Better Business In Birmingham: Founding x+why at Foundry in Brindleyplace

When the shift into a hybrid way of remote working swept the nation, it heralded the start of the evolution of the office. As the amount of time we spend working from home increases, so too does the desire to make workspaces a destination that combines work wellbeing with a more autonomous and flexible form of personal and professional development.  

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At x+why we understand the impact of delivering on the triple bottom line – creating positive change for people, planet and profit in tandem. Each of our sites is designed with its own unique heritage and character in mind, filled with locally-sourced furniture and art, and created from renewable and sustainable materials.

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Our newest space is breathing fresh life into Birmingham’s Brindleyplace this spring. 6 Brindleyplace is being rebirthed as ‘Foundry’, with x+why taking three floors as part of our plans to expand outside of London, to meet the growing demand that expects more from the traditional office space.  

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We have membership options to suit companies and freelancers of any size. Members enjoy private offices, creative breakout areas, and outdoor space, as well as a shared cultural programme of events, access to meeting rooms, zoom booths, events space and more!

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Better Business
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x+why is one of only two B Corp certified flexible workspaces in the UK. The B Corp certification is the only qualification that measures a company’s entire social and environmental performance.  

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We ask every member to sign our pledge for better business. It’s our non-negotiable if you want to join the community. You don’t have to be perfect, but you do have to commit to improving!  

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We’re proud to say that being a B Corp certified business is the gold standard when it comes to companies walking the walk and not just talking the talk. We support our community by fostering a likeminded ecosystem and help all of our members to further their application process through our WhyB programme - which streamlines and simplifies the steps.  

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We are also preparing to launch a brand new guidebook and programme ‘Mission Lit’ – our exclusive package of purpose, which supports members on their journey to becoming more responsible businesses, by recognising and rewarding them for their efforts.

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Workplace Innovation

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x+why’s innovative green workspaces support communities of businesses, employees and leaders who believe that business should be used as a force for good. As a centre of inspiration, community and connection, many employees have been welcoming a return to the office.  X+why at Foundry is designed to support and inspire young, impact-lead companies on their journey towards more purposeful profit. With wellbeing, collaboration and fun at the heart of this entrepreneurial hub, it is more than just a place to put your laptop.  

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We’ve curated a destination for business growth and personal development. Alongside a thriving community are amenities that the largest of corporates would envy – ranging from the latest tech-enabled events space, to a high spec gym. Find your next home amongst 20 communal meeting rooms and collaboration areas, your own bar space, wellness room and in-house Barista.

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Wellbeing

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We know that when we feel better, we do better. With many of us spending most of our lives at work, all of our spaces have been deliberately designed to counteract the burnout epidemic, and transform it into the breakthrough epidemic.  

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Furnished with wellbeing in mind, we house bike parks, standing desks, member-wellness events, and even natural light and bird song. We have more than one plant per person in the spaces, which creates a positive and peaceful atmosphere where you can relax and breathe.  

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For days when it’s hard to get outside, we make sure there is always a little bit of nature within. Foundry’s impressive atrium features an urban jungle of plants surrounding our central tree of knowledge, and a giant scale mural by local Birmingham street artist Lucy M.  

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All of our members also get free access to our partners at Betterspace – a science-based wellbeing platform which helps you to manage your mental and physical wellbeing at work. We also have facilities on hand to support new parents, with Mother & Baby quiet rooms for those who need a private space for nursing, or just meditation and prayer.  

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Local Community

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We always celebrate and share the stories and successes of our members. Through our events, Meet the Member series, Whys Words Podcast and social networks. In 2019-20 we hosted 50 events for members and the wider community, including an exclusive interview with Simon Sinek at our flagship People’s Mission Hall in Whitechapel.  

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While many businesses sadly shut during the pandemic, we’ve also focused on breathing new life into unused spaces. In a past reincarnation, the area where Brindley Place now sits was a centre for industrial trade and commerce, due to its proximity to the canal network.  

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The area is named after James Brindley - the master engineer who designed the canals. Our new building name, ‘The Foundry’, gives a nod to what was known as the ‘city of a thousand trades’, and the fact that our space was previously the site of a brass foundry.  

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The name also looks ahead to Birmingham’s future as it re-invents itself as a centre of modern business and commerce. A timeless intersection where the past, present and future merge into one, we couldn’t think of a better spot for building the foundations of the better business world.  

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Rupert Dean, CEO of x+why: ‘Brindleyplace is a fantastic location centred on wellbeing and sustainability, two of our biggest drivers and drivers for our tenants. It also has a wonderful environment that sits comfortably in its own part of the city as well as being an integral part of the city and region’s larger business eco-system. There is already a deep-rooted sense of community established at the estate and we can’t wait to bring our tenants to a location which offers high-quality workspace with a host of brilliant amenities and opportunities on its doorstep.

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Sustainability

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Part of being a fully qualified B Corp business means creating products that prioritise the environment. For us, that means building and renovating flexible workspaces that help to protect the natural resources around us.  

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All our spaces are designed and managed to be as sustainable and ‘green’ as possible – from the chair you sit on, to the living roofs, and energy efficient lighting. As a community our members are proud to be working towards 13 of the 17 UN sustainability Development Goals.

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We have vetted supply chains for food and beverage, as well as cleaning materials, WC’s and stationary – no detail flies under the radar! We only use responsible brands that we know and love, and we’re proud to be partnering with local Birmingham gems such as Gorilla Coffee.  

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When it came to refurbishing Foundry, we avoided needlessly multiplying the sites carbon footprint by upcycling, refreshing, what was there with our own unique spirit and character. We rescued all of our office chairs from a building in Manchester, which was left unoccupied by the previous tenant. Through our supply chain, we have these individually checked, refurbished, re-covered and re-warrantied ready for their next phase of life.  

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We’re also working towards the coveted SKA Gold rating. From waste management, encouraging use of upcycled materials and supply chain diligence, to ensuring fixtures and fittings meet the highest of environmental standards, the SKA is a great way of making sure that any fit out is performed as well as possible.  

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x+why are committed to uniting and inspiring a likeminded community of changemakers, and most importantly working collaboratively to amplify all of their great work. Join our community today and lead the change working towards a brighter tomorrow by using business as a force for good.  

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