Latvia is strategically positioned to provide accessibility to the lucrative Nordic markets which is one of its key draws in attracting new business. Boasting a highly educated and multilingual workforce, its workers are also rated top 5 in the world in terms of university students per capita², which combined with the cost of labour being one of the more competitive in Europe, makes it a hot bed for growth and development in that region.

As growing businesses and international companies are attracted to the area, the capital city of Riga is strategically positioned to meet the increasing demand for local business hubs where start-ups and established businesses can enjoy the opportunities and benefits of a flexible workplace to suit their needs and support their business goals in a thriving economic back-drop.

Mark Dixon, Chief Executive of Regus, said: “Following on from the success of the ‘Regus Riga Esplanade’ centre that we opened back in February this year, this is our third centre in the heart of the Latvian capital and triples our presence in the local market as we meet the increasing demand from local businesses to work when they want, where they want and how they want as part of the Regus business community.

As the Latvian markets thrive, I am excited that modern and dynamic companies working there can join our 2.3 million customers and benefit from access to our global network and experience the opportunities of flexible working for themselves”

The new ‘Riga Opera’ centre opens in an impressive historical building in the main square in Riga in August 2016.

¹ B2Baltic https://b2baltic.eu/2015/05/14/doing-business-in-latvia-import-export-trading-real-estate-startup-funding/

² B2Baltic https://b2baltic.eu/2015/05/14/doing-business-in-latvia-import-export-trading-real-estate-startup-funding/

More commonly associated with beaches, warm weather, good seafood and a drop of rum, one could be forgiven for not immediately thinking ‘business hub’ when thinking of Barbados. In fact it is now the 53^rd richest country in the world boasting a high standard of education, outstanding healthcare system, affordable housing and world class telecommunications making it a fertile soil for companies looking for lower overheads combined with fresh and exciting opportunities in a growing market.

In response to this growing demand, Regus, the global workspaces leader, has partnered with two of the Caribbean’s leading business operators in an exciting new venture - Ralph ‘Bizzy’ Williams, Chairman of Williams Industries Inc. and Mark Linehan, a former CEO of Digicel in a number of markets in the region - together have establishing Williams Offices (Caribbean) Limited to bring the Regus franchise to the region.

On a tour of the facility, Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Hon. Donville Innis, said: “It is great to see Regus coming to Barbados. To be the country of choice in the Caribbean for Regus speaks volumes about Barbados’ appeal as a hub for business. Equally it will be hugely beneficial for businesses operating in Barbados - both local and international - who will find Regus’ state of the art business centre, an excellent environment from which to grow their business in Barbados.”

Mark Dixon, Chief Executive of Regus, said: “Barbados is a really exciting addition to our expanding network as we see more and more business travellers embracing the opportunities and benefits that flexible working brings them. Modern, dynamic businesses need to be able to work where they want and when they want: that is just as much the case in Barbados, as anywhere else.

“Whether you are multi-national or a start-up: more than ever before you need flexibility, agility and the right location to succeed. Now firms in Barbados – our 107^th country – or visitors can join over two million Regus customers who enjoy those benefits as part of our international network.”

Regus offering in Barbados, located at One Welches in St Thomas, will serve as a new hub of innovation and inspiration where businesses can interact as part of a growing professional community and enjoy modern surroundings and high levels of service, the centre will be a great addition to the wider Warrens area of Barbados and will be opening in early June.

¹ Source Barbados Tourism Investment http://www.barbadostourisminvestment.com/tourism-profile/

² Source Barbados Statistical Service

The partnership will commission primary research every year which will be shared with BCI Members through forums, events and interactive media. The research will support the BCI as it continues to set the wider agenda on business resilience.

This collaboration between BCI and Regus will also extend beyond research to enable members of the Institute to gain access to Regus’ services worldwide at preferred rates. BCI members will be able to receive privileged terms on their Workplace Recovery Programme so that, should a disruption make their own office uninhabitable, they can continue to operate as normal and stay productive in a fully equipped environment elsewhere. The deal will also allow members to receive free visits to Regus Business Lounges.

In addition, Regus – who become a Premium Gold Partner of the BCI as part of this partnership – will provide meeting rooms to the volunteers who make up the BCI’s regional Chapters and Forums in order for them to conduct their networking, which is a key benefit of BCI membership.

David James-Brown FBCI, Chairman of the BCI, said of the new partnership: “The Institute is the global thought leader for business continuity and resilience. This research partnership with Regus will help us continue to set the agenda on issues that matter so much to business as uncertainty and volatility affects markets across the globe. At the Business Continuity Institute we know how important it is to be prepared for a crisis, and if that crisis involves losing your facilities then there is no better place to relocate to than a Regus Workplace Recovery site. This new partnership will help make that more affordable for many more organisations. It also provides space for BCI members to meet and network at a local level through our Chapters and Forums.”

