NOVEMBER 2026
BLUEPRINT Welcome to the very first edition of Dowds Blueprint, your go-to roundup of news, updates, achievements and much more from across the business, all in one place. We want to make it easier for everyone to stay connected and informed about what’s happening across Dowds, sharing important updates, celebrating success and shining a light on the people and projects that make our business what it is.
WELCOME TO THE TEAM We’ve had plenty of new faces join recently, and we’d like to extend a very warm welcome to everyone!
From our new FM colleagues in Scotland to the first five graduates of Dowds Academy, our new Haringey and FM apprentices in Northern Ireland, it’s fantastic to see our team continuing to grow.
We’re delighted to have you all on board and look forward to seeing what we’ll achieve together.
NEW STARTERS - Caitlin McCann- FM Commercial Lead
- Philip Megrath - Mobile Maintenance Electrician
- Caroline Hughes - BIM Co-Ordinator
- Sam Strathie - Mechanical Project Manager
- Charlie Sharpe - Design Manager
- Samir Ahmed - H&S Apprentice
- Francesca Armstrong - Accounts Administrator
- Shane Mullins - Senior Project Manager
- Georgia Barr - Occupational Health Advisor
- Toby Fryer - Electrical Construction Manager
- Georgina Cox - Electrical Project Manager
- Vicky Mansell - Senior Mechanical Design Manager
- Michael Goodfellow - FM Contracts Manager
NOVEMBER 2026 A WARM WELCOME TO OUR SCOTTISH FM TEAM Now that the dust has settled, we’d like to extend a proper welcome to the 35 FM colleagues in Scotland who transitioned from Mitie Technical Services. We hope you’ve settled in well and are enjoying life at Dowds so far. It was also a pleasure to welcome members of the Scottish FM management team to our offices for the first time for the FM Forum. It was a great opportunity to come together, share updates and discuss the team’s progress. We’re particularly pleased to share that the FM team has been achieving high KPI scores, reflecting the hard work, dedication and expertise being delivered across the business. As Dowds continues to grow, it’s the people behind our success who make the difference. Our FM team has played a key role in securing exciting new opportunities, including the award of the MOD contract in Scotland a significant milestone as we continue to expand our operations across the UK.
LOOKING THE PART You may have spotted our new fleet of 36 vans on the road. Showcasing the fresh Dowds branding, the fleet is a fantastic addition to our growing operations and ensures our brand is represented consistently and professionally wherever we work. They certainly look the part and are already making a strong impression!
The contract represents an important opportunity for growth within the defence sector, where Dowds already has a strong track record and extensive experience. With defence investment expected to increase in the years ahead, successfully delivering this project will help position Dowds to pursue further opportunities across the UK mainland defence estate. It’s an exciting chapter for the business, and one made possible by the commitment and contribution of our people. We look forward to seeing the FM team build on this momentum as we continue to grow together.
Transitioning from Mitie Technical Services to Dowds has been quite the experience. I was nervous about making the move to Dowds, especially with the uncertainty of going through another TUPE transfer. However, the Dowds team were there to support me every step of the way, making the transition much easier than I had anticipated. With such a strong and dedicated team, it didn’t take long to get the contract back up and running smoothly. Along the way, I’ve also built great friendships with my colleagues, which has made the transition even more rewarding
KEY CONTACTS Barry Birrell - Operations Manager Marie McArthur - Commercial Manager Kathy Spence - Service Delivery Manager, Edinburgh Fraser Kay - Project Manager Stacey Weir - Service Delivery Manager, Beith Dave Carmichael - Service Delivery Manager, Aldergrove
Stacey Weir
We're taking on a virtual 800-mile challenge over 5 days, with a goal of raising £800 for Maggie’s Cancer Centres.
To give our new Scotland colleagues a warm welcome and bring our teams together, this year’s Winter Challenge has a Scottish twist!
Whether you walk, run, cycle, swim or simply get moving, every mile counts – and Dowds will donate £1 for every mile completed! It's a great opportunity to connect with colleagues, enjoy some friendly competition and celebrate coming together as One Dowds!
NOVEMBER 2026
PADEL FOR PURPOSE HUMMINGBIRD NI Congratulations to our padel team, who recently finished as runnersup in the Triex Energy Padel for Purpose tournament, helping to raise vital funds for The Hummingbird Project NI. The charity does incredible work supporting people living with mental ill health by helping them set goals, recognise their strengths and build strong support networks. A huge well done to Alan Smy, Davy Gordon, James Dowds and Aaron Dickson on their achievement! Whether you're looking to improve your fitness, meet new colleagues or simply unwind after a day’s work, our padel club in Ballymena & London welcomes players of all abilities. It's a great way to have fun and get active.
