Looking Backwards and Forwards – My 19th Anniversary at DBS
Over the past 20 years, the way we work and the space we conduct our work in has undergone many significant shifts, and such changes will undoubtedly continue in the decades to come. Here at DBS, we are proud to say that we have always been ahead of the times, and endeavour to continue offering flexible and custom contracts to provide office space, whether physical or virtual, that meet with personal and unique requirements.
I joined DBS as Centre Manager during the renovation of the Old School House at our Glenfield site, a new addition to the company to provide new office space. This was a time of revolution and evolution in the workforce; technology and high-speed connectivity became both prevalent and necessary in office spaces, and the meaning of a successful career was redefined. While terms such as “co-working” weren’t coined until the 2000’s and “hybrid working” has only just become widespread in the early 2020’s in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, DBS has always offered these options for workers without the need or access to permanent office space in addition to our permanent and designated office contracts.
Office culture of the last decade has seen an exponential increase in tech start-ups, flexible schedules and working from home. Since the very beginning at DBS, we have striven to provide office space for those who do not need an official workspace five days a week but prefer working among a community that is not available at home. This new attitude towards work and workspace had proved that our services are more valuable than ever.
Three years into my position at Glenfield, I was promoted to General Manager of DBS Managed Offices and relocated to the centre at Castle Donington. I nevertheless remain good friends with my first front of house, as well as many others I have worked with since. Shortly after my promotion, Nicky Severs became my front of house and remains with us as the Manager for both Glenfield and Ashby. Nicky became my right hand and Godsend, who I value immensely and trust completely in many ways. At DBS, it has been incredible to be part of the staff development philosophy with many staff having been promoted, sometimes to positions created specifically for them.
During these last nineteen years, I have seen the small town of Castle Donington change hugely – from a single main street with very little to offer to a bustling high street filled with shops, cafes, bars and restaurants as a result of a huge growth in local industry. Nationally, I have witnessed six Prime Ministers, the Olympic Games hosted in London, the UK’s exit from the European Union, the global Coronavirus pandemic resulting in national lock downs, loss of freedom of movement and the closure of pubs(!) along with the sad passing of Britain’s longest ever reigning Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II: truly the end of an era.
The past few years have been difficult for many businesses, including DBS, but we have all worked hard to support one another and our clients to make sure we have had fun and laughs through these hard times too. We face uncertainty with a change of Monarch and a winter of high energy costs. We are finding that individuals and companies alike are looking to place people into day offices or co-working desks in our centres in order to avoid the astronomical costs of working from home.
My work is constant variety; no two days are the same. I meet and work with new people almost daily. We have the privilege of working in an incredible environment, made up of beautiful buildings and gardens. Of course, we have had staff changes over the years but both Adrian (IT) and Roy (maintenance) were already working for DBS when I started, so long service medals all round!