Joe Sullivan, Managing Director for Workplace Recovery at Regus, commented: “We are delighted to become partners with the Business Continuity Institute. We have admired their work for many years and we hope that our partnership will support their thought-leadership on issues that are so important to the business community. As part of our partnership, we are proud that we can support the Institute’s regional chapters and, forums. We look forward to demonstrating how our facilities and people can support businesses during their time of need.”

Regus currently has a network of 2,600 locations in 106 countries and encompasses 43 million square feet of the world’s leading locations, offering convenient, high-quality, fully serviced spaces for people to work, whether for a few minutes or a few years.

For more information on BCI, please contact Andrew Scott , the Senior Communications Manager at the Business Continuity Institute –CBCI – andrew.scott@thebci.org or +44 0118-947-8241.

When it comes to their daily routine, workers are understandably fussy about location. In particular, all workers identify meeting rooms as one of the weakest links and say they too often look shabby and dirty to customers, giving a bad impression of the company. Businesses globally confirm that the right location for their business looks smart, professional and inspiring. Unsurprisingly, it is also cost effective. Entrepreneurs confirm that a professional office helps them punch above their weight and highlights the importance of being close to prospects.

Many businesses, especially start-ups are opting for co-working spaces to achieve a creative, inspiring business environment cost effectively. For entrepreneurs these are the ideal environments where start-ups thrive and they can mingle with other business owners. Sometimes though, businesses report, co-working spaces are too casual for important client meetings and privacy is scarce. This highlights the need for access to professional working spaces to carry out sensitive business meetings or provide a calmer environment for workers that find it hard to concentrate in collaborative spaces.

Regus, the global workspace provider, is rolling out a free online business marketplace for its more than 2 million business customers worldwide. Marketplace gives customers free access to a unique combination of deals and services worldwide, all curated to offer businesses greater convenience, productivity or money savings.

Among the B2B and B2C brands offering products and services through Regus Marketplace are Google Apps at Work, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services. All deals are exclusive to Regus, and available to all its customers, from small traders to large corporates.

Andre Sharpe, Chief Innovation & Information Officer at Regus, said: “When customers join Regus, they gain access to a global business network covering 106 countries. But more than that: they also secure the support and scale of a $3 billion corporation. With Regus Marketplace, we’re leveraging our own scale to offer all our customers the negotiating and purchasing power of a global multinational. Only at Regus are these unique offers, support and reach available.”

The new Marketplace platform is available free to all Regus customers through the MyRegus mobile app and website (marketplace.regus.com), making it easy to access 24/7, wherever they are and whatever device they use. Services and products range from travel to digital services, all selectively curated with Regus customers in mind.

The platform’s format is similar to an app store, offering customers instant access to products and services to support their business or work-life balance. An online review function enables users to benefit from the experiences of other Regus customers, getting ideas for products and services that could transform the way they manage their time, money or business activities.

Andre Sharpe added: “The offers in Regus Marketplace are selected and negotiated with a total focus on the needs and ambitions of businesses. These are products or services to help our customers work better and achieve more. And because we appreciate their desire for convenience, these unique offers are available at their fingertips, wherever and whenever they want to give their business a boost.”

Providers of products and services on Regus Marketplace also benefit from Regus’ global reach. Selling through this online platform provides them with a ready-made global marketplace of customers, including entrepreneurs, professionals, large corporates, mobile workers, and the business leaders of the future.

Dominik de Daniel brings extensive financial as well as global commercial and leadership experience to Regus. He has been the CFO of Adecco Group for 9 years where he also successfully led their fast-growing Global Solutions division. Adecco Group is the world’s leading provider of Human Resource solutions and a Fortune Global 500 company with over 32,000 employees and circa 5,100 branches in over 60 countries and territories around the world. Dominik previously held the CFO position at DIS AG, before the company was ultimately acquired by Adecco Group.

Dominik will take over the CFO role from Regus’s current Chief Financial Officer, Dominique Yates. In his fifth year at Regus, Dominique will be leaving the Company to pursue other opportunities and will remain at Regus for a transitional period to ensure a smooth handover.

Doug Sutherland, Chairman of Regus, said:

“We are delighted that Dominik de Daniel has chosen to join Regus. Dominik is a capable leader who brings highly relevant experience to Regus’s finance and operations teams. We welcome Dominik joining our international management team and look forward to his contributions to help Regus continue to deliver on our growth ambitions.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dominique Yates for the significant contributions he has made during his time with Regus. He has played an integral role supporting our objectives for rapid growth while also improving the performance of the business. We wish Dominique the very best for the future.”

