Success Stories: Growing Together with Monks

Monks is a global marketing and technology company with B-Corp certification and a mission to revolutionise how brands connect with the world.

Charlotte Mceleny, Senior Director of Marketing & PR for India, Southeast Asia, and ANZ, shares how Monks’ partnership with Grobrix supports their wellness and sustainability goals. “Sustainability has been a key part of Monks’ DNA since day one. It’s something we embed in how we work, from the clients we collaborate with, to the design of our office spaces.”

Integrating Grobrix’s urban farm walls into their Singapore office has been one way to make their commitment to sustainability visible and tangible. “It’s a great way to connect the big-picture commitments we make as a business to everyday actions that our team can experience directly,” Charlotte shared.

The urban farm serves both functional and cultural purposes for the team, and has become a much-loved part of daily office life. “We have team members who specifically come into the office on harvest days to collect fresh produce for their meals,” Charlotte noted. “And every time we host events, guests are always intrigued by the greenery. It’s a great talking point that reflects our identity.”

Wellness is also a focus for both Monks’ business and its people. “In our industry, which can be very service-led and stressful at times, wellness is critical,” Charlotte said. The Grobrix walls contribute to this by offering a physical reminder of this in the office. “Having greenery around creates a space that reminds us to engage in wellness activities, such as eating more healthily.”

Looking ahead, Monks plans to enhance employee engagement further with experiential activities, collaborating with Grobrix to run educational workshops and realise the full potential of their Grobrix walls.

The farm walls are also great for encouraging in-office time for staff.

“There’s an onus on companies to create a good office experience to make it feel more enticing. Grobrix’s walls hit so many of the challenges businesses face today. They’re a win-win: good for sustainability, great for employee experience, and an attractive feature for clients and visitors alike.”Charlotte Mceleny, Senior Director of Marketing & PR at Monks

For Monks, partnering with Grobrix aligns with their commitment to fostering a sustainable and vibrant workplace. “The walls speak to the big sustainability goals we’ve committed to as a company, while benefiting employees on a day-to-day basis,” Charlotte concluded. “It’s about creating a space where people want to be—one that reflects who we are and what we stand for.”

At Grobrix, we’re proud to support companies like Monks in creating workspaces that inspire, foster sustainability, and meet the evolving needs of their teams.

Growing Together: Monks and Grobrix Cultivate Sustainability Initiatives and Wellness in the Workplace

In Singapore’s bustling urban landscape, where innovation meets a growing focus on sustainability, companies are seeking creative ways to align their operations with environmental and social goals. Monks, a global marketing and technology company with B-Corp certification, is at the forefront of this movement, partnering with Grobrix to bring urban farming into its Singapore office. By integrating Grobrix’s vertical garden systems, Monks is enhancing employee engagement through team building and wellness-focused activities while advancing its sustainability initiatives. This collaboration creates a workplace that reflects Monks’ mission to revolutionize how brands connect with the world, fostering a vibrant, health-conscious office culture.

Monks’ Commitment to Sustainability Initiatives and Wellness

“Sustainability has been a key part of Monks’ DNA since day one. It’s something we embed in how we work, from the clients we collaborate with, to the design of our office spaces,” says Charlotte Mceleny, Senior Director of Marketing & PR for India, Southeast Asia, and ANZ. As a B-Corp certified company, Monks prioritizes environmental and social responsibility, weaving these values into its operations. Partnering with Grobrix, brings this commitment to life through their innovative green walls that grow fresh herbs, leafy greens, and edible flowers.

“It’s a great way to connect the big-picture commitments we make as a business to everyday actions that our team can experience directly,” Charlotte explains. Grobrix’s plant walls serve as both a functional and cultural cornerstone, enhancing the office’s aesthetic appeal while supporting certifications like Well Certification and BCA Greenmark, which recognize workplaces that promote health and sustainability.

A Hub for Team Building and Employee Engagement

The Grobrix vertical garden has become a cherished feature of Monks’ office, sparking team bonding and creating opportunities for employee engagement activities. “We have team members who specifically come into the office on harvest days to collect fresh produce for their meals,” Charlotte notes. These harvest sessions, where employees gather to pick greens and herbs, act as informal team building events that encourage collaboration and connection. The hands-on experience helps employees build meaningful relationships, transforming the workplace into a community united by shared values.

Monks is also exploring ways to deepen engagement through corporate workshops facilitated by Grobrix. From farm-to-table smoothie bars to pesto-making classes, these workshops allow employees to learn about sustainable food practices while enjoying the produce grown in their office. “And every time we host events, guests are always intrigued by the greenery. It’s a great talking point that reflects our identity,” Charlotte adds. The edible green walls enhance the office experience and serve as a conversation starter for visitors, showcasing Monks’ dedication to sustainability initiatives.

Supporting Wellness in a High-Pressure Industry

In the fast-paced marketing and technology sector, wellness is a priority for Monks. “In our industry, which can be very service-led and stressful at times, wellness is critical,” Charlotte emphasizes. Grobrix contributes by creating a calming, biophilic environment that promotes mental and physical well-being. “Having greenery around creates a space that reminds us to engage in wellness activities, such as eating more healthily,” she says. The fresh produce encourages employees to incorporate nutritious greens into their diets, supporting Monks’ holistic approach to employee health.

The presence of indoor farming also makes the office more inviting. “There’s an onus on companies to create a good office experience to make it feel more enticing,” Charlotte explains. As hybrid work models persist, Monks is investing in spaces that draw employees back to the office. Grobrix’s vertical gardens achieve this by offering a unique, interactive feature that enhances the workplace experience. Whether harvesting herbs for a team lunch or participating in a corporate workshop, employees have compelling reasons to spend time in the office, strengthening team cohesion and workplace culture.

A Win-Win for Sustainability Initiatives and Employee Experience

The partnership with Grobrix delivers environmental benefits that align with Monks’ broader sustainability initiatives. Even a modest size system can produce hundreds of kilograms of produce annually, eliminating the use of thousands of single-use plastic wrappers and reducing food waste significantly. By growing food on-site, Monks minimizes the environmental impact of food transport, supporting a more sustainable food system.

“The walls speak to the big sustainability goals we’ve committed to as a company, while benefiting employees on a day-to-day basis,” Charlotte Mceleny, Senior Director of Marketing & PR at Monks

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The green walls embody Monks’ values, creating a space that reflects the company’s identity and mission.

Grobrix’s Farming-as-a-Service model ensures seamless integration, with a dedicated team handling installation, maintenance, and ongoing support. This allows Monks to focus on its core operations while reaping the benefits of urban farming. The modular design of the green walls fits easily into the office, requiring only 260 cm of wall space and access to power. This accessibility makes it simple for Monks to maintain a thriving vertical garden without disrupting daily workflows.

Looking Ahead: Expanding the Impact

For Monks, this partnership is about creating a workplace that inspires and connects. “It’s about creating a space where people want to be—one that reflects who we are and what we stand for,” Charlotte says. The green walls transform the office into a hub of team bonding and environmental consciousness, proving that sustainability initiatives and employee well-being can go hand in hand. From harvest days to educational workshops, Grobrix’s vertical gardens are helping Monks cultivate a workplace that grows together, one harvest at a time.