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.
May was a busy month for the whole Agilité team, with site visits, industry events and the recent launch of our guide, Conscious Construction: building a sustainable supply chain.
Take a look behind the scenes and see what we’ve been up to in May…
In case you missed it, we introduced our latest guide, Conscious construction: building a sustainable supply chain.
The whitepaper, which is free to download, highlights the impact that every business decision has upon our environment, both directly and indirectly.
With industry experts offering their insights, the report looks at steps we can take in fostering a greener future — paying particular attention to the supply chain.
To find out more — and download your copy — click here.
Agilité’s country manager for Italy, Maria Luisa Daglia, attended MAPIC Italy in Milan on 16-17 May, representing the company and participating in panel discussions around the real estate industry.
Bringing together fellow industry experts and professionals, MAPIC focused on the impact of global events — such as energy consumption, climate change and the aftermath of the pandemic — while encouraging further conversations in our commitment to a better future.
We can’t wait to attend next year to see what advancements the retail and real estate sectors make over the next twelve months!
Our design and consultancy project manager, Lucia Cuyun Prado, and junior project manager, Frederica Pisacane, toured the Skypark Business Centre’s development site at Luxembourg Airport, thanks to organisers, LuxReal.
With elements like green roofs and terraces — that are able to provide energy savings via heat storage — rainwater collection, and a photovoltaic system, it’s unsurprising that the building will boast an extremely low carbon footprint.
Set to be one of Europe’s largest wooden structures, with a scheduled completion of 2024, we’re excited to see the final result.
Following on from her master’s degree in architecture and interior design at Ecole de Condé Nancy, in France, Cécile joined the Agilité team at the start of 2022.
In this interview, we discovered what attracted her to Agilité, what she does in her spare time, and her favourite music genre.
Get to know more about Cécile, here.
What a busy month! We can’t wait to see what the team gets up to in June. To watch our progress unfold, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Cormac O’Sullivan is no stranger to the wider Agilité family, having been a part of our team since 2019 – when he joined as a project manager. Following his recent promotions to operations director (Rest of Europe), we caught up with him, to find out more about his new role – and his ambitions.
Under his new remit, Cormac assumes ultimate responsibility for any of our deliveries outside of France and Italy – which are led by Galia Minkara and Maria Luisa Daglia, respectively. Day-to-day, he will oversee our international commercial interiors projects, taking them from A-Z and ensuring our teams, partners, and suppliers are set up to do just that.
Having been an integral part of the business for the past four years, Cormac’s progression has been in tandem with Agilité’s own exponential growth. A civil engineer by training, and with a background in Cat A/B corporate real estate fit out projects, Cormac is our go-to for the ‘big’ projects that land at our door.
Challenges he enjoys because of the diversity within the team: “Bigger projects equate to more people and therefore a more diverse crew. You’re meeting individuals from all walks of life, with differing experiences and opinions – allowing for a truly collaborative build,” explained Cormac.
So, without further ado, we thought we’d put Cormac in the hotseat, and find out a little more about him...
Which one word would colleagues use to describe you?
Direct - I like to get to the point!
Why do you think Agilité stands out from competitors?
We get things done. By understanding our clients, we know how to get them from point A to point B – on a hassle-free journey. No matter what happens on a project, we’ll find a way to facilitate it, whatever it takes.
You have worked in some amazing places around the world. Which has been your favourite?
San Fransisco. It was prior to working with Agilité, and I was doing groundwork in civil engineering. If I had to choose somewhere in Europe it would have to be Lisbon – and project-wise, I’d probably say Booking.com, Kirkland and Ellis, and many of the confidential tech projects we work on.
What’s your biggest career highlight to date?
Having my own career follow Agilité’s growth trajectory – the genesis of it feels pretty special.
The phone rings and it’s your dream client… who is it?
Patagonia
What key piece of advice would you give to a client planning a commercial interiors project?
Proper due diligence is key – on the building or the space you’re taking – and underpins the success of the entire delivery, so don’t rush it!
When you’re not at work, where are we most likely to find you?
