Paul Patenall has been elected as President of the British Council for Offices (BCO)

The BCO has consistently explored how workplaces influence wellbeing. Last year, the organisation released its Wellness Matters report, which outlined how workplaces can be designed to aid wellbeing. This is continued in the recent Guide to Specification, which includes a Health and Wellbeing chapter for the first time and takes a ‘people-first’ approach. 

 Paul Patenall said, “It is an honour to become President of the BCO. As an industry, our designs can encourage greater wellness for workplace occupiers. To achieve this, we should pursue more innovative design that puts people first, rather than rely on traditional or outmoded concepts. Wellness, of course, is about more than just design. We must take mental health seriously, which is why I am so proud of the BCO’s fundraising for MIND. We should also consider how we can aid work and life balance.” 

 Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said: “Paul’s vision is a clear and important one. Already, the BCO Conference has outlined how our industry can benefit wellness, it is also a theme underpinning the latest edition of the 2019 Guide to Specification, launched at the BCO Conference in Copenhagen. I would also like to thank Katrina for her service. Her energy and commitment has made clear how our designs must work for all.” 

 Patenall was a founding member of U+I in 2015 and, prior to this, was a director at Development Securities. He has been a BCO member for more than twenty-five years and sits on the Management Executive and Board of Management.