30 Years in South Africa: International Workplace Group (IWG): Mark Dixon and the Rise of the Global Hybrid Workspace Leader
SALM TEAM 
In 2026, the International Workplace Group (IWG), led by founder and CEO Mark Dixon, marks 30 years in South Africa. Dixon’s vision for flexible, technology-driven workplaces has shaped modern business practices locally and globally. Advocating for the Hybrid Work Model, he has built a wide-reaching network that enables people to work efficiently, how and where they want, anywhere in the world.
Employees worldwide are undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven by advancements in technology such as AI and automation, alongside the rise of flexible work models, globalisation, and changing workforce demographics. As businesses recognise the importance of agility and adaptability, traditional office structures are giving way to environments that prioritise well-being, embrace diversity, and foster purpose-driven engagement. The need for continuous reskilling further underscores the shift towards more human-centric and future-ready workplaces.
The global pandemic served as a catalyst for change, accelerating the shift towards hybrid work that was already underway. Organisations have increasingly adopted a model that blends local offices, remote work, and periodic use of corporate headquarters. Mark Dixon, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of IWG, has long championed this approach, recognising early on that flexibility and adaptability are key to organisational success in a rapidly evolving world.
IWG: HOW IT ALL BEGAN?
Dixon’s journey began in 1989, when he observed travelling professionals struggling to conduct meetings in noisy coffee shops. He realised that traditional offices were not meeting the diverse needs of modern businesses. Inspired by this gap, Dixon founded Regus in Brussels, laying the groundwork for ‘work from anywhere’ and ushering in a new era of flexible workspace solutions. This innovative concept quickly gained traction, with Regus emerging as the global leader that propelled the trend worldwide.
THE SOUTH AFRICAN STORY
Regus Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton marked IWG’s strategic entry into South Africa in 1996, becoming the 42nd centre in the global network and establishing a lasting presence in the region. Intentional and sustained growth followed, with the number of centres expanding to six nationwide by 2003. Targeted investment in the Western Cape led to a doubling of locations within just a year, signalling a deliberate focus on meeting the evolving demands of South Africa’s business community. By 2014, the footprint had reached 20 locations, and continued purposeful expansion brought the milestone 55th centre by 2017.
In South Africa there are over 77 centres across 8 provinces, with a clear commitment to ongoing expansion. Globally, IWG manages 5,000 locations under renowned brands such as Spaces, Regus, Signature, and HQ, establishing a presence in every major town, city, and transport hub.
This extensive network empowers businesses of all sizes to work seamlessly wherever they are needed. With more than four times as many locations as its closest competitor, IWG already partners with over 80% of the Fortune 500 companies, demonstrating its pivotal role in shaping the future of work.
THE MAN BEHIND THE SUCCESS
Mark Dixon is widely recognised as a pioneering force in redefining how we work, leveraging his expertise to champion hybrid work models that have transformed productivity, economic performance, environmental sustainability, and employee well-being.
Over the past three decades, Dixon’s vision has fuelled remarkable industry growth, attracting numerous competitors to the global marketplace. Throughout this evolution, Regus—and now IWG—have remained at the forefront, adapting to changing economic landscapes and shaping the future of work.
Today, IWG supports millions of professionals as the demand for flexible working solutions continues to surge.
Since founding Regus Group in 1989, Mark Dixon has been intentional in driving innovation and industry leadership. As an award-winning entrepreneur, his focus has been on redefining business property solutions and shaping the future of work through persistent vision and strategic action.
Dixon’s journey, marked by rapid expansion and challenging downturns, only underscores his resolve to establish IWG’s presence in South Africa. Dixon’s unwavering commitment has propelled IWG through every phase of its evolution, ensuring resilience and continued growth in a dynamic market.
MARK DIXON OFFERS US INSIGHT INTO HOW YOUR COMPANY CAN THRIVE AND SURVIVE
- Ride the Storms. Having navigated countless recessions and crises, going from a billionaire to nothing during the dot.com crash and subsequently making it back again, resilience is key.
- Plan for highs, lows, and the unexpected. Above all, plan. Business is forethought, not afterthought. Focus on both short- and long-term planning and review your company’s structure and strategy quarterly to ensure success.
- Surround yourself with a great team and connect at every level to understand what’s happening. Your team determines your business’s success. They are your greatest intellectual capital and must have the tools to excel. Speak with everyone, from cleaners to board members to customers.
- Start Early: Pursue great ideas regardless of age and treat every experience as a learning opportunity.
- Be Healthily Paranoid When It Comes to Running a Business. Go for opportunities, but be healthily paranoid about everything going wrong.
- Don’t Accept Being Slightly Better than Your Competition, Be on Another Planet. Be obsessed with constantly improving your business and harnessing technology to become an industry leader.
- Know Your Competitors Inside Out. Read or re-read Sun Tzu’s Principles. Little has changed in 2500 years. “If you know the enemy and yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles”.
- Foster a Wide Skill Set. Whether through work, volunteering, or personal projects, focus on experiences that develop different skill sets and ways of thinking.
- Embrace AI and other emerging tools and platforms to work smarter and enhance your personal brand and professional network.
- Fail Fast, Learn Faster. Mistakes are inevitable; don’t linger on them. Identify where you went wrong, learn the lesson, and move on with renewed focus and determination.
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“To thrive in today’s workplace, business owners must foster agility, embrace digital change, prioritise continuous learning and employee well-being, and lead with open, empathetic communication. Quick, effective adaptation is now essential for long-term success,” says Carolyn Elliman, Country Manager, South Africa.
“IWG added 11 locations in 2025 alone and 2026, growth is inevitable as the demand grows”, adds Elliman
“Success depends on how effectively your people work. Our workspace solutions offer more choices, greater flexibility, and an easy shift to hybrid work,” says Dixon.
About International Workplace Group PLC
International Workplace Group (IWG) is the world’s leading platform for work, enabling companies of all sizes to work more productively and profitably. We create personal, financial, and strategic value for the most exciting companies and well-known organisations on the planet, as well as individuals and the next generation of industry leaders. All of them harness IWG’s platform to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity.
International Workplace Group’s unrivalled network coverage includes more than 4,000 locations across 120 countries, and 83% of Fortune 500 companies are amongst our growing customer base.
Our brands, including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature, serve millions of people, providing professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces, and all our digital services are available via the IWG app.
For more information
Visitwww.iwgplc.com and for more information on partnering with International Workplace Group, see:
https://www.iwgplc.com/develop-a-location
Diana Kinyanjui 
