Business

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE BUSINESS: CONTINGENT WORKS

Business

Ewan Buck and Stephen Somerville met when their children started at Raglan Primary school, the same school David Bowie went to in the 50s. That friendship grew and, with their children in university, they wondered what Bromley would offer them. Ewan is the Operations Director at Contingent Works and after 30 years of art directing around the world has enjoyed bringing a modern, productive and creative co-work space to central Bromley. Strategic direction is Stephen’s role and he is well placed as a successful start-up executive taking early-stage TV, music and ed-tech start-ups to public-traded, multi-territory businesses. Here we discover the faces behind the business – and why Contingent Works works…

How did Contingent Works come about?

Having worked in lots of dynamic co-works and business lounges worldwide, Bromley's rather dull 80s offices felt quite depressing. We sat wondering why Bromley, with its rich cultural heritage, had nothing for creatives and we decided to try to change that. We discovered the empty Pier/Warren Evans’ shop opposite the Glades and we knew we had found the right space to launch a super cool suburban co-work. As we’re both lovers of music, the name came from the Bromley Contingent, made famous on the Bill Grundy show with the Sex Pistols - and Contingent Works was branded. We couldn't get local stars Siouxsie Sioux or Billy Idol to open for us, but we hope to inspire the next generation of creatives instead!

What’s your vision and plans for the future?

With over 100 members and 50 micro businesses, we are now working on a sustainability programme to become B Corp approved. We are London Living Wage approved and members of the Good Business Charter. We will also be launching a full members’ event programme and will continue our focus on wellness and community, with more art exhibitions, craft and business-focussed workshops.

What are you particularly proud of?

With work from home directives since we opened in November 2020, Contingent Works has been a Covid secure workspace and a haven for mental wellbeing. With many people unable to work from home and no office to go to, we made sure it’s a super clean, secure and productive environment, where everyone can work safely and be part of a community.

What plans do you have in the pipeline?

We have always had a purpose-over-profit mentality and will continue to establish ourselves as the place where Bromley works. It’s a space to get work done and look after your mental wellbeing with a choice of workspaces depending on your mood or task at hand. Look out for Contingent Works Two! Member details: Membership costs from as little as £30 for a day with meeting rooms and podcast facilities available through the website. All memberships are inclusive of superfast Wi-Fi, teas, coffee and printing, and all members have access to offers, events, and an online membership directory to advertise their services. Get in touch at www.contingent.works

Stephen Somerville

Ewan Buck

Did you know…

Rogue directors who dissolve their companies and avoid paying liabilities to staff, creditors and the taxpayer can now be disqualified from being a director. The Insolvency Service has been granted new powers to tackle unfit directors who dissolve companies to avoid paying their liabilities.

Government backs

‘help to grow’ scheme

The government’s Help to Grow: Digital scheme – designed to support smaller businesses in adopting digital technologies so they can grow – is open for applications.

Under the scheme, eligible businesses can now receive discounts of up to £5,000 off the retail price of approved Digital Accounting and CRM software from leading technology suppliers. This software will help them to effectively manage their finances and build customer relationships, ultimately levelling up the way businesses are run and helping them to scale up.

Businesses can also access practical, specialised support and advice on how to choose the right digital technologies to boost their growth and productivity through a new online platform. The new Help to Grow: Digital scheme sits alongside the Help to Grow: Management scheme launched in 2021 as part of wider government efforts to back businesses and level up the economy.

Be Inspired,

Be Empowered!

Life In…Magazines (that’s us!) and iVerbalize have teamed up to mark last month’s International Women’s Day by hosting a free event for women in business. It will offer an inspirational and empowering event with a great line-up of local speakers and panel guests offering great business advice and insights on upcoming business trends. The event is being sponsored by Community House, where it is also being hosted, located in South Street, Bromley BR1 1RH. It takes place on Wednesday 30th March from 11am-2pm and there is limited availability.

To register for the event, please visit https://bit.ly/ beinspiredbeempowered or email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Ladies Who Latte

Bromley Ladies Who Latte meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Community House in South Street, Bromley from 10am-12pm. To attend the next event (27th April) or for more information email bromleyladieswholatte@gmail.com