> Joel Garner, the then chief executive, said that although the business was continuing to invest in office space to foster social contact, collaboration and creativity, workers “won’t be forced to return to an office”.

> However, on Tuesday his successor, Debbie Crosbie, who was appointed at the end of 2021 as Nationwide’s first female chief executive, unveiled a new policy that will require most staff to be in an office for at least 40% of their contract – two days a week for a full-time employee.