Financial Times: Observer: Change of scene: “As two troubled companies looking to leave the past behind them, Royal Dutch Shell, the oil giant, and Dutch grocery group Ahold have much in common. Having weathered accounting scandals - Ahold's $1bn shock was in early 2003, Royal Dutch Shell's reserves crisis came a year later - they have now opened new headquarters.”: Tuesday 11 October 2005

Published: October 11 2005

As two troubled companies looking to leave the past behind them, Royal Dutch Shell, the oil giant, and Dutch grocery group Ahold have much in common. Having weathered accounting scandals - Ahold's $1bn shock was in early 2003, Royal Dutch Shell's reserves crisis came a year later - they have now opened new headquarters.

Yesterday Ahold left dreary Zaandam for the short trip south to Amsterdam's trendy harbour - where its neighbours are fancy restaurants and chic waterfront apartments.

That's about as funky as it gets however. The office interior is "Ikea-plus" according to insiders - presumably a reflection of a new sober, penny-pinching culture rather than the taste of Anders Moberg, chief executive and former Ikea boss.

Ahold has also had the bright idea of grouping staff in open-plan areas - handy for keeping an eye on them.

Royal Dutch Shell opened its expanded headquarters in The Hague on Friday. The building will accommodate the inflow of staff after the switch to Dutch HQ post-unification. The €160m refurbishment includes a hotel, bank, hair salon and supermarket.

Will it be enough to satisfy London managers, many of whom are apparently less than thrilled at the prospect of relocating?

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