Mark Dixon, CEO of Regus, said:

“I would like to personally thank Dominique Yates for all his contribution. He has been a key member of the management team and leaves Regus after a period of significant expansion, but importantly, with the balance sheet and financial returns looking better than ever. I wish him every success for the future.

I look forward to working with Dominik de Daniel. I am sure that his significant experience with Adecco will be very valuable for Regus as we continue to capitalise on the global shift towards flexible working.”

In accordance with the disclosures required by paragraph 9.6.13(1) of the Listing Rules, Dominik de Daniel has been Group Chief Financial Director of Adecco S.A. from 4 April 2006 to 31 July 2015. There is no information to be disclosed in respect of paragraphs 9.6.13(2) to 9.6.13(6) of the Listing Rules.

For further information, please contact:

For businesses, flexible workspace means taking steps to become an agile organisation that can rapidly and readily meet changing market requirements. It also means reducing the use of expensive, often under-occupied leasehold property by offering workers the opportunity to work from locations closer to home instead. But being able to set up a presence closer to customers is also a key element to success as global firms report that physical proximity helps them resolve issues faster, improves customer satisfaction, increase sales and boost productivity. Firms are also aware that they can better attract and retain top local talent by providing them with work locations closer to where they live.

From a worker’s perspective, business people globally confirm that a need for better work:life balance is driving the demand for flexible working among professionals who prefer to work closer to home (48%), reducing their lengthy commutes and freeing up time to spend on personal pursuits and relaxing. This is especially important as nine out of ten workers report they work overtime. 

Located in the prime commercial district of Erbil, close to the airport and key government ministries, the new centre will enable companies of all sizes to operate from top-quality premises in this high-potential economy, without the financial risk of long-term real-estate commitments.

Business travellers can also use the business lounge at the centre as a professional space to work for an hour, a day or a week, facilitating successful commercial activity in the region.

Among those welcoming Regus’ launch in Erbil is the UK Consul to the Kurdistan Region and Northern Iraq, Angus McKee: “I welcome the arrival of Regus to the Kurdistan Region. Not only is it a company recognised internationally for its high standards, but because serviced offices such as these are exactly what small/medium enterprises and new arrivals to a market look for.”

Mark Dixon, Regus CEO, added: “In Iraq, as in other new markets, businesses need flexibility, agility and the right location to succeed. And now Iraq is the 105th country in which Regus is offering them exactly those benefits.

“As a result of Regus’ phenomenal level of global growth and coverage, more than 2 million Regus customers have unparalleled opportunities to do business wherever and whenever they want. Whether they’re a multinational or a young entrepreneur, these opportunities will further increase for them in 2015, as we add new countries, cities, districts and transport hubs to our global network.”

The launch in Iraq advances Regus’ strategy of global growth. In 2014 it added over 450 new locations to its global network, and the strategy continues. Further new launches planned for 2015 include extending the Regus network to its 106th country, Brunei – again, offering customers growth opportunities in sectors from oil & gas to technology.

As remote working becomes the norm, a growing number of remote working tools and applications are gaining currency on the market. In fact, thanks to tools such as Skype, WhatsApp, WeChat and Google Hangouts, workers can stay in touch with their colleagues, desktops and servers wherever they choose to work.

Respondents also reveal that while senior management are mostly comfortable with the notion of flexible working, they also point out that remote employee management requires specific training.

Professionals from all backgrounds also report that their sectors are increasingly using flexible working to attract and retain talented employees, but too few home offices are properly equipped as the financial onus of setting up this space is usually imposed on the worker.

Nor are businesses always recognising their duty to ensure employee health and safety, even when working remotely. Respondents say companies that encourage their employees to work from home are usually not aware that they must ensure health and safety standards are implemented. Rarely do employers take out the appropriate insurance cover on this home workspace.

All of these issues are overcome by providing workers with the option to work from fully equipped professional locations close to their home. Such flexible work facilities provide full technical capabilities, and ensure regulatory compliance. By using such facilities, businesses can deliver the flexible working promise but also avoid hefty sanctions.

As remote working becomes the norm, a growing number of remote working tools and applications are gaining currency on the market. In fact, thanks to tools such as Skype, WhatsApp, WeChat and Google Hangouts, workers can stay in touch with their colleagues, desktops and servers wherever they choose to work.

Respondents also reveal that while senior management are mostly comfortable with the notion of flexible working, they also point out that remote employee management requires specific training.

