Celebrating 20 years of stellar client care in Harlow with Michelle Sipthorpe 

They say that when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life, and while there have certainly been days over the last twenty years when work has felt like… well, work, we are beyond delighted that Michelle Sipthorpe, deputy centre manager at Greenway Business Centre in Harlow, has chosen to spend them with us. Here’s her story… 

Discovering how a dedicated on-site support team can foster your business growth is essential when choosing the right flexible office space. By understanding how a premier business centre adapts to the evolving needs of modern entrepreneurs, you can find out how the right business accommodation helps small businesses thrive. 

Michelle, could you introduce yourself and your role? 

Michelle Sipthorpe: “I give support to the centre manager and the rest of the team to ensure Greenway keep running smoothly. I also fill in for the centre manager, Carole, when she’s not around. As deputy centre manager, there really is no ‘typical’ day for me, but because of that, my role involves many different skills and challenges.”  

Before joining the team at Greenway Business Centre in Harlow 20 years ago, Michelle worked across a wide variety of fast-paced environments.  

Michelle explained: “I’ve done all sorts of different jobs… I’ve done recruitment, I’ve worked on a trading floor, customer services. There’s nothing I haven’t done, really. So, when I came to interview for this job, and saw how varied it was; it just sounded like the perfect fit. I’d also been working in London and was now ready to grow some roots within a company that was local. Capital Space felt like an instant family. “ 

How has your role changed over the past 20 years? 

The landscape of the modern business centre has transformed significantly since 2006, and Michelle’s role has evolved alongside it. In the early days, her work was very hands-on with physical technology; she recalls managing the physical telecom cables and wiring for the building’s phone systems. As technology shifted from analogue to digital, Michelle adapted, becoming the resident expert on VOIP services and modern infrastructure. 

Greenway Business Centre is now a hub of digital efficiency, and Michelle’s focus has shifted from managing physical wires to overseeing broader operational leadership and compliance. She has embraced the challenge of learning new systems, and ensuring the centre remains a productive environment for all SMEs:  

“I enjoy the new systems and how to navigate my way around them … it’s a confidence boost when people come to you and ask you questions.” 

Outside of work, how has your life changed over the past twenty years? 

Michelle reminisces that she feels as though “I’ve grown up here. I started as a single girl to a wife and a mother. I was a completely different person back then.”  

Michelle met her husband—who was a contractor working at the centre—and they eventually married. The pair began the journey of starting a family and welcomed their “rainbow baby,” Darcy, into the world seven years ago. Throughout these major milestones, Capital Space and the team provided a solid foundation of support. Michelle reflected: “They’ve just been so supportive. I’ve always felt that the team were behind me.” 

Since the birth of her daughter and beginning the chapter of motherhood, Michelle has needed a different kind of support from her team as she balances her work and home lives, but as always, she relishes the challenge.  

Have you noticed any changes in the services that businesses require? 

Business practices are always moving and shifting with the times, but Michelle states, the most significant of those shifts was seen during and following the COVID-19 Pandemic: “The biggest change I’ve seen is the working from home culture we’ve seen since COVID. It was unheard of for most of my professional career. Now, our offices get very quiet on Fridays as people opt to work from home.”  

This shifting corporate landscape requires high agility from business owners. According to data from the Office for National Statistics (2024), small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 99.8% of the total UK business population, meaning flexible work solutions are more crucial than ever for economic growth. 

To help local and even not-so-local companies scale seamlessly, Greenway focuses heavily on adaptable contracts and mental well-being infrastructure. Michelle observed: “Because of the work from home culture, we have actually seen companies that had big offices in London, scale down to a satellite office with us. ”  

Michelle added: “One of the draws of Greenway is that we’re not in London and our parking is all free of charge. Commuters love it. We also have monthly licence, which is crucial for businesses to stay adaptable” 

What has been the biggest challenge, both personally and for the team at Greenway Business Centre? 

Without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic was the most significant challenge faced during Michelle’s twenty years at the centre. Personally, she had to navigate the difficulties of homeschooling Darcy while still ensuring that Greenway remained operational for the essential businesses that needed to stay open, however the unique setup at Greenway allowed the facility to safeguard business continuity during unprecedented times. Michelle noted: “We’ve got quite a few standalone workshops here so people could carry on their businesses because they were there on their own. We managed to react very quickly.” 

Professionally, the challenge lay in the rapid adaptation required to support customers during a period of extreme uncertainty. The team had to implement new safety protocols and support businesses as they transitioned to flexible working and satellite office models. Michelle also notes that the constant evolution of technology—specifically the transition to VOIP and high-speed fibre systems—required a steep learning curve, but one that has made the centre more efficient. 

What do you love most about your role? 

Michelle states: “As soon as I joined, I thought it was like a family company, as opposed to the hierarchy I felt in previous companies. I’ve always felt valued and safe here.”   

Maintaining an unyielding enthusiasm for customer acquisition and support services is what keeps her motivated day after day. Michelle said, “The biggest highlight for me is that I’ve always loved my job and still do. I still get the same buzz from a sign-up that I got 20 years ago. Not many people can boast that. I love watching the businesses grow. We’ve seen customers start with a single desk and expand into larger units as they find success”. 

What are your future plans?  

Michelle is as committed as ever to the future of Greenway Business Centre. Her goal is to continue making the centre the best it can be and generating leads for vacant units,  as new technological challenges arise. She aspires to stay at the forefront of changing communications and infrastructure – the centre recently invested over £300,000 in upgrading communal facilities – ensuring that Greenway remains the premier choice for businesses in Harlow.  

She actively encourages a mindset of confidence and self-belief, advice she not only follows herself but also passes on to her daughter. With her deep-rooted experience and passion for helping SMEs succeed, we certainly hope to be sitting down with Michelle again to celebrate even more milestones in the years to come. 

Confidence and a commitment to continuous learning are the foundations of long-term professional success and personal growth. 

If you’re looking for office or workshop space at Greenway Business Centre you can view available spaces here.