Unispace Global
Unispace was formed around 2010 by Australian's Gareth & Charles Hales, two sons of Plymouth Brethren leader Bruce Hales. The company was established by connecting a number of existing brethren member owned outfitting businesses, the businesses were based in Australia, New Zealand, USA and the UK. It provided a platform to establish a global company, providing interior outfitting solutions to global corporations, such as Boston Scientific, Airbus and Pernod Ricard. Unispace grew rapidly year on year and was eventually sold for a rumoured $300 million in March 2021, to Hong Kong based, Pacific Alliance Group (PAG).
During the 12 months prior to the sale, Unispace featured heavily in UK Government PPE contracts, on the back of this Gareth & Charles Hales established a company called Sante Global (now known as Sante Group). The contracts were novated to Sante Global and were not part of the Unispace sale.
Our investigation uncovers the remarkable number of connections between Unispace/Sante and newly established and existing outfitting businesses owned by brethren members with links to the Hales family.
During the 12 months prior to the sale, Unispace featured heavily in UK Government PPE contracts, on the back of this Gareth & Charles Hales established a company called Sante Global (now known as Sante Group). The contracts were novated to Sante Global and were not part of the Unispace sale.
Our investigation uncovers the remarkable number of connections between Unispace/Sante and newly established and existing outfitting businesses owned by brethren members with links to the Hales family.
Sante Global
In the year prior to the sale of Unispace, Sante Global was established by Gareth & Charles Hales primarily on the back of the Covid contracts to supply PPE and latterly Covid Tests. According to their LinkedIn profiles, many brethren employees of Unispace often also worked for Sante. Following the sale of Unispace some employees remained with the Sante Global business. In the course of the last five years, the Sante business morphed into a strategic supply solutions business (mainly for Defence and Health), before ending up to today as a business that predominantly helps build solar energy farms.
Connected Global
Registered in November 2022 and trading as Connected Workplaces, the company provides interior outfitting in both Australia and the United States. Our investigation uncovered some quite astonishing revelations!
Connected Global Pty Ltd is the Australian arm of the business, owned by brothers Gavin & Russell Grace, initially including involvement from their father Peter Grace and his business partner Edward Fowler, these four are also the owners of Westlab Holdings Pty Ltd, the parent company of laboratory and consumable supplier, Westlab.
Westlab and Connected are no strangers to being in the limelight. It was reported by various media outlets including Brethren Exposed, that Westlab was awarded multiple government contracts for the supply of PPE & Rapid Antigen tests and there was conclusive evidence that they were worked in partnership with the Hales owned Sante Global to deliver these contracts. Gavin Grace also came under the spotlight after breaking the then purchase record for a $14 million property in the Duval area, north-west of Sydney. The employment of former Health Minister, Greg Hunt, by the Grace's Connected businesses has also been widely reported, with Hunt denying any communication with Westlab at the time they were awarded the government contracts. We have also reported that both Peter & Gavin Grace each donated $18,500 to Advance Australia in the run up to the 2025 Australian federal election.
When we looked further at Connected, we quickly became confused. The business had been registered in November 2022, so it would seem strange that they would claim on their website "Over decades our team has worked together, being led by our founders in successfully delivering design and construction projects globally" and then following this up with "After growing the initial company to 52 locations with 600 staff globally (without any mergers or acquisitions, purely client led growth), motivated by the requests from our clients the decision was made to reset and evolve our methodology and approach, all centred on simplifying complexity". Our initial thoughts was this correct? or were they referring to the initial business as Unispace? Our next step was to look at the team on the Connected website.
We found 24 people listed on the team page, of these, we identified thirteen as brethren members of which eleven had worked for Unispace, the two exceptions included Gavin Grace. The eleven identified as non-brethren, at least seven had been previously employed by Unispace. In total at least 75% of the Connected employees shown on the team page, had previously been employed by the Hales brothers. All the senior management team with the exception of Gavin Grace were leaders at Unispace. We then cross referenced against historical information on the Unispace website, we found that they had at least 49 studios/locations at the end of 2019, and they did employ circa 600 people globally.
One might infer, that the PPE & Covid tests partnership between Westlab (Grace family) and Sante Global (Hales family) has continued into the commercial interior outfitting sector. It would also appear somewhat unusual that the Grace family who ran a laboratory and consumable supply business, would venture into a whole new sector, but it would make sense if three out of four of their employees came from the Hales owned Unispace, and they were using the Unispace brand story to assist in providing clients with proof of their authenticity as an experienced outfitting company. What would be interesting, is understanding who facilitated the employment of former Health Minister, Greg Hunt and if the Hales brothers had prior knowledge of the political donations to Advance Australia by Peter & Gavin Grace.
