Runway East names first COO amid expansion push

In a sign of its continued expansion, Runway East has appointed its first-ever Chief Operating Officer, bringing seasoned operator Sophie Marsh into the fold. Here’s what you need to know.

The creation of the role marks a structural shift for the company as it scales its national footprint. Marsh will oversee operational performance across Runway East’s portfolio, with a remit spanning new site openings, service delivery and long-term organisational efficiency.

Founder and CEO Natasha Guerra positioned the hire as a timely addition to the leadership team. “We are growing and so too is our board,” she said. “Sophie has very quickly become an integral team member, and with four sites opening in the next five months she has joined at a pivotal moment in the business. 2026 is off to a flying start, the majority of our sites are at capacity but we’re hoping to announce another new location in the summer along with a pipeline of new opportunities.”

Marsh joins with more than 14 years’ experience in high-growth and operationally complex businesses, having held senior roles at Appear Here and Onefinestay. Her background spans operational strategy, cross-functional leadership and business transformation - expertise that will be central as Runway East continues to expand.

“Runway East is a company that truly does what it says on the tin - sorting out the small stuff, so our members can get on with the big stuff,” Marsh said. “I'm excited to support Natasha and the team in building a truly remarkable and sustainable business.”

Founded in 2014 and bootstrapped from the outset, Runway East has grown into one of the UK’s fastest-growing B Corp-certified flexible workspace providers. It now operates 15 locations across London, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol and Bath, supporting a community of more than 5,000 members.

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