As we approach the end of the summer period, we took a look back at what our various commercial interiors teams have been getting up to around the globe.
Take a sneak peek behind the scenes of this open plan fit-out, currently being overseen and managed by our Italian team.
We can’t wait to see the finished product.
It was great to see another completion for our sports retailer client, Lids, this time in Amsterdam.
Sports fans will be able to browse displays of the latest merchandise and clothing in the Dutch capital.
There was no stopping the Amsterdam team in August, as they also completed the outfitting of Lululemon’s latest store.
Congratulations and job well done to all involved.
As a part of our ever-growing international team, each month we celebrate a colleague and put them in the hotseat to get to know them a little better.
In August, the focus was on our newly-appointed UK country head, Daniel Hunt, as he shared what his new role entails, who his dream client would be, and his favourite places in the world to have worked.
Get to know Daniel, here.
And with that, the last quarter of the year upon us, and we look forward to what’s next in store for the team.
To keep up to date with our colleagues and projects, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
We’ve worked hard to recruit some of the most experienced global talent from the world of design, build, construction, and project management.
And, each month, we put one of our colleagues in the spotlight so you can learn a little more about their role…
Next up, it’s our recently appointed UK country head, Daniel Hunt.
As the newly instated UK country head, I am responsible for growing the UK business and establishing a sustainable structure made up of happy and ambitious Agilité employees!
It’s early days, but I would like to think they already see me as a dedicated member of the team.
Its unwavering commitment to doing the right thing — whether through B Corp initiatives or the way we treat clients, colleagues, and partners.
It’s hard to pick, so some special places would be Monte Carlo, Skorpios Island in Greece, Tokyo, Abu Dhabi. If pressed for a favourite, it would have to be Sipan Island, northwest of Dubrovnik.
Maintaining a happy team that wants to progress and develop. Watching younger colleagues rise through the business to take on more senior roles has always given me particular satisfaction.
Liverpool Football Club calling to discuss a new fitout of the Kop!
Allow yourself time to do the due diligence.
Carshalton Athletic Football Club, watching my two girls play or train.
A number of exciting new projects and further growth opportunities.
There has been lots of environmental progress in the industry recently, however, some key challenges lie ahead.
Increasingly demanding legislation around energy efficiency in the UK will have a dramatic effect on existing office space and how usage is controlled in ageing buildings. This will hopefully have a positive impact, not only on energy consumption when the building is in use, but also the way spaces are optimised to perform as efficiently as possible. Agilité’s teams will be required to speak from an informed position on these matters, so high level training should be put in place to address this subject with authority.
And that’s a wrap — July is over and what a month it's been.
With projects won, others approaching completion, and everything in between, there’s a lot to catch up on from the past few weeks…
Our colleagues in Milan gathered under the summer sun to celebrate a series of successful project completions and enjoy a stand up comedy performance at WeWork.
The team recently wrapped up on this technical project for a well-known American athletic brand. The event presented a few challenges, but our colleagues worked hard for a fantastic end result. Well done all round.
Every month, we celebrate our international team by inviting a colleague into the hotseat to get to know them a little better.
July’s focus was Germany-based construction manager, Stephen Murray, as he shared a favourite place he’s worked, how he spends his free time, and a career highlight to date.
Get to know more about Stephen, here.
Congratulations to everyone involved with the completion of the interior outfitting for a well-known car brand in France.
A beautiful project for a pioneering brand.
The latest announcement in a series of project wins is a 650 sqm showroom in Milan, Italy. The Agilité team is very excited to get stuck in and begin work in the vibrant capital city.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Some of our Italian colleagues joined the team for a social gathering in France, and not even the rain could dampen their spirits.
Maria Luisa Daglia, country head (Italy), had the privilege of attending the esteemed birthday event at the duo of extraordinary venues Villa Mirabello in Milan and the rooftop of the Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas in Rome.
See all the highlights.
