Size

4,500 sq ft

Location

Oxfordshire

Activity

Banking & Financial Services

Duration

9 weeks

When a global Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) firm outgrows its workspace, the solution isn't always about finding more space - sometimes it's about completely reimagining how that space works.

We've worked with Benchmark International to transform their Milton Park headquarters, delivering a workplace revolution that prioritises people and culture over conventional office layouts.  

The complete reconfiguration of 4,500 sq ft has flipped traditional design priorities, moving from hiding working areas behind walls to embracing and showcasing the business culture that drives this successful international consultancy.

Every space tells a story, and our design celebrates the evolution of Oxford's architectural heritage, creating a modern workspace that reflects both local character and global ambition.

Benchmark International is a global award-winning M&A firm and one of the most powerful M&A specialists in the world. The company represents highly motivated business owners who are ready to take their companies to the next level, including growth strategies, exit planning, and personal wealth diversification. 

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The existing 2015 fit out at Benchmark International's Milton Park headquarters no longer reflected how the business operated in 2025. The original layout featured a spacious but inefficient reception area that dominated the space, while the real work happened in hidden back-of-house areas that lacked natural light and connection.

The workspace had poor space utilisation, with insufficient meeting rooms and offices, limited connection across teams, and unbalanced space allocation that didn't support the collaborative nature of the business. Staff were tucked away from natural light, while valuable perimeter space was underused. 

Our challenge was to completely reimagine how the space could work for Benchmark International, creating a modern workplace that would support both staff wellbeing and operational efficiency while reflecting the company's growth and global reach.

The design would need to address complex spatial challenges within the existing building constraints and deliver a transformation that would truly represent who Benchmark International is as a business. 

We're delighted to have worked with Benchmark International to transform their Milton Park headquarters. This project demonstrates our ability to tackle complex spatial challenges and deliver meaningful workplace transformation.

Tom Parsons, Managing Director

We've delivered a workplace revolution at Benchmark International's Milton Park headquarters, completely flipping traditional workplace design priorities to create a space that celebrates business culture and puts people first.

The transformation addresses every spatial challenge identified in the original brief. Where once there was a vast, underutilised reception area, we've created a central social spine that connects the entire workplace. Staff now benefit from natural light around the perimeter, with working areas proudly showcased rather than hidden away. 

The new layout positions meeting rooms and offices strategically to the south and north of the plan, maximising efficiency while maintaining the collaborative flow essential to Benchmark's operations. Our design creates clear sightlines and connections across teams, fostering the culture of partnership that drives the business forward.

Central to our design is a striking structural joinery piece, inspired by the evolution of Oxford's Gothic and Baroque architectural heritage into bold modern rationalist and concrete grid-like structures. This feature creates the perfect balance between openness and defined spaces, subdividing the central social area from the working workplace while maintaining visual connections throughout. 

The material palette draws directly from Oxford's architectural DNA. We've incorporated colours and textures recognisable in the local landscape, creating a sophisticated environment that feels rooted in place while supporting global ambitions.

Strong geometric shapes throughout the design allow clear connection with the buildings and their communities, reflecting Oxford's architectural evolution while creating a distinctly contemporary workspace. This is where creativity and productivity align - creating a workplace that feels both timeless and thoroughly modern. 

The transformation extends beyond aesthetics to fundamentally improve how the space functions. Natural light now reaches every working area, collaboration zones encourage cross-team interaction, and the overall layout supports both focused work and client meetings with equal effectiveness.

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The central joinery piece, inspired by local Oxford architecture, creates the perfect balance between openness and defined spaces. By placing people around the perimeter for natural light access and creating a central social experience, we've transformed what was an inefficient layout into a dynamic, connected workplace that truly works for Benchmark International.

Karl Carty, Design Director

Sustainability considerations have been woven throughout the project, with carefully selected materials and finishes that support both environmental goals and budget aspirations. The design maximises the potential of the existing space rather than pursuing unnecessary structural changes.

This workspace truly reflects Benchmark International's culture and values. It's a space that works as effectively for staff collaboration as it does for client presentations, supporting the business's continued growth while creating an environment where people genuinely want to work. 

OP completely understood our vision and delivered a transformation that has exceeded our expectations. The new layout has revolutionised how we operate day-to-day, and the response from both staff and clients has been overwhelmingly positive.

Bhavina Halai, Operations Director at Benchmark International

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