In the rapidly evolving world of finance, where flexibility and collaboration are essential, the partnership between FP&A Trends Group and International Workplace Group (IWG) stands as a leading example of how the right environment can drive success. By leveraging the global presence and innovation of IWG’s coworking spaces, FP&A Trends Group has created an ecosystem where finance professionals can come together, share insights, and shape the future of financial planning and analysis (FP&A).
“Coworking spaces have become increasingly relevant for the finance community. These spaces foster flexibility, connectivity, and innovation, essential for professionals navigating global financial ecosystems. Finance teams can collaborate across geographies and drive efficiency through shared resources. Moreover, as hybrid and remote working models gain traction, coworking spaces offer a practical solution for maintaining productivity while promoting collaboration.”
Fernando Schreiner, San Francisco FP&A Board Ambassador
This article explores the ongoing collaboration between FP&A Trends Group and IWG, the role of coworking spaces in the finance community, and the significant connections and value fostered during the International FP&A Board meetings hosted at IWG’s global locations.
A Fruitful Partnership: FP&A Trends Group and IWG
The FP&A Trends Group and IWG partnership began in 2017, with the Geneva FP&A Board meeting held in the beautiful Regus location. This inaugural event marked the beginning of a long-standing relationship, which has since expanded to 21 chapters across 13 countries globally.
To date, FP&A Trends Group and IWG have collaborated on more than 100 International FP&A Board meetings held in 45 different IWG locations, bringing together over 2,300 unique attendees from diverse industries. In November 2024, this successful collaboration reached another significant milestone with the 100th meeting hosted at an IWG venue in Geneva.
With over 35 years of experience, IWG has established itself as a global leader in coworking spaces. The company operates over 4,000 facilities in over 120 countries, providing flexible, cost-effective workspace solutions to businesses of all sizes and industries.
“When companies choose a flexible office solution partner or hybrid work partner, they do so for several reasons:
- Flexible terms: you can rent a fully equipped office on a month-to-month lease term, which gives you maximum flexibility.
- Scalability: you can up or downscale your office spaces as your business evolves.
- Facility management: You can outsource facility management and concentrate on running the business.
- Network and mobility: you can work from 4,000+ locations across 120 countries.”
Thomas Munk, Area Director IWG Denmark
As the partnership continues to grow, IWG’s coworking spaces have become integral to the success of these meetings, providing a flexible and professional environment that supports the needs of finance professionals
Coworking Spaces: The New Hub for Collaboration
The rise of hybrid working has fundamentally transformed the way finance teams operate. According to a recent survey conducted by FP&A Trends Group, 73% of respondents prefer hybrid working models, indicating a strong demand for flexible work environments that allow for a balance between remote and in-office collaboration. This shift has made coworking spaces like those provided by IWG increasingly relevant and essential for collaboration, connectivity, and innovation.
Coworking spaces offer numerous benefits to finance teams:
- Flexibility and Cost-Efficiency
Coworking spaces eliminate the need for long-term leases, allowing companies to scale their office space needs according to business demands. This model is especially beneficial under the new IFRS 16 standards, which place greater emphasis on managing lease obligations on balance sheets.
- Networking and Collaboration
Coworking spaces bring together professionals from diverse industries, fostering collaboration and enabling finance teams to stay connected with the latest industry trends. As Diana Groschupp, a Paris FP&A Board Ambassador, observes, “Coworking spaces are crucial for the finance community, offering flexibility, high standards, and an environment where professionals can exchange ideas and stay updated on industry trends”.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities
Equipped with modern technology and amenities, coworking spaces offer everything that finance teams need to stay productive, connected and agile.
As hybrid working becomes the new normal, IWG is at the forefront of this revolution, opening new centres daily to meet the growing demand for flexible, professional workspaces.
International FP&A Board Meetings at IWG Locations
The International FP&A Board meetings have become highly anticipated events within the finance community. They bring together senior FP&A professionals from around the world to discuss emerging trends, share best practices and case studies, and explore solutions to the challenges in modern Financial Planning and Analysis.
