearing up for its next evolution.  

Changes at number 10: Changes to Business Rates likely

Not to be outdone by IWG’s own leadership reshuffle, Number 10 has had its own “executive transition.” 

Andy Burnham has not announced any specific policy on business rates for flexible workspace. His remarks focus on pubs, music venues, shops, cafés, restaurants, and small high‑street businesses.  

It’s important to note from Your Flex Experts own research that the flexible industry is still made up of a large number of small independent operators, many who are or have reinvigorated disused buildings in cities and small towns across the UK whilst giving startups and small local business an alternative to a costly long-term lease. 

However, change of chancellor and this wider business‑rates agenda could indirectly affect the flexible workspace sector — and the sector is already under major pressure from recent VOA reclassification changes. 

Most interesting His proposals include raising the small‑business rates threshold from £12,000 to £18,000, with tapered relief up to £21,000 

Scottish Flex Forum – Inaugural Meet‑Up brings coworking , and serviced office leaders to Edinburgh

Scotland’s flexible workspace leaders came together at The Melting Pot Edinburgh , Edinburgh for the first‑ever Scottish Flex Forum in June, a new initiative uniting operators, brokers, and community builders from across the country.  

Chaired by Steven Carr Your Flex Expert Ltd with an inspiring talk from Werksy co‑founder Cameron Foskett and a guided tour led by CEO Helen Denny the meet‑up set the tone for a more connected, resilient Scottish flex community 

 The event sparked lively discussion on collaboration, hybrid working, and the future of Scotland’s flex sector — all set against the backdrop of one of Edinburgh’s most inspiring coworking spaces.  Watch this space for details of the next meet‑up, heading to Glasgow this August. 

Introducing Speakers for spaces

Flexible workspaces & Coworking spaces thrive when they offer more than desks — they offer community, inspiration, and moments that bring people together.  

That’s exactly why Your Flex Expert has launched a curated list of free/low speakers and groups for coworking and flexible workspaces across the UK and Ireland. From Kasia McCartney, who specializes in nervous‑system regulation and human performance, to Gerry Forristal, a experienced  buyer‑behaviour consultant, and Robert James Lucas , whose Workflow Reboot method helps professionals regain focus and momentum, the platform gives operators ready‑to‑book speakers who can deliver workshops, talks, and productivity clinics that elevate the member experience. 

I hope to scale this up to include more speakers and local business groups for flexible workspaces across the UK and Ireland. 

A Simple Way to Add Value to Your Space 

For operators, the benefit is straightforward: hosting speakers boost engagement, strengthen community, and add premium value without adding cost. Whether you’re running a heritage building in Dundee, a charity hub in Edinburgh, or a modern coworking space in Glasgow, these speakers help you offer meaningful programming that supports your members’ wellbeing, business growth, and professional development. It’s an easy, high‑impact way to differentiate your space — and a growing resource that will continue expanding I build the profile of Your Flex Expert  

Find out more here!  

Acquisitions , Openings and Opportunities!  

Aberdeen – STACK. Office Second Site (Glasgow coming soon!) 

Cambridge: Mantle Space Ltd acquire 26,000 square feet in £6.5 million deal 

Derby – Oakhurst Flexible Workspace  

Dunfermline – Serviced Office Opportunity 10,000  sqft with parking contact Steven Carr  

Edinburgh – outer city centre -large modern office building for sale contact Steven Carr

Edinburgh Leith – Coworking/Serviced Office Opportunity – 6,000 sqft – contact Steven Carr 

Nottingham – The Poynt Flexible Workspace Centre 

Selkirk – Ayr based Corespace UK have acquired a stunning grade A former textile mill turned flexible workspace  

Career Opportunities in Flex  

Commercial Manager – Affordable Workspace 

Employer: Islington Council Location: Islington, London Salary: £66,084–£69,660 

Members Experience Supervisor & Digital Content Lead 

Employer The Auction Rooms Edinburgh  Location Edinburgh, Scotland Salary: £28,500 

Edinburgh, Scotland 

Membership Manager (Manchester) 

Employer: Work.life Location: Manchester: Salary £35,000-£45,000 

Senior Manager, Construction, Europe / UK 

Employer: Industrious; Location: London: Salary £70,000 – £80,000 

Centre Executive 

Employer: Newflex Location Birmingham Salary: £35000 

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About the author

Coworking & Flexible Workspace Specialist | UK & Ireland | Consultant & Office Space Finder

Steven Carr is a leading specialist in the coworking and flexible workspace sector across the UK and Ireland, known for his practical expertise, market insight, and hands‑on operational experience. With over a decade spent managing and developing workspaces—from multi‑site business parks to premium flexible offices—Steven brings a rare blend of operational depth and commercial strategy to operators, landlords, and growing businesses.

As Your Flex Expert, Steven supports organisations in navigating the fast‑moving flex market: advising on workspace operations, occupancy growth, member experience, centre performance, and market positioning. He has worked across every major workspace format, including serviced offices, coworking hubs, innovation centres, hybrid corporate spaces, and regional business parks.

Alongside consultancy, Steven acts as a trusted office‑space finder for companies seeking flexible solutions across the UK and Ireland. His operator‑agnostic approach ensures clients secure the right space, in the right location, at the right commercial terms—whether a single private office or a multi‑city hybrid footprint.

Steven’s reputation is built on real operational experience, not theory. He has led teams, opened centres, improved P&Ls, delivered member‑experience programmes, and supported operators through scale‑up phases. Today, he uses that knowledge to help the industry evolve, sharing insights through articles, events, and direct advisory work.

Specialisms: Flexible Workspace Operations · Coworking Strategy · Centre Management · Occupancy Growth · Member Experience · Workspace Consultancy · Office Space Search · UK & Ireland Market Insight · Operator Performance · Business Park Management · Premium Flex Workspace Operations