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We found the right serviced office to boost True North Talent’s growth, while also modelling their cash flow and protecting their interests.
If you’re looking for a leadership or specialist role within a food manufacturing business, True North Talent are well-positioned to help.
The business was founded in July 2023 and is a classic start-up. Amy Griffith and Emma Symonds, the company founders, worked from home for the first six months. However, it quickly became clear that they needed an office to achieve their growth goals.
They moved into Clockwise in January 2024 and made good use of the shared workspace, but the company was growing and ready for another change 18 months later. They got in touch with Halima Averill at LEVEL Workspace to make that happen.
More space was essential for True North Talent as there were 10 of them working in a small, cramped office. They also wanted a central location and plenty of natural light.
Amy said: “We saw a few spaces that felt really dark and dull, and we knew straight away they wouldn’t work for us. We always joke that we’re like plants, we need the light to function!”
“As we dug deeper into the search, we realised we were struggling to find a space that combined everything we wanted. It was about us reassessing what we truly needed.”
They initially explored leased options, but the need for flexibility made that type of office unsuitable for where the company is and where they want to go in the near future.
Amy and her team didn’t have much time to dedicate to the search process. They looked at a couple of spaces on their own, but found it didn’t fit with their schedules. After speaking to a few agents they found the service they needed with Halima and LEVEL.
Amy said: “We’d spoken to a few agents directly, but it felt very impersonal. There was no real guidance, no one walked us through the buildings or explained what we were looking at.
“That all changed when we started working with LEVEL, and especially Halima. We had detailed information on every space before we even stepped foot inside, great photos, helpful reports. It just saved us a huge amount of time and effort. That level of clarity and support made the whole process much easier and far more efficient.”
Budget was a consideration for True North Talent from the outset. They knew what they were currently spending and set a target of staying within 30% of that.
Amy said: “As a business that’s only two years in, sticking to a sensible budget was essential. We had to make the right decision for where we are now, not just where we’re going.”
A key part of LEVEL’s service is protecting our client’s cash flow by making sure they have real numbers and aren’t in line for any surprise costs. We also make sure to advise clients when adjustments and extras will push the cost too high for their budget.
Amy said: “Once we started working with LEVEL, they pulled together a proper cashflow breakdown that included all the extras, utilities, cleaning, internet. All the things that hadn’t been factored into the original numbers.
“That was a bit of a reality check. The true cost was over 30% higher than what we thought it would be. Without that breakdown, we honestly wouldn’t have known.
“That spreadsheet made everything feel a lot more real. Up until then, we’d been going off how places looked and felt, but once we saw the numbers laid out it helped us step back and really assess what made sense for the business, not just what looked good on paper. It gave us the space to pause, re-evaluate and make a more informed decision.”
The right space is one that meets the client’s needs and protects their interests, including their finances.
Amy said: “There were a couple of offices we really liked, but there were small details we weren’t sure about. Halima and LEVEL went back on our behalf to see if any changes could be made, but in the end those adjustments would’ve pushed the cost up too much, so they weren’t the right fit.
Halima initially supplied a detailed report with 10 office options to help True North Talent focus on what they were looking for. They viewed six spaces, but none of them ticked all the boxes. We returned to the drawing board and found a perfect office. However, a large accountancy firm secured it first – but that didn’t put us off.
Amy said: “Halima was amazing, she didn’t miss a beat. She went back out again, pulled together more options and helped us reevaluate. That’s when we decided to also take another look at serviced office options, just to make sure we weren’t rushing into a leased space for the sake of it.
“We found a shared space, x+why, that really ticked all the boxes. Sure, the private office is slightly smaller than what we’d want long-term, but the breakout areas, the roof terrace and the overall feel of the space more than made up for it. It’s a great solution for where we are right now.
“Halima negotiated it so we only had to put down one month’s deposit instead of the usual two and secured us the lowest monthly rent they’d agree to. It meant we could move without a big upfront hit and gave us the breathing room to figure out what we really need longer-term.”
The serviced offices at x+why meet every need True North Talent described in their initial brief. The building includes breakout spaces and relaxation areas for the team to take a break, play a game or just have a change of scenery.
There’s also spaces for meetings and team sessions, and the reception area is perfect for bringing clients. It’s versatile and flexible, exactly as True North Talent wanted. It also offers important intangible benefits.
Amy said: “The main thing for us was having somewhere that didn’t feel like we were stuck in the same four walls all day, and this space absolutely delivers on that. Most of the team are in full-time and based in town, so it’s really easy for everyone to get to.
“One thing that stood out, compared to other spaces we’d seen, was the honesty policy around things like the beer tap and snacks. We really liked that. It felt like a nice touch and speaks to the kind of adult, trust-based environment we were looking for. It’s not something we’ve come across elsewhere, and while it’s a small detail it definitely added to the overall appeal of the space.”
Finding the perfect office space for a business can be a challenge. A building can offer 99% of what a client needs, but when you’re running a growing company that 1% can make all the difference. For Halima and the LEVEL team, making sure we get that last bit absolutely right is a key part of the value we offer to clients.
There’s almost always a perfect option and we work hard to find it, then negotiate the best deal possible for our clients. That perseverance paid off for True North Talent.
Amy said:
“The perseverance from LEVEL was amazing. They stuck with us the whole way through, and Halima in particular was a breath of fresh air. In the end, we found the right place thanks to their patience, support and willingness to go the extra mile.
“The whole experience with LEVEL has honestly been amazing. Everyone we’ve worked with has been so friendly, supportive and easy to deal with. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble. They were incredibly patient and just kept going until we found the right space.
“Halima, in particular, has been amazing. She just made everything so easy, took all the stress out of the process and saved us a huge amount of time. You can tell she genuinely cares and that made such a difference.
“I’d absolutely recommend LEVEL to anyone looking for a new office space. Leased, serviced, or anything in between. They just get it. It’s rare to find a team that combines professionalism with that level of warmth and effort. We couldn’t have asked for better.”
Halima said: “Partnering with True North Talent on a flexible workspace that truly supports their next chapter was a highlight for us. By negotiating half the usual deposit and the most competitive rent on the table, we protected their cash flow and future plans. It's exactly what LEVEL is here to do.
“I loved working with Amy and Emma. Their passion for the business is infectious and I learned a great deal from them.”
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