Smart Technologies at Lakeside

Written by

Smart Technologies at Lakeside

Transforming the workplace experience by introducing smart technologies

Here at Lakeside we continue to transform the workplace experience by introducing smart technologies that enhance cleanliness, responsiveness, and comfort across the campus. This includes introducing smart bathrooms and sensor innovation throughout the washrooms on site.

These innovations are being delivered in partnership with Eco Drift, using their proprietary Proximetrix platform- a real-time sensor and data system custom-built to improve hygiene and operational efficiency without increasing costs.

Campus Locations with Active Sensors

We’ve installed sensors in the following areas:

  • 1000 West – Ground, First, and Second Floors
  • 2000 Building – Ground, First, and Second Floors
  • 3000 Building – First Floor
  • 4000 Building – Ground and First Floors

To expand coverage, we’ll need to add more cloud connectors. We’re also trialling signal extenders, which may help strengthen connectivity in selected locations.

Soap Dispenser Sensor Trials

Working with Eco Drift’s in-house technology team, we’re testing a custom sensor design retrofitted into soap dispensers to monitor usage in real time.

Trial units are currently installed in 1000 West Ground Floor Ladies and Gents. If successful, these sensors will trigger alerts when soap levels run low — helping us maintain supplies proactively and avoid empty dispensers. A broader rollout will be subject to validation and cost analysis.

Smarter Cleaning Through Sensor Feedback

Our facilities team, in collaboration with Eco Drift, now uses real-time data from Proximetrix sensors to adjust cleaning dynamically based on usage. The washroom sensors operate on usage thresholds, automatically alerting the cleaning team when footfall reaches a specific level — allowing them to prioritise where attention is needed most.

In the 1000 West Ground Floor Gents, a case study combining sensor tracking and hygiene swab testing identified an ideal cleaning pattern:

  • Quick clean between 7:30–9:00 am
  • Full clean around 1:00 pm

This new schedule is already in place — with no additional cost to Lakeside — thanks to smart scheduling. Early feedback from campus occupiers has been very positive.

Encouraging Better Hand Hygiene

One key insight from the case study was around hand hygiene. Swab testing on the internal door handle highlighted the importance of encouraging thorough hand washing after toilet use.

As a result, we’re exploring the use of friendly reminder signage in washrooms — possibly on the doors — to help promote good hygiene habits and support a cleaner, healthier environment for all.

What’s Next: Building a Smarter Campus

Proximetrix has the capacity to support thousands of sensors across the site — not just in washrooms, but for broader environmental and operational monitoring:

  • Temperature and humidity levels
  • Air quality (CO₂)
  • Leak detection
  • Desk occupancy and motion
  • Door and window status

With more trials and case studies planned for September, we’re excited to keep innovating and shaping a smarter, more responsive Lakeside.

Lakeside Giant Garden Games Fest

Written by

Lakeside Giant Garden Games Fest

Lots to enjoy at the Lakeside Giant Garden Games Fest 2025

Occupiers were invited to join us and participate in the 2025 Lakeside Giant Garden Games Fest last week on Thursday 17th July.

Competing against one another at giant versions of retro table top games, some of which came with a new twist, everyone was in it to win. Games included Connect 4, Jenga, buzz wire and Snakes and Ladders to name a few. There were even oversized space hoppers for people to bounce on, and inflatable basket ball hoops and penalty shoot out games.

Our Street Food Thursday vendors were on hand to keep everyone fed and watered, and they were joined by Jakes Flakes ice cream van, with those occupiers lucky enough to RSVP on the My Lakeside app receiving a free ice cream.

The Lakeside, in house band, ‘Lakestock’ performed a variety of rock and pop classics to entertain the crowds, with a few guest performers joining in along the way.

Lakesides current Charity of the Year, Portsmouth Hospitals Charity, were also in attendance raising awareness and funds for their amazing cause.

Lakeside Charity of the Year

Written by

Lakeside Charity of the Year

We are now looking to select a new Charity of the Year at Lakeside

As we draw to the end of our partnership with Portsmouth Hospitals Charity, our Charity of the Year for 2024/25, we would like to thank everyone for their support, kind donations and for taking the time to understand the amazing work the charity does in supporting the local NHS Trust, enhancing patient care and supporting staff wellbeing.

