L’Oréal Groupe has opened a new “purpose-built” headquarters in London’s White City as the company celebrates 90 years of being in the UK.
The French beauty giant has relocated its 1,000-plus London workforce to a new “future fit working environment” in White City’s business district Gateway Central.
The building is 10% larger than the group’s previous headquarters in Hammersmith Broadway and houses its 36 international brands, including Garnier and L’Oréal Paris.
The space also features the group’s flagship educational centre L’Oréal Academy, which trains more than 10,000 UK hair and beauty professionals core technical skills every year.
L’Oréal’s UK and Ireland MD Thierry Cheval hosted the ribbon cutting ceremony for the headquarters opening on 28 September.
He was joined by Hélène Duchêne, French Ambassador to the UK; Rajesh Agrawal, Deputy Mayor for Business and Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council; and London Councillor Stephen Cowan.
“As the number-one beauty player in the UK – and one of the leading markets globally for L’Oréal Groupe – we know that it is our talented people that are at the heart of our success,” said Cheval.
“We believe the office plays a critical role in fuelling this success now and in the future.
“Our new headquarters is much more than just a physical space.
“It is an extension of our culture, who we are, our purpose and our values.”
What sets L’Oréal Groupe’s White City headquarters apart?
L’Oréal Groupe has designed the space to reflect the “new normal” of how people want to work post-pandemic.
There are no set desks, with staff encouraged to choose their best work setting for the day instead according to the tasks they need to do.
These areas range from a quiet library setting and collaborative pods and cafés, to an outdoor terrace for larger networking.
“That is why it was paramount to take the learnings from the past few years and listen to our people and what they need from their working environment,” commented Cheval.
“And create a purpose-built space that encourages even greater creativity, collaboration and connection, as well as space for quiet reflection and concentration.”
Sustainability and energy efficiency has been a core part of the headquarter’s design too.
The building is powered by 100% renewable energy, including 8% from PV panels on the roof and solar-controlled glass.
Recycled plastics and upcycled fabrics and materials are also used throughout.
For example, all meeting room chairs are made from 100% recycled plastics and the fabric on them is made out of 45% recycled wool.
L’Oréal Groupe’s new London headquarters has achieved an Outstanding BREEAM Design Stage certification, which is the science-based method of assessing and certifying the sustainability of buildings.
Rajesh Agrawal, Deputy Mayor for Business and Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, said he was “delighted” that L’Oréal Groupe has chosen to locate to White City.
“[It helps] to demonstrate that London is the business capital of the world,” he commented.
“L’Oréal’s impressive new building is not only energy efficient, helping us to achieve London’s net zero target by 2030, but it will employ hundreds of people and train thousands more from across the country.
“Equipping young people with the skills they need for the future is a key priority and involvement from the business sector is crucial to achieving that.”
L'Oréal has recently reshuffled its international management team to support its next phase of growth.
Four new leadership appointments are taking place in Q1 2024, including a new Chief Global Growth Officer.