Vision One, a leading market research agency in the North West, has once again achieved re-accreditation to the ISO 20252 international standard for market, opinion and social research. The achievement highlights the company’s ongoing focus on quality, strong governance and ethical research practices.

ISO 20252 is recognised globally as the benchmark for research quality. It requires independent assessment of how organisations design studies, manage projects, control quality, handle data and report findings. Vision One’s successful re-accreditation confirms its consistent application of these rigorous standards across all research operations.

Robert Crosby, spokesperson at Citation ISO Certification, commented: “Vision One Research has once again demonstrated a strong and consistent application of ISO 20252 requirements across its research operations. The audit highlighted robust quality management processes, well-embedded ethical standards and a clear commitment to continuous improvement. This successful re-accreditation reflects Vision One Research’s professionalism and dedication to delivering high-quality research outcomes for its clients.”

The agency also holds accreditation from the Good Business Charter, demonstrating its commitment to ethical, responsible and sustainable business conduct. Together, these credentials reflect Vision One’s belief that trusted insight must be underpinned by strong values and accountability.

Alex Brown [pictured], Director of Insights at Vision One, said: “Maintaining ISO 20252 accreditation is a key priority for us. It provides our clients with confidence in the robustness, consistency and integrity of the insights we deliver. Alongside our Good Business Charter accreditation, it reflects the values that guide how we work and how we support our clients.”

This latest re-accreditation further strengthens Vision One’s standing as a trusted partner for organisations seeking high-quality, ethical and internationally validated research.

With almost a third of British workers now splitting their time between home and the office, companies are being forced to rethink how they relocate their workspaces.

Office for National Statistics data shows 28% of working adults are now hybrid workers. What began as a crisis-driven change has become the standard way of working for many.

This shift hasn’t killed the office – it has changed its purpose entirely.

Offices return with a new look

UK office occupancy has climbed back to around 40%, according to Remit Consultant, the highest level since the pandemic. People are coming in again, but not to fixed desks that sit empty half the week. Instead, offices are being redesigned with collaboration hubs, meeting rooms and flexible seating.

Business expansion now accounts for 42% of office relocations in London (Sumomove), but companies are taking smaller spaces. In 2024, a record number of deals were signed for offices under 10,000 sq ft (Business Money), reflecting a shift towards quality over quantity.

This is pushing businesses to rethink how much space they need, where it should be and what it’s meant to achieve.

The classic office move is disappearing

The familiar Friday-to-Monday relocation is fast becoming outdated.

Research from the British Association of Removers shows companies that plan 12 to 18 months ahead face 68% less disruption than those that rush (Sumomove). Rather than moving everything at once, businesses are transitioning in stages. Departments move gradually, furniture is stored temporarily and teams keep working throughout.

It may seem more complex, but this approach keeps operations running and allows companies to adjust as they go.

Office relocations are now higher risk

Modern offices are packed with specialist furniture, integrated tech and modular structures that are expensive to replace if damaged.

Get the move wrong and businesses face broken equipment, delayed installations and costly downtime – risks few companies can afford.

Sustainability now shapes decisions

Environmental reporting and ESG goals mean businesses are reconsidering what happens to their old office assets. Throwing everything away and starting fresh is increasingly unacceptable.

In 2024 alone, more than 27,000 items of office furniture and IT equipment were refurbished through circular economy programmes, saving an estimated 2,000 tonnes of CO₂e (European Business Magazine).

More organisations are choosing to reuse, resell or recycle equipment, particularly when downsizing for hybrid working.

A spokesperson from SFI Logistics, a UK commercial logistics company that handles office moves and installations, put it plainly:

“The old model of everyone packing up on Friday and starting fresh on Monday just doesn’t work anymore. Companies want to keep operating while they transition, which means moving bit by bit. You need proper planning, people who know what they’re doing with the install, and somewhere to store things in between. It’s a different approach entirely.”

This is the new normal

With hybrid working now embedded and office attendance stabilising, the transformation of workplaces shows no sign of slowing.

For many businesses, relocating is no longer a one-off task but a continuous process of adapting space to match how people really work.

