British Council for Offices Elects New President

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14 July 2023

Despina Katsikakis, Executive Partner & Global Lead, Total Workplace at Cushman & Wakefield, has been elected as President of the British Council for Offices.

Despina has been part of the British Council for Office’s (BCO) Board of Management since 2021. She chaired the 2023 BCO Conference in Dublin, which explored how offices can contribute to ensuring social, economic and environmental sustainability in cities. As BCO President she will champion the role of the office in supporting resilience and providing inspiring places for people and society to thrive.

She succeeds Mark Kowal, Partner at Sheppard Robson. Peter Crowther, Managing Director at Bruntwood, becomes Senior Vice President.

"With the role of the office increasingly focused on people, experience and social impact, under my leadership the BCO will focus on the unprecedented level of change that is affecting our industry, to drive research and provide a forum for discussion on how we can develop new skills, measures and indices that will shape inspiring offices for a resilient future."

–Despina Katsikakis

President, BCO

Despina has over 35 years of experience advising global companies such as Microsoft, Barclays, Unilever and BP as well as investors of landmark developments worldwide. She pioneered the role of workplace consultancy in the 1980s and led the transformation of the workplace as an experience.

Despina said: “It is an honour to be appointed President of the BCO. With the role of the office increasingly focused on people, experience and social impact, under my leadership the BCO will focus on the unprecedented level of change that is affecting our industry, to drive research and provide a forum for discussion on how we can develop new skills, measures and indices that will shape inspiring offices for a resilient future. I am looking forward to working closely with the BCO committees and members to share knowledge, ideas and debates.”

Other changes to the BCO’s Presidential Team include Peter Crowther’s promotion to Senior Vice President. Peter is Managing Director at Bruntwood and joined the BCO Board of Management in 2022. He served on the BCO Northern Region Committee and the National Awards Judging Panel.

The BCO’s Honorary Treasurer, James Clark, Partner at Core Five will also be standing down and is to be succeeded by Bruce Paterson, Founding Partner at Quantem Consulting.

Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, added: “I am delighted to welcome Despina Katsikakis as President of the BCO. Despina is a hugely respected and experienced thought-leader on the workplace and, as Senior Vice President, led the BCO’s sell-out annual conference in June. I wish her every success for her presidential year.       

“I would like to thank Mark Kowal for his exceptional hard work and dedication during his presidency. As the office sector emerged from the pandemic, under Mark’s leadership the BCO has continued to strengthen its role as a leading voice in office design and workplace trends. Mark was an outstanding President of the BCO and should be hugely proud of all he achieved.

“I must also express my gratitude for James Clark, who is stepping down as the BCO’s Honorary Treasurer, for his commitment and service to the organisation. It is a pleasure to welcome Bruce Paterson as the incoming Honorary Treasurer.”

Picture: a photograph of Despina Katsikakis. Image Credit: BCO

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 14 July 2023

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