Co-Working Outfit MakeOffices Hires Brian Bharwani As CFO

DC's homegrown co-working provider MakeOffices has expanded to 10 locations in three cities, with seven more in the pipeline, and has now brought on a CFO to manage its growth.

Brian Bharwani (right, next to CMO Shana Glenzer) comes from Reston-based Clarabridge, where he was VP of financial planning and analysis. Previously, Brian spent seven years at DC-based Blackboard, where he was senior director of financial planning. Brian says he wasn't thinking about leaving Clarabridge until a mutual friend introduced him to MakeOffices CEO Raymond Rabhar and the two sat down together.

"Sitting down with him and walking through the numbers I saw the business opportunity and how well this business was taking advantage of that opportunity," Brian tells Bisnow. "Once I met a couple members of the team and got a feel for the culture and atmosphere, I couldn’t resist."  

MakeOffices opened its flagship Clarendon location in June and two weeks later it signed a 45k SF lease at The Wharf. Raymond says bringing in a CFO will help manage the company's rapid growth. 

“Brian’s financial acumen along with his deep understanding of capital markets allows us to make sound growth-oriented decisions," Raymond said in a statement.

Brian says he can bring a lot to the company with his financial experience helping DC-based startups grow.

"I just feel adding that financial framework and structure to the knowledge and thought process that’s here is a really powerful thing," he says. "That’s really where I feel like I can add a ton of value."