RACE AROUND CAMBRIDGE A fantastic day out for some of our Dowds team in London at CB3 Consulting's Race Across Cambridge, raising funds for The Phoenix Trust and the amazing work they do to support people with learning disabilities and complex needs. Thank you to our Dowds team who got involved Rayn, Kaden, Arron & Maddie.
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Together, an incredible £7,300 was raised for a truly worthwhile cause.
NOVEMBER 2026
ESG TASKFORCE UPDATE Our ESG Taskforce is making a difference through practical, low-cost initiatives that support biodiversity, bring people together and strengthen our community partnerships. HERE’S WHAT WE’VE ACHIEVED SO FAR:
Did you know that 1 in 10 girls cannot afford period products, with 1 in 7 having experienced period poverty in the UK?
£2,725 invested in biodiversity initiatives. 12 Dowds volunteers spent a day at NI Hospice, helping transform 12 private patio gardens with pollinator-friendly and sensory planting, creating peaceful outdoor spaces for patients, staff and families. Biodiversity improvements at Ballymena HQ, including bird boxes, feeders, bug hotels, pollinator planters and hanging baskets. Local partnerships strengthened, with biodiversity features sourced through a local Men’s Shed initiative and a £200 donation made to St Louis Grammar School’s Biodiversity Club.
From supporting local communities to creating more wildlife-friendly spaces across our locations, these initiatives demonstrate how small actions can make a meaningful difference. If our ESG taskforce is something you’d like to get involved in, please speak to a member of our People & Culture Team.
We’re delighted to share that we have partnered with Hey Girls, a female-led social enterprise committed to making a difference. Hey Girls reinvests 100% of its profits into tackling period poverty, meaning that every product purchased helps support their mission to ensure that no one goes without the period products they need. We wanted to take a moment to tell you a little about the organisation behind these products and the positive impact they are making.
We hope Wellbeing Week offered something valuable to everyone, whether that was discovering more about the health and wellbeing support available to you, or simply a reminder that you’re never alone and support is always available, whatever you may be going through.
NOVEMBER 2026
SEEING IS BELIEVING BITC EVENT
Brian Cunning, Group Director, recently participated in Business in the Community Northern Ireland’s “Seeing is Believing” programme, joining fellow business leaders on a series of visits to schools and community organisations to gain a first-hand understanding of the challenges facing young people and the role businesses can play in creating greater opportunity. The programme explored issues ranging from educational disadvantage and social mobility to recruitment barriers and the growing need to create credible alternatives to traditional academic pathways. A particularly important theme for Dowds was the need to raise the profile of vocational careers, ensuring that apprenticeships, construction and building services engineering are presented as high-value career choices rather than alternatives for those who do not follow an academic route. The discussions also highlighted how conventional recruitment practices can unintentionally exclude capable young people, reinforcing the opportunity for employers to place greater emphasis on potential, resilience, practical ability and real-world experience when identifying future talent. For Dowds, the visit reinforced the strong alignment between social value and long-term workforce development. By engaging earlier with schools and communities, businesses can provide visible role models, increase awareness of the breadth of careers available and help young people see a viable pathway from education into sustainable employment. As an immediate outcome, Dowds will advocate for wider business participation in the “Time to Read” programme, identified during the session as a practical way for businesses to provide positive role models at primary-school level.
International Stress Awareness Week 2nd - 11 Nov th
This week marks International Stress Awareness Week, an important reminder to prioritise our mental and physical wellbeing. Stress affects everyone differently, and with the pressures of everyday life, both inside and outside of work, it’s important to recognise when to take a step back and look after yourself. At Dowds, your wellbeing matters. We’re committed to supporting our people and encourage everyone to reach out when they need support. Whether it’s speaking to one of our Mental Health First Aiders or the People and Culture team, we’re always here to listen.
Here are a few simple ways to manage stress: 1. Practice deep breathing: Try the 4-7-8 technique – inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 and exhale for 8. 2. Get some fresh air: Take a short walk to clear your mind and unwind. 3. Stay active: Make time for exercise, whether it’s a gym session, a run or a gentle walk. Remember, taking time for yourself is just as important as everything else on your to-do list.
You can also find helpful resources and guidance on the Health Matters page on Dowds Connect, or access additional support through our Employee Assistance Programme, Spark.