Connected Global Pty Ltd is the Australian arm of the business, owned by brothers Gavin & Russell Grace, initially including involvement from their father Peter Grace and his business partner Edward Fowler, these four are also the owners of Westlab Holdings Pty Ltd, the parent company of laboratory and consumable supplier, Westlab.
Westlab and Connected are no strangers to being in the limelight. It was reported by various media outlets including Brethren Exposed, that Westlab was awarded multiple government contracts for the supply of PPE & Rapid Antigen tests and there was conclusive evidence that they were worked in partnership with the Hales owned Sante Global to deliver these contracts. Gavin Grace also came under the spotlight after breaking the then purchase record for a $14 million property in the Duval area, north-west of Sydney. The employment of former Health Minister, Greg Hunt, by the Grace's Connected businesses has also been widely reported, with Hunt denying any communication with Westlab at the time they were awarded the government contracts. We have also reported that both Peter & Gavin Grace each donated $18,500 to Advance Australia in the run up to the 2025 Australian federal election.
When we looked further at Connected, we quickly became confused. The business had been registered in November 2022, so it would seem strange that they would claim on their website "Over decades our team has worked together, being led by our founders in successfully delivering design and construction projects globally" and then following this up with "After growing the initial company to 52 locations with 600 staff globally (without any mergers or acquisitions, purely client led growth), motivated by the requests from our clients the decision was made to reset and evolve our methodology and approach, all centred on simplifying complexity". Our initial thoughts was this correct? or were they referring to the initial business as Unispace? Our next step was to look at the team on the Connected website.
We found 24 people listed on the team page, of these, we identified thirteen as brethren members of which eleven had worked for Unispace, the two exceptions included Gavin Grace. The eleven identified as non-brethren, at least seven had been previously employed by Unispace. In total at least 75% of the Connected employees shown on the team page, had previously been employed by the Hales brothers. All the senior management team with the exception of Gavin Grace were leaders at Unispace. We then cross referenced against historical information on the Unispace website, we found that they had at least 49 studios/locations at the end of 2019, and they did employ circa 600 people globally.
One might infer, that the PPE & Covid tests partnership between Westlab (Grace family) and Sante Global (Hales family) has continued into the commercial interior outfitting sector. It would also appear somewhat unusual that the Grace family who ran a laboratory and consumable supply business, would venture into a whole new sector, but it would make sense if three out of four of their employees came from the Hales owned Unispace, and they were using the Unispace brand story to assist in providing clients with proof of their authenticity as an experienced outfitting company. What would be interesting, is understanding who facilitated the employment of former Health Minister, Greg Hunt and if the Hales brothers had prior knowledge of the political donations to Advance Australia by Peter & Gavin Grace.
Woodalls Holdings
Whilst researching Connected, we came across substantial links to another 'brethren outfitting company', the UK based Woodalls Holding Ltd, trading as Woodalls Design. It is a company we have come across many times previously, as it is owned predominantly by the Woodcock family, alongside a Sydney based Australian trust, called The Cameron Millar Family Trust.
Initially registered as Woodalls Business Interiors LLP in 2013, the company is run by brothers Garth, Dale & Mark Woodcock, along with Garth's sons Jerry, Nathan & Hans and Mark's brother-in-law Dale Brown. Garth Woodcock had been the founder of another business that would later become Unispace Global in the UK.
Woodalls have been working in partnership with Connected on a series of seminars/networking events held in the UK & the US. They are due to collaborate again in early March 2026, with the hosting of an event called 'LabWorks: Delivering labs that drive impact and innovation' at the The Science Gallery, London, this following events in September and November 2025, called 'Chaos to Catalyst: The Bold New Office', held at the Pendry, Manhattan and at the brethren hotel of choice, the Corinthia, London . It is interesting to note that it would appear Connected do not trade in the UK.
Woodalls link to Unispace is also striking with many employees having worked for both companies. We found at least 12 current employees in senior positions at Woodalls, who previously worked for Unispace, predominantly brethren members rather than non-brethren employees. Remarkably, the crossover between the two companies includes Garth, Mark & Nathan Woodcock.
Since the sale of Unispace by the Hales, Woodalls has seen substantial growth.
