EY has taken a new step in its strategic plan, EY Revolution FY25-FY27, with which it wants to evolve towards a new work format that allows it to build employee loyalty and attract talent. The consultancy firm has presented its new EY Campus concept, which it describes as the first liquid real estate model, and which will be located in the financial centre of Madrid, in the Azca area.

EY's corporate headquarters, located since 2016 in the Titania tower owned by El Corte Inglés, will grow with the addition of the building owned by Generali at Calle Orense 2, and which had its headquarters there until 2023. EY will thereby add 13,500 square metres, spread over 11 floors, to its current headquarters, which will reach 33,500 square metres.

Unique architectural setting
The new space will become a reality by the end of 2025, according to the company's objectives, given that the Generali building is currently undergoing a thorough refurbishment designed by Estudio Lamela. When commissioned, it will also create a pedestrian space between the two buildings that will serve as a meeting point for professionals, in what EY describes as the creation of a unique architectural environment.

With this reconceptualisation of the workspaces at its Madrid office, the firm will have the capacity to accommodate 5,000 professionals and to receive 40,000 visitors each year. The idea is part of EY's commitment to retaining and attracting the best talent.

Over the past eight years, the professional services firm's workforce in Spain has almost doubled to over 6,000 employees. During each of the next three years it aims to hire another 1,000 people to reach the full capacity of 5,000 employees at EY Campus.

Learning potential
The new fluid work format will make it easier for employees to use all available spaces in both buildings, breaking with the conventional territoriality of a working environment. In the firm's view, this will allow workers to develop their full learning potential.

Up to 1,200 professionals will be able to use the new building, while the workspaces in the Titania tower will also be redefined to suit their new use. With this project, the firm is tackling talent management, one of the four pillars of the EY Revolution strategic plan, which is rounded off by clients and industries, teaming and integration, and smart delivery.

Benchmark for other European countries
Federico Linares, Chairman of EY Spain and Head of Talent for EY Europe, explained, “With EY Campus we left behind the concept of the office, where everyone had an assigned, fixed place, to enjoy a unique learning and networking environment like the campuses”. Furthermore, he added, “EY Campus is our great commitment to developing the talent of our teams and professionals and represents a cultural change in our way of working, one which we will be implementing in the rest of our offices in Spain and which will be a benchmark for other European countries”. 

EY Spain Operations Director, Partner and Talent Leader, José Luis Risco, said, “Our growth has to be sustainable over time, responsible in terms of our approach to our professionals and respectful of their working conditions and environment. Reconceptualising and transforming our headquarters in Madrid into an EY Campus is therefore a firm commitment to flexibility, connection and collaboration between teams, improving the employee experience and the evolution of our leadership model.”

^{Photo: EY}