Family Business Founders Awarded Freedom Of The City Of London
- Linda Andrews - Editorial Assistant, Family Business United
- Jan 15
- 2 min read
Dan Drogman and Tom Drogman, co-founders of Smart Spaces, have been made Freemen of the City of London, in recognition of their contribution to the City, innovation in the built environment, and international business leadership. The two brothers attended their ceremony at Guildhall.
The Freedom of the City of London is one of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies in the UK, dating back to the 13th century, and is often given by the City of London Corporation to individuals who have made a significant contribution to London’s civic, commercial, or cultural life.
Founded in 2010 in the City of London, Smart Spaces was born from the Drogman brothers’ shared vision to transform how people experience and manage workplaces.
The company’s smart building software now powers over two million square feet of office space in the City of London, including 22 Bishopsgate, the tallest building in the City, and is deployed in more than 30 countries worldwide, supporting landlords, occupiers, and employees with more connected, efficient, and human-centric buildings.
Born and raised in East London, Dan and Tom Drogman have long credited the City’s entrepreneurial spirit, diversity, and global outlook as foundational influences on their journey. From early beginnings building technology solutions locally, Smart Spaces has grown into an internationally recognised platform at the forefront of workplace and smart building innovation.
“Being made Freemen of the City of London is a huge honour for us both,” said Dan Drogman, Co-Founder of Smart Spaces. “We started Smart Spaces here, we grew up just beyond the City’s boundaries in East London, and the City has played a defining role in our lives and our business.”
“This recognition means a great deal to us personally,” added Tom Drogman, Co-Founder of Smart Spaces. “London is where our story began, and we’re incredibly proud to contribute technology that supports the City’s buildings, businesses, and global reputation for innovation.”
James Tumbridge, of the City of London Corporation, stated:
“Small and medium-sized enterprises are, essentially, the life blood of London. Having worked on the City of London Corporation’s SME strategy and seen at firsthand how Smart Spaces has evolved into a world-leading provider of smart building technology, I am delighted to support Dan and Tom Drogman’s nominations, which recognise their ingenuity, commitment, and hard work.”
Recent notable recipients include two-time Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian, Cate Blanchett; leading trauma surgeon, Professor David Nott; one of the last surviving ‘Chindit’ soldiers from the Second World War’s Burma campaign, Sidney Machin; and former Shadow Home Secretary and Attorney General of England and Wales, Dominic Grieve.
As Smart Spaces continues to expand globally, the Drogman brothers remain committed to London as the company’s spiritual and operational home, championing British innovation on the world stage.
