Expected Surge in Expatriate Postings Leads Companies to Re-Think Global and Mobile Working Strategies

Regus Believes Expatriate Evolution Requires a More Flexible Approach to Workforce and Property Challenges

DALLAS, September 27, 2010 - International companies are expecting to post many more executives abroad
in the next five years, according to a new research report, "Up or out: next
moves for the modern expatriate", from the Economist Intelligence Unit,
sponsored by Regus.

With demand stagnating in western markets, the pressure to expand into
China, India and other major emerging markets is intensifying. Almost four
out of ten (39%) of companies plan to increase their expatriate staff over
the next five years, according to the survey of 418 senior executives with
responsibility for overseas offices.

"Expatriate strategies provide an insight into broader trends in
globalization whether it's the regions companies are investing in or the
daily operational challenges involved in setting up an office," says Paul
Lewis, managing editor of Executive Briefing at the Economic Intelligence
Unit and editor of the report.

New ways of working

Getting the right talent in the right place for the right length of time
involves an array of decisions and experimentation around the design of
expatriate assignments, and the location and nature of these roles.

"This survey shows that globalization is forcing companies to review
their approach to where they locate their operations, and how they manage
human resources and property. The needs of global, mobile and flexible
workers are exacerbating the challenge of providing a right-sized workplace
infrastructure for a reasonable cost. By using this survey to explore the
pressures faced by businesses and their expatriate staff, we can help them
deal with the challenges," comments Mark Dixon, Global CEO of Regus plc.

Other key findings of the survey include:

    - Executives are keen to be part of the global and mobile working trend.
    Four in five executives believe that an assignment in a "major emerging
    market" aids career progression.

    - Companies are far more likely to send expatriate staff to China, India
    and other Asian countries than to any other emerging market
    region. The Middle East, Russia and Eastern Europe combined are the next
    most common destinations.

    - Around three in five expatriates believe that their corporate HQ
    does not sufficiently grasp the nature of the local business environment.
    One in three complains of excessive interference.

    - More than half of expatriates are sent to a particular
    destination for a period of between two and five years. But there has
    been a rise in flexible working practices such as short-term and
    "commuter" assignments.

    - Nearly three-quarters of survey respondents believe that
    "cultural sensitivity" is the most important attribute of an expatriate.

Up or out: Next moves for the modern expatriate is available free of
charge at:

www.eiu.com/sponsor/expatriates

Notes for editors

Up or out: Next moves for the modern expatriate is an Economist
Intelligence Unit briefing paper sponsored by Regus. As part of the research,
the Economist Intelligence Unit conducted a global online survey in July 2010
of 418 senior executives working in 77 countries. Over half were board level
or C-suite; the rest were in senior management roles. Almost two fifths
worked in companies with annual global revenues below $500m and 28% in
companies above $10bn. The survey results were supplemented with in-depth
interviews of senior executives and independent experts knowledgeable in the
field.

About the Economist Intelligence Unit

The Economist Intelligence Unit is the business-to-business arm of The
Economist Group, which publishes The Economist newspaper. As the world's
leading provider of country and business intelligence, the Economist
Intelligence Unit helps executives make better decisions by providing timely,
reliable and impartial analysis on worldwide market trends and business
strategies. More information about the Economist Intelligence Unit can be
found at www.eiu.com or follow us on www.twitter.com/theeiu

About Regus

Regus is the world's largest provider of workplace solutions, with
products and services ranging from fully equipped offices to professional
meeting rooms, business lounges and the world's largest network of video
communication studios. Regus delivers a new way to work, whether it's from
home, on the road or from an office. Customers such as Google,
GlaxoSmithKline, and Nokia join hundreds of thousands of growing small and
medium businesses that benefit from outsourcing their office and workplace
needs to Regus, allowing them to focus on their core activities.

Over 800,000 customers a day benefit from Regus facilities spread across
a global footprint of 1,100 locations in 500 cities and 85 countries, which
allow individuals and companies to work wherever, however and whenever they
want to. Regus was founded in Brussels, Belgium in 1989, is headquartered in
Luxembourg and listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information and
images please visit: www.regus.presscentre.com

Press enquiries: Julia Gaynor, Affect Strategies, +1(212)398-9680, jgaynor at affectstrategies.com