Professionals from all backgrounds also report that their sectors are increasingly using flexible working to attract and retain talented employees, but too few home offices are properly equipped as the financial onus of setting up this space is usually imposed on the worker.

Nor are businesses always recognising their duty to ensure employee health and safety, even when working remotely. Respondents say companies that encourage their employees to work from home are usually not aware that they must ensure health and safety standards are implemented. Rarely do employers take out the appropriate insurance cover on this home workspace.

All of these issues are overcome by providing workers with the option to work from fully equipped professional locations close to their home. Such flexible work facilities provide full technical capabilities, and ensure regulatory compliance. By using such facilities, businesses can deliver the flexible working promise but also avoid hefty sanctions.

In reality, most see home working as involving a major investment in a properly equipped professional environment if it is to work. The cost and return on investment of overhauling a space within the home also needs to be assessed against the ease of subscribing to a professional, highly functional workspace near to home, where a third party has made all the effort and investment to create and maintain a professional environment.

The new Regus Express centres at train stations will include business lounges, meeting rooms, high-speed wifi and office support. Travellers can use the centres to meet customers or catch up with admin just a few metres from their train platform. Concierge services will offer assistance with anything from printing documents to booking a taxi or restaurant.

The Regus and NMBS agreement will offer clients a more convenient and sustainable way to work and meet – using the rail network as a place to do business. With less need to commute to work or meetings, they can cut down on fuel use and sitting in rush-hour traffic queues.

In addition, mobile workers and even home-workers will have easy access to professional co-working spaces and office facilities whenever they want them, with the Regus Express/NMBS centres offering them an alternative to either working at home or going to the office.

The first centre is scheduled to open at Liege Guillemins in early January, bringing Regus flexible workplaces to the city for the first time. Further launches scheduled for 2015 include centres at Antwerp, Bruges, Leuven, St Nicolas, Brussels Central, Brussels South and Brussels Luxembourg – offering people access to eight Regus Express centres in Belgium, as well as 13 Regus business centres.

Train stations have witnessed a major transformation in recent years: not only do they offer a wide range of services, they also act as intersection points for various mobility alternatives, such as car and bike sharing, car parking, and charging point for electric cars.

Vincent Bourlard, General Director ‘Stations’ at NMBS/SNCB, commented: “The partnership with Regus expands our offer to customers, further building on the transformation of our network of railway stations into places where travelers not only board trains but also meet other people and work and do business.”

William Willems, Regus Regional General Manager for Belgium and Luxembourg, added: “The busiest stations on the Belgian rail network are used by well over 50,000 people each day, and these people will benefit from being able to work or meet on the spot.

“This new partnership with NMBS is part of our Europe-wide initiative to place professional work facilities at busy transport locations, including rail stations, airports and motorway service stations. Like their neighbours in France and the Netherlands, travellers in Belgium will now be able to use their time more productively when they take the train. This partnership can transform their experience of commuting and working.”

Regus, the global workplace provider, is to open a drop-in business centre at Copenhagen Airport. As well as helping business travellers to meet and work, it will enable arriving long-haul passengers to shower and grab breakfast before heading to meetings.

The Regus Express hub will be located pre-security in the Arrivals and Departures hall, maximising access for travellers. Facilities will include open-plan and private work areas, meeting spaces, office support, showers and refreshments. Time spent at the airport will become more productive.

In a second phase, Regus will add Meetingpods and Workpods at airside locations. These private workspaces will allow people to meet or deal with admin until the time they board their flight.

Demand for mobile workplaces is increasing as business people’s lives become more itinerant. Regus is leading the trend with similar facilities at Heathrow and deals signed with Gatwick and Birmingham airports. Regus also has centres at Amsterdam Schipol and Brussels airports.

Phil Kemp, Global Managing Director of Regus Third Space, commented: “Regus understands the needs of business people because we work with them in over 100 countries. They’re increasingly working on the move, so we are creating better ways and places for them to do this – including opening Regus Express facilities at airports and rail stations.”

Copenhagen Airport is a strong business destination as the gateway of Northern Europe with more than 24 million passengers a year, explains Thomas Woldbye, CEO Copenhagen Airport.

He added: “The opening of a Regus drop-in-business centre is in line with our World Class Hub Strategy to attract commercial development and further develop our hub as a business destination. The Regus centre will amplify existing products as well as adding innovative and new offers and services primarily to our business travelers.”

Regus, the global workspace provider, has opened its first business centre in Mozambique, at Edificio Millennium Park in Maputo. The launch will help companies of all sizes to operate in one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies.

Regus now supports businesses in 19 countries in Africa, following the opening in “high-opportunity”[1] Mozambique and recent launches in Botswana and Namibia. Globally, its network now covers 104 countries.

