The ISG Relocation project moved 600 colleagues from Argyle House into Forrest Hill and the Main Library in 7 months, delivering significant recurring savings. The project equally involved returning Argyle House to the required lease standards, and redesigning new spaces for staff hybrid working. Staff engagement and feedback helped shape the changes, while services were maintained throughout the move with minimal disruption. Savings and estate impact Exiting Argyle House delivers £1.4 million per year in lease savings and reduces reliance on external accommodation. Efficiencies are created through consolidating IT kit, furniture and equipment, and refining asset management and storage processes. Surplus furniture and IT equipment have been reused across the University, helping other teams avoid over £10,000 in one-off spend and supporting climate goals by reducing demand for new kit. Reducing reliance on leased space and making better use of existing buildings is an important part of responsible estate management, and ISG’s relocation is a strong example of that approach. Damien Toner Director of Estates Delivering the move To support transparency and reduce uncertainty, a dedicated SharePoint site shared timelines and practical guidance for the move, to help staff plan and understand changes. Estates colleagues supported project delivery, including the refurbishment work across both hubs and the movement of furniture and IT equipment. Alongside a phased move plan, local move leads and line managers supported teams through the transition. I’m grateful to colleagues across ISG and Estates for the planning and coordination that enabled this move to be delivered safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption. Gavin McLachlan Vice-Principal and Chief Information Officer, and Librarian Smarter spaces for hybrid working Hubs and staff/service workspaces have been redesigned to support hybrid working, with bookable desks and use of anchor days as a mainstay of ways of working. A smaller footprint offers a flexible, more accessible mix of work settings, including quieter low-stimulation spaces, that may encourage greater staff on-campus presence while reducing environmental impact. On-campus presence Being on campus improves proximity to other buildings for meetings and cross-campus working, supporting more informal, day-to-day collaboration with colleagues across Professional Services and academic areas.The Main Library places colleagues within a key student building, creating opportunities for integration of staff and student spaces, with new touchdown spaces including the Main Library’s Mezzanine level. Reflections and next steps Early feedback from the first months in the new spaces has been hugely positive, particularly around improved access to nearby amenities and University buildings, and cross-campus collaboration. As teams continue to settle in, the project is also capturing lessons learned and identifying small adjustments, such as guidance for shared areas and the balance between quiet and collaborative spaces, to ensure the new hubs perform well over the longer term. The ISG Relocation project has been a huge success and a prime example of university strategic and tactical collaboration, delivering financial benefits with strong staff engagement, all very much delivered at pace. This article was published on Tuesday 25 August 2026
