Facilities Management Journal December/January 2024

VOLUME 32 | 01

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT JOURNAL

BEST IN CLASS

The BCO annual Awards recognise award-winning workplaces that define excellence in office space

FM Clinic: Advice on addressing the recruitment shortfall within the FM sector

28

DISASTER RECOVERY

Ensuring normal service is resumed

32

INTERVIEW

Ross Abbate on the return of the Macro brand

40

WINTER MAINTENANCE

Maintaining outdoor facilities

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EDITORIAL COMMENT

this month...

kpm media Unit 1 Mill Place, Platt Business Estate, Maidstone Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 8TB Tel: 01322 662289 Editor Sara Bean sara.bean@kpmmedia.co.uk Assistant Editor & Social Media Development Sarah O’Beirne sarah.obeirne@kpmmedia.co.uk Tel: 01322 476815 Director & Designer Warren Knight warren.knight@kpmmedia.co.uk Mob: 0780 1947757 Sales Director Danny Grange danny.grange@kpmmedia.co.uk Mob: 07867 418994 Business Administrator Maxine Howell maxine@kpmmedia.co.uk Accounts Diane Jarvis accounts@kpmmedia.co.uk Group CEO Nigel Copp nigel.copp@kpmgroup.co.uk Editorial steering committee

Alan Hutchinson, Facilities Director, Howard Kennedy LLP Charles Siddons, Head of Operations, NHS Property Services Darren Miller, NBCUniversal, VP for International Workplace, Facilities & Real Estate Ian Wade, Head of UK Estates, British Medical Association Lucy Hind, Senior FM Lecturer, Leeds Beckett University Marie Johnson, Head of Workplace & Wellbeing, Nominet Paul Cannock, Head of the Estates and Facilities Management Department, European Space Agency Russell Wood, Facilities Manager at Dentsu Aegis Network Russell Burnaby, Head of FM, Regeneration and Environment, Brent Council Simon Francis, Director of Estates and Facilities, The Institute of Cancer Research Simone Fenton-Jarvis, Group Director of Workplace Consultancy and Transformation, Vpod Solutions Wayne Young, Facilities Manager at DB Cargo (UK)

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comment

You may think the term ESG has been overused this year, but recent reports by the IWFM and the Sustainability Facilities Management Index (SFMI) illustrate how the facilities management sector is now seen as playing a central role in helping organisations meet environmental, social and governance goals.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary the IWFM report (see Association News) presents three “megatrends” which will impact facilities professionals in the future: delivering workplace strategy as a service; the role of ESG all its forms; and the drivers for properly implementing smart buildings.

‘30 years back, 3 trends for the future’, traces the journey FM has made over the past three decades; from being primarily responsible for maintaining buildings, to a profession acknowledged for enhancing the sustainability and wellbeing of places and people.

For its part, the SFMI Annual Summary Report 2023 (see news) reveals FM providers are making greater efforts than ever to achieve net zero, including meeting Scope 3 emissions.

Encouragingly, the research also finds there has been an increase in customer demands for strategies that support their aims of meeting decarbonisation goals.

Another important aspect of the SFMI report is the revelation that employee retention is now seen as a crucial part of the facilities management provider’s remit. According to the report, FM companies are increasingly being asked to help foster a positive workplace culture to meet a greater emphasis on wellbeing and social value.

We’ve some examples of exemplary workplaces in the case studies on page 24 where we profile three of the prize-winners of the BCO’s annual Awards for best-in-class office buildings. Most significantly, the winners were lauded for their societal impact, with the judges choosing projects that put ESG at the heart of their projects. Whether you like the term or not, expect ESG to remain at the forefront of FM strategy in 2024.

As always, we’d welcome your feedback about any aspect of the magazine, together with your insight into what’s happening in the FM sector.

sara.bean@kpmmedia.co.uk

Find your next role with the FMJ Jobboard Visit jobs.fmj.co.uk for hundreds of roles in FM and associated industries

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT JOURNAL

JOBS

jobs.fmj.co.uk

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024

3

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CONTENTS

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @FMJtoday

THIS MONTH...

NEWS & ANALYSIS

FEATURES

left unmanaged says Stewart McGillivray of Guardian Water Treatment.

FMJ NEWS

06

INTERVIEW

32

This month’s summary of everything that has hit the headlines in the FM sector.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

08

36

The latest news and views from membership organisations.

CASE STUDY – BCO

EVENT REPORT

24

Ross Abbate, CEO of newly independent FM provider Macro explains the rationale behind its divestment from Mace Group and the advantages it offers clients and suppliers.

WASHROOMS

36 37

Lee Radzki of Tork manufacturer Essity suggests the best ways of reducing crosscontamination in public washrooms this winter.

Paul Mulready from Northwood Hygiene Products offers advice on how to factor sustainability into running a washroom.

