our journey
since the very start our mission has been to deliver office changes with people at the heart of the project
2006
Moveworks commences work with our first clients.
2008
After a couple of years we were commissioned to deliver a comprehensive office relocation programme for a large council organisation. In addition to delivery of fit out, works, furniture and moves we were tasked with rolling out flexible working and updating culture across the organisation.
To do this we created a comprehensive process that started with engagement, business analysis and change management. We worked closely with the senior leadership team on future working patterns, operational processes and collaboration opportunities and developed a new formal People Strategy.
Once the People Strategy was in place we designed new flexible working layouts and a Building Strategy. Our layouts were designed to fully support and enable the new ways of working and be future proof.
template
Successful delivery of flexible working, cultural change and ultimately the smooth relocation of the workforce into their newly created HQ meant we could develop our process and this became the template for the Moveworks Approach.
2009-2019
approach
Across the next ten years we used our approach template to successfully deliver flexible working and office relocation programmes for multiple private and public sector organisations.
Experience and extensive learning from a variety of organisations additionally helped us develop, evolve and fine tune the approach and our projects continued to deliver positive cultural change, future proof working environments and maximum commercial benefits for our clients.
public sector
Some of our most impactful work in this period was with councils and public sector organisations. Our experience with political, civic, ceremonial and mayoral requirements along with comprehensive understanding of specific structures, processes, governance and challenges continues to be fundamental in our successful delivery of council and public sector projects.
2021
hybrid working
Our biggest challenge prior to Covid was convincing managers that their staff could work from home. Lockdown forced the issue and sped up this process, and ‘hybrid working’ became the hot topic of 2021.
2022
Having used our approach as the foundation for delivery of flexible working and office relocation projects for the previous 14 years, we were excited that hybrid working became such an important topic.
Our speciality, experience and track record has continued to provide organisations with confidence and trust in Moveworks to deliver their hybrid working and office relocation project.
our leadership team
Sarah Higginbotham
managing director
Sarah joined Moveworks as Office Relocation Project Manager in 2021 bringing a wealth of experience in office relocation projects, as well as some serious passion about change management, communication and people development. As owner of the fantastically-named Curious Giraffes she had delivered complex office moves and change projects at prestigious clients that included Tesco, Crown and Google. Her impressive CV along with a commitment to people and change being at the centre of all relocation projects made her the perfect fit for Moveworks.
Sarah’s comprehensive experience implementing new working patterns as part of a relocation project enabled her and Martin to create our Approach, the process we continue to use for successful delivery of hybrid working and office relocation projects. Sarah has been fundamental to our continued growth and with projects, clients and reputation all continuing to increase she was delighted to become Managing Director at the start of 2024.
Her responsibilities include managing day-to-day business operations, creating project strategies and engaging with the senior leadership of our clients, supporting our project managers and working with Martin on the strategic growth of Moveworks.
More interestingly… Sarah is a qualified yoga instructor and enjoys long walks with her 2 dogs!
Martin Willoughby
founder
Martin set up Moveworks in 2006 to project manage office moves as a contractor and the combination of his organisation, drive and commercial edge with a natural desire to help people through often challenging change projects led him to a highly rewarding career.
Although 2020 was hugely challenging across the workplace sector Martin remained positive and formed a plan to restart, develop and grow Moveworks based on flexible and home working being sped up as a result of lockdown. As the return to work and hybrid working became the hot topics of 2021 Martin landed two large project contracts and brought in Sarah to help with delivery. The plan was taking shape, our clients and reputation have continued to grow and Moveworks has become a trusted and successful ‘go-to’ place for delivery of hybrid working and office relocation projects.
Martin is responsible for business development, finance and company strategy.
More interestingly… Martin, a.k.a. ’Hammer Hands’, is the keyboard player in ska band 'Death of Guitar Pop', often plays piano in bars and at weddings and is a long-suffering West Ham United season ticket holder and travelling England supporter.