And with nearly one in three employees still splitting their week between home and the office, workspace strategy is becoming a core business priority.

Aleksandra King, known for her exit from BBC’s The Apprentice, is fast becoming a recognised voice in UK business media, leading conversations through Beyond the Boardroom and her expanding media and marketing enterprises.

As a former Apprentice contestant turned founder and podcast host, King is reshaping what modern business looks like, building ventures that reflect her values and prioritise leadership on her own terms.

BBC’s The Apprentice quitter to media entrepreneur: Meet Aleksandra King

Aleksandra’s career trajectory shifted during her time on The Apprentice, when she made the decision to leave the programme mid-series.

While still competing, she was restricted to brief phone calls with her three young daughters, an experience that prompted a fundamental reassessment of how she wanted to work and live.

Instead of following a route shaped by the expectations of figures such as Lord Sugar, she stepped away to build something that aligned with her ambition and her values.

“I realised early on that the life I wanted for myself, for my family, could not be negotiated for someone else’s vision,” said Aleksandra. “The pressure and isolation ingrained into C-suite level leadership showed me exactly what kind of business I didn’t want to build.”

Female podcast host and media founder building modern businesses

Today, Aleksandra Media and Aleksandra King Agency operate with many employees who are parents of young children, and flexibility is embedded into how the companies function day to day.

The result is a modern business model built around autonomy, accountability and long-term sustainability, rather than growth at all costs.

“I want people to deliver results because they are empowered, not controlled,” Aleksandra added. “Whether work happens in an office or from home will always depend on the role and the industry but trust, accountability and clarity matter in every workplace. For my own team, which is spread across the world, trust is the foundation of how we work.”

Beyond the Boardroom ranks among the best Youtube business podcasts in 2026

A more recent extension of Aleksandra’s work is Beyond the Boardroom, a long-form interview podcast that prioritises honest, unfiltered conversation.

“I don’t shy away from asking the questions that matter, “I want guests to be completely honest, to go deep into the psychology behind their decisions, their mindset and their failures. That’s what makes these conversations instructive and rare.

“I approach this show like a psychological experiment,” Aleksandra said. “I want to uncover what really drives people, what really challenges them, and what lessons they’ve had to learn. No topic is off-limits, and no guest is off-limits either.”

Guests span business leaders and high-growth founders alongside public figures and commentators. Notable interviews include Robin Deller, founder of Imagine Cruising. The founder built the business into a global travel brand with a turnover reported in excess of £200m, now owned in-part by global travel conglomerate, Emirates Group.

Other guests range from entrepreneurs, CEOs and high profile figures and cultural commentators, including ‘The Psychopath Life Coach’ Lewis Raymond Taylor, Made in Chelsea star Sam Vanderpump, former The Apprentice winner Mark Wright, actress and playboy model Brande Roderick and Andrew Jenkins from The Traitors UK, whose stories challenge conventional narratives around leadership and achievement.

What sets Beyond the Boardroom by Aleksandra King apart in the podcast interview space

Alongside her media work, Aleksandra continues to lead her marketing agency, advising on brand strategy, positioning and growth.

“We’re not afraid to take products to market. We do it boldly, we do it properly, and we do it in a way that sells while elevating how the brand is perceived.” Aleksandra shared.

Aleksandra’s approach to hosting Beyond the Boardroom can be described as analytical, intentional and quietly disruptive with a clear emphasis on the long-form over soundbites.

Podcasts to watch in 2026 as Beyond the Boardroom gains national reach

Produced with a YouTube-first approach and distributed across Spotify and Apple Podcasts, the show recorded more than 500,000 views and nearly 50,000 new subscribers in 2025 alone, placing it among the best free UK business podcast interview series of the year.

With the podcast’s growth and expanding business footprint, Aleksandra remains candid about being a work in progress:

She has described her companies as evolving rather than finished, and her leadership style as something she continues to refine in real time.

In late January 2026, she will release Marketing Wins, a book co-authored with her husband, Elliot King, offering a guide to mastering integrated marketing strategies.

How Aleksandra Media and Aleksandra King Agency Do Business Differently

As Beyond the Boardroom continues to gain recognition and Aleksandra Media together with Aleksandra King Agency expand their output, Aleksandra’s career path offers a clear alternative to traditional definitions of success and leadership.