We are now looking to select a new Charity of the Year at Lakeside, and we would love to hear from local charities who are interested in forming a meaningful partnership with us.

Each year, we partner with one charity to support through fundraising events, awareness campaigns, and promotional opportunities across the Lakeside community. Recent partnership activities have included Reindeer Runs at Christmas, Summer Festivals, Football Tournaments and Occupier Forum talks to name a few.

This is a great opportunity to boost your organisation’s profile and benefit from the support of our occupiers and visitors.

If your charity would like to be considered, please get in touch with us by emailing our helpdesk here and we will be in touch with further details. Closing date for submissions is Friday 18th July.

Want to work at Lakeside?

Written by

Looking for a new job?

Here’s a list of the latest new roles on offer

New jobs…

If you want to come and join our thriving business community at Lakeside there are always plenty of opportunities within our occupier base. It really is a great place to work and there are some brilliant businesses on site to work for. Here’s a selection of current jobs on offer with some of them:

Astute

Recruitment Partner – Contract Renewable Sector

Carrington West

Associate Consultant

Graduate Recruitment Consultant

Trainee Recruitment Consultant

Charles Taylor

International Nurse Coordinator

Go Car Credit

Customer Care Agent

UK Ambassador to Japan visits Lakeside

Written by

UK Ambassador to Japan visit

Ambassador meets with local businesses

Lakeside were delighted to welcome the UK’s Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom, to site, alongside the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr. Gerald Vernon-Jackson, and Natalie Brahma-Pearl, Chief Executive of Portsmouth City Council.

Ambassador Longbottom met with local businesses as part of a first-of-its-kind UK-Japan roadshow, aimed at strengthening international ties and showcasing Portsmouth’s potential on the global stage.

She shared:

“It’s exciting to be in Portsmouth as part of this first-of-its-kind roadshow – going the extra mile to develop relationships that will help us supercharge growth to every corner of the UK.”

“Japanese companies are choosing to invest and create jobs in the UK because of our skilled workforce, our world-class innovation, and our deep, trusted partnership with Japan. Portsmouth has all of these, and it’s my job to put Portsmouth on the map in Japan.”

Lakeside are proud to be part of a community that’s driving innovation, sustainability and international collaboration.

Carrington West recognised as a top employer

Written by

Carrington West recognised as a top employer

Ranked within Top 10 UK Best Employers by the Sunday Times

Carrington West have been recognised within the Top 10 UK Employer list by the Sunday Times in a recently published article. They were also named Number 1 Medium Sized Employer in the Business Services Category.

To read more about this fantastic achievement, including praise from MP for Portsmouth North, Amanda Martin, and reactions from James Fernandes and Emily Christmas from Carrington West, visit the Carrington West website. Lord Mark Price, founder of WorkL and Zoe Thomas, Editor of The Sunday Times best Places to Work also explain the awards and their relevance.

The Carrington West team, who are based within Building 1000 at Lakeside, are immensely proud of their achievement and have been celebrating since finding out the news.

We would like everyone to join us in extending our congratulations to all involved.

 

Lakeside Cup 2025

Written by

Fifteen Teams Line up for the Lakeside Cup Football Tournament

Congratulations to the Winners – Team Astute

The Lakeside Cup Football Tournament returns for a second year and the winners are….

Congratulations to Team Astute for their win in today’s event which was held in partnership with the Hampshire FA, at the King George V Playing Complex, following the success of last year’s event. The event saw 15 teams of occupiers from some of the region’s top companies competing for glory.

After the group stages and then play offs, Team Lakeside and Team Astute kicked off in the final, with Astute taking the trophy on a score of 2-0.

It was a brilliant tournament and congratulations to all the Lakeside occupiers and teams who took part, including Astute, BTS, Carrington West, Charles Taylor, Checkatrade, Fairways, Hampshire FA, Hippo Waste, Markerstudy, Regus, SPB  UK and toob.

The winners received the coveted Lakeside Cup and prize vouchers. The player of the tournament, Dan Grosvenor, goalie for the winning team was awarded the special Player of the Tournament prize trophy.

This event is supported by Lakeside North Harbour’s partners, Hampshire Football Association (FA) and their referees.

