HB Reavis and the Southbank Centre launch partnership to support business development through access to art and culture

• HB Reavis launches its partnership with the Southbank Centre, the largest multi-arts centre in the UK.

• The partnership to be known as Culture Works: Our Business Network will provide opportunities for SMEs to gain valuable business insights through the lens of the arts.

• This new partnership reflects HB Reavis’ passion for its upcoming scheme One Waterloo and recognises the cultural significance of the Southbank Centre.

• HB Reavis’ One Waterloo scheme will connect the commercial and creative hubs of Waterloo and the South Bank.

International workspace provider, HB Reavis and the largest multi-arts centre in the UK, the Southbank Centre have today, 2^nd March, announced the launch of a new business network initiative set to provide opportunities for small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) to gain key business insights and connections through the lens of the arts. The first partnership of its kind, the network, known as Culture Works: Our Business Network, will promote networking and collaboration opportunities recognising the significance of the commercial and creative hubs of Waterloo and the South Bank. 

HB Reavis has chosen to partner with the Southbank Centre, which is located at the heart of the cultural quarter of the South Bank, to offer a series of curated in-person and virtual events that encourage cross-sector learning.  The partnership is aimed at giving SMEs the chance to hear from inspirational leaders on key themes including teamwork and leadership; potential and talent; originality and inspiration, and communication and collaboration to help equip business leaders with diverse skills.

The themes reflect the Southbank Centre and HB Reavis’ passion for inspiring young businesses by providing access to exceptional cultural experiences and valuable networking opportunities through a series of events and panel discussions, tailored for the small business community.

Membership to Culture Works is free and open to all SMEs operating in the borough of Lambeth, as well as the Greater London area.  Members will receive a quarterly newsletter with opinion pieces and thought leadership relating to the latest business news/insights, updates on forthcoming events, complimentary tickets to exhibitions at the Southbank Centre, as well as opportunities to promote their own business.

For the opportunity to expand your business network in Waterloo and attend one of the upcoming networking events, sign up to the Culture Works newsletter here: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/support-us/corporate/membership/culture-works       

HB Reavis and the Southbank Centre will formally launch their partnership on 31st March with keynote speeches by Elaine Bedell, Southbank Centre CEO, Misan Harriman, Southbank Centre Chair, Steven Skinner, HB Reavis CEO and Louise Ioannou, HB Reavis Leasing Manager. The launch and drinks reception will take place in the Weston Roof Pavilion, in the Royal Festival Hall.

Announcing the partnership, Ed Francis, Head of Partnerships at the Southbank Centre, said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with HB Reavis to deliver the Culture Works project, which will extend all of the transformative benefits of artistic engagement to the small business community that surrounds our home on the South Bank.”

Commenting on the launch of Culture Works, Louise Ioannou, Leasing Manager, HB Reavis said: “With less than a year to go until we start on-site to redevelop Elizabeth House and deliver One Waterloo, we are excited to develop our relationship with the Southbank Centre – a beacon for Waterloo and the South Bank – as we continue immersing ourselves within the local community. Our partnership will welcome and nurture new, diverse talent reflecting our long-term commitment to the area.”

The partnership demonstrates HB Reavis’ further commitment to the One Waterloo scheme. Subsequent to its Section 106 agreement announced in April 2021, providing a fully implementable planning consent for the scheme, the essential early enabling works began in Q4 2021, including the enabling of step-free access to the new Victory Arch Square. HB Reavis is targeting late 2022 to commence with re-development of Elizabeth House.