WiredScore expands across Europe

London, 23 November 2021 – Today, WiredScore, the company behind the WiredScore and SmartScore rating systems, announces its expansion across Europe, now setting a global standard for technology and best user experience in the built world in 23 countries.

Alongside 26 leading landlords from across Europe, the internationally recognized company has launched both its WiredScore and SmartScore certifications in 12 new markets across the Nordics as well as Central and Central Eastern Europe.

Simultaneously, the company is bringing its WiredScore Home certification to countries in Western Europe, including France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Iberia, tapping into wider demand for better connected multifamily and purpose built student accommodation assets.

The growth drive will help to fulfil WiredScore’s mission to make the world’s buildings smarter and better connected.

Across the Nordics, Western and Central Eastern Europe, landlords have already committed a total of 61 buildings to the certifications. These include Art-Invest Real Estate, Blackrock, BNP Paribas REIM, CBRE Investment Management, Commerz Real, Cogedim, COVIVIO, DWS, Europa Capital Partners, Hines, Immovalor, Invesco, LaSalle Investment Management, Moorfield, PATRIZIA, PineBridge Benson Elliot/Syrena Real Estate, REINO Partners/Partners Group, Round Hill Capital, Swiss Life Asset Managers, The Valesco Group, Value One and Watkin Jones.

WiredScore certification empowers landlords to understand, improve, benchmark and promote their building’s digital infrastructure, while SmartScore gives guidance around what ‘smart’ really means in relation to commercial buildings, and how it can and should be implemented. The certification provides credibility and certainty to an industry rapidly pursuing digital transformation.

Indeed, research commissioned by WiredScore for its Live. Work. Connect. report found that while 72% of Europeans rate their internet connectivity within the office/university space as “good”, by comparison, 51% of Europeans still believe their home internet connectivity to be “better”. The workforce of the future will demand superior connectivity from their workspaces and employees must be able to rely on connectivity levels being able to match (or, indeed, better) those at home.

WiredScore’s research also ranked the productivity levels post-pandemic, home broadband quality, wellbeing and level of support from employers, to determine an overall country index of those countries in which the workforce are most and least satisfied with the working from home experience. Spain, Ireland and France emerge as the European countries that deliver the highest levels of satisfaction, whereas Austria, The Netherlands and Poland comparatively deliver the least. For a full and detailed analysis of WiredScore’s research findings, take a look at the Live. Work. Connect. report.

William Newton, President and MD, WiredScore comments: “Prompted by the pandemic, the real estate industry has had a wake up call over the course of the last two years: adapt or you will fail to keep up. In order to sustain this new paradigm in the built environment, user outcomes must be placed at the core of everything we do, with technology acting as an enabler.

“There has never been a more critical time for landlords to work hand in glove with the companies and people which occupy their buildings to ensure that demands for digital connectivity are being listened to. Our hope is that, by providing a globally recognised benchmark by which to measure, landlords will be able to take advantage of user-focused outcomes that their buildings are capable of delivering.”

Simon Mansell, National Facilities Manager, Host, commented: “With the huge shift to online learning and studying over the last couple of years, there has never been a more critical time to prioritise great digital connectivity outside of traditional study spaces. By having a globally recognised benchmark, the real estate industry will be able to reassure the students of today and tomorrow that they are living in the best-connected homes.”

Michael Bickford, Founder and CEO at Round Hill Capital, said, “In an increasingly tech-driven world, digital connectivity is vital to the way we live and work. The needs of tenants have shifted significantly, and aspects such as technology and connectivity are now key markers of quality when searching for accommodation.

“At Round Hill Capital, we’re committed to pioneering the use of technologies across our assets to deliver the experiences and value tenants have come to expect. We’re delighted to see so many of our buildings receive the WiredScore accreditation, providing tenants with a simple and easy way to identify them as residencies that will support their digital needs.”

Alex Pease, Chief Investment Officer, Watkin Jones commented: “The last two years have underlined just how important it is to be connected, both for work and to stay in touch with the people we love. Partnering with WiredScore is part of our commitment to creating the future of living through places and communities that give residents an amazing experience for decades to come.”

Alongside its product offering across Europe, WiredScore is expanding its Accredited Professionals programme for WiredScore Office, WiredScore Home and also SmartScore (excluding UK and Ireland). The programme delivers high-quality training on the WiredScore and SmartScore scorecards and processes, enabling individuals to advise developers, asset managers and property managers on how to design, build and maintain offices and residential buildings that meet and exceed tenants’ digital connectivity and smart technology needs. Companies who have already signed up as WiredScore and SmartScore Accredited Professionals include AECOM, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, JLL and Savills.

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