A new home for Hogan Lovells
Congratulations to the Agilité team for work on the recently-completed Hogan Lovells project in Brussels.
The modern 2,000 m2 office in the Belgian capital is all set to house around 44 employees. We’re delighted with the final result.
That’s a wrap, and with July coming to an end, we look forward to what August has to offer.
To keep up to date with our team and projects, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
As we continue to bolster Agilité's global footprint across France, Germany, Luxembourg, Italy, and the UK, we are delighted to announce our newest appointment.
To find out more about our recruit, read the official press release below.
International commercial interiors specialist Agilité has marked its continued growth with the appointment of a new country head for the UK. The news comes in line with the company surpassing its fifth year of trading, with 2023 turnover expected to exceed €50 million.
Daniel Hunt will be stepping into the role of country head for Agilité’s UK division. As a former regional director of multi-disciplinary construction company Aecom, Daniel brings decades of industry experience working in the retail, leisure, commercial fit-out, public, and residential sectors, and has a proven track record of delivering successful budgetary control, project management, and quantity surveying services for clients across the country.
This recent appointment reflects Agilité’s commitment to bolstering its already established UK presence. Daniel will play a leading role in achieving these goals, where he will be responsible for cementing team structures, and managing UK delivery targets in a way that mirrors the Paris-headquarters’ operations overseas.
With other existing bases in Luxembourg, Milan, and Berlin, as well as a planned expansion into the US, the London evolution comes as Agilité chalks up its 235th project since its inception in January 2018 – delivered across 11 countries.
Agilité’s burgeoning client portfolio includes brands such as Lids/NBA, END., Lululemon, Big Mamma, Savills, LVMH, Booking.com, Deutsche Börse, and The Instant Group, as well as several major multinationals in the tech and finance sectors.
Enhancing the UK base marks a natural progression in Agilité’s international growth — offering a myriad of valuable opportunities to the organisation as it looks to secure new contracts, build new relationships, and continue to grow its diverse client portfolio in the English capital.
Commenting on his new role, Daniel said: “I’m delighted to be joining Agilité as the country head for the UK. I’ve always admired the business for its commitment to sustainability and an innate ability to deliver complex and dynamic projects — so it’s really exciting to be playing such a central role in expanding the organisation in the UK.
“Joining the UK business for the next stage of its evolution will help us take advantage of the numerous opportunities on offer and begin work on new projects for world-leading brands. I look forward to meeting the rest of the team and building upon what is already an innovative, pioneering organisation.”
Speaking on the announcement, Agilité’s founder and MD, Neil Coales, added: "Our vision has always remained the same — an unwavering pursuit of quality to support our clients’ growth plans. Part of this strategy has seen us establish a truly pan-European business that is operational in multiple locations for a range of customers — providing flexible and agile end-to-end service to meet the varying demands of our clients’ business needs.
“So, as we push ahead on our next chapter of success, it’s important that we focus on identifying locations and opportunities that best support our clients, and the strong supply chains we’re establishing along the way.
“I am delighted with Daniel’s appointment,” Neil continued. “And the bolstered UK base means we’ll have the means and resources to compete with other notable firms in our space.”The augmentation of the European company — which provides office, retail, and hospitality construction and fit-out work across the continent — follows 30% year-on-year growth and an increased company-wide headcount of 75.
With the first half of 2023 coming to a close, June brought us some summer sun and full schedules.
Take a look at some of the things that we’ve been up to over the past month…
It was time to put some of the Agilité team in front of the camera, as they journeyed to client McArthurGlen’s site in Dounais for a filming project — with the help of TimeLapse Go.
Operations director, Galia Minkara, project manager, Hani Benbrahim, and assistant project manager, Michale Nassar were in attendance along with construction managers Sébastien Benoit, and Aurore Lossier, all shared their experiences in working on the multi-space transformation project.
We’re very excited to see the final result!
Find out more about our other projects, here.