Though no election donations have been found, it is worth highlighting that Dale Brown was formerly an employee of the family business in Swansea, which printed leaflets for the Young Britons Foundation (YBF) back in 2010, after YBF had received a donation from another 'brethren company'.
The Woodcock's like the Grace and Hales family, benefitted from substantial covid contracts during the pandemic with their other business Oska Care and Orca Global.
Initially registered as Woodalls Business Interiors LLP in 2013, the company is run by brothers Garth, Dale & Mark Woodcock, along with Garth's sons Jerry, Nathan & Hans and Mark's brother-in-law Dale Brown. Garth Woodcock had been the founder of another business that would later become Unispace Global in the UK.
Woodalls have been working in partnership with Connected on a series of seminars/networking events held in the UK & the US. They are due to collaborate again in early March 2026, with the hosting of an event called 'LabWorks: Delivering labs that drive impact and innovation' at the The Science Gallery, London, this following events in September and November 2025, called 'Chaos to Catalyst: The Bold New Office', held at the Pendry, Manhattan and at the brethren hotel of choice, the Corinthia, London . It is interesting to note that it would appear Connected do not trade in the UK.
Woodalls link to Unispace is also striking with many employees having worked for both companies. We found at least 12 current employees in senior positions at Woodalls, who previously worked for Unispace, predominantly brethren members rather than non-brethren employees. Remarkably, the crossover between the two companies includes Garth, Mark & Nathan Woodcock.
Since the sale of Unispace by the Hales, Woodalls has seen substantial growth.
Though no election donations have been found, it is worth highlighting that Dale Brown was formerly an employee of the family business in Swansea, which printed leaflets for the Young Britons Foundation (YBF) back in 2010, after YBF had received a donation from another 'brethren company'.
The Woodcock's like the Grace and Hales family, benefitted from substantial covid contracts during the pandemic with their other business Oska Care and Orca Global.
Zenixspace
Zenixspace is located in both Oxford, UK and in Zurich, Switzerland. It is another outfitting company with considerable links to the former Hales owned Unispace business. Zenixspace is owned by Zurich based, Australian Leigh Sandeman.
The UK business was incorporated in December 2021, directors include brothers Ross and Luke Robertson, along with non-exec 'king' Rob Critchley. Other people involved are Russell Devenish, Benjamin Tiso, Sebastian Parsons and Loren Ching. The Swiss business was registered at the end of 2019.
Our research shows that many of the senior leaders of the business have previously worked for Unispace, including Sebastian Parsons, Russell Devenish, Benjamin Tiso and Ross Robertson. There are also former Unispace non-brethren employees. There are also multiple links to Covid Contracts, particularly with Sebastian Parsons and the Robertson brothers. We also found evidence of Zenixspace completing a fitout for the Dean Hales owned Ox Tools.
The UK business was incorporated in December 2021, directors include brothers Ross and Luke Robertson, along with non-exec 'king' Rob Critchley. Other people involved are Russell Devenish, Benjamin Tiso, Sebastian Parsons and Loren Ching. The Swiss business was registered at the end of 2019.
Our research shows that many of the senior leaders of the business have previously worked for Unispace, including Sebastian Parsons, Russell Devenish, Benjamin Tiso and Ross Robertson. There are also former Unispace non-brethren employees. There are also multiple links to Covid Contracts, particularly with Sebastian Parsons and the Robertson brothers. We also found evidence of Zenixspace completing a fitout for the Dean Hales owned Ox Tools.
Other Outfitting 'Brethren Companies'
The obsession like desire to establish an outfitting company is likely driven ny the "success" of Archway House in Australia, an outfitting company built by Brethren leader Bruce Hales prior to his ascension to the brethren throne. There are literally hundreds of 'brethren companies' that work in the outfitting space. The larger ones working in the commercial office space, with many specialist ones offering care home, education, laboratory, hotel, warehousing, medical practice and dental surgery outfitting. Along with Construction Supplies and Packaging, it is where you will find the highest proportion of 'brethren companies' operating.
Innspace is an outfitting company based in New York, owned by the Markham family. Managing Ross Markham worked as a senior principal for Unispace for over 10 years prior to launching Innspace, previous to that he worked in the family business, the Jefferson Group, a company supplying the furniture for the outfitting companies and now also doing outfitting. Innspace have moved into the Hotel outfitting business and again they are another company with ex-Unispace and Sante employees.
Woodhouse Contracts is based in Hatfield in the UK. The business is owned by the Cooper family, this well established company is experiencing substantial growth over the last few years. We found hardly any crossover between employees of Unispace and Woodhouse.
