Danish ISS opens Finance Service Centre in Gdańsk

ISS, a leading workplace experience and facility management company with 350,000+ employees worldwide, has recently opened a new office for ISS Finance Service Centre (FSC) professionals located in the Wave building in Gdańsk. The recently opened office embodies core ISS values, drawing inspiration from its Danish heritage and the maritime ambiance of Poland's coastline. The interior design combines Scandinavian influences, sustainability principles, and fosters an inclusive work culture centred around the values of a "Company of Belonging", ensuring an enriching employee experience.

Paweł Rowicki, Head of Shared Services Transformation, ISS says: “Blending its sustainable business philosophy with the Gdańsk corporate landscape, ISS emphasizes the Danish work culture that extends beyond the familiar concept of "hygge”. The company aims to prioritize safe working conditions, advocates gender, racial, and religious diversity, and actively works towards reducing environmental impact through innovative solutions benefiting the natural ecosystem. Our ambition has been to create safe and inclusive high-end workspaces that enhance employee well-being and productivity, simultaneously maintaining strong business growth."
The ISS Finance Service Centre (FSC) Gdansk is key to increasing the efficiency of financial processes at ISS by standardising ways of working, while benefiting from the large and skilful talent pool of Gdansk, an established finance hotspot. Supporting the ISS operation requires the concentrated effort of a dedicated unit, which is why ISS is centralizing its finance operations in Gdansk. The Gdansk centre will initially employ approximately 50 finance specialists, with potential for further growth. This is the Danish giant’s third location in Poland, following its second global headquarters and Polish operations office both located in Warsaw.
ISS core business is integrated facilities services, operating in 30+ countries on all continents. Its range of services includes cleaning, technical, food and strategic workplace management. Its more than 40,000 clients include office buildings, shopping centres, factories, airports, hotels, hospitals, and schools.



An inclusive workplace designed for accessibility and barrier-free mobility
ISS’ second headquarters, located in its Warsaw Hub, boasts the world's highest rating and a world-first Platinum certification for its accessibility and comfort solutions according to accessibility watchdog Mobility Mojo. The adoption of such solutions is directly linked to ISS' employee promise of being a company of belonging, with corresponding solutions to be introduced to the Gdansk office.
ISS prioritizes an inclusive office environment, emphasizing a sense of belonging for all. The commitment goes beyond mere adaptation, focusing on natural measures that enhance accessibility by highlighting individuals' abilities. Additionally, the Skanska-developed Wave building, holding the 'Building without Barriers' certificate, ensures full accessibility for individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, and families with children, making ISS' new location inclusive in common areas and office spaces alike.



Empowering employee well-being and safety through sustainable solutions
The new ISS FSC office planning, fit out and execution in Gdańsk was fully carried out by the ISS Poland team. The project was carried out in the “Design&Build” model – from concept to execution of fit out and supervision of the entire process.
Norbert Ślusarczyk, Director of Engineering and Capital Projects, ISS Poland, says: "When conceptualizing the design for the ISS office in Gdańsk, we considered pivotal factors that every employer currently struggles with: The shift in generations, the battle for talent, ESG, and the adoption of hybrid work models. Our aim was to provide placemaking solutions that contribute to better business performance and make life easier, more productive, and simply more enjoyable”.
Jan Pawlik, Workplace Management Director, ISS Poland adds: “The office was designed based on the employee experience path and services designed for them. Consequently, we have contemporary interiors infused with a coastal ambiance, drawing inspiration from both Scandinavian heritage and Kashubian elements relevant to the office's locale. The colour palette evokes the sunlit sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea”.
ISS remains committed to creating a dynamic and sustainable work environment, setting a benchmark for inclusive office design that promotes employee well-being, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
***
The key features of the office include:
The climate of the Pomeranian region. The office design draws inspiration from the local landscape, incorporating the Pomeranian look and feel including wavy walls, lamps and a colour scheme reflecting the sea, moraine hills, sand, and sea waves. Infused with subtle connections between Kashubians and Scandinavia, these influences are artfully woven into the office's graphics, furniture, and murals. Additionally, the naming convention for the conference rooms is bilingual, presented in both English and Kashubian – the Kashubian translations were provided by an ISS employee of Kashubian origin.
Environmentally conscious fit out. Demonstrating a dedication to sustainability, ISS has made zero waste a top priority by reusing materials like sheets from retired port containers, apple boxes, and wire elements resembling fishing nets. The office incorporates new materials with a minimum of 30% recycled content, with meticulous attention paid to reducing carbon footprint linked to transportation.
Biophilia. The design adheres to biophilic principles, emphasizing nature-inspired well-being, and accommodates both neurodiverse and disabled individuals. The visual concept was created in cooperation with a young local artist. The future plans envisage further cooperation with a wider group of local artists who will be presented with an opportunity to exhibit their work in the Gdańsk office.
Solutions enhancing employee well-being and inclusivity. "To improve the well-being of employees, innovative solutions were implemented, including the use of special acoustic wall products to address the critical issue of acoustics, particularly for neurodiverse individuals. Moreover, custom-made ceiling partitions disguised as sea waves in conference rooms (with movable walls) mirror the local scenery, following the beauty of the coastal scenery while providing superb acoustic conditions.
Mural artworks. The office showcases murals painted with photo-catalytic paint for improved air quality. These artworks depict the regional landscape and address the consequences of not meeting ESG goals and the Paris Agreement. The central mural, depicting Neptune submerged in the sea, serves as a perfect embodiment of the values of sustainable business and social responsibility cherished by ISS employees. It signifies our commitment to combating climate change while shedding light on potential risks. The execution of the piece was undertaken by ISS Poland. It was a noble endeavour; the entire remuneration for the completed work was donated to a local charitable organization.



***




About ISS
ISS is a leading workplace experience and facility management company. In partnership with customers, ISS drives the engagement and well-being of people, minimises the impact on the environment, and protects and maintains property. ISS brings all of this to life through a unique combination of data, insight and service excellence at offices, factories, airports, hospitals and other locations across the globe. ISS has more than 350,000 employees around the globe, who we call “placemakers”. In 2022, ISS Group’s global revenue amounted to DKK 76.5billion. For more information on the ISS Group, visit www.issworld.com