With an international team at Agilité, we like to give one of our colleagues the chance to introduce themselves.
Last month, it was accounting assistant, Fabio Duarte’s, turn to step into the spotlight — talking about his dream client, what he does outside of work, and the biggest challenge he thinks the construction industry is facing.
Get to know more about Fabio, here.
June 5 saw the annual celebration of World Environment Day, with this year’s theme being #BeatPlasticPollution.
Here at Agilité, we recognise that the construction industry needs to evolve to integrate more sustainable working practices.
Download our new manifesto, that shows our commitment to sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG), now.
What an exciting month! We can’t wait to see what’s to come in the next six months. To keep up to date with our team and projects, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
We’ve worked hard to recruit some of the most experienced global talent from the world of design, build, construction, and project management.
Each month, we put one of our colleagues in the spotlight so you can learn a little more about their role…
Next up, it’s Stephen Murray, construction manager in Germany.
As a construction manager, I oversee and manage new retail and commercial projects mainly throughout Germany, and other parts of Europe if required.
Energetic.
Agilité puts a lot of time and effort into supporting and growing its team, which in turn fosters loyalty among colleagues who are dedicated and committed to the company — and very importantly — its client base. Agilité is also a well structured and managed organisation that is committed to successful project results that are delivered on time and within the client’s budget.
Working at the Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki fitting out the AIDAprima. The cruise ship was 300 metres long and 40 metres high. I especially enjoyed working among so many different cultures — it felt like a city on water!
To have been granted the opportunity at a very young age to be the site construction manager on an 18 storey office and car park project, starting from the ground up in my home town of Perth, Australia. I worked closely with my two mentors — the construction owner and the senior construction manager — who really boosted my confidence and allowed me to strive forward.
A well-known global client who is honest, trustworthy, and seeks the professionalism that I know my team can deliver from start to finish.
Do your full and comprehensive exercise of care and feasibility on the project to safeguard against any surprises, such as unplanned construction impediments and cost blow-outs.
Most likely on a beach enjoying the salt water.
Agilité will continue to strengthen its home bases around Europe, as well as maintaining and improving its reputation among new and prospective customers. We will also potentially expand into other parts of the world where opportunity beckons.
The industry needs to be made more aware of the bigger picture with more thorough planning, costs, and time allocated for, plus discussions through education.
One example out of many is that we need to provide waste containers for certain materials to be recycled. For me, water pollution is a key area, as many sites don’t consider ‘wash out’ points. This lack of care can kill plant life and make it difficult to sustain landscaping, along with contaminating waterways. One simple practice can be introduced on every site with a huge impact.
We’ve worked hard to recruit some of the most experienced global talent from the world of design, build, construction and project management.
Each month, we put one of our colleagues in the spotlight so you can learn a little more about their role…
Next up, it’s accounting assistant, Fabio Duarte.
As part of the finance team, my day-to-day role sees me performing accounting duties ranging from bookkeeping to client invoicing. My specialties lie in accounting, financial analysis and management, commercial correspondence and HR, and I work closely with our financial controller, Charles Delhaye.
Available. I try to be as helpful to my teammates as possible.
I think it’s our commitment to delivering excellent customer service. Throughout the entire project’s lifecycle, we maintain strong lines of communication, provide bespoke support, and ensure that the client’s wishes are being fulfilled from start to finish.
I would say joining Agilité in the first place. It was a fantastic opportunity for me, and one that I couldn’t pass up. Starting at a company that has experienced significant growth in such a short period of time was a challenge I was very happy and excited to accept.
It’s hard to think of one client, however, I’ve enjoyed seeing the work we’ve been doing with BIG MAMMA in Monaco, so it would be great to continue redefining spaces in the hospitality sector.
Engage the help and expertise of the Agilité team — you won’t regret it.
You can typically find me spending time with my family and friends, and more recently, I’ve been doing a lot of running as I prepare for my second marathon.