I live in Bordeaux, France, so much of my downtime is spent on the beach or in the water, surfing.
What’s next for Agilité?
That would be telling! What I can say, is that you can expect to see us exploring new opportunities and new geographies – both in and outside of Europe.
As an organisation with sustainability at its heart, Agilité is dedicated to minimising environmental impact within the construction industry. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the sector, and how do you think we can rectify it?
That is such a hard question, because there are so many wider economic factors at play – particularly now. As an industry, we need to phase out old methods of choosing products, and manufacturers and designers should seek to collaborate to offer more sustainable options.
Those involved in planning a project would use ‘greener’ options if they knew where to find them, but if such a solution isn’t obviously on the market, people won’t go looking for it. I do believe that clients would buy into them, if they were readily available.
European commercial interiors specialist Agilité has expanded into Berlin, Germany – marking a natural progression in the company’s international growth.
The news follows several retail roll-out projects in the country – for clients such as NBA, Lids, Fred Perry, Lululemon, Instant, Facilitate/Zander, and TOG Berlin. Since its creation in 2021, the business has over-performed, with turnover in excess of €5m, six full-time members of staff, and a forecasted increase of 200% in both turnover and headcount by the end of 2023.
“Germany is a very important market for Agilité, and one that has continued to grow as we maintain our strategy of following clients into new territories,” explained Kirsty Shearer, Agilité development director.
“Due to its vast geography, it has quickly become apparent that we need to have people and a supply chain spread across the country to support the growth that we are seeing as a business – as well as that of our clients.”
As opportunities in Germany have increased, the local team continues to flourish and there are plans to recruit for further roles, including project and construction managers, as well as cost estimators in the coming months.
Neil Coales, managing director of Agilité said: “Given our ever-increasing order book in Germany, expanding our operational footprint has been a natural growth progression and will allow us to better serve our customers in the region. The Berlin bureau is important for colleagues and team building as our organisation grows, as well as to uphold our ambition of being a truly local delivery partner.”
It’s also loyal customers — who account for 65% of Agilité’s portfolio — that are the driving force behind its rapid expansion, as Neil continued: "When we decided to launch Agilité, the strategy from the beginning was to have a seamless pan-European business that could be operational in numerous locations for multiple customers.
“We don't want to have an office in every country, rather, we identify locations that best support our clients' growth plans and the strong local supply chains we are trying to build. The pursuit of quality is as much our goal as the overall expansion."
The expansion of the European company — which provides office, retail, and hospitality construction and fit-out work across the continent — promises further growth in all locations in 2023, as well as exciting new geographies.
1. Tell us what attracted you to Agilité Solutions?
As a native Italian and having lived and worked in Dubai for over four years, I felt myself being drawn back to Italy, where the construction industry continues to grow and thrive. The role at Agilité presented an opportunity to hone my skills and tackle a new challenge. Plus, I really enjoyed speaking to human resources manager, Naomi Felix, during my initial interview, which further cemented my desire to become a part of the team.
2. Can you share a little bit about your background?
I have over 10 years of experience in the construction industry and a master’s degree in architecture. Having held positions in countries all over the world — including U.A.E, Switzerland, Iran, India, and the UK — I’ve worked with a number of high-profile brands which has allowed me to strengthen both my management skills as well as design, construction, and architectural knowledge.
3. Describe a defining moment in your career.
There are lots of moments! One of the most significant was when I went to work in Dubai — it was a completely different way of working, living, and interacting with others, so I was required to adapt very quickly.
4. What does your new role involve?
In a nutshell, I will be overseeing Agilité’s ongoing commercial interiors projects from start to finish.
5. What are you most looking forward to doing?
Developing my knowledge of the organisation, travelling to, and working in numerous countries across Europe, and maintaining total oversight throughout whole developments.
6. The phone rings and it’s your dream client… who is it?
Zegna — I worked on two extremely successful projects for the brand in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, where I developed a strong working relationship with the team.
7. When you’re not at work, where are we most likely to find you?
Now that I am back in Italy, I am enjoying roaming around, taking in the scenery and landscapes — something I really missed while living in Dubai.
