Designing Around People: A Conversation with Wendy Homewood
As Fellowes continues to strengthen its presence within the commercial interiors sector, we caught up with Wendy Homewood, Business Development Manager, to learn more about her role, her approach to building client relationships and the workplace challenges shaping conversations across the industry today.
From ergonomics and wellbeing to hybrid working and the importance of understanding how people really use their workspaces, Wendy shares her perspective on creating environments that better support comfort, productivity and performance.
Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your role at Fellowes and the areas of the business you are most involved in?
I’m Wendy, Business Development Manager for Fellowes, and my role focuses on shaping and growing our presence in the contract interiors sector.
What I’m really involved in day-to-day at the moment is learning about the business, the products and, most importantly, the amazing people here. Only then will I be better positioned to build the strategy, partnerships and insight we need to continue strengthening Fellowes’ position in the commercial interiors market.
A big part of my work is understanding how people actually use their workspaces and making sure our solutions genuinely support better ergonomics, wellbeing and productivity. It’s an exciting role because Fellowes is investing heavily in this space, and I get to help define what that future looks like.
Looking back at your career so far, what experience has most shaped your approach to working in the commercial interiors sector?
One of the most impactful experiences was my time volunteering at the Citizens Advice Bureau. Throughout my career, I’ve also worked in positions where understanding the detail really mattered, whether that was interpreting standards, solving technical challenges or helping people navigate complex decisions.
That has taught me to look at commercial interiors not just as products, but as part of a wider ecosystem of ergonomics, behaviour and workflow.
I’m also very people-centred in how I work. I’m always looking at how a solution fits into the real world: how it’s used, how it impacts comfort and performance, and how it contributes to both a better working and wider environment.
How do you work with clients to understand their needs, support their projects, and build strong long-term relationships?
For me, it starts with truly understanding the context behind a project, not just what someone wants to buy, but what they are trying to achieve within the space.
I spend time asking questions, listening for the practical challenges behind the brief, and understanding how people work day-to-day. That gives a much clearer picture of what will genuinely support them.
Once I understand that, I focus on being a partner rather than a supplier. That means being responsive, transparent and making sure clients feel supported throughout and after the project, whether that’s navigating options, coordinating with their wider team or simply being a consistent point of clarity.
Long-term relationships come from trust, and trust comes from doing the basics exceptionally well: delivering on commitments, communicating clearly and being someone people can rely on. Over time, that creates a relationship where the client knows I’m invested in their success, not just the immediate project.
What do you enjoy most about working in the workplace and commercial sector, and what keeps the industry interesting for you?
What I enjoy most about this sector is that it sits at the intersection of people, behaviour and design. Every project is ultimately about improving how someone feels and functions in their day-to-day work, and I find that incredibly motivating.
What keeps it interesting is how fast it evolves. Hybrid working, wellbeing expectations, technology integration and sustainability are continually shaping how spaces need to perform. It’s a sector where you’re constantly learning and adapting, which I really thrive on.
But honestly, a huge part of why I love this industry is the people. It’s a friendly, collaborative and surprisingly fun community. You meet individuals who genuinely care about creating better environments, and there’s a real sense of shared purpose. That mix of creativity, problem-solving and great people makes it a sector I’m genuinely passionate about.
Wendy, what do you consider to be the current challenges in the workplace and what solutions do you see being put in place?
One of the biggest challenges I see in the workplace today is accommodating different ways of working while still supporting wellbeing, productivity and making good use of space. Hybrid working has raised expectations around flexibility, choice and technology, but many organisations are having to work with existing furniture and layouts that weren’t designed with this in mind.
What we’re seeing at Fellowes is a growing focus on making ergonomics and adjustability the default, rather than an added extra. Monitor arms are a great example of this in practice. Screen height and positioning are still key factors in user discomfort, and when people can’t adjust their setup easily, poor posture quickly follows.
Solutions like Rising make adjustment simple and intuitive, so each user can quickly set up their screen properly, which is especially important in hot-desking environments.
There’s also increasing recognition of how much the physical environment affects wellbeing. Cluttered desks and poor cable management can feel overwhelming and restrictive. Monitor arms help by freeing up desk space, improving cable organisation and creating a cleaner, calmer work area that can adapt easily as needs change.
All of this contributes to a workspace that feels more supportive and considered, one that makes it easier for people to work comfortably and effectively, day in and day out.
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