News & Events

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Industry Insight

Choosing the Right Ergonomic Chair for Back Pain and Productivity

Dealing with back pain is an all-too-common struggle that many of us face, and its disruptive impact on daily life cannot be overstated. In our contemporary work environment, where we spend a significant portion of the day hunched over desks, the prevalence of back pain has become almost inevitable. Nevertheless, there’s a beacon of relief […]

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Company News

COEL announces new project with pioneer in quantum computing, Oxford Ionics

Oxford Ionics, a pioneer in quantum computing, has commissioned COEL to design, fit-out and furnish its brand-new HQ at Oxford Technology Park. With the new headquarters housing Oxford Ionics’ advanced quantum systems, it will also provide plenty of space to grow its world-class team. Having recently won a £6 million contract to supply a quantum […]

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Modern office interior featuring a glass-enclosed meeting pod with bench seating and a pendant light, alongside open lounge seating and wooden flooring
Industry Insight

Creating a Quiet and Productive Workspace with Soundproof Meeting Pods

The connection between productivity and a serene workspace is undeniable, as a quiet environment fosters concentration and creativity. However, the challenge arises when offices embrace open floor plans, where the constant buzz of conversations and ambient noise can be distracting. While good for fostering collaborations, this bustling atmosphere may hinder focus and work quality. Fortunately, […]

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A large group gathers on a cricket field for a photo, surrounded by a scoreboard, pavilion, and residential buildings on a sunny day. The scoreboard displays "HOME 0" and "VISIT 0."
Company News

Charity cricket match set to break fundraising record

On Thursday 6th June (1-6.30pm), COEL and Carter Jonas will once again go head-to-head in a thrilling T20 Cricket match at Fenner’s Cricket Ground in Cambridge. With over 800 attendees expected to be joining us from companies across the region, we also look forward to welcoming friends and family, for a great day of entertainment.  Devon […]

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Team

Meet The Team: Sarah Butler

Today we are introducing Sarah Butler, our Business Development and Marketing Director. After starting her journey with COEL as a Marketing consultant, Sarah has been a permanent member of the team for just over a year; and what a year it has been! A year of growth, geographical expansion, restructuring and refining our service offer. […]

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Modern meeting room with gray armchairs and round wooden tables, featuring abstract partitions and a glowing chandelier. A wall-mounted screen displays vivid colors
Industry Insight

Fostering Teamwork Through Thoughtful Office Design

In an era where the dynamics of workspaces have undergone a transformative shift, promoting collaboration and teamwork within the office environment has never been more crucial. These days, fostering teamwork through smart office design is not just a catchphrase. Rather, it’s a strategic goal for businesses and organisations seeking to establish and cultivate a collaborative […]

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Industry Insight

Vital Factors to Consider When Briefing a Fit-Out Specialist

Creating a modern and innovative workspace is often a challenging endeavour that demands meticulous planning and thorough preparation. It also requires a significant amount of time and resources to ensure a high-quality outcome within a specified budget. This is precisely why collaborating with an experienced and integrated fit-out specialist is important. Workplace design and build […]

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Company News

International Women’s Day 2024: Finding your Element – From success to leadership

Following last year’s successful breakfast seminar ‘Women and Risk Taking’, COEL and Birketts once again hosted an insightful panel discussion to kick off International Women’s Day.  With this year’s panel featuring incredible women, from industries varying from Health, Law, and Defense, through to the Built Environment and Communications, the theme of ‘Finding Your Element’, led […]

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Conference poster titled "Office Fit-Out - CFCI Meeting" featuring Katie Oldknow and Gemma Noakes, COEL designers, against a modern office background. Event details: March 11, 2024, at Gillespie Centre, Cambridge.
Company News

Fit-out in Focus – Hear from our experts

Join us for the next CFCI meeting on Monday 11th March  We are pleased to share that we will be presenting some of our more recent fit-out projects at the next Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry (CFCI) meeting, being held at the Gillespie Centre, Clare College, Cambridge on Monday 11th March (6-8 pm).  As […]

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Industry Insight

How to execute a Stage 4 design

The client IdeaSpace, part of the University of Cambridge and managed by Cambridge Enterprise, is a community of founders and entrepreneurs across three locations in Cambridge. The company provides Start-ups and University Spin-outs with a flexible workspace and supportive environment to help them develop their innovative ideas and grow their venture. The brief After a […]

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A modern conference room with a marble table and black chairs is featured, set against a glass partition. Text reads “BCO Regional Awards Shortlisted 2024” and “Awards.”
Company News

COEL Shortlisted for BCO Award

Defining excellence in office space  We are proud to have been shortlisted for a prestigious BCO Award.  The leading forum for issues affecting the office sector, the British Council for Offices (BCO), is a known and recognised source of information in the industry. In addition to their work in the sector, the BCO holds an […]

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Company News

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week

Meet our apprentices and hear how our CEO, directors and other team members have benefitted from taking the apprenticeship route…  National Apprenticeship Week celebrates the value, benefits and opportunities that apprenticeships provide to not only the individual but also the business and wider community. As a full turnkey fit-out company, here at COEL, we offer […]

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Team

Meet the team: Kurtis Nobbs

Kurtis’ first day at COEL was memorable for a number of different reasons, one of which was the Tour de France going through Cambridge. Kurtis being the sports fan he is, this was viewed as a good omen, and 10 years later he is still part of our team. To celebrate the ten-year anniversary of […]

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Office chairs surround desks with partition screens, placed on herringbone-pattern wood flooring; glass wall separates meeting room with chairs and screen, plant decorates workspace.
Industry Insight

Bespoke Office Desks That Drive Efficiency and Leave a Lasting Impression

Office interior design plays a crucial role in any workplace, especially in corporate environments. While office desks are common fixtures, their design and functionality should not be underestimated. Integrating the right office desk into your office interior design can greatly influence productivity, employee well-being, and the workspace’s overall aesthetic. These desks act as central points […]

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Industry Insight

Office design trends: COEL’s predictions for 2024

2023 was the year the workforce continued to return to the office and when employers began to think more creatively about what the future of the workplace looked like.   There was, and we suspect that there will continue to be, avid discussion around the new concept of the office – a space truly centred on […]

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Spiral staircase curves elegantly above a modern lobby, featuring a green upholstered chair and round black table beside tall windows and potted plants.
Industry Insight

VIDEO: Sphere Fluidics: Labs with personality

Watch our video case study – full transcript can be found below We are so excited to take you inside Sphere Fluidics’ new office and lab space. Sphere Fluidics is a ground-breaking organisation working in the development and commercialisation of single-cell analysis technology for biopharmaceutical discovery. Having worked with the client in what is referred […]

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Modern office entrance with a curved staircase, indoor greenery, and a glass meeting pod with hanging plants."
Industry Insight

Injecting brand and personality into lab design

The client Sphere Fluidics is a ground-breaking organisation working in the development and commercialisation of single-cell analysis technology for biopharmaceutical discovery. Having worked with the client in what is referred to as ‘Phase One’ at Granta Centre which is a statement building on Granta Park, the company’s growth and expansion continues with Phase Two. The […]

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A long white table with wooden chairs is centrally placed under pendant lighting in a modern room, featuring shelves, large windows, and cushioned seating with blue and gray pillows.
Industry Insight

VIDEO: Exclusive look inside Mishcon de Reya’s new Cambridge office

Watch our video case study – full transcript can be found below We are delighted to share with you an inside look into how Mishcon de Reya’s new Cambridge office came to be. Mishcon de Reya is a leading independent law firm with a presence in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore and Hong Kong (through its […]

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Modern lounge area features beige and teal armchairs around a wooden coffee table with "The Travel Book." Framed artwork decorates the green wall, and a floor lamp provides warm lighting.
Industry Insight

How Bespoke Office Fit-Out Furniture Enhances Productivity and Comfort

Extended hours spent at desks, often in uncomfortable seating, can take a heavy toll on employees. Various studies have highlighted how poorly designed work environments can harm people’s health, well-being and productivity.  Fortunately, there is a growing awareness of the importance of investing in bespoke office fit-out furniture, with a significant shift in how businesses […]

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Team

Meet The Team: Kirsty Penfold

Kirsty’s journey to being a part of COEL started at the end of a two year adventure in Australia. Kirsty joined us in 2018 as a temporary administrator and despite planning on only staying with us for a couple of months, it is now six years on and Kirsty is now Maintenance Manager. Kirsty heads up […]

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Conference room with a marble table and black chairs, facing frosted glass partitions. A blurred figure walks beyond the glass. Ceiling lights and wall art create a modern ambiance.
Industry Insight

Exploring the Core Principles of Contemporary Office Interior Design

Contemporary office interior design is an effective way to curate dynamic workplaces that harmoniously blend form and function whilst embracing modernity and simplicity. Employees’ needs are at the very heart of design decisions, with visually pleasing interiors helping staff to flourish in an uplifting, productive and ultimately comfortable environment. This may be achieved via an […]

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Company News

Meet The Team: Jerry Overhill

Throughout our ‘Meet the Team’ series, we have asked many of our employees to share a little bit about themselves, what their aspirations are and what they think of being part of the COEL team.   This time, we had the pleasure of sitting down with COEL’s Operations Director, Jerry Overhill. Jerry’s story is particularly interesting […]

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Booth seating with wooden tables and brown leather cushions is arranged across from large windows. Framed art decorates the cream-paneled walls, and cozy chairs sit in a lounge area.
Industry Insight

Modern Office Fit-Out: Redefining Workspaces for the Future

A well-planned and intelligent office fit-out can literally transform a run-of-the-mill workplace into a vibrant, engaging space that fosters team spirit and collaboration. By incorporating dynamic layouts and smart tech, alongside wellbeing-focused elements such as break-out areas, biophilia and light-suffusing features, designers can create a productive office that boosts staff morale and encourages natural interaction. […]

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Person in a white lab coat walks down a sterile, brightly lit laboratory corridor with white walls, blue accents, and a sign on the door reading "Danger Laser in Use" in English.
Industry Insight

Is the UK hitting a crisis point when it comes to the availability of lab space?

Despite the prevailing global market downturn in investment funding, the latest analysis from BioIndustry Association and Clarivate found the UK’s life sciences sector saw steady growth in financing activity in the second quarter of 2023. The research reports UK-headquartered life science and biotech companies secured a total of £382 million in venture and public financing in […]

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