WorkTech London included discussions on the evolving needs of occupants and how digital technology is transforming the workplace.

FMJ focuses on three of the winners of British Council of Offices’ annual Awards and learns what BCO CEO Richard Kauntze and Chair of judges Mike Burton look for in a prize-winning workplace.

ADVICE AND OPINION

DISASTER RECOVERY

STORAGE

Disasters can hit a business at any time, leaving significant disruption in their wake.

Hein Hemke of BELFOR explains how FMs can improve the chances of recovery.

Nigel Dews explains why hybrid storage systems offer a pragmatic and cost-effective approach to digital transformation.

10

28

BUSINESS CONTINUITY

12 COMMENT

12

30

Whether a building is shut down completely or is at significantly reduced capacity, the services within empty properties cannot simply be

16

BLOG & SOCIAL MEDIA

18

Chris Jay, Managing Director of Bascule Disability Training says a shift in modern working behaviours can be used to improve inclusivity.

FM CLINIC

20

Many employers continue to cite difficulties in finding staff for skilled maintenance, support services and property management roles.

What more can be done in 2024 to help address the recruitment shortfall within the FM sector?

With the HSE taking a much closer look at various aspects of workplace safety in 2024, Peter Doyle, Head of Health and Safety services at Citation looks at their key areas of focus.

40

Samantha Fry from Ground Control offers tips on maintaining outdoor facilities, to help keep things running smoothly over the winter.

53

14

Jason Webb, Managing Director of Electronic Temperature Instruments stresses the importance of precision temperature control in maintaining vital assets.

39

MIFM

COMPLIANCE

FAST FACTS

HEALTH & SAFETY

WINTER MAINTENANCE

FM CAREERS

For the first time since the pandemic, people are spending more time in the office than they are at home, but can they cope with the noise? asks Ben Hancock of Oscar Acoustics.

Richard Theobold of Precision FM explains how FM providers can help smooth an organisation’s accreditation and auditing processes.

38

PEOPLE

51

Find out who’s moving where in the facilities management profession.

RECRUITMENT

52

Natalie Henderson and Steve Thomson of EMCOR UK believe apprenticeships not only improve employment opportunities but help support mental health.

TRAINING

53

In-centre, on-site or remote training, which training delivery method is truly the best for FM professionals? Gary Cooper of PPL Training explores the options.

CAREERS NEWS

54

A brief roundup of the latest careers news in the facilities management sector.

42

New product and service launches and company news from the FM industry.

Next Edition FMs have a long list of issues to deal with in 2024. We ask a group of experts, how well is the sector prepared to meet the challenges ahead? In our case study, an office interiors design expert offers some useful examples on how to create a destination workplace. With fluctuations in demand challenging the way workplace catering is delivered, we hear from a leading foodservices provider and from two of the disruptors in the foodservice market. We learn why regular inspections of a commercial roof should always form an essential part of your external maintenance plan; and we discover why ensuring DSE assessments are made available to all staff, wherever they are based, remain a key part of workplace health and safety.

sara.bean@kpmmedia.co.uk To register for your free copy of FMJ visit fmj.co.uk DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024

5

NEWS & ANALYSIS

FMJ.CO.UK

LEGAL VIEW ADVICE ON THE NEW ICO WORKPLACE MONITORING GUIDANCE Vivek Dodd, Compliance and Workplace Expert, and CEO of online compliance training service Skillcast.

On October 3rd, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) issued new guidance aimed at ensuring lawful monitoring in the workplace.

This announcement has significant implications for facilities and workplace managers responsible for day-to-day office management as it’s those that are likely to be implementing this guidance to aid business performance.

The ICO’s research has unveiled some striking statistics, indicating that 70 per cent of the public perceives employer monitoring as intrusive, with nearly one in five individuals (19 per cent) suspecting they have been subjected to monitoring by their employer.

Of those who believe they have been monitored, the most prevalent practices include monitoring timekeeping and access (40 per cent) and monitoring emails, files, calls, or messages (25 per cent).

In light of these findings, the new guidance aims to provide clear information on how workplace monitoring can be conducted lawfully and fairly. Moreover, it underscores the importance of fostering trust and respect among employees while implementing monitoring practices.

It is important to ensure transparency to help build trust and maintain a positive work environment. By following these steps and being open and honest with your staff about monitoring practices, you can create an environment of trust and cooperation, where employees understand the need for monitoring and are comfortable with its implementation.

Establish Clear Policies and Guidelines: Creating a set of welldefined policies and guidelines is the first step. These documents should outline the reasons for monitoring and the types of monitoring that will occur. Making these policies easily accessible to all staff members is essential.

Communicate the Purpose and Necessity: To quell employee concerns, it’s crucial to explain why monitoring is necessary.

