Having worked at many agencies and with many businesses over the past two decades, I’ve gotten to know some of the key ingredients that contribute to getting a culture that adds value to the business. While the people and the work will always be centre to this, ensuring the best possible working conditions is also key.
Many agencies fall into one of two traps. They either scale up until culture collapses under the weight of hierarchy, or they operate in chaos, mistaking speed for progress. Thrive was built to avoid both. We asked ourselves the same questions we ask of our clients: What should this experience feel like? Not just for our clients, but for our people, and for the world we operate in.
Our first design challenge wasn’t a brand or a client. It was us. What did we want working life at Thrive to feel like? We wanted a culture that empowered, not constrained. That meant rethinking the tired debates about remote versus office. We landed on a model we believe works with modern life, not against it, which means working in places that suit the context of the work. Sometimes that means working alone, at home, and sometimes that means getting together in person.
It was important to me, that time spent together is quality time, doing things that are done better in person. Remote is great - but sitting on endless video calls isn’t conducive to producing the best work, and remote working has been proven to take its toll on all levels of talent - especially junior talent coming into the industry.
I also thought about a setup that ensures fairness for everyone coming to work for, or with us, which is why on the days where we work together in person, people are free to leave by 2:30. Parents can do the school run, others can reclaim their afternoons, and no one has to pretend they’re still working to impress the boss.
But finding a venue that would provide us with an environment where, just like our namesake, ensured creative thinking could Thrive, was harder than I thought. Wow are there some pretty terrible, dingy offices out there - charging a fortune for a bleak desk looking out to a ringroad.
That all changed when I discovered Barnsgrove (https://barnsgrove.com/). Nestled in the rolling Hampshire hills, Barnsgrove is more than just a workspace, it’s a been designed from the ground up, to help people and teams flourish, and choosing it as our home to build a business has been one of the best decisions we’ve made.
From the moment you step onto the farm where Barnsgrove sits, you feel the care and intention behind every detail. The clubhouse was established by the Butler family on what used to be their arable farm, as a way to build a community-centred workspace in the countryside. Inside, the mix of clubrooms, relaxed lounges, event spaces, fitness facilities and beautifully designed offices make Barnsgrove feel like home but with all the productivity of a high-quality studio.
What stands out for me is how well Barnsgrove balances focus and flexibility. Whether we need a quiet space for deep work, a meeting room for client calls, or a breakout lounge for creative collaboration, it’s all there. For those wanting it, the space also provides offices and resident desks.
Work aside, it’s also been a brilliant space for wellness. The on-site gym is something many premium hotels would envy. The food is the sort you’d find at a top restaurant - with seasonal ingredients locally sourced and everything prepared on-site. If you ever go, get a sausage roll - you won’t be disappointed. It’s also been the space where I’ve taken up playing padel. I’m generally terrible at sports but padel is so much fun to play, and it’s been something that’s helped me meet other members and played with some of my clients, too.
So, if you’re hunting for a workspace that’s the complete opposite to a dreary office block, and gives you the most amazing views, countryside calm, first-class design, a flexible work setting, coupled with a vibrant community, Barnsgrove could well be what you’re looking for.