We helped Fleetcor redefine their ways of working – and demolish silos along the way.

Fleetcor is a worldwide leader in business payments, helping companies automate, secure and digitise their transaction systems, processing billions of transactions across more than 100 countries. 

After a period of enforced working from home, Fleetcor wanted to create a space their staff would be excited to return to – a fresh new start signifying their ambitions and growth trajectory. However, their intention to move pre-dated the restrictions, and they had already been exploring ways to redefine their workplace while staying local to Swindon. It was important that the new office be markedly different from the space they inhabited before the work from home limitations were imposed. Where there was once a sea of desks delineated into various silos, they now needed a space geared to collaboration – one that could grow and shrink as required.

We visited the site to get a feel for what exactly success looked like to Fleetcor, before working up moodboards outlining 4 different approaches, eventually settling on light and warm themes, accentuated by splashes of colour. We created a series of test fits to further tease our Fleetcor’s true requirement of the space from the number of rooms, designated areas, and teams that need to be accommodated. To help reduce silos between teams, each floor is split vertical and horizontally into 4 “neighbourhoods” – key areas which could scale or shrink as necessary, having no fixed perimeter. 

Similar settings can be found in each neighbourhood; a quiet space, a meeting room and collaborative spaces; whether that’s a high table and whiteboard, a booth or team tables to gather around. To help promote a cohesive yet flexible environment areas are sectioned using furniture rather than partitions, and flooring helps guide people around the space. 

Previously, meeting rooms were situated around the perimeter of their office blocking any natural light. When we designed their new office it was important meeting rooms were situated in the core of the floorplate so individuals sat in neighbourhoods could benefit from natural light. This was a functional decision which made a big difference to the team’s wellbeing.