Employees should understand that it’s not about invading their privacy but about ensuring compliance, security, and productivity. Being honest about the risks your organisation faces is key to gaining their cooperation.

Involve Staff in the Process: Whenever possible, involve your staff in discussions about monitoring procedures. Asking for their input and feedback can help create a sense of ownership and cooperation, as employees are more likely to embrace policies they have had a hand in shaping.

Respect Privacy and Legal Requirements: Ensuring that monitoring activities are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations is non-negotiable. In the era of data protection laws like GDPR, it is crucial to ensure that monitoring practices do not violate these rules.

Explain How Data Will Be Used: Employees should be informed about how the data collected through monitoring will be used. Will it be utilised for performance evaluations, security purposes, or something else? This transparency can alleviate concerns about misuse.

Establish Consequences for Policy Violations: Clearly outlining the consequences of policy violations and consistently enforcing them is essential. Staff should have a clear understanding of the potential outcomes if they breach monitoring policies.

Respect Employee Rights: Reminding employees that they have the right to express concerns or request clarification about the monitoring process as the ‘data subject’ is important. Inform them about the designated contact person for accessing the data collected, typically the data protection officer.

Seek Legal Counsel: If there is any uncertainty regarding the compliance of your monitoring practices with relevant laws and regulations, consulting legal experts is highly advisable. Legal advice can help navigate the complexities of data privacy and employment laws, ensuring that your monitoring practices are legally sound.

The ICO’s guidance underscores the need for a proactive approach to workplace monitoring. It involves not only ensuring compliance but also actively engaging with employees to build a culture of trust, cooperation, and transparency.

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FRAMEWORK TO DRIVE OPTIMAL IN-USE ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IS LAUNCHED A transformative Managing for Performance Framework to drive optimal inuse energy performance of commercial buildings has been launched by the Building Better Partnership’s (BBP) Managing Agents Partnership (MAP).

The Framework recognises the pivotal role that the property management industry plays in championing energy performance and fostering collaboration among property owners, facilities managers, occupiers, and suppliers.

Focusing particularly on multi-let offices, the Managing for Performance Framework has been designed in three key stages, offering practical guidance on: Assessing a buildings current performance relative to industry benchmarks and its own specification.

Enhancing the management and operational aspects of a building for optimal energy performance.

Maintaining and achieving peak in-use performance, with a focus on identifying areas for strategic focus and investment to enhance building efficiency.

The Framework has been co-created by the industry, for the industry, via a working group made up of MAP, BBP Members and technical experts.

To find out more visit https://bit.ly/3uPS1xO

MITIE LAUNCHES ITS FACILITIES TRANSFORMATION HUB Mitie has unveiled its Transformation Hub which demonstrates the cuttingedge technology it is using to drive Facilities Transformation. Based in its London headquarters in The Shard, the Hub showcases Mitie’s investment in the latest innovation to help customers embrace five key mega-trends: Accelerating the path to net zero by reducing energy use and generating cleaner, greener power Designing commute-worthy spaces to support hybrid working and creating great places to work Ensuring buildings and equipment are working as efficiently and productively as possible Providing clean and sustainable spaces, in the context of a post-pandemic world Protecting people and property particularly in response to evolving threats and rising retail crime The Hub includes a range of technology, including AI which presents a multitude of opportunities for the FM industry. For example, the use of technology that is new to the FM industry to reinvent workplace design where, using ‘digital twins’, customers can reimagine and design commuteworthy spaces in virtual reality.

With the security industry facing rising threats of terrorism, cybercrime, and the increasing demand for the protection of private spaces, customers need better risk assurance. By introducing AI-enhanced CCTV that can help detect shoplifting or suspicious items, as well as cutting-edge biometric access control, businesses can reduce crime and create safer spaces.

The Hub also showcased the revolution of FM services in the healthcare sector with an AI location-based task management system. Working on the principle of Right Time, Right Place, Right Person, the system automatically assigns tasks, such as cleaning and portering services, to the nearest available colleague, saving valuable time for clinical staff so they can focus on patient care.

Read FMJ’s visit to the hub at www.fmj.co.uk/mitie-demonstrates-cuttingedge-technology-with-the-launch-of-its-facilities-transformation-hub/

FMJ.CO.UK

Climate change security hazards to increase by double-digits According to the firstever World Security Report

by G4S, businesses must prepare for a double-digit increase in climate change hazards that impact physical security in the next year and could threaten supply chains, people and finances.

The landmark research, which surveyed 1,775 Chief Security Officers (CSOs) in 30 countries at large global companies with total revenue of more than $20 trillion, revealed climate change as the third most likely security-impacting hazard to affect companies in the next year after economic unrest (47 per cent) and pandemics (40 per cent).

Almost two-fifