At GCUC London, NCG’s Tom Proctor spoke with Ben Cheriton, founder and CEO of BLOCK Workspace, about the outlook for flex, choosing the right buildings and finding partners who deliver.
When Ben founded BLOCK following the pandemic, he saw several years of opportunity ahead for flexible workspace. Looking at the market today, he believes there is further growth to come.
One reason is the changing nature of enquiries. BLOCK is hearing from larger organisations, including corporates that might not have approached the business two years ago. They are seeking larger spaces and exploring different types of deal.
For Ben, this points to a sector that is still maturing. At the time of the interview, BLOCK was opening four sites in four months, reflecting its confidence in demand.
Growing through landlord partnerships
Existing landlord relationships are an important part of BLOCK’s expansion. Ben explained that three of its sites had come through follow-on opportunities with landlord partners.
That growth comes with clear standards. The team is selective about buildings, looking for locations and properties that can support the quality of workspace BLOCK wants to deliver.
Ben summed up the ambition as finding a “nine out of 10” building and delivering a “10 out of 10” fit-out.
Finding partners who can grow with the business
As BLOCK expanded beyond its South West roots, its requirements changed. It needed suppliers with the reach and capability to support a broader portfolio.
That was the context for its relationship with NCG. For Ben, the experience has been defined by following through on commitments.
“You said all the right things … but you’ve really delivered on it.”
He highlighted NCG’s response during service provider internet outages, describing regular updates and hands-on support that kept the BLOCK team informed while issues were being handled.
For a growing operator, that communication matters. It gives the team confidence that someone is taking ownership when members need their connectivity restored.
Ben also shared positive feedback from BLOCK’s Head of Operations, reflecting the value of the relationship across the wider team.
As BLOCK continues to grow, we’re pleased to support its ambitions with technology and service that can grow alongside it.
Watch the video below and read our BLOCK Workspace case study to explore the partnership in more detail.