8. Which country or city is at the top of your ‘must-visit’ list?
Japan — I have always been fascinated by the culture and architecture.
9. What’s your favourite productivity trick?
I find a good starting point is to put some motivating music on — anything from deep house to classical!
10. How would you describe Agilité Solutions to a relative?
A commercial interiors company with a growing reputation.
11. As an organisation with sustainability at its heart, Agilité Solutions is dedicated to minimising environmental impact within the construction industry. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the sector, and how do you think we can rectify it?
Europe, people are becoming increasingly aware of the need to be sustainably conscious — with lots of rules and regulations being brought into effect. My advice would be to adhere to the guidelines and make an effort in all areas of our lives.
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 our new construction manager Leon …
I was initially approached by Agilité with the prospect of coming to work for them. At the time, I was looking for a career change, and the opportunity to get back to my roots of retail construction for a growing organisation was too good to turn down.
As I previously alluded to, my experience is largely in the retail construction world — having held positions as both project and construction manager, in Germany as well as South Africa.
I oversaw the rollout of around 45 supermarkets on behalf of the biggest retailer in Southern Africa over the course of just two years. Amid this huge project, we also completed around 30 small shop fit-outs in three months — quite a significant, yet memorable, challenge!
As construction manager in Germany, I am charged with overseeing the on-site activities throughout an entire project lifecycle. Liaising with the sub-contractors, project manager, and client, I ensure that the developments are progressing within the agreed timeframe, and to an excellent standard.
There are a number of very exciting projects coming up, which I am looking forward to getting started on. The variety of Agilité’s portfolio means that the team is always kept on its toes, and we always have new obstacles to overcome.
A client that presents an interesting and challenging brief which allows us to think outside the box.
I like to stay active, so in my spare time I will either be wakeboarding on a lake in Berlin, or running in a nearby forest.
For an off-the-beaten-track trip, South America. Or, for natural beauty and a completely different cultural experience, I’d opt for Japan.
Break tasks down into small, manageable chunks.
A bespoke, general contractor that offers personalised solutions for each and every client.
I’d say the biggest challenge we are facing in the industry is waste. I think first steps towards rectifying this issue would be to change people’s mindsets around what should and shouldn’t be classed as ‘waste’.
Connect with Leon on LinkedIn to find out more about him.
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 project manager, Federica Pisacane, who is based out of our Luxembourg office…
Describe your job in one paragraph
My role as project manager is to foster strong customer relationships while planning and implementing the design element of our developments.
I love taking the lead on projects and site meetings, as well as delivering top quality results — not only to meet the client expectations, but to bolster Agilité’s reputation as a trusted, professional partner.
Which one word would colleagues use to describe you?
I think ‘proactive’. I love to find solutions to meet the challenges of a project and really understanding the needs of the client in order to produce the best results — both in terms of quality and cost-effectiveness.
Why do you think Agilité stands out from competitors?
We always put the customer first and are human in our approach.
You have worked in some amazing places around the world. Which has been your favourite?
As an architect of interiors, Milan has been the key inspiration for my early career. The fairs, events, and fashion have motivated my studies and ignited my passion for the industry.
What’s your biggest career highlight to date?
I have been designing retail stores throughout the pandemic which has been a real challenge and encouraged me to think outside of the box when reimagining spaces.
The phone rings and it’s your dream client… who is it?
My dream client would be one that allows me to think to 360 degrees while experimenting with new methods of design. I thrive off unconventional projects — researching new ways of managing the space is what thrills me the most.
What key piece of advice would you give to a client planning a fit-out project on a budget?
A clear brief is the best starting point to get to the result in the most efficient way. Keeping the objective and priorities in mind throughout is key to ensuring you deliver the highest quality result within the budget.
When you’re not at work, where are we most likely to find you?
On my terrace taking care of my plants — and trying not to kill them! Gardening is something that really relaxes me and I’m happiest when I’m outside on a sunny day tending to the various leafy species.
What’s next for Agilité?
To become the number one trusted partner across Europe. We continue to build a strong team — leveraging our collective expertise to strengthen our reputation as competitive players in the construction industry.