Over the past decade, Mozambique has delivered average GDP growth of 6-8%, and this is expected to accelerate in 2014, stimulated by investment in mining, transport, construction and financial services.[2] Regus’ arrival will allow companies to explore the opportunities, without upfront capital investment or long-term leases.

Mark Dixon, CEO Regus plc comments “President Obama believes that sub-Saharan Africa can be the world’s next major economic success story.[3] Regus’ expansion in Africa helps our customers be part of that story. Our launch in Mozambique opens the door to an economy with vast natural resources and great opportunities for infrastructure development.

“Both local and international companies will benefit from the assistance, facilities, products and networking opportunities Regus’ presence in Maputo offers them. By facilitating FDI and helping local entrepreneurs, Regus will also support economic development in Mozambique and southern Africa.”

Dr. João Martins, Managing Partner of PWC Mozambique adds “Mozambique is receptive to foreign investment and we are delighted that Regus recognises the excellent business opportunities here. We hope Regus’ impressive business facilities in Maputo will back the growth of local companies and encourage other companies to enter the market.”

About the centre

Regus has chosen the Edificio Millennium Park for its first location in Mozambique, just ten minutes from the airport, and with banks, restaurants and cafes on the ground floor. The Regus centre offers international-standard workspace, meeting rooms and videoconferencing studio.

[1] Ernst & Young, ‘Doing Business in Africa’, 2013.

[2] African Economic Outlook, ‘Mozambique’; IMF, ‘Press release 14/99’, 14 March 2014.

[3] The White House, ‘US strategy toward sub-Saharan Africa’, June 2012.

Regus, the global flexible workplace provider, has expanded its network to an unparalleled 103 countries, adding Bangladesh to its network. To maximise the convenience and flexibility for businesses, it has entered the market with two prime locations in the capital, Dhaka.

The two business centres will help both local and foreign companies invest in this fast-developing economy, and support efforts to attract FDI to Bangladesh. They also further extend Regus’ reach in Asia Pacific.

The two business centres in Bangladesh are at: the UTC Building in Kawran Bazaar, Dhaka’s busiest commercial area, and at Crystal Palace, on Gulshan South Avenue. Both centres are gateways to an economy that is growing faster than the average in developing countries,[1] and has ambitions to become a middle-income country by 2021.[2] Key growth sectors include pharmaceuticals, energy, ICT/telecoms, and energy.

By opening in Bangladesh, Regus has made it more attractive for customers to assess the market opportunities there. Businesses can access the ready-to-use offices with no upfront capital expenditure or long-term financial commitment. With no need to lock into long leases, they can explore the market flexibly and affordably.

The launch of the centres is also an investment in local businesses.  It connects them to Regus’ network in 102 other countries globally, which they can use to boost exports. With access to Regus meeting spaces and workspaces globally, they can do business and make new contacts around the world.

Mark Dixon, Regus PLC CEO, said:  “Bangladesh has seen average GDP growth of around 6% for the past decade and this is forecast to continue.[3] Investment in infrastructure will sustain growth prospects here, and Regus is very committed to promoting this growth.

By making it easier and more attractive for businesses to invest in Bangladesh, we’re supporting its economic development, as well as assisting businesses themselves. I look forward to watching both international and local companies use Regus’ facilities in Dhaka to achieve growth and success.”

Regus’ launch in Bangladesh further strengthens its presence in APAC, where it has rapidly grown its network in recent years, including the recent openings in Indonesia, Malaysia and China. It now operates over 300 business centres in Asia Pacific alone, as well as centres across Bangladesh’s major export markets in Europe and Canada, and beyond.

About the new centres in Dhaka

One Regus centre is on the 19th floor of the Grade A UTC Building, next door to the country’s biggest shopping mall, the Bashundhara City Shopping Complex and the five-star Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. The building is home to many multinationals including companies in banking, finance, consultancy and media.

The Crystal Palace Centre is in the heart of Gulshan 1, in front of Gulshan Avenue Road. The building is home to multinationals in banking, finance, consultancy and media, with easy access to the Prime Minister’s office, international airport and Baridhara Diplomatic Zone.

Facilities at the Regus business centres include fully-furnished offices, business lounges, meeting rooms, video communication suites, high-speed WiFi, and professional reception and support staff. On-site electricity generators ensures work continues uninterrupted during power outages

[1] World Bank, “Bangladesh Development Update”, 9 April 2014.

[2] World Bank, “Towards Accelerated, Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Bangladesh”, 13 November 2012. 

[3] World Bank, “Towards Accelerated, Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Bangladesh”, 13 November 2012; Asian Development Bank, “Bangladesh: Economy”, 2014.