NOVEMBER 2026
GPS UPDATE
IT:
ACCOUNTS: November Payroll Date: Please note that the official pay date for November is Sunday 29th November. As this falls on a Sunday, your wages are expected to reach your bank account on Friday 27th November. November Expenses – Important Deadlines Please ensure that all expense claims are submitted via SAP Concur in line with the following deadlines: Thursday 5th November – Deadline for employees to submit all expense claims via SAP Concur. Tuesday 10th November – Deadline for line managers to review and approve all submitted expenses. Thursday 19th November - Expenses payment date. Important: All expenses must be submitted and approved by the above deadlines to ensure they are included in the November payment run.
SHEQ: LSE – POSITIVE SITE SAFETY STANDARDS A recent independent H&S inspection at LSE provided positive feedback on the EPIC team working on behalf of Dowds, noting that the operatives were working in a safe and organised manner, with good housekeeping and use of barriers. This has been noticed and praised by our client, McLaren. LEPRINO – COLLABORATIVE CLIENT SAFETY WALKAROUND We recently carried out a joint H&S walkaround with the client team at Leprino to identify hazards and agree any corrective actions. This was a good example of working collaboratively with the client and promoting shared ownership of site safety. Leprino – Recognising positive safety behaviours We also had a good example of positive reporting from members of our supply chain at Leprino. Operatives promptly raised a safety concern and took appropriate action, and the team were recognised for their swift reporting. It’s a good example of the proactive reporting culture we’re trying to encourage across our projects. Energy – Collaborative pre-start safety planning The H&S and Energy teams identified additional hazards during a pre-start review and worked with SPAR to adapt the planned works, strengthen the RAMS and agree exclusion-zone controls to better protect customers, staff and contractors. Environmental Site Audits We’ve also commenced environmental site auditing, with initial audits carried out at Judd Street and Leprino. This is helping us strengthen environmental oversight across our projects and identify opportunities for continual improvement. Well done everyone! Barriers set up at LSE
NOVEMBER 2026
PROJECT COMPLETION – ST EDMUND HALL, OXFORD We are delighted to have successfully completed the M&E package for SDC Builders Ltd on the new Passivhaus student campus at St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford. Officially opened on 2 October, the development includes 127 student bedrooms across three new Passivhauscertified buildings, alongside the refurbishment of a historic Victorian villa. The project marks another fantastic achievement for Dowds, supporting the delivery of sustainable, energyefficient student accommodation.
PROJECT UPDATES PROJECT MILESTONE LALJI GLOBAL HUB
LSE FIROZ
PROJECT MILESTONE – CHILDREN'S DAY TREATMENT CENTRE, GUY'S AND ST THOMAS' We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the M&E fit-out works across Levels 2, 3 and 4 at the Children's Day Treatment Centre for Guy's and St Thomas'. The completed works include consultant rooms, a day procedure theatre, clinical and treatment rooms, a research hub and wards. With this milestone achieved, attention now turns to Phase 2, which involves the refurbishment of existing Levels 1 and 3, including a dialysis unit and theatres. A fantastic achievement by everyone involved, and we look forward to progressing the next phase of the project.
Dowds are delighted to celebrate the topping out of the Firoz Lalji Global Hub at the London School of Economics (LSE). Kenny Conneely, Richard Bates, Daniel O’Brien and Paul Skinner attended the event, where LSE alumnus and donor Firoz Lalji addressed a packed audience of project partners and LSE representatives. Working alongside McLaren Construction Group to deliver the M&E package, this milestone marks an exciting step forward for the project and a fantastic achievement for everyone involved!
REFERRAL SCHEME
Know someone who could be a great fit for Dowds? If you refer someone who joins Dowds, you’ll receive: + £1,000 when your referral starts + A further £1,000 once they’ve successfully completed their probationary period
The total potential referral bonus is £2,000. All payments are subject to the terms of the scheme and normal payroll deductions.
CURRENT VACANCIES We’re hiring across a range of roles and locations. If you know someone with the right skills and experience refer them to our P&C team!
FM
FM ADMINISTRATOR Ballymena, United Kingdom
MOBILE MAINTENANCE ELECTRICIAN Ballymena, United Kingdom
PLUMBER - MECHANICAL ENGINEER Beith, United Kingdom
GROUP PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
BIM COORDINATOR Ballymena, United Kingdom
BIM MANAGER Ballymena, United Kingdom
BIM MANAGER London, United Kingdom
PROJECTS
COMMERCIAL MANAGER London, United Kingdom
OPERATIONS MANAGER
P&C ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT Ballymena, United Kingdom
QUALITY MANAGER London, United Kingdom
London, United Kingdom
QS/SENIOR QS London, United Kingdom
Contact the People & Culture Team or email careers@dowdsgroup.com