The current model of occupiers starting their property searches a year or so before lease expiry is becoming increasingly inadequate due to the limited availability of office stock. Occupiers will often find limited choice in the market, especially for best-in-class offices. Many occupiers are pushing office requirements up their agenda and are having to adopt a more mature five-year acquisition strategy, to take first mover advantage and ensure their next premises are fit for purpose; delivering on flexibility, meeting net zero requirements and providing high quality spaces in a bid to attract and retain talent. Adopting this strategy will mean addressing their current premises needs in which any capital investment will need to be deployed wisely, particularly where significant upgrades are needed ensuring premises are fit for purpose throughout the transition. Of course, real estate planning isn’t always a top priority for businesses and for those without the necessary foresight or capital, alternative solutions are emerging. Landlords are stepping in to fill the gap, increasingly offering larger fully and partially fitted spaces of around 5,000 sq ft, up from 1,000 sq ft seen typically. Whilst we see this trend continuing, larger corporates with multiple locations must still think long term. To remain agile and competitive, they’ll need to prioritise investment, embrace flexibility and plan ahead to align their real estate with evolving business needs.