GCCs & managed workspaces drive India’s economic vision

Written by Isabella Toledo

India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are fast transforming from cost-focused back offices into strategic hubs for innovation and value creation. No longer limited to supporting non-core functions, GCCs today are fully embedded in core business operations, driving product development and cutting-edge technological solutions for multinational companies in areas such as AI, machine learning, blockchain, and digital transformation.

But as India strengthens its leadership in the GCC space, global competition is catching up. Countries such as Mexico, Vietnam, and several Eastern European markets are positioning themselves as serious alternatives, especially for companies looking at nearshoring to tackle regulatory challenges or align with time zone needs.

Eastern Europe has already emerged as a preferred nearshoring destination for Western Europe, offering strong language skills and alignment with EU data regulations. Mexico, with its geographical proximity, is becoming increasingly popular among US-based firms looking for quicker turnaround and better time zone alignment. Vietnam, too, is attracting growing interest from Australian and Japanese companies, although issues of scale and limited talent depth continue to be hurdles in these emerging locations.

Yet, India’s unique combination of scale, diversity of talent, and operational maturity remains unmatched. The depth of its talent pool, coupled with a mature and well-developed business ecosystem, keeps India ahead of the curve. 

However, industry leaders agree that this advantage cannot be taken for granted. To stay competitive, India must continue to invest in developing talent, focus on delivering world-class quality, and adapt swiftly to the evolving expectations of global corporations in an increasingly competitive landscape.

What’s behind GCC location choices?

The growing demand for specialised engineering, data, and senior leadership roles is shaping not just hiring strategies but also influencing real estate choices, as companies seek workspaces that reflect global standards and appeal to top-tier talent. 

Today, decisions on where to set up offices are increasingly tied to talent availability, with firms focusing on locations that offer an attractive working environment and support employee wellbeing.

Proximity to universities, residential hubs, and social infrastructure is now a key factor guiding real estate development, as companies aim to reduce commute times and provide a superior employee experience. 

Scalability has also become central to real estate decisions. Companies starting with smaller teams want the flexibility to grow rapidly, which makes large floor plates and campus-style developments particularly attractive. 

Additionally, there is a rising interest in expanding beyond traditional hubs like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Delhi-NCR into tier 2 cities such as Lucknow, Indore, and Ahmedabad, driven by the potential to tap into wider talent pools and manage costs more efficiently. However, executives agreed that expansion into emerging locations presents its own set of challenges. 

One of the biggest hurdles remains the lack of Grade A, large floor plate office spaces that meet the expectations of global occupiers. Although some tier 2 cities have made strides in infrastructure, the availability of high-quality, professionally managed assets that can support long-term operations is still limited. 

Attracting senior and highly specialised talent to these cities is another major concern. While lower attrition rates are often cited as a benefit in tier 2 markets, executives noted that persuading experienced professionals to relocate can be difficult. Factors such as limited educational options, healthcare facilities, and lifestyle amenities often deter senior talent from moving outside tier 1 cities.

To address these gaps, participants highlighted the need for developers and city planners to move beyond standalone office projects and focus on creating mixed-use campuses that integrate residential, retail, education, and leisure facilities alongside modern workspaces. 

These holistic ecosystems would not only make tier 2 cities more appealing for talent but also help companies establish sustainable, long-term operations beyond the established metros.

(Credit: GRI Club) 

The rise of BOT models and managed workspaces

As more global companies look to establish or expand their GCC presence in India, the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model has emerged as one of the most preferred entry strategies. 

Under this model, a service provider sets up and runs the GCC on behalf of the company - managing everything from real estate and infrastructure to hiring and operations - before eventually transferring full control back to the company within a fixed period, typically 18 to 36 months.

Unlike in earlier years, when firms would directly set up wholly owned entities, many now opt for the BOT approach to enter India faster and with lower initial risk. These turnkey arrangements allow companies to scale operations quickly, leveraging a local partner’s expertise for setup, compliance, and day-to-day management. 

At the same time, executives noted that once operations stabilise, many companies prefer to exit these arrangements and establish independent centres that fully reflect their brand, culture, and long-term objectives.

Complementing the BOT model is a growing preference for leasing fully managed, bespoke office spaces over owning real estate. Even companies with long-term ambitions in India are hesitant to commit large capital outlays for real estate assets. 

Instead, they favour high-quality, ready-to-move-in spaces that can be tailored to their operational and branding needs. This leasing model not only ensures a faster market entry but also gives companies the agility to scale up or adjust as workforce demands evolve.

This shift in real estate strategy is closely tied to another critical priority for GCCs: employee experience. As talent attraction and retention become central to business success, workspaces are expected to contribute directly to creating a productive, engaging, and collaborative environment. 

As a result, managed workspace providers are no longer seen as mere landlords, but as long-term partners expected to deliver fully integrated solutions. Companies now seek work environments that not only reflect their global brand identity but also support employee wellbeing, pushing workspace providers to move from traditional co-working models to built-to-suit solutions tailored to each company’s specific needs.

Future-proofing GCCs for a tech-driven shift

Technology is reshaping the future of Global Capability Centres (GCCs), acting both as a catalyst for growth and a disruptor of traditional models. As executives discussed, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and automation are rapidly transforming the nature of work.

What was once seen as a long-term shift is already underway, as automation takes over many routine and transactional tasks traditionally managed by GCCs, forcing organisations to rethink workforce strategies, adapt business models, and redefine their value proposition, moving away from cost-driven operations to focus on high-impact, knowledge-based roles that require deep expertise.

This evolution signals a shift towards leaner, more agile GCCs specialising in complex functions that cannot be easily automated. Areas such as advanced analytics, engineering, cybersecurity, and product innovation are expected to see sustained demand, but success will depend on continuous upskilling and reskilling of talent - a priority not only for companies but also for the broader ecosystem of real estate developers and workspace providers supporting these centres.

Meanwhile, India’s startup ecosystem is playing a pivotal role in enabling this transition. Collaborations with agile startups are helping GCCs fast-track digital transformation and adopt cutting-edge solutions without taking on the full burden of in-house development. 

These partnerships allow companies to address niche challenges more efficiently and drive innovation to market faster, further strengthening India’s position in the global technology landscape.

All these shifts also have significant implications for real estate strategy. As GCCs evolve into more specialised, tech-driven hubs, they require agile and adaptable workspaces that can grow or adjust with changing team sizes and priorities. Whether for focused R&D, innovation labs, or client-facing functions, companies need flexible environments that are ready to meet evolving demands.

To address this, developers must think beyond static office layouts and deliver mixed-use environments that integrate workspaces with residential, retail, and educational facilities. Such integrated campuses not only offer flexibility but also help future-proof real estate investments, ensuring assets remain aligned with business needs over time.