Office Principles is a Reading, UK based outfitting company, owned by Cyril Parsons, the co-founder of Unispace in the UK along with business partner Garth Woodcock of Woodalls. Cyril is the father of Sebastian Parsons formerly of Unispace and now of Zenixspace. Luke Robertson of Zenixspace is also a former employee of one of the Parsons businesses.
Expedite Projects is based in Auckland, New Zealand. Owned by the Simmons family, all sons of fathers who led the Unispace business in NZ, prior to its sale. This outfitting business was established after the Hales sale of Unispace. There are many crossovers of employees and senior managers from the Unispace business. This business is similar to Connected in that it employs former Australia Health Minister, Greg Hunt as an advisor.
Spaceful (Canberra), Cyclo Group (NSW), Coverite Projects (NSW), DB Studio (NZ), CDI Spaces (Canada), Calibro (Northern Ireland), coDesign (USA), Inscape Projects (NSW), Allure (France), Altis Projects (Italy) and on and on the list goes!
Innspace is an outfitting company based in New York, owned by the Markham family. Managing Ross Markham worked as a senior principal for Unispace for over 10 years prior to launching Innspace, previous to that he worked in the family business, the Jefferson Group, a company supplying the furniture for the outfitting companies and now also doing outfitting. Innspace have moved into the Hotel outfitting business and again they are another company with ex-Unispace and Sante employees.
Woodhouse Contracts is based in Hatfield in the UK. The business is owned by the Cooper family, this well established company is experiencing substantial growth over the last few years. We found hardly any crossover between employees of Unispace and Woodhouse.
Office Principles is a Reading, UK based outfitting company, owned by Cyril Parsons, the co-founder of Unispace in the UK along with business partner Garth Woodcock of Woodalls. Cyril is the father of Sebastian Parsons formerly of Unispace and now of Zenixspace. Luke Robertson of Zenixspace is also a former employee of one of the Parsons businesses.
Expedite Projects is based in Auckland, New Zealand. Owned by the Simmons family, all sons of fathers who led the Unispace business in NZ, prior to its sale. This outfitting business was established after the Hales sale of Unispace. There are many crossovers of employees and senior managers from the Unispace business. This business is similar to Connected in that it employs former Australia Health Minister, Greg Hunt as an advisor.
Spaceful (Canberra), Cyclo Group (NSW), Coverite Projects (NSW), DB Studio (NZ), CDI Spaces (Canada), Calibro (Northern Ireland), coDesign (USA), Inscape Projects (NSW), Allure (France), Altis Projects (Italy) and on and on the list goes!
Recurring Circles
It could be said our investigation into the outfitting companies provides just a 'microscopic' view of what happens in the wider commercial world. Employees gain experience and move between competing companies within the same sector. We agree, that in some instances this is reflective of the business world, however we see that there is a potential recurring theme of build small companies, consolidate them into one business and then selling, before repeating the cycle.
In general terms when a business is sold, the majority of employees will remain with the business. Due to the Brethren doctrine of separation, when the 'brethren companies' are sold, we see wholesale exits of brethren employees and it isn't unusual to see them employed by other 'brethren companies' competing in the same markets. We also found in our investigation that new competing businesses can be established, just with different brethren family ownership. We would suggest that this is a potential risk for companies looking to purchase a 'brethren owned' company, particularly in fields where many 'brethren companies' operate and that this risk is likely higher than in the larger commercial world.
In the case of Connected, we would question the authenticity of their story, it would appear that they are 'piggybacking' on the Hales family owned the Unispace Global business.
It is clear there is a web of political donations, government contracts, closely related individuals from 'competing' companies, with a history of working together and that the brethren have built an incredible business network.
In general terms when a business is sold, the majority of employees will remain with the business. Due to the Brethren doctrine of separation, when the 'brethren companies' are sold, we see wholesale exits of brethren employees and it isn't unusual to see them employed by other 'brethren companies' competing in the same markets. We also found in our investigation that new competing businesses can be established, just with different brethren family ownership. We would suggest that this is a potential risk for companies looking to purchase a 'brethren owned' company, particularly in fields where many 'brethren companies' operate and that this risk is likely higher than in the larger commercial world.
In the case of Connected, we would question the authenticity of their story, it would appear that they are 'piggybacking' on the Hales family owned the Unispace Global business.
It is clear there is a web of political donations, government contracts, closely related individuals from 'competing' companies, with a history of working together and that the brethren have built an incredible business network.