As an organisation with sustainability at its heart, Agilité is dedicated to minimising environmental impact within the construction industry. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the sector, and how do you think we can rectify it?
Waste is definitely one of the major topics in our sector, as it can turn into a serious issue for every construction project. I would say the biggest challenge is trying to incorporate reusable elements while minimising waste. This can only be achieved if everyone involved in the construction process plays their part. Ultimately, it’s about each person — from designers to tradespeople — having a more sustainable attitude, while working together to reduce our environmental impact.
International commercial interiors specialist Agilité has committed £10,000 to supporting and advancing the careers of women working at all levels of the commercial property sector – in both France and the UK.
With a workforce that is 31% female, including 57% of its senior leadership team, Agilité has committed to supporting CREW France and UK, affiliates of the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network – which boasts over 12,000 members globally.
“When it comes to supporting women at all stages of their careers, I’ve seen the power of CREW first-hand – having been a member since 2019 and also sitting as the chair of CREW UK’s communication committee,” explained Agilité’s development director, Kirsty Shearer.
“We are passionate about supporting women in the real estate industry, and with bases in both the UK and France, we were keen to invest in fostering real estate talent within the local markets.”
Established in London in 2016, the past two years have seen the UK arm of the network offer leadership opportunities – via board positions and committee roles – to 30+ real estate professionals within the UK.
Meanwhile, Agilité’s investment into the fledgling CREW France will help to power a mentorship program headed by Laurence Girod, head of enterprise IPM solutions EMEA at Cushman and Wakefield. The programme will include 15 mentors from all aspects of the commercial real estate industry providing a broad perspective, guidance, and career insights to mentees.
“Agilité’s support will help us to build bridges between real estate women globally,” explained Siobhan Godley, head of Deloitte real estate and CREW UK board chair. “The power of the CREW Network in the United States and Canada is undisputed, and we’re delighted that, with Agilité’s longstanding support, we can open CREW UK and France to be part of an established organisation that connects, supports, and advances women globally.”
To keep up with the latest news from Agilité, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
We’ve been enjoying a particularly busy year so far in 2022, with the brand launch of Agilité, the opening of two European offices, a significant investment in our services, and the onboarding of several new faces into the business — and we’re not stopping there!
Taking a look back at the past few weeks, this blog offers some insight into what our teams have been getting on with — as well as what’s waiting on the horizon.
Wrapping up in Paris
We recently rounded off a project that put a global investor and asset manager’s workforce at the heart of the design.
We’re looking forward to sharing the finer details of our development which saw us team up with STUDIOS Architecture — creating a bright, modern, vibrant, and welcoming office in Paris.
Elsewhere in the capital
NBA, one of the largest global providers of licensed sports merchandise, has opened its first store in Paris – with a little help from the Agilité and Gensler teams.
The retail space — found in Paris’s Latin Quarter and operated by retail giant Lids — marks the first NBA store in France and third in Europe, joining London (UK) and Milan (Italy).
Take a look around over on our blog.
Introducing Kiran Kondrapu
Following the opening of our London base, assistant project manager Kiran has joined us to help maintain high standards on all UK projects — coordinating with stakeholders, clients, colleagues, and subcontractors to ensure targets and expectations are met throughout a project.
You can get to know Kiran — as well as his experience and responsibilities — in our new blog.
Searching for fresh talent
We have commenced the search for more experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate professionals to complement our existing workforces in Luxembourg, France, Italy, Germany and the UK.
To browse our roles — and apply — head to our careers page, we’d love to hear from you.
Work is set to begin in Berlin
In the wake of successful retail roll-outs in London and Paris for National Basketball Association (NBA) and Fanatics, we’re now looking forward to making a start on the latest store in Berlin, Germany.
All we can say is ‘watch this space’.
To follow our journey in real time, 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 assistant project manager, Kiran Kondrapu...
When reading the job specification, I noticed how many of the candidate’s ideal qualities — punctuality, accountability, willingness to learn — I possessed myself. I was further motivated to apply because of the high calibre of clients that Agilité works with. The likes of Fred Perry, Indeed.com, Lids have a reputation for superior standards — something I am keen to deliver on behalf of my new organisation.