Nepal, with a government eager to encourage foreign investment through measures such as trade agreements and investment protection pacts, is an exciting new business prospect for firms in many sectors. Its low wage costs and operating capacity also make it an attractive business environment, and it is increasingly drawing in investment from countries such as China. The opening of the Regus centre in Kathmandu, Nepal's industrial and commercial hub, provides a flexible and convenient springboard for companies to thrive in this market.

Nepal has good economic relationships with both neighbouring China and India, as well as with the US and the EU, and it has enjoyed steady rises in GDP, of around 4% annually this decade.[1] There are business opportunities across multiple sectors, with the greatest areas of capital investment being manufacturing, energy, tourism, minerals, construction and agriculture.

Mark Dixon, Chief Executive of Regus plc, commented: "The expansion of the Regus network to 100 countries is momentous. In every market where we operate, we create new opportunities for both local and international businesses. In country after country, we're making it ever more feasible and affordable for businesses to achieve their growth and export ambitions.

"And Nepal is an excellent place for our 100th country: it's an exciting and young economy in an exciting region, ripe with opportunities in different sectors. Many people and businesses will benefit from our launch in Nepal - whether they're working in energy, tourism, mining or many other sectors. We look forward to working with these businesses to help create growth and employment in a highly attractive emerging market - just as we do in 99 other countries globally."

About the centre

Regus has opened its first business centre in Kathmandu at Trade Tower Nepal, an elegant commercial complex at the heart of Nepal's capital. It's close to the offices of international and national companies, banks, and government departments, and easily accessible from all parts of the city. With round-the-clock security, it's an impressive and secure base for international and local companies.

The Regus centre offers business-ready office space, meeting rooms and a walk-in business lounge, all available on flexible terms from a day to a year. There is secure, high-speed internet throughout, and multilingual administrative support and reception services. All of this can be accessed with a simple one-page agreement and no upfront capital expenditure.

The opening of the Phnom Penh centre brings Regus’ network to 99 countries. Cambodia presents significant opportunities for business, with GDP growth projected at 6-7% in 2012 and 2013. It was recently named as one of the top 20 “hottest economies in the world”, based on World Bank growth estimates

The Group continues to expand in Asia given the region’s rapid economic growth and strong prospects, with Regus seeing more global businesses investing there as well as strong local demand. The opening in Cambodia follows recent new centre openings in the region – namely in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines amongst others.

Mark Dixon, CEO of Regus, commented: “By launching in Cambodia, Regus is opening doors for both local and international companies, offering them a flexible, low-risk route for growth. Our workspace in Phnom Penh will allow businesses to explore the opportunities presented by Cambodia’s flourishing economy without the burden of upfront investment in property or a lease on fixed premises. We believe this is the ideal way for companies to grow in these more challenging economic times.”

“With sectors like tourism, construction, transport and finance all performing well in Cambodia,[1] as well as good prospects for textile and garments export growth, the opportunities in Cambodia are widespread. Our presence here will help companies take advantage of these opportunities.”

Regus has seen a 47% surge in demand for its services in the region and 40% year-on-year growth in enquiries across the continent. With the latest launch in Rwanda, Regus now has locations in seven countries in East Africa, including: Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Mauritius and Madagascar, and a global presence in 97 countries.

Mark Dixon, CEO of Regus, said: “We are launching a new centre in Rwanda to provide businesses with smarter, flexible ways to grow and explore the opportunities created by economic growth in East Africa. We help them to do so at minimal upfront cost, without committing themselves to long-term premises. These advantages have fuelled demand for our services across Africa and especially East Africa where we intend to double the size of our network by 2014.”

The Rwanda opening continues the rapid expansion of Regus’ network in Africa and worldwide. The company recently reiterated its plan to open 200 new centres worldwide by the end of 2012.

The growth of the Regus network is helping more and more companies to open up new revenue streams in Africa’s emerging and frontier markets, without the high upfront costs of taking on long-term space abroad. These markets offer huge opportunities to businesses in all sectors, with The Economist predicting that seven of the world’s top ten fastest-growing economies in 2011-15 will be in Africa, including Rwanda. At the same time the International Monetary Fund predicts Rwanda’s GDP will reach 7% in 2013. Business centres like Regus’ new location in Kigali offer companies of all sizes and in all sectors a low-cost, flexible base to explore these high growth markets – to network, find partners or suppliers and recruit staff.

The new Regus centre in Guayaquil offers companies in Ecuador access to high-quality, flexible workspace in a prestigious business location. Rather than locking themselves into long-term traditional property arrangements, they can use the office space that they need at any given time. As well as reducing property overheads, this will help them hook into new, more productive ways of working, such as flexible and mobile working. It also offers a scalable and flexible base for companies setting up in Ecuador for the first time.

