At ESW, our people are at the heart of everything we do, so when big changes happen, we want to bring our teams along for the journey. As we prepared to open the doors to our brand-new Madrid hub, we sat down with Chief People Officer Sarah Keating to talk about what inspired the move, how the new space reflects our culture, and why this next chapter is more than just a change of address. From campus perks to sustainability priorities to creating spaces that help us win as one, Sarah shares the vision behind Madrid’s new home and what it means for ESW’s future.
After spending several years at Atocha Central, what inspired ESW to change its Madrid hub?
After several years at Atocha Central, we reached a natural moment to rethink what our workspace should look like for the way we collaborate today. While the new office is so close to Atocha Central, the difference in how the space supports our teams is significant.
Rather than framing it as a major “move,” it’s more about evolving our environment to match how our people work best. Our engagement surveys made it clear that we needed a space that better supports connection, collaboration and flexibility – and the new location allows us to do exactly that.
What perks and benefits can employees expect in the new office?
The Madnum campus itself features six restaurants and a speciality coffee shop. Because let’s face it, there is no such thing as too much caffeine although this may or may not have something to do with the ESW Chief Coffee Officer!
There is also a two-floor fitness centre with dedicated areas for cardio and strength training, plus locker rooms and showers for anyone who cycles to work. A physical therapist will also be joining the campus soon.
Combine that with excellent transport links and easy access to the city centre, and you have a workspace that truly supports flexible, modern ways of working.
How does the new space support and strengthen ESW’s culture?
Madnum is more than an office complex. It is a community and a social hub built to create a real balance between work and life. There are regular events, shared spaces to unwind, and plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues outside your immediate team.
To compliment that, our own office was designed around how our people really work. That means lots of space to come together to win as one, comfortable areas for collaboration, private booths for calls, and spaces that feel easy, welcoming, and engaging. And if you need a quiet moment to reset or are returning to work as a new parent, we now have a dedicated wellness room designed for exactly those moments.
Lastly sustainability was also an important design priority for us as we looked for a new office and we were delighted to see that it is also at the heart of how the Madnum complex came together. It ranks among the top sustainable properties in the EU, and we are excited about the initiatives we will roll out together in the coming months. Automatic lighting, sustainably sourced electricity, no plastic water bottles, and beautiful green spaces across the campus are already key features and these initiatives are all guided by one principle which we completely endorse: Leave things better than we found them. Always.
And beyond that?
If you are thinking about your next career move, check out our open roles at ESW.
