client news
Accounting firm finds
best practice in workplace interior
National accountancy practice, Baker Tilly, has recently completed a
refurbishment of its Hereford regional office.
The refurbishment was carried out by local VERCO dealer, A4 Office
Products, chosen on the basis of presenting ideas that embraced the
practical and aesthetic needs of staff and clients.
Baker Tilly has occupied its three-storey 1960s-built offices in
Hereford's Holmer Road since 1987. Partner Mike Horwood oversaw the
project which included the complete stripping out and replacement of
interiors.
Mike said, "I researched into the local supply base for an interiors
partner for the refurbishment and Alan Thomas of A4 Office Products, who
is also based in Hereford, was best recommended. Our policy is always to
use local businesses when we can."
Baker Tilly's brief called for workplace furniture that complemented the
corporate culture and philosophy of a modern, forward-thinking
professional business advisor.
"We give twenty-first century advice, so we wanted a twenty-first century
workplace," said Mike.
Another important factor was that the furniture should reflect the values
of authority, assurance and longevity. "We are not here to show off or
shock, but provide good counsel," Mike said.
The building's furniture stock was ageing and had been added to on a
piecemeal basis over ensuing years.
"It was functional enough but did not make for an ambient environment,"
said Mike. "One benefit of having to start again was ridding ourselves of
a culture where promotion equated with having better furniture.
"I decided that we should specify furniture from a reliable, single
source that could satisfy every conceivable need for all grades of
personnel with a handful of designs that complemented one another."
His brief to attain the appropriate ambience within a tasteful,
understated and clutter-free environment saw ceiling levels lowered, new
lighting and an improved colour scheme implemented.
Furniture was chosen with the full involvement and consultation of staff.
"Everyone got to choose from the same catalogues," said Mike. "It was an
enjoyable process that benefited in practical and morale terms too."
The new environment features a reception area with break out seating for
informal meetings plus three formal meeting rooms. Beyond lie six
executive suites for the partners and open plan administration areas.
Executive suites have been fitted with VERCO Intuition desks, with
credenza and kidney table tops, and matching storage in cherry or walnut
veneer finishes complemented by Select high back chairs in a variety of
colours.
Other areas employ VERCO Visual 3 panel-ended desks in Oak MFC together
with black-upholstered Profile task chairs.
The three meeting rooms feature Intuition round tables and Visual MFC
tilting tables in meeting rooms with Focus chairs.
Baker Tilly's partners and staff have commented favourably on their new
work environment. It is clear that the quest to find furniture that fits
the firm's culture has been a success.
"The office looks completely fresh yet everything belongs to the extent
you could believe it had been there forever," Mike observes.
He cites his working relationship with A4 Office Products and its
supplier as "very good, very professional".
"A4 and VERCO acted as an extension to our family here," he said.
"Everyone worked to the time scales we set and we've had good feedback
from clients in terms of what's been achieved."
Web Watch
www.bakertilly.co.uk
www.a4office.com
www.verco.co.uk
ends
FOR IMAGES RELATING TO THIS CONTRACT, PLEASE CONTACT AGENCY
Issued October 2008 on behalf of VERCO Office Furniture Ltd by
petermuir public relations
Whiteleaf Business Centre, Buckingham Industrial Park, Buckingham MK18
1TF, UK
tel 00 44 (0) 1296 715228 fax 00 44 (0)1296 715486
www.pmpr.info
EDITOR NOTE:
About Verco
Founded in 1912, VERCO is one Britain's best known and respected office
furniture manufacturers. Take this link for the full story …
http://www.verco.co.uk/comp-history.htm
About Baker Tilly
With 2,200 employees and over 280 partners, Baker Tilly operates from 30
offices in 25
locations across the UK. The firm, which generates a fee income of over
£204 million, provides accountancy and business advisory services ranging
from compliance to facilitating growth.
As an independent member of Baker Tilly International, it can call upon
138 member firms across 104 countries to assist clients in any overseas
marketplace.
Founded in 2000, A4 Office Products specialises in the provision of
turnkey office interiors solutions to a wide range of business customers
ranging from SMEs to the regional offices of national organisations. The
company additionally provides the broader needs of workplace
requirements, ranging from office consumables to business machines.
