Self-invested personal pension specialist Mattioli Woods is pioneering remote working for two employees who will spend 2017 visiting and working in 12 cities in 12 months
Chris Smith, a senior customer relations manager and Suzanne Walker, a technical specialist, both wanted to take time off to see the world, but did not want to quit their jobs.
The couple who are currently in Mexico will work remotely from serviced offices during the day and will reserve evenings, weekends and holidays for sightseeing.
Mattioli Woods’ chief people officer, Sara Andrews, said: "To retain key talent we sometimes have to make things happen that are outside our comfort zone.
"We look forward to regular updates from their destinations, but also to see how effective and productive remote working can actually be."
The two employees will join a party of more than 70 fellow professionals – known as ‘digital nomads’ - on an expedition organised by US-based specialists Remote Year. Most of the other travellers are from America.
The company has put together a package including travel arrangements, accommodation and office facilities.
Chris Smith said: "We might not always be working at the exact same time as our colleagues back in the UK because of different time zones. But we will always be contactable and, thanks to the digital age, we will have the means to fulfil our work duties just as though we were at our desks".
The couple are visiting Mexico City; Bogota and Medellin Colombia; Lima, Peru; Cordoba and Buenos Aires, Argentina; Prague, Czech Republic; Belgrade, Serbia; Valencia, Spain; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Chiang Mai, Thailand and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
david.rowley@ft.com