Research for the latest edition of the Regus Business Confidence Index illustrates Latin American businesses’ appetite for ways to cut property expenses, and make their businesses more agile and flexible. For example:

· 47% of businesses in Latin America thought that paying for unnecessary office space had contributed to corporate distress during the recent economic downturn

· 39% said reducing fixed workspace helps businesses save cost without damaging growth prospects, and 46% said hiring more freelance staff would do this

· asked to identify what initiatives would make the greatest contribution to stable growth in future, businesses pointed to strategies like more remote working (38%), wider distribution of customers (39%) and outsourcing non-core activities (35%), as well as access to cost-effective capital (37%).

Commenting on the Regus opening in Ecuador, Mark Dixon, Regus CEO, said, “Ecuador presents excellent business opportunities, with growth of over 5% predicted in 2012.[1] We’ve seen demand from companies in many sectors here wanting to use Regus flexible workspace to help them maximise the opportunities for growth in Ecuador, and we’ve responded to that by opening our new centre in Guayaquil.”

“The centre opening also responds to the fact that businesses in Ecuador want to work more flexibly. The Regus Business Confidence Index illustrates the extent to which companies in Latin America see greater flexibility as a way to cut costs and improve growth prospects. In addition, over seven out of ten businesses worldwide believe that flexible working leads directly to increased productivity. By bringing Regus flexible workspace to Ecuador for the first time, we aim to help businesses of all sizes reap those benefits.”

[1] “Growth for 2012 – President Correa”, Fox Business, 16 February 2012.

The Regus mobile App allows users to search and map Regus locations globally. They can also use it to book or inquire about Regus’ many flexible workspace options such as meeting rooms, day offices or video-communications suites in their local area. Regus previously launched an iPhone App in September 2010 and a Blackberry App in May 2011.

“Our iPhone and Blackberry Apps already enable over 30,000 daily users to plug into the Regus network while working on-the-move, and now our Android App ensures that users of Android devices have the same ability to connect to and access the Regus information, whenever and wherever they need it." said Mark Dixon, CEO of Regus. "The Regus Android app completes the full suite for our mobile applications portfolio, and with 700,000 new devices being activated every week, we are delighted to be accessible on the Android platform."

Designed and built by Wavana Interactive, the application enables professionals to search Regus’ global network to locate centers to suit their business needs.

Search – Users can easily locate their nearest Regus location on-the-go using GPS (including filtering by facilities), find it on a map and get turn by turn directions

View – A full description of each Regus location, its facilities, photos and directions by road, by public transport and by air are provided

Inquire – A range of enquiry options include tap calling, requesting a call back or scheduling a visit to view a Regus location

Book – With a few taps, users can book a meeting room or day office through the app

Share – Share details of Regus locations with meeting attendees and colleagues

Watch – YouTube videos that provide information about Regus and its products

Regus will continue to innovate and aims to develop further functionality via it’s smartphone and tablet apps to support the needs of it’s million customers worldwide.

To download the Regus Android app click HERE

To download the Regus iPhone app click HERE

To download the Regus Blackberry app click HERE

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About Regus

Regus is the world’s largest provider of flexible workplaces, with products and services ranging from fully equipped offices to professional meeting rooms, business lounges and the world’s largest network of video communication studios. Regus enables people to work their way, whether it’s from home, on the road or from an office. Customers such as Google, GlaxoSmithKline, and Nokia join hundreds of thousands of growing small and medium businesses that benefit from outsourcing their office and workplace needs to Regus, allowing them to focus on their core activities.

More than a million customers a day benefit from Regus facilities spread across a global footprint of 1,200 locations in 550 cities and 95 countries, which allow individuals and companies to work wherever, however and whenever they want to. Regus was founded in Brussels, Belgium in 1989, is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information please visit: www.regus.com or www.regus.presscenter.com, or share us on Twitter: @regusblog. For more information, please contact:

The Madagascar opening is part of a rapid extension of Regus’s network in Africa and worldwide. In 2011 the company announced it would grow its network by at least 75% by 2014, adding some 30 new countries. Africa is a key development market in Regus’s expansion: it added Uganda, Ivory Coast, Zambia to its network in 2011, and its network of centres stretches across the continent.

The growth of the Regus network is helping more and more companies to open up new revenue streams in Africa’s emerging and frontier markets, without the high upfront costs of taking on long-term space abroad. These markets offer huge opportunities to businesses in all sectors, with The Economist predicting that seven of the world’s top ten fastest-growing economies in 2011-15 will be in Africa.[1] Business centres like Regus Madagascar offer companies a flexible base while they explore a market – networking, finding partners or suppliers, and recruiting staff.