This is a topic that I am particularly passionate about.
One of the biggest challenges facing the construction industry is the high amount of waste generated from construction projects. One quick Google research reveals that the industry is responsible for a significant amount of waste globally, at up to 40%. This waste can have a severe impact on the environment — contributing to pollution and the depletion of natural resources.
To rectify this, the industry needs to adopt sustainable building practices that reduce the amount of waste generated. This can include incorporating recyclable materials such as wood, glass, and steel into building designs, using energy-efficient appliances and equipment, and adopting methods such as prefabrication, modular construction and green roofs.
Another focus should be reducing the carbon footprint of buildings, making them energy-efficient and sustainable. This requires the adoption of renewable energy sources and the implementation of technologies that minimise consumption, such as smart building management systems and passive solar design.
In summary, the construction sector's sustainability challenges require a collaborative effort and a commitment to green practices that will minimise environmental impact. It requires collaboration between industry suppliers, contractors, and regulators to create standards and implement solutions throughout a project's lifecycle.
In a bid to manage projects more efficiently and provide an exemplary standard of work to our client base, Agilité began using cloud-based construction project management software, Procore in 2020.
Here, we delve into the reasons why…
Used in over 150 countries worldwide — and dispelling the notion that construction is one of the least digitised industries — Procore provides users with the building tools to manage risk, grow profits, and ensure data is secure, all the while boosting productivity and performance. Centred around one true, connected platform, all information is housed in a single app, granting users access and insight into everything happening throughout a project’s life cycle.
Before Procore, we relied on traditional methods of project management, which were time-consuming and sometimes prone to errors. We also communicated with clients and subcontractors exclusively via email and telephone, which often led to misinterpretations and delays in project completion. As a result, we recognised the need for a more efficient and collaborative approach.
Since this partnership began, Procore has not only helped Agilité to streamline our project management processes, it has also allowed us to improve communication and collaborate more effectively with clients and subcontractors alike. Team members are able to manage projects anywhere, at any time — a real bonus for our pan-European organisation. Benefitting from full visibility of a project, colleagues are permitted to swiftly identify potential issues and take corrective action before they escalate even further.
Commenting on the transition, our project manager Zeid Shehadeh noted: “Today, everything happens on the platform — from the call for tenders, through to the final delivery of a project. We are now much more efficient, as all of the information we work with — both internally and externally — is stored and accessible in one place.”
Supply chain manager, Vincent Joullie, added: "We try to use Procore for all aspects of the site project, and every day we go from strength to strength, thanks to the regular integration of new tools to the platform. For us, one of the major advantages of Procore has been to unite our teams around projects so that they run as smoothly as possible. We’re looking forward to our continued exploration of this powerful tool and its many integrations.”
Design coordinator Cécile joined Agilité in January 2022, fresh from having completed a master’s degree in architecture and interior design at the Ecole de Condé Nancy, France.
Here, we find out a little more about our colleague - including what first attracted her to the role, her go-to productivity trick, and her dream client.
Agilité has a growing reputation across Europe, and the multiple locations in Paris, Milan, Berlin, London, and Luxembourg means we can offer services quickly and efficiently. As a lover of travel and all-things-design, it felt like a perfect fit for me.
During my studies, I’ve completed a number of internships throughout Luxembourg — with both small and large companies. My very first position was with a construction company that builds houses and offices, and more recently, an interior finishes specialist — completing spaces with soft decor and furniture.
Through these placements, I was able to experience the entire building process, from start to finish, which was really valuable in my development. I’ve been putting all this learning to good use at Agilité.
Although I’m still in the early years of my career, I love travelling to client sites and other Agilité offices — meeting people face-to-face and discussing projects and ideas together.
I work from the Luxembourg office, focusing on project design and implementation, paying particular attention to the finishing touches.
Good question! It’s my dream to work with a fashion brand. I follow all the major events from around the world, so to combine interior design with the clothing industry — within a flagship or pop-up store — would be an amazing achievement.
