Mike Walley 

Global Real Estate & Workplace Strategy

In this episode of Designed to Work, Michelle Carr sits down with workplace strategist Mike Walley to explore the realities of creating workplaces that genuinely work for people and businesses.

Drawing on more than 25 years of experience leading workplace, facilities and real estate functions for global organisations, Mike shares the lessons learned from delivering offices across Europe, North America and Asia. From the rise of hybrid working and the evolution of workplace technology to the challenges of balancing budgets, business objectives and employee expectations, this conversation uncovers what really drives successful workplace design.

Mike discusses why utilisation data often tells a very different story to workplace perceptions, how acoustic design has become one of the most critical factors in modern offices, and why many of the biggest workplace challenges have remained surprisingly consistent over the years. Through real-world examples, he reveals how small design decisions can have a significant impact on employee experience, collaboration and business performance.

Together, Michelle and Mike explore the delicate balance between form and function, the importance of involving employees in the design process, and why change management is often the difference between a workplace succeeding or failing.

Whether you're a workplace leader, facilities manager, designer or business executive, this episode offers practical insights into how organisations can create offices that support collaboration, maximise value from space and adapt to the changing ways people work.