The new centre also provides drop-in workspace for people travelling in Madagascar on business. And it presents a new option for companies already established there, which want an alternative to the expense and inflexibility of fixed-office working.

The opening of the first Regus business centre in Madagascar comes as the Malagasy economy recovers from a period of political instability. Growth is predicted at 2.8% in 2012, as mining companies scale up production and tourism strengthens.

Mark Dixon, CEO of Regus, comments: “Any business that wants to grow needs to find new markets, and Africa is an important development market for companies of all sizes. To help our customers grow, we have invested significantly in new centres in Africa – in Madagascar, Zambia, Senegal, Ghana, Tanzania and others – opening the way for businesses to explore these emerging and frontier markets. Our network of high-quality, flexible accommodation is enabling companies in all sectors to find new markets and better ways to work.”

The first business lounge has opened at a Shell station just south-west of Paris, on the A10 autoroute, at the Limours-Janvry service station. Drivers can drop into the lounge to:

· use reliable high-speed internet;

· scan, copy or fax documents;

· print from their laptop, smartphone, Blackberry or tablet;

· get help from a virtual concierge;

· arrange courier deliveries; and,

· combine stopping for fuel, food or forecourt services with using professional work facilities.

To access the Regus business lounge, they simply buy a day pass at the Shell checkout or swipe a Regus Businessworld card. The Businessworld programme offers members drop-in access to more than 1,200 Regus business centres around the world.

The lounge will be an addition to the existing range of high quality fuels and lubricants and other forecourt services such as the shop.

Speaking on the trial Istvan Kapitany, Vice President Shell Retail Europe said

“This alliance allows Shell and Regus as market leaders in their respective fields to come together to better serve our customers. We know that many of our customers are working on the move and are excited to explore offering them accessible and innovative working options as part of our existing network.”

Mark Dixon, CEO of Regus, said: “Research shows there are around 1 billion mobile workers globally. Though they communicate and work using smartphones, tablets and laptops, they miss access to a professional place to work, meet or think where there is easy access to state of the art business facilities. By opening Regus business lounges at motorway stations, Shell and Regus are bringing vibrant business hubs right to the roadside. As a result, many people will be able to work more productively in a professional business environment while on the move.”

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In order to take the pulse of global business ‘preparedness’, the latest survey by Regus, the world’s largest provider of flexible workplaces, canvassed the opinions of over 12,000 business people in 85 countries and found that a significant proportion of firms are taking a huge risk with their shareholder’s assets and failing to take proper precautions. Key findings include:

• 40% of Singapore firms compared to 45% globally do not have an IT DR plan in place ensuring systems are up and running within 24 hours;
• Globally 55% of firms have no workplace recovery that could be available within 24 hours, and Singapore follows this trend with 59% of firms lacking workplace DR;
• Singapore businesses are more likely to perceive the cost of DR as prohibitive (37%) than average (33%);
• Over two thirds of Singapore respondents (67%) compared to 55% globally declared that they would invest in workplace recovery if the service were suitably priced;
• Globally, although larger firms are better prepared for disaster recovery than smaller companies, 26% of larger corporates still remain without a DR facility for their IT systems, and 40% have no workplace DR facility;
• Globally, financial services (71%) and ICT businesses (66%) were more likely to have a business continuity plan although more than 40% of firms in these sectors have no workplace recovery arrangement.

William Willems, Regional Vice-President for Australia, New Zealand and South-east Asia, Regus comments: “The research reveals that, in spite of reports indicating that the average incident can cost up to US $ 500,000 disaster recovery among Singapore businesses is not as wide-spread as imagined, particularly when it comes to workplace.[1]”

According to Graham Pullen, Vice President for OpenText Asia Pacific, "Without a disaster recovery plan and a strong content management infrastructure in place, we find that many business operations are affected when critical information are lost after a disaster. Instead of maintaining continuity, businesses need to spend more time in retrieving or recreating lost information, resulting in increased cost and reduced efficiency. In the aftermath of a disaster, it is imperative that IT is aligned closely with the business to ensure smooth functioning of the organization.”

Willems notes: “Over a third of businesses in Singapore reveal a high perceived cost of DR, but many also report that they would be willing to pay a monthly fee to access a workplace disaster recovery facility in case of emergency. This is an important indication that although too many businesses are taking a gamble, their mentality is changing. As affordable products and services become available around the globe, it is likely that more businesses will finally stop hoping for the best and seriously start planning for the worst.”