I grew up, completed my bachelor’s degree, and began my career in India before commencing the next phase of my education in Northumbria, England. My background in civil engineering and project management means I have an eye for detail and thrive when overseeing a construction project from start to finish.
Beginning my journey with Agilité. I have always had an interest in the construction industry — as a young boy I loved assembling sandcastles and playing with building blocks. In my undergraduate degree, I achieved a distinction and the highest mark in my course — a record I still hold to this day! When I moved to UK, I decided to take a leap of faith and follow my passion — now here I am in my perfect role.
My job is mostly about planning and supervision — coordinating with stakeholders, clients, colleagues, and subcontractors to ensure targets, standards, and expectations are met throughout a project.
I am looking forward to getting to know my new colleagues and clients, building strong professional relationships, and doing my best.
This is a very hard question — someone with a high standards who presents challenge. But, if you’re asking me to choose just one, I would say Five Guys, because I’m extremely familiar with the organisation, which probably gives me a unique perspective in delivering the work.
In the evenings after work, I tend to have my head in a novel — a recent favourite was ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ by John Green. But I also love travelling, so when I have a little more time off, you’re unlikely to find me as I’m always on the move!
Paris, to see the Eiffel Tower. Working with Agilité, this may happen sooner than I’d anticipated!
I find that if you are accountable for something, it’s the biggest motivator of all.
My dream job.
I personally believe, the biggest challenge is the industry mindset. If we drilled down into the root causes, the thirst for profits at corporate levels can sometimes come at a cost, and one which ignores the wider environmental impact. The solution is simple, yet difficult to implement — focus more on purpose than bottom lines.
For this reason, I am proud to be a part of Agilité, as we are already making excellent headway in the sector — implementing changes to reducing carbon emissions and protect our planet for future generations.
International commercial interiors specialist Agilité has marked its continued growth with the opening of a Luxembourg office – as the company celebrates its fourth year of trading and expected turnover in 2022 exceeding €40 million.
With existing bases in London, Paris, and Milan, as well as a planned expansion into the US and Germany, the Luxembourg headquarters, located on rue de la vallee, comes as Agilité chalks up its 151st project since its inception in January 2018 – amounting to 120,000 sqm, delivered across 11 countries.
The Luxembourg office is headed by development director Kirsty Shearer, with her eight-strong local team including specialists in architecture, design, finance, and project management.
"Luxembourg is somewhere we’re keen to grow the Agilité reach and reputation,” explained Kirsty Shearer, “having already completed four projects in-country, and with an additional two underway or in the pipeline, it was important we firmly established a base here.
“We’re looking to further invest in the region too, and are actively recruiting for project managers and construction managers, financial managers within the Benelux region.”
Agilité’s thriving client portfolio includes brands such as LVMH, Lids/NBA, Booking.com, Deutsche Börse, Fred Perry, Five Guys, and The Instant Group, as well as several major multinationals in the tech and finance sectors.
The founder and CEO of Agilité Solutions, Neil Coales, credits loyal customers — who account for 65% of the company's order book — as the driving force behind its rapid expansion: "When we launched Agilité, the strategy was always to have a seamless pan-European business that could be operational in multiple locations for multiple customers.
“We don't want to have an office in every country, rather we identify locations that best support our clients' growth plans and the strong local supply chains we are building. The pursuit of quality is as much our goal as the overall expansion, which is why we allocated a €1million investment into our people and systems (in 2021) as part of a five-year plan – it's critical to our success."
The expansion 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 has included an extensive branding project to reshape its core principles, service set, and visual identity.
The news follows a successful year of trading in 2021, which saw a 30% growth in turnover and headcount, as well as exponential growth in revenue — amounting to €35million by the end of 2021.
careers@agilitesolutions.com
FR +33 (0) 1 88 61 81 31
UK +44 (0) 7500 221 075
IT +39 (0) 348 020 0711
LUX +352 (0) 621 481 103
"*" indicates required fields
