When it comes to the flexible workspace industry, few people have seen its evolution quite like Andrew Butler, Commercial Director here at FigFlex.
In a recent appearance on the Wear Many Hats podcast, Andrew sat down to share his journey, from a would be journalist in Peterborough to leading commercial growth across one of the UK’s fastest growing flex space brands. What followed was a thoughtful, personal conversation about resilience, leadership, and what’s next for the industry.
Finding Direction (and a Little Bit of Drive)
“I always wanted to be a writer,” Andrew admits. “But I fell into property, and ended up loving the financial and peo ple side of it.”
That “accidental” start led him through the world of mortgages, conveyancing, and eventually into the growing world of serviced offices in the late 1990s, where he joined Regus under founder Mark Dixon.
It was a defining experience. “Mark knew his product, his market, and his competition inside out,” Andrew recalls. “That kind of focus and drive left a lasting mark on me.”
Lessons in Leadership
Andrew’s story isn’t without hardship – he lost both his brother and father early in life. But those experiences, he says, shaped the leader he is today.
“It taught me patience, empathy, and to never judge a book by its cover. You never really know what someone is going through.”
That people first mindset has carried through to his leadership at FigFlex, where relationships come before transactions. “When I visit a site, I want to know something about the people, not just the numbers. It’s how you build trust.”
Challenges or Opportunities? Both.
When asked what challenges he faces, Andrew’s answer is immediate: “I don’t really see challenges anymore, just opportunities. If a client has a problem, that’s an opportunity to put it right and keep them. It’s about flipping your mindset.”
It’s a refreshing take in an industry that never sits still.
The Future of Flex: Collaboration, Not Competition
Looking ahead, Andrew sees a major opportunity for landlords to embrace flexible and managed workspace models.
“There’s a strong market emerging between leased and serviced – a hybrid space where landlords and operators can really collaborate,” he says. “That’s where the future lies.”
But his biggest message for the industry is simpler: be kind. “Helping others succeed doesn’t cost anything. It’s free. And it makes business better.”
Legacy in Motion
After more than two decades in the industry, Andrew’s perspective has shifted – from chasing deals to building something lasting.
“What I’m proudest of isn’t just the buildings, it’s the people. The teams, the clients, and the relationships we’ve built along the way.”
At FigFlex, that philosophy runs through everything we do.
🎙️ Listen to the full conversation: Andrew Butler on the Wear Many Hats podcast — Episode 111.