I like travelling and shopping — something I’ve missed during the pandemic — and walking my dog Alpha, he’s a three-year-old Wolfdog, and very gentle.
It’s hard to name just one! I’d love to explore South America, New Zealand, or perhaps Fiji — I’m fascinated by the culture.
I like to listen to music to help me concentrate. I love all kinds of music and have a playlist in the background most days. I’d have to say, my favourite genre is jazz.
A growing, versatile organisation that offers a turnkey service to its customers. We think about every detail of a construction project — from start to finish.
Connect with Cécile on LinkedIn.
One core belief that we stand by at Agilité is that we are only as good as our supply chain. But what does this mean in practice? Every decision we make as business owners has some impact on the environment – whether it’s direct, such as greenhouse gas emissions, or indirectly through our suppliers.
We all want to do better for the planet. But one of the biggest objections to making sustainable change comes from lack of knowledge. How can we measure the impact of our carbon-cutting initiatives, and where does the supply chain fit into this?
A great place to start is by reviewing our suppliers. We need to look for credentials – real standards as set by organisations such as the Global Reporting Initiative – as well as solid evidence of change-making. This will require some degree of research and transparency between suppliers, for example:
Moving to a sustainable supply chain affects every facet of the business. In our latest report, Conscious Construction: Building a Sustainable Supply Chain, we discuss the wide-reaching benefits.
1. The climate imperative
At present, the construction industry is one of the biggest contributors to climate change – responsible for 40% of water pollution and 50% of landfill waste respectively. By reducing our climate impact, we can create a more sustainable future, while also improving our bottom lines.
Alexandre Loisy, pre-construction director at Agilité, says: “Reducing your business’ environmental impact can lead to huge savings. Not only will it reduce waste; it will also boost efficiency and create a positive culture within the organisation.”
2. Legislative concerns
An ESG conscience is not only a “nice-to-have”, says Cintia Procaci, founder of eco-conscious consultancy A Beautiful Green. Legislative changes can impact risk management, so it is important for companies to have full transparency over their supply chain.
Likewise, she notes, pressure from other organisations such as the EU will put the spotlight on reporting. “One EU proposal will demand that multinationals have clarity around human rights in the value chain, whilst another asks companies to produce non-financial reports that detail their sustainability efforts.”
3. Winning new business
Corporate social responsibility is now becoming aligned with other value-adding factors such as price or reliability. Procaci adds: “Ethically, stakeholders are becoming increasingly educated around the sustainable issues facing the global population.”
This means that businesses are increasingly incentivised to work with others who share their values. As Loisy notes, making our green agenda known can help to establish strong professional connections. Accreditations such as ISO 14001 only serve to strengthen this further.
4. Diversifying the supply chain
The events of 2020 and beyond have wreaked untold havoc on supply chains throughout the world. From a pandemic to conflict, stakeholders are having to source new means to deliver their products on time.
A sustainable supply chain is a diversified one – working with multiple suppliers to reduce mileage and deliver on schedule. This prevents downtime and protects companies’ reputations.
5. Improving company culture
A sustainable supply chain helps us to mitigate risk. These risks are not only about buying and selling, but about the workforce itself. Just as our clients are looking to work with more socially conscious businesses, so too are colleagues.
A global millennial survey by Deloitte found that 63% of workers in this age range donate to charities, while 43% volunteer. By weaving sustainability into the company culture, we can attract top talent.
Prioritising corporate social responsibility will have far-reaching, long-term benefits for your business. But how can we start to make the change? Our report, Conscious Construction: Building a Sustainable Supply Chain, offers actionable tips and insights to help you get started.
Download the free report here >
As the global population continues to work towards building a more sustainable future for our planet, there has never been a more important time for those in construction to understand the impact their work is having on the both the environment and the societies in which we operate – so understanding your carbon footprint is essential.