Simon Bateman, Asset Manager at Lakeside North Harbour, said: “We were very excited to once again unite the local business community here at Lakeside for this fun and competitive event. It’s a great opportunity for companies to connect, showcase team spirit, and enjoy some healthy competition. It was great to see the incredible talent and energy on display and congratulations to the winners.”

Isabella Pearson, Business Development Lead at Hampshire Football Association, added:

“Our partnership with Lakeside North Harbour continues to grow stronger, we were proud to host the tournament for the second time this year. Last year marked a milestone, with Lakeside hosting its inaugural occupiers’ tournament at the King George V Football Complex – an event that proved to be a great success.

“This ongoing collaboration has now firmly positioned the tournament as a key event within the local business community.”

Environmental Stewardship

Written by

Working in Partnership

With the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Trust

Corporate membership of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust brings with it significant benefits to our site, and allows for amazing collaboration work and insightful knowledge from experts within the organisation.

The Trust have written this blog highlighting some of the fulling partnership work that has taken place to date, stating;

“Surrounded by greenspace that prioritises both wildlife and wellbeing, Lakeside North Harbour is an innovative and sustainable business campus that helps support our vision for a Wilder Hampshire and Isle of Wight by 2030.”

Lakeside have been Corporate Members since 2015 and have partnered more closely with the Trust since 2022. With over fifty businesses based on site, including other supporters – Southern Co-op and Eco Drift – the campus focuses on four core sustainability pillars: environment, transport, wellbeing, and wildlife.

The Trust host four seasonal wildlife walks, highlighting the flora, fauna and wildlife across the campus – with experts on hand to provide insight and learning to all who participate.

All occupiers are welcome to join the walks and find out more about the biodiversity on site. These walks provide a fantastic opportunity for discussion on the key issues surrounding nature protection and what can be done locally, corporately and individually to protect and enhance our environment.

A highlight on last year’s calendar was a joint partnership event, a Wildlife Family Day, inviting occupiers and their children to campus, to learn about wildlife and get involved with a variety of crafts and activities, such as building bug houses and planting pollinator friendly plant pots.  Watch this space for another wildlife event coming soon to site!

Alongside these events and activities, the Trust supports Lakeside with advice about protecting local wildlife habitats, providing survey data and baselining, to better understand how the site can be improved to cater for all aspects of nature, ensuring the natural environment and it inhabitants thrive on site.

The campus has also made impressive strides in becoming a fantastic example of sustainable practice. Recently developing a major solar power generation project, where solar panels across the car park now help to power the business park as well as providing benefit to the city of Portsmouth, you can read more about this project here.

Lakeside also champion water and waste efficient technologies and have recently planted over 200 additional trees on site.

Working in partnership together with the Trust, we will continue to enhance and protect habitats, support education and engagement, and lead in sustainable practice.

If your business is interested in supporting the Trust, please contact corporates@hiwwt.org.uk.

Meet The Team

Written by

Celebrating our Front of House Team

National Receptionist Day 2025

Getting to know them…

Receptionists are the unsung heroes of any workplace—welcoming visitors with warmth, ensuring smooth daily operations, and keeping everything ticking like clockwork. At Lakeside, we’re fortunate to have an exceptional Front of House team who bring professionalism, personality, and a sense of community to our workspace every single day.

On this National Receptionist’s Day, we’re shinning the spotlight on these fantastic individuals who make Lakeside such a welcoming place.

We sat down with our incredible Front of House team to get to know them a little better and uncover some fascinating facts along the way. From surprising celebrity encounters to secret talents and personal milestones, each of them brings a unique energy to Lakeside.

Here’s what they had to share…

Karen Meehan

Karen has been at Lakeside for seven years and two months, previously working as Head Receptionist at Solent Forts, a unique role in the middle of the Solent. She thrives on the community spirit of Lakeside, particularly enjoying team events and celebrations throughout the year. One of the most interesting visitors she has checked in? A famous footballer, who was married to a singer and now works on Sky Sports, you can guess who this is!

A fascinating fact? Karen used to dance ballet, tap, and modern styles, even taking a ballet class with Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet—an amazing experience.

