- Founded
- 1989-01-01 in Brussels, Belgium
- Headquarters
- Zug, Switzerland (head office); Saint Helier, Jersey (registered office)
- Phone
- +356 254 666 66
International Workplace Group plc, trading primarily under the Regus brand, is the world’s largest provider of flexible workspace solutions. Founded in 1989 by Mark Dixon in Brussels, Belgium, the company pioneered serviced offices with short-term leases and now operates over 4,000 locations across more than 120 countries. Its product range includes fully furnished private offices, coworking spaces, meeting rooms, and virtual office services, accessible through membership plans or short-term contracts. IWG also owns complementary brands such as Spaces, HQ, and Signature, targeting different segments of the market. With approximately 10,000 employees and headquarters in Zug, Switzerland, the company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a FTSE 250 constituent. Regus has weathered financial restructuring and emerged as a dominant force, capitalizing on the permanent shift toward hybrid work that accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Detailed Review
History and Founding
International Workplace Group was founded in 1989 by British entrepreneur Mark Dixon in Brussels, Belgium. The concept was simple: provide fully serviced office space on flexible, short-term terms, a market segment that barely existed at the time. The company expanded rapidly, entering Latin America and Asia in 1994 and completing its initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange in 2000. That same year it acquired Stratis Business Centers to grow its U.S. franchise network. The early 2000s brought severe challenges: five employees died in the September 11 attacks (the company had a center on the 93rd floor of the South Tower), and the dot-com crash hurt profitability. In 2003, Regus filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for its U.S. operations, emerging in 2004 after restructuring. The company used proceeds from the sale of a controlling stake in its UK business to Alchemy Partners in 2002 to finance the turnaround, later reacquiring the UK business in 2006.
Business Model and Products
Regus operates through a dual model of owned/managed centers and franchised locations. Its core offerings include fully furnished private offices for teams of 1–100+, coworking spaces, meeting and conference rooms bookable by the hour or day, and virtual office services (business address, mail handling, local phone number). The Businessworld membership program provides multi-location access globally. The Regus Mobile App enables booking, account management, and check-in. Beyond the flagship Regus brand, IWG operates Spaces (creative coworking), HQ (value-priced offices), and Signature (premium executive suites). The company generates revenue primarily from membership fees, term leases, and pay-per-use bookings.
Market Position and Competition
Regus is the largest flexible workspace operator globally, with a network spanning over 120 countries. It competes with providers such as WeWork, Servcorp, and various local coworking chains. While WeWork faced financial difficulties, Regus benefited from its asset-light franchise model and long operational history. The company has also formed strategic partnerships with airlines (Air France-KLM, American Airlines) and American Express to offer preferred access for business travelers. In 2025, IWG reported revenue of US$3.762 billion and net income of US$15 million.
Recent Strategic Direction
The company has refocused on the "workplace as a service" model, leveraging the permanent shift toward hybrid and remote work patterns accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It continues to expand in emerging markets and invest in its digital platform, including mobile app enhancements. IWG changed its corporate name to International Workplace Group plc in 2018 to encompass its portfolio of brands, with Regus retained as the primary consumer-facing brand. The company remains listed on the London Stock Exchange under ticker IWG and is a FTSE 250 constituent.
Key Products
Signature (IWG brand)
Premium, high-end executive suites in prime locations for senior executives and luxury clients.
Regus Private Offices
Fully furnished, serviced private offices for teams of 1–100+, with flexible lease terms and access to business support services.
Regus Coworking
Collaborative, open-plan shared workspaces available by the day, month, or via membership.
Meeting Rooms
Professionally equipped meeting and conference rooms bookable by the hour or half-day, with AV equipment and catering options.
Virtual Office
A business address, mail handling, local phone number, and limited access to physical workspace for a professional image without a permanent office.
Businessworld Membership
Multi-level membership program providing discounted, flexible access to any Regus location globally, including coworking, private offices, and meeting rooms.
Regus Mobile App
Platform for booking spaces, managing accounts, and checking in at locations.
Spaces (IWG brand)
Creative, design-led coworking and private office spaces targeting freelancers and startups.
HQ (IWG brand)
Affordable, no-frills serviced offices for value-conscious businesses.
Offices & Headcount
10000 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
- Mark Dixon
Founder & Executive Chair