In its simplest form, a carbon footprint refers to the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by operations – including the construction process, transportation, and materials used. And, there are several common issues on construction sites in relation to sustainability — including energy consumption, waste generation, and material sourcing — but solving them doesn’t have to cost the earth.
At Agilité, we’re in the process of calculating how much carbon we’re emitting on our sites — through the use of materials, energy, and the waste we produce — to benchmark where we are, and how we could offset that amount through other projects, to achieve carbon neutrality.
Only by understanding, and therefore trying to proactively reduce our usage and reliance on some of the main producers of greenhouse gases — such as sand, water, other raw materials, as well as the high levels of power needed to operate a site — can we start to evaluate renewable and more sustainable alternatives.
For example, energy consumption can be reduced by swapping to energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems during construction, as well as using renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, to power the site.
As construction sites also generate a lot of waste — including generic debris, product packaging, and other materials — proper waste management practices, such as separation of waste, composting, reuse and recycling, can help reduce surpluses.
We know that sourcing sustainable materials can be challenging, particularly if it’s not a part of the client’s budget (read more in our ‘sustainable supply chain guide’) but it’s essential to reduce the negative impact of construction on the planet. Where possible, though, it’s important to use recycled or locally-sourced products — and choose materials that have a lower environmental impact.
That’s why understanding your carbon footprint and implementing sustainable practices on construction sites is essential for reducing the harmful impact of construction on the planet.
It’s no secret that the construction industry is largely responsible for the carbon footprint of UK businesses. In April 2022, sobering statistics from Bimhow revealed that the industry contributes to:
Of course, it doesn’t have to be this way – and the onus is on us as business owners to make better decisions. Much of this comes down to the supply chain, leveraging transparency and visibility, and working with sustainable suppliers.
It’s a topic that we discuss at length in our latest report, Conscious Construction: Building a Sustainable Supply Chain. Here, our senior project manager Antonio Borges shares his tips for sustainable store concepts and materials – without breaking the bank.
Construction projects aren’t running 24 hours a day – and neither should your power. Powering down temporary installations such as lighting can save up to 5 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
Working with recycled or recyclable materials reduces our reliance on new production. Educating yourself on factors like the four main types of plastics and looking for credentials such as ISO 14001 will guide decision-making.
Not only should materials be sustainable; they should be robust. Consider the long-term impact of the materials you use. For example, investing in hardwood flooring once will have less impact than continually reflooring a retail store.
The space itself should be designed efficiently, with zones to encourage free movement rather than staying in one place. This will help to disperse energy equally, and without waste.
When signing up to work with any new supplier, always enquire about lean materials. A value engineering approach will help to use fewer materials without compromising the overall look and feel of the project.
By grouping deliveries, you can save on journeys and reduce emissions. Bulk ordering materials to the site will decrease mileage, as will working with local suppliers. According to the World Economic Forum, last-mile deliveries will contribute to some of the largest increases in carbon emissions by 2030.
Demolition is a huge factor in the footprint of the construction sector – contributing 0.004 to 0.1kg of CO2 per kg of concrete material. Reusing elements in an existing space will lessen our reliance on demolition.
Smart control systems offer a holistic dashboard of analytics to identify where energy is being used – and crucially, where it’s being wasted. Keeping an eye on these analytics will help to drive costs down and maintain lower emissions.
Lower temperatures work wonders for energy consumption. The UK alone has the potential to save 1.18 million tonnes of CO2 per year by turning down thermostats by just 1C.
With transportation accounting for 14% of all greenhouse gas emissions, it pays to use local suppliers. Once again, optimising deliveries in bulk will reduce mileage, while it’s also advisable to work with greener logistics teams where possible.
Creating a more sustainable supply chain doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Even making the smallest changes can have a huge impact – it all starts with education. For more insights, download our free copy of Conscious Construction: Building a Sustainable Supply Chain today.
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