When a Website Becomes Part of the Working Day

For most businesses in Manchester, a website is rarely something that stays at the front of people’s minds for long. At the start, it attracts attention. Decisions are made carefully. Pages are reviewed in detail. Then, gradually, it slips into the background.

That shift tends to happen without anyone marking the moment. Enquiries start arriving in a familiar way. Customers reference information they have already seen. Staff rely on the site without needing to check it constantly. The website becomes part of the working day rather than a separate task.

Web designers Manchester often see this pattern repeat across very different businesses. Once the initial focus fades, what matters is whether the site continues to fit into daily activity without friction. When it does, people stop talking about it.

In a city where businesses are used to adjusting quickly, websites are expected to cope quietly. Services change. Messaging evolves. Priorities shift. A site that accommodates these changes without needing constant attention often proves more valuable than one that demands ongoing involvement.

How Websites Start to Feel Familiar Rather Than New

The longer a website is live, the less it is judged on first impressions. Instead, it is experienced through repetition. Pages are visited quickly. Information is checked rather than explored. The site is used because it is there, not because it is noticed.

Businesses working with web designers Manchester often describe this stage without meaning to. They talk about the site in practical terms rather than design ones. It works. People find what they need. Enquiries come through as expected.

At this point, the website is no longer something to manage closely. It is something that supports routine. When it behaves predictably, it earns trust. When it does not, it draws attention back to itself.

Over time, certain qualities begin to matter more than others. Clear structure becomes more important than visual novelty. Familiar layouts feel easier to use than experimental ones. The site needs to make sense when viewed quickly rather than carefully.

Manchester businesses tend to value this kind of usability. Many operate in environments where time is limited and decisions are made quickly. A website that does not slow people down often feels like a better fit than one that asks for attention.

Local Pace and the Way Websites Are Actually Used

Manchester has a distinct business rhythm. Conversations are direct. Expectations are usually clear. People want to understand what is being offered without having to work for it.

Web designers Manchester operates within this context, whether it is discussed explicitly or not. Websites are often treated as tools rather than showcases. They are there to support conversations that are already happening elsewhere.

This influences how sites are used in practice. Visitors arrive with a purpose. They scan rather than browse. They want reassurance more than persuasion. A site that provides that quickly tends to be trusted.

Over time, businesses notice how this plays out. Certain pages are referenced more often than others. Information that answers common questions becomes central. The website settles into a role that reflects how people interact with it.

This is rarely planned. It develops through use. The site becomes shaped by behaviour rather than intention.

When Design Choices Reveal Themselves Later

Many website decisions only show their impact after months or even years. Spacing choices affect readability as content grows. Page structure determines how easily new information can be added. Navigation either holds together or begins to feel strained.

Businesses in Manchester often experience this slowly. A site that once felt simple either remains that way or becomes harder to live with. The difference is not dramatic, but it is noticeable.

Web designers Manchester who work with longevity in mind tend to make quieter choices. Not because they avoid creativity, but because they allow room for change. A site that can absorb new content without disruption often proves easier to live with.

This also, affects internal use. Staff update pages more confidently. Changes feel routine rather than risky. The website becomes part of normal operations instead of a specialist system that only a few people understand.

Over time, familiarity builds. People know where things are without thinking. That familiarity reduces effort, which often matters more than visual impact.

Living With a Website Rather Than Managing One

Eventually, many businesses stop thinking about their website altogether. Not because it is unimportant but, because it no longer demands attention.

In Manchester, where businesses are focused on delivery and momentum, this outcome is often preferred. A website that quietly supports activity allows attention to stay elsewhere.

Living with a website feels different from managing one. It implies trust. It suggests that the site will continue to do its job without constant oversight. That trust is built through consistency rather than launch-day impact.

When updates are needed, the site accommodates them without resistance. Changes feel ordinary. The website remains steady while the business continues to evolve.

Businesses looking to work with experienced web designers Manchester can explore website design services through MPA Digital, delivering websites shaped around everyday use, clarity and long-term reliability rather than surface trends.