Catlin Group

Technology Consulting from initial visioning through to design, procurement and implementation delivers world class technology innovation and sustainability at Catlin Group HQ.

Technologies & Innovations

Bespoke Telepresence and Video Conferencing; RFID ‘One Card’ solution for access control, print, vending and meeting room check-in; team collaboration interactive surfaces; Dynamic Digital Signage; IPTV; integrated room control and booking.

The Client

Catlin Group Limited (Catlin) is a global underwriter of specialty property/casualty insurance and reinsurance coverages worldwide. Catlin decided to occupy approximately 160,000 sq ft. in 20 Gracechurch Street, London EC3. The relocation of Catlin’s London Hub office from Minster Court EC3 was driven by increasing space requirements due to steady organisational growth over the past decade. Catlin embraced the opportunity to explore how technology could benefit and influence the design of the new working environment.

The Client

Artillery, Interactive Space, BSD, BW Interiors

Cordless Consultants (Cordless) was initially engaged during the early stages of the project to lead a Technology Visioning Workshop with Catlin staff from various business units. This explored which technologies would add value to the organisation, the new working environment and staff communications. The project aimed to create an environmentally sustainable, innovative, robust and resilient technology platform that would be the foundation of a global standard for the Catlin global office design. Cordless was contacted to explore the IT impact on the new space and to introduce appropriate new technology ideas.

Once the project aims had been explored and the vision created, the following technology objectives were identified:

• Create global standards for technology design within the organisation
• Use technology to enhance environmental sustainability within the workplace
• Create a robust, resilient and future proof voice and data infrastructure
• Design systems that take advantage of developments in RFID ‘One Card’ technology (creation of the intelligent building)
• Create high quality video conferencing/ telepresence spaces
• Use technology to project the Catlin brand throughout the office
• Create state of the art collaboration, training and auditorium spaces
• In parallel to the fit out and relocation project, there was a requirement to upgrade the dark fibre network that connects Catlin’s London data centres

In addition to these specific challenges and objectives were the typical organisational challenges that come hand in hand with a fit out and relocation project of this nature.

Following a rigorous tender process, Cordless was appointed to sit on the design/project team as IT Consultants to address all fit out related IT design, procurement and management challenges. As part of this, Cordless was also appointed to manage all project related IT activities within the Catlin IT department. A robust and resilient structured cabling, LAN and IP voice infrastructure was designed to support all technology identified to help Catlin meet the project challenges and support the future technology road map. In addition to the fundamental infrastructure required to support the Catlin business, a range of new services and unique technologies were also introduced, including:

• World class, bespoke telepresence quality video conference suites. These suites accommodate up to 18 people at each end on a single video conference. The rooms can also be configured as boardrooms and dining rooms, made possible by floors that raise automatically to provide tiered telepresence seating
• High quality audio conference facilities in meeting space to maximise the clarity and experience of conference calls in meeting rooms
• An integrated RFID ‘One Card’ solution that provides multiple services from a single card including access control, ‘pull’ print, cashless vend and meeting room check-in
• Training spaces with screens and PCs integrated into furniture.
• The latest in team collaboration interactive surfaces to enhance communication
• Fully integrated room control systems enabling the novice first time user to maximize the benefits of all available technology
• Building wide dynamic digital signage incorporating multi-screen seamless signage displays to enhance the Catlin brand message and enable building wide IPTV distribution
• Advanced room booking and single glance occupation displays at reception and touch panels outside individual rooms

Throughout the design of all IT and AV systems, careful consideration was given to environmental sustainability and suitability of each technology for global roll out.

The success of the project was demonstrated by the immediate positive feedback received from Catlin staff occupying the new space. 900 Catlin employees are now enjoying a new office in the heart of The City with technology enhancing their working day at every turn. Following the successful delivery of the 20 Gracechurch Street project, Cordless has been appointed to work on the further fit out of Hub offices in Zurich and Singapore. Whlist working on these projects, we have seen first hand how the video conferencing facilities in 20 Gracechurch Street have greatly reduced the need for travel.

Myles Ruffy, Group Head of Property & Facilities Management for Catlin said

“The Cordless team worked extremely hard to help Catlin meet the objectives for our London HQ relocation project. From the very outset of the project, Cordless was responsive, flexible and attentive of quality and detail. Our state-of-the-art London Hub is now equipped with the latest IT and AV technology to enable innovation, communication and collaboration.”