St Helens Chamber funds Mando to deliver "the most digitally advanced workspace in the sector"

Guests arriving at the new offices will be treated to an audio visual sensation in the reception area with dimmed lighting and a floor to ceiling projection wall. The Curious room, a Sherlock Holmes inspired 1920s style lounge with antiques and artefacts, is designed to pique one’s natural curiosity.

An open plan kitchen and dining area, central to the whole design, will enhance a team approach to work life - there is an informal breakout space and a complete white-board wall for capturing the flow of ideas. A key cultural change increasing staff collaboration is the introduction of flexible work stations. Staff will have the freedom to move desks and join the team or project they are contributing to. Hot desking, standardised workstations, lockers and the provision of standing desks make collaborative working easier than ever. For a super-clean look and in line with Mando’s environmental policy, paper storage will be at a minimum with documents viewed and stored digitally.

The new offices promise to be an engaging and creative environment with digitally-advanced features throughout. Mando’s award-winning innovation, the ‘Timesheet Fridge’, will be given an upgrade of an artificial intelligence driven chat bot, enabling staff to ask questions such as, ‘Am I a beer blocker?’ or ‘What’s in the fridge today?’

The office will also incorporate office temperature mapping; thermometers will be strategically placed around the offices and linked to a heat-map screen, allowing staff to find their perfect working location. Other office zones offer green-screen technology for video pod-casting and an open-air dining experience with Wi-Fi on the adjoining roof terrace.

During its nine years at its current base, Liverpool Science Park, Mando has grown to a staff of 50 and now needs larger premises to accommodate the expanding team.

Geoff Bates, regional growth fund programme manager at St Helens Chamber, comments: “Mando are a leading digital agency and their innovative plans for the new office are very exciting. We are delighted to offer them grant funding towards both their expansion and the creation of what is set to be the most advanced workplace in the sector.”

Mando’s managing director, Ian Finch, said of the development: “We’ve had some great times and wonderful memories at the Liverpool Science Park and have massively appreciated their support throughout Mando’s teenage years. It’s exciting to have now grown the business to a size where we need more space and are ready to take things to the next level.

“We're delighted to have been given the funding support to achieve our workplace vision: digital and physical. Work can now commence, with us in our new home – watch out for the launch invite!”

The new premises, on the 4th floor at No.5 St Paul’s Square, will be ready by the end of October.