The Art of the "Easy" Office: How Ellwood Atfield Uses Runway East Bloomsbury

When you’re in the business of finding world-class communicators, your office needs to say a lot without you uttering a word. For Gavin Ellwood, Executive Chair of Ellwood Atfield, finding a serviced office in Bloomsbury was about finding a home for a team of 25 that felt, well, theirs.

Making the Space Their Own

Located "in the heart of the written word," the Ellwood Atfield office is far from a generic, "one-size-fits-all" workspace. Right from the start, the team took advantage of the flexibility to brand their environment.

"We’ve been able to decorate the office the way that we like it, with our colours, our art, and our logo," Gavin explains. "We were able to make it feel very much ours from day one."

For a team of 25, the logistical burden of running a private office can be a massive distraction. For Gavin, the "why" behind choosing Runway East is simple: It’s easy. > "For our team, it works because it’s flexible and everything is taken care of. We don't have to worry about cleaners, security, updates, fixes, or repairs. It works because it’s easy."

A Layout for Every Occasion

The team (who congregate in the office three days a week) utilises the building’s varied spaces to support their work with clients and candidates. When it’s time for high-level recruitment roundtables or social gatherings, they head to the lower ground floor. Gavin describes the entertaining space as "brilliant for inviting clients, candidates, and friends for events, roundtables, and even parties."

When the team needs a moment of focus or a casual catch-up, they don't have to leave the building. The internal courtyard offers a slice of "fresh air without properly being outside," and the communal spaces are the go-to for informal coffees. Plus, with the site being a stone's throw from Holborn Station (Piccadilly and Central lines) and Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth and Northern Line), it’s a breeze for the team to commute.

History on the Doorstep

Beyond the office walls, the team is immersed in the rich history of WC1. Gavin’s top tip for new members? The Plough. This isn’t just your average local; it’s the former meeting ground for Emmeline Pankhurst and the Suffragettes.

It’s exactly that kind of local character, combined with an impromptu meeting in Bloomsbury Square, that makes this location a standout choice for the team. Being just a three-minute walk from the British Museum also doesn't hurt when you need to impress out-of-town clients.

Connecting with the Community

While 24/7 access and "everything handled" logistics keep the business running, the "professional socialising" keeps the team inspired. Gavin values the "wide variety of people you get in the building," noting that it’s refreshing to meet colleagues on the same floor who are working in entirely different industries.

From craft workshops to free food and drink events, the Runway East community team ensures there’s always a reason to step away from the screen and connect. "Different businesses doing different things; it’s really good to talk to people in different walks of life," says Gavin.

Ready to find an office that makes work "easy" for your team?

👉 Book a tour of Runway East Bloomsbury today.