GCUC Podcast Recap: Magda Al-Nugaidi

Rowing into the Future of Work: A GCUC Podcast with Magda Al-Nugaidi

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to rethink the office from the ground up, start with a sunrise. For Magda Al-Nugaidi, Managing Director at Uncommon, mornings begin on a misty river, oar in hand. Rowing keeps her grounded, focused, and ready to lead one of the UK’s most forward-thinking coworking brands.

That sense of clarity and intention flows directly into how Magda approaches the workplace: not as rows of desks and sterile lighting, but as vibrant ecosystems designed for wellbeing, flexibility, and community.

In the latest episode of the GCUC Podcast, host Liz Elam digs into Uncommon’s unique approach to design, hospitality, and human-centered spaces, and why these things aren’t extras anymore.

Leadership in Flow

Magda’s rowing routine isn’t just a fun anecdote—it’s a metaphor for leadership. She starts her day with rhythm, clarity, and intention, and she brings the same mindset into Uncommon.

“In the morning it’s my calm time… being on the water first thing, seeing the sunrise, sometimes the mist, it’s just such a great reset for both my mind and my body.”

Instead of chasing a chaotic to-do list, Magda sets just three priorities a day. That discipline translates into how Uncommon creates spaces: simple, focused, and deeply intentional.

The New Office: Not Just a Place, but a Feeling

The pandemic didn’t kill the office, it just killed bad offices. People don’t want rows of desks under fluorescent lights anymore. They want spaces that make them feel something.

“We put a lens of how the space will make people feel rather than just how it will look.”

That’s why Uncommon isn’t in the real estate business, it’s in the experience business. Natural light, greenery, scent, and acoustics are as strategic as Wi-Fi and coffee.

And it’s not just aesthetics, it’s about wellbeing, inclusivity, and design for neurodiversity. Some people thrive in buzz, others in calm. A modern workspace has to give both permission to belong.

Community Over Square Footage

Community is where coworking proves its value and Magda refuses to compromise on it.

“We intentionally create an abundance of communal spaces because that’s where the community thrives.”

That means cafés, lounges, wellness rooms, and event areas take up real estate that could’ve been rentable offices. But the return on investment is clear: people might join for the vibe, but they stay for the relationships.

Liz sums it up best: “Join for the design, stay for the community.”

Hospitality is the Secret Sauce

If coworking is the cake, hospitality is the icing and Uncommon makes it non-negotiable.

“A modern workspace simply cannot exist without hospitality.”

Hospitality is the warm greeting at the front desk, the staff who know your name, the coffee that actually tastes good, and the small touches that make people feel seen. It’s what transforms a flexible office into a place of belonging.

And here’s the kicker: happy teams deliver great hospitality. Magda invests in her people so they can invest in members.

The Non-Negotiables of Hybrid Work

Magda is clear about what matters as we design for a hybrid future:

• Flexibility:  no cookie-cutter layouts; spaces must flex with how people work.

• Wellbeing: environments should calm, not drain.

• Seamless tech:  no patience left for clunky tools.

• Sustainability:  today’s workers want to know the impact of the spaces they choose.

“Flexibility, wellbeing, and community aren’t perks anymore—they’re non-negotiables.”

This isn’t a trend report, it’s a mandate.

Where to Hear More

Magda will be sharing her vision live at GCUC UK in London. Expect insights on designing for a new generation of workers and strategies you can take back to your own space.

Until then, tune into the full podcast for a dose of inspiration: it’s not just about desks and Wi-Fi, it’s about creating human-centered experiences that keep people coming back.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode
🎟 Grab your GCUC UK Tickets
🔗 Connect with Magda Al-Nugaidi
🌐 Discover Uncommon
🔗 Connect with Liz Elam