The events are held in prime IWG venues in major financial hubs worldwide, including London, Boston, Toronto, Seattle, Paris, Stockholm and Riyadh. They are designed to promote both formal presentations and informal networking and offer cutting-edge equipment and facilities.
Figure 1: International FP&A Board meetings, hosted in IWG venues across the world
“I have excellent impressions from all the Geneva FP&A venues in all the years since its establishment in 2017. They are all conveniently located in the hyper centre of the city, and, accessible with all types of transport. In addition, they offer all needed types of office equipment and diverse offers of individual, meeting and conference rooms and collaborative spaces. Finally, each venue of IWC in Geneva has a unique ambience and charm, which incorporates the spirit of the district where it is located and represents its history”.
Stanislav Stoyanov, a Geneva FP&A Board ambassador
The International FP&A Board meetings focus on key trends shaping the future of finance, offering a forward-looking perspective on how FP&A teams can navigate the challenges of today’s dynamic business landscape. Key themes explored at the events include Agile FP&A Strategies, Extended Planning and Analysis (xP&A), Business Partnering, Predictive Planning and Forecasting, key FP&A roles, Intelligent Transformation and others.
In addition to the professional benefits of attending the International FP&A Boards, many participants have highlighted the importance of forging the personal connections formed. These connections often lead to long-term collaborations and partnerships, which are essential for driving the future of FP&A. Held in IWG’s flexible and modern coworking spaces, these meetings provide the perfect setting for finance professionals to network, collaborate, and learn from each other’s experiences.
“The San Francisco FP&A Board venues have consistently provided a professional and inspiring atmosphere, crucial for fostering high-level discussions among finance leaders. The thoughtful selection of these spaces strikes a balance between functionality and ambience, allowing for both formal presentations and informal networking, which are key to driving value in our meetings. Additionally, these venues have played an instrumental role in promoting a sense of community within the San Francisco FP&A Board. The choice of locations has allowed us to tap into the innovative spirit of the Bay Area, offering proximity to the financial and tech sectors, which has enriched the conversations and brought relevant, real-time industry challenges to the forefront. In short, these venues not only serve as places for meetings but also as catalysts for deeper collaboration and more strategic thinking among FP&A professionals”.
Fernando Schreiner, San Francisco FP&A Board Ambassador
“The Stockholm venues offer a professional and inspiring environment, great for networking and knowledge sharing. Always relevant topics are presented by experienced professionals.”
Deniz Lucy, Stockholm FP&A Board Ambassador
As we see, one of the biggest strengths of the International FP&A Boards lies in the collaborative spirit they foster.
Philip Hökvinge, Area Sales Manager Team Lead IWG Stockholm, underscores that the atmosphere encourages participants to connect and explore new opportunities, leading to lasting relationships: “The attendees have overall been very keen and interested in learning, sharing and solving problems. This is a forum that we would like to be part of. I made 3 new contacts from the last meeting, and from our perspective, there are many from the group that could use us in a way to save money, optimise their work setup and get more service”.
By hosting International FP&A Board meetings in IWG locations across the globe, the partnership ensures that finance professionals have access to the best facilities and networking opportunities, regardless of where they are based. Moreover, all International FP&A Board members can receive a 10% discount when booking an IWG venue. This exclusive option provides the International FP&A Board members access to high-end workspaces for meetings and events worldwide, further enhancing their ability to collaborate and connect.
Conclusion
As hybrid working becomes the new norm, the partnership between FP&A Trends Group and IWG will continue to play a vital role in shaping the future of finance. By hosting International FP&A Board meetings in IWG’s flexible workspaces, finance professionals are able to connect, collaborate, and drive the future of FP&A forward.
With IWG’s global reach and commitment to innovation, FP&A Trends Group is proud to have found a trusted partner in IWG. Together, we will continue to champion the future of hybrid work, empowering finance leaders to embrace flexibility and achieve new levels of success.