Flexible workspace provider IWG responds to Kiwi, Australian flexible workspace boom.
The flexible workspace provider IWG is making a wave of new appointments as it expands its footprint in Australasia. IWG’s Global Workspace Survey found, in the first comprehensive socio-economic study of changing workplace practices, the boom in flexible working could contribute $10.04 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
Alexander Sykes has been appointed to the role of IWG New Zealand country manager after serving for the past two years as IWG sales director and previously area director. Sykes first joined IWG in 2014, first as GM, then Auckland area manager.
Sykes brings more than 12 years’ experience in management – with a particular focus on commercial property, team set-up and culture change.
Sykes holds a BA (Honours) in business and finance from Oxford Brookes University.
Mark Bhardwaj has been named head of partnership growth in ANZ to help deliver IWG’s ambitious growth strategy; he will drive the franchise offering, to accelerate national growth with franchise partners around the Australasian region.
With more than 18 years of experience in brand transformation, investor relations and franchisee expansion within the retail sector, Bhardwaj brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role. Previous positions include head of franchise development at Volkswagen Group Australia, head of sales and operations at ŠKODA Auto Australia, and both GM business development and national franchise development manager at Ateco Group Australia. Originally from Canada, Bhardwaj has a degree in finance and leadership from Kwantlen University in Vancouver.
Simon van Grootel has been named development director, Australia and New Zealand. Simon joined IWG as network development director, Australia in mid-2018, bringing more than 20 years’ commercial property experience across various commercial office and industrial markets, both CBD and suburban, across the major Australian capitals and with several of the industry’s strongest and most prominent brands. With a background in real estate advisory to local, international and government occupiers, along with account management for multinational clients, van Grootel is experienced across sales, leasing, strategic advisory, business development and portfolio management.
In his new role van Grootel has cross-national responsibility for the growth and management of the IWG network and portfolio, including company-owned properties.
van Grootel holds a BA in economics from Macquarie University and a Masters of Property from the University of Newcastle.
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