Nothing CEO Carl Pei has announced a full return to in-office work for the company’s London team. The announcement marks a significant shift from the hybrid model adopted during the pandemic. In an email sent to employees, Pei said the decision to ask employees to work from the office 5 days a week is critical to the company’s future growth and innovation. He has also shared the full email on his LinkedIn account.

“We have come a long way in a very short time,” Pei wrote. “We are the only company to build a smartphone business in the last 10 years and are the fastest-growing smartphone brand in India, with 567 percent year-on-year growth. Yet, we are at 0.1% of our potential.”

Pei acknowledged that while remote or hybrid setups have worked for many companies, they don’t suit the high level of ambition and speed needed to achieve Nothing’s goals. He cited three main reasons for the change: the need for close collaboration in creating physical products, the importance of creativity and innovation in outperforming larger competitors, and the company’s aspiration to become a generation-defining tech company.

“First, we make physical products, where design, engineering, manufacturing, and quality have to work closely together to deliver products to our users. This is not a good fit for working remotely,” Pei explained. He also said the company’s high level of ambition is incompatible with working remotely, as it requires fast-paced decision-making and problem-solving, which is best done in person.

Pei addressed potential concerns about flexibility, reassuring employees that the company trusts them to manage their time effectively. “This is a company for adults, so if you need to step out of the office to deal with some issues, we trust you to make the right decision,” he said.

While the return to the office will take effect in two months, Pei encouraged those who don’t find this setup suitable to seek an environment where they can thrive. He concluded
Expressing confidence in the team’s ability to continue building the company’s future: “Thank you all for the progress we’ve made so far, and I look forward to working with all of you to learn, grow, and build the next phase of the company.”

The move underscores Pei’s commitment to pushing Nothing to its full potential as the company aims to redefine the tech industry.