Informa Dubai

A landmark smart workplace for regional expansion

There was a huge amount of focus on this project for Informa, a high amount of pressure, and I think collectively as a team we have delivered a spectacular workplace.

James Vause / HEAD OF GLOBAL PROJECTS & TECHNICAL SERVICES

40,818

Square Feet

Media, Events &
Commercial Real Estate

INDUSTRY

Fit-out

PROJECT TYPE

The challenge & objectives

At-a-glance: What Informa needed

  • A standout regional HQ to anchor strategic expansion into the Middle East
  • A workplace experience that would impress internal leadership, shareholders, and UAE VIPs
  • Seamless hybrid-working capabilities for 295 staff — branded, flexible, and easy to use
  • Timely delivery for a high-profile launch event, with zero room for delays
  • A consistent, intelligent workplace experience aligned with Informa’s global portfolio

The full picture

When Informa began planning their new Dubai headquarters, it wasn’t just another office — it was a flagship project. As part of the company’s expansion into the region, this office would act as a launchpad for future growth, showcase Informa’s culture and innovation, and be a visible statement of intent in a premium location.

But the stakes were high.

The space had to be fully operational ahead of an immovable grand opening that included a company-wide town hall, international leadership, major stakeholders, and UAE royalty. It also had to reflect the company’s brand — not just visually, but experientially. That meant seamless control of lighting, climate, and signage— all tailored to Informa’s global tech and design standards.

There were technical hurdles too: the project required working with local partners unfamiliar with advanced integration requirements. Aligning systems, bridging gaps in delivery capabilities, and ensuring consistent UX across devices and regions would all fall on Vanti’s shoulders.

Informa wasn’t just looking for a supplier — they needed a trusted partner who could think like them, act on their behalf, and remove complexity from the process.

What success looked like

Our role

Vanti was brought in as the Master Systems Integrator for the project, tasked with delivering a seamless in-building technology experience across environmental systems, and digital infrastructure. We worked directly with Informa’s global workplace teams, local UAE contractors, and base build partners to ensure all systems worked as one — creating an intelligent workplace that was effortless to use and ready for global attention.

By taking full ownership of the integrated technology layer, we acted as a single point of contact across trades and disciplines — translating business goals into technical outcomes, and making sure the end-user experience met the brief.

Solutions delivered

The outcome

This was more than a successful office fit-out — it was the realisation of a bold vision under pressure. Vanti delivered a smart workplace that launched on time, functioned perfectly from day one, and achieved LEED Platinum certification.

The project culminated in a grand opening event attended by senior executives and His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

What might have been a complex handover was instead a confident rollout — with intuitive controls, branded interfaces, and fully integrated systems working in harmony. The workspace delivered on every level: function, form, experience, and future scalability.

Results

Why it matters

This wasn’t just about smart tech — it was about supporting a strategic leap forward.

Informa’s Dubai HQ serves as a regional anchor and a statement of capability. It proves that with the right technology partner, even complex workplace ambitions can be achieved with confidence.

Vanti helped transform bold vision into day-one reality — designing a user-first, brand-aligned, and future-ready smart workplace that supports Informa’s people, culture, and growth.