“CEOs consider a reduction in office space during COVID-19”

Reduction in office space is considered by 70% of decision-makers, according to the CEO Outlook 2020 of KPMG. KPMG’s survey is based on a sample of around 1800 CEOs globally. The interviewed CEOs expect to reduce their office footprint in the short term. The reason for this is – obviously – the COVID-19 pandemic, which forces people to work remotely. Another concern of CEOs is the hiring of key staff, as the virtualization of labor affects hiring and training highly.

Also at Icecat, we have a reduction in office space. Currently, our offices in The Netherlands are mostly empty. We expect COVID-19 to continue for at least another 12 months, and we expect continued virtualization of work afterward. The way we work changes forever. For most positions, we have a hiring freeze. But not for need-to-have professionals. Interestingly enough it is now easier to hire skilled software developers than before the COVID-19 crisis.

Martijn Hoogeveen

Founder and CEO of Icecat NV. Investor. Ph.D.