The Titans: Redefining India’s workplace strategy with WeWork India Karan Virwani

The conversation around "workplace strategy" has completely changed. It is no longer just a real estate decision tucked away in the back office; it is now the heartbeat of a company's culture, agility, and long-term success. This shift was explored at the launch of the initiative, with Shereen Bhan in conversation with Karan Virwani, MD & CEO of WeWork India, in the curtain raiser episode.

In a refreshingly candid dialogue, Mr Virwani mapped out the human and financial realities of India’s evolving work landscape. Moving past the pandemic-era narrative of office versus remote work, he highlighted that the office has simply found a new, more vital purpose.

"I think the office is clearly a place where you bring people together, you have something that everyone is working towards like a common mission, and productivity is clearly higher in the office," Mr Virwani shared.

Today, flexible workspaces account for over 20% of new office leasing across India. With an estimated 10% to 40% of the modern workforce now operating on a hybrid model, multinational corporations and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are hunting for adaptable environments that prioritise employee experience over rigid, fixed layouts.

To win over top talent and keep attrition low, companies are investing heavily in the spaces their teams occupy. He pointed out that corporate spending on office interiors has effectively doubled, jumping from roughly ₹2,500 to nearly ₹6,000 per square foot.

"People are aspirational; they want better things. They're willing to pay for value, and if you provide quality," he explained, illustrating why businesses are willing to pay a premium for highly amenitised, collaborative environments.

While flexibility is the main draw, long-term commitment hasn't disappeared. Addressing WeWork India’s financial health and sustained 20% to 21% operating margins, Mr Virwani pointed to a clear shift in how large enterprises view "flex" spaces.

"Flex has this perception that it's all short-term contracts... that's changed drastically. Today, what we are seeing as fully committed lock-ins on the flex side is like 28 months," Mr Virwani revealed.

This compelling, data-rich conversation goes beyond the changing role of the workplace. It reflects a much larger shift underway across India Inc., where businesses are rethinking how they attract talent, deploy capital, scale operations, and build cultures that can sustain growth over the long term.

That larger shift forms the backdrop for WeWork presents CNBC-TV18 The Titans, co-presented by PhonePe, unveiling on 12th May 2026 in Mumbai. Bringing together business leaders, investors, and disruptors, the summit will look at how India Inc. is adapting to changing workforce expectations, shifting market realities, and new growth opportunities across sectors.

From workplace strategy and GCCs to investment trends, consumer behaviour, and emerging business models, The Titans will feature the people and ideas shaping India’s next phase of growth.

Stay Tuned!