Central support ensures smooth running of nine business centres
Choosing the right business centre can make a real difference to how smoothly your SME operates and grows, but have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to support that success? Understanding the people and processes that keep a serviced office environment running can help you see the value of flexible workspace and support services. Here, we take a look at a day in the life of Jude Morgans, Office Manager for Capital Space Ltd, who is based at Greenway Business Centre in Harlow.
Introducing Jude Morgans
If you run an SME or are exploring a move into a serviced office in Harlow, it can be helpful to understand the people working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. Jude Morgans is Office Manager for Capital Space Ltd and plays a central role in supporting customers and colleagues across the company.
Jude has been part of Capital Space for almost nine years. She originally joined Greenway Business Centre as a part time Business Support Coordinator before stepping into her current management role in October 2022. Alongside overseeing operational tasks and supporting the CEO, Lorraine Lee, she also took on additional responsibility last year coordinating HR across the organisation. Supported by Office Administrator Jill, Jude’s work intersects with virtually every aspect of the business.
8:30am: What’s on the agenda for Jude? 
Jude’s day often begins with tasks that directly connect Capital Space customers across the network. One recent morning started with processing paperwork to issue a £500 referral reward payment to an existing customer who recommended a new occupier for a vacant unit in Croydon. Referral recommendations generate thousands of pounds in rewards annually and demonstrate the strength of the business community built across the nine centres.
She then reviews the diary of CEO Lorraine Lee, ensuring meetings are scheduled efficiently and that any adjustments are coordinated with centre managers, senior colleagues or external visitors. Managing the CEO’s schedule also involves planning company events including training sessions, operations meetings across multiple locations and the annual Christmas celebration. These organisational responsibilities form a core part of Jude’s day.
10:30am check in
Attention shifts to supporting colleagues across the network. When a new team member joins, Jude manages the onboarding process by issuing employment contracts, arranging IT system access, coordinating payroll setup with finance and checking induction progress with centre teams.
Compliance and governance tasks are another priority. Jude prepares meeting minutes, monitors Anti Money Laundering requirements and tracks insurance and company compliance obligations. These activities ensure the business centre environment remains secure and professional for customers and entrepreneurs operating within it.
Unexpected challenges are part of the role. Centre staff regularly reach out for guidance when they face operational decisions or need reassurance. Jude’s experience means she can often resolve issues immediately or direct colleagues to the right resource.
This stage of the day highlights the organisational backbone required to maintain reliable serviced office operations for SMEs.
12:30pm check in
After a short break, Jude returns to review purchase requests from centres across the estate. Procurement might involve sourcing building materials, communal area appliances, catering supplies, stationery or digital marketing subscriptions.
She also checks new and amended licences received via Jill. Because Capital Space customers benefit from flexible arrangements through the simple monthly licence model, businesses frequently scale workspace up or down. Jude ensures documentation is accurate and that new customers receive welcome communications introducing their centre team and support resources.
Throughout the afternoon she answers calls on the mainline number, speaking with prospective customers, existing business owners or suppliers. This frontline communication gives her valuable insight into the evolving needs of SMEs seeking serviced office or virtual workspace solutions.
2:30pm check in
Preparation for operations meetings begins well in advance. Jude drafts agendas, gathers centre performance reports and coordinates input from managers across locations including Chelmsford, Loughton and Milton Keynes. These meetings allow leadership to share insights, challenges and best practice that strengthen service delivery across all business centres.
Minute taking responsibilities are shared with Jill, ensuring discussions are captured accurately and actions tracked. By coordinating logistics beforehand, Jude ensures valuable collaborative time is used productively.
This planning work supports consistent standards for customers across the network and contributes to operational transparency.
4:30pm check in
Late afternoon often includes time spent directly within the Greenway Business Centre in Harlow. Jude may step into reception to support Centre Manager Carole or provide cover if staffing gaps arise. Returning to her earlier coordination role keeps her connected to customer interaction and centre activity.
Balancing hands on support with administrative priorities can extend her to do list, yet maintaining that operational visibility strengthens understanding of day to day customer needs within the business centre environment.
The experience reinforces Jude’s appreciation for teamwork and adaptability.
5:30pm check in
Before wrapping up, Jude reviews outstanding tasks, confirms arrangements for upcoming meetings and ensures correspondence is up to date. Reflection is part of the routine, especially after complex scheduling or large event planning projects.
She notes that professional discretion, decisive thinking and prioritisation are essential attributes when supporting senior leadership and business centre operations. The ability to juggle competing demands ensures issues are resolved before escalation becomes necessary.
Moments of satisfaction often come from successful collaboration, such as coordinating last year’s Thames boat trip Christmas event where planning translated into positive shared experiences for colleagues.
Final thoughts
Jude’s working day demonstrates that business centres thrive on organisation, communication and responsiveness. Her experience highlights patterns she sees among successful SMEs operating within serviced offices. Businesses that adapt quickly to growth changes, communicate openly with centre teams and make full use of available support services tend to build resilience and momentum.
For entrepreneurs, choosing flexible workspace can provide stability during uncertain growth phases while still allowing expansion when opportunities arise. Access to meeting facilities, and supportive on site teams contributes to maintaining professional credibility when engaging clients.
Consistent organisation, flexibility and communication are often the quiet drivers behind sustainable business growth.