Karole Anne Joyce

Karole has been a cornerstone of the Lakeside team for six and a half years, always greeting visitors with a smile and a helping hand. Before joining Lakeside, she worked as a receptionist and compassionate co-worker for 140 employees at Climax Studios in Gunwharf Quays. What she loves most about her role? Meeting new people and being part of a close-knit team. A particularly special visitor she checked in was Mark Wingett, an actor from Quadrophenia and The Bill—whom she hadn’t seen since school days in 1976!

Fun fact: Karole used to own a pub for three years in the mid-nineties, an experience that taught her valuable lessons in resilience and human nature.

Karen Rimmer

Karen joined Lakeside on June 27, 2016, meaning she’s been part of the team for almost nine years. Before stepping into the world of front-of-house work, she was a Department Manager for Grocery at Morrison’s Supermarket in Anchorage Park. Karen finds joy in the daily interactions she has with visitors and occupiers, appreciating the wonderful community feel at Lakeside.

One of her funniest moments, she once checked in Sir Ben Ainslie—without realizing who he was—and asked how to spell his name! A secret ambition, Karen has always wanted to take up Line Dancing—and it’s next on her list.

Gemma Abraham

Gemma is celebrating seven years at Lakeside this summer. She previously worked as an office administrator for a maintenance company before bringing her enthusiasm and warmth to reception. The best part of the job? Her colleagues, the visitors, and the laid-back yet professional environment—not to mention Street Food Thursdays.  A quirky talent, she has never found food too hot or spicy to eat, no matter how much she tries!

Each member of our Lakeside Front of House team brings something special to the workplace. Whether it’s their humour, dedication, or ability to make every visitor feel welcome, their contributions are truly invaluable.

To all receptionists, both our Front of House team and those who work for the businesses based here – thank you for being the heart and soul of every workplace.

Let’s take a moment to show them some appreciation today and every day!  Please give them a smile when you arrive and let them know how much they’re valued.

New Occupiers – Spectrum Workplace

Written by

Family run office design and fitout specialist moves in

Celebrating a milestone year!

Announcing our latest new occupiers Spectrum Workplace, a family-run specialist in office design, fitout and refurbishment.

Founded in 1975, Spectrum Workplace remains a family-owned and operated business. Now in its third generation of leadership, Managing Director Joshua Fidler is supported by his two brothers, with both his father and grandfather still actively involved in the company.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Spectrum has experienced significant growth in recent years, prompting the decision to establish its new head office and design studio at Lakeside. “We’ve built our business on trusted relationships and a commitment to offering honest advice,” said Joshua Fidler. “Family values are at the heart of everything we do, and this move represents an exciting new chapter for our team.

The relocation also carries special significance for the business: company founder David Fidler began his career in the finance department at IBM, which was formerly based in the Lakeside building—nearly 50 years ago.

Spectrum’s new design studio at Lakeside will also serve as a working showroom, supporting the Lakeside Real Estate team by showcasing workspace design ideas for vacant suites and offering free design consultations. The thoughtfully designed space gives potential tenants and clients a chance to experience Spectrum’s work firsthand and visualise the possibilities for their own offices.

With regional offices in Southampton, Bournemouth, and Reading, Lakeside offers an ideal central hub for Spectrum’s expanding operations and further strengthens its presence across the South Coast.

Simon Bateman, Asset Manager at Lakeside North Harbour, said:

“It has been a pleasure welcoming Spectrum to Lakeside. As long time champions of the campus and whilst partnering many of its occupiers in creating the perfect workspace, it’s now exciting to see the team here on campus every day.

 With a strong commitment to Portsmouth and the wider South Coast, Spectrum’s values align perfectly with ours – from nurturing local talent to embracing innovation in the workplace. We’re proud to support their journey as they help shape the future of work right here at Lakeside.”

 

Joshua Fidler, Managing Director at Spectrum Workplace, added:

“Our move to Lakeside is a key step in our journey. We’re proud to invest further in our team and continue our long-standing commitment to the local area.

Lakeside is one of the premier business campuses on the South Coast, and we’re excited to partner with them as an onsite showspace for prospective tenants. Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of supporting more than 20 clients within the building— particular highlights are the workspaces we have created for Lead Forensics and Charles Taylor. We’re excited to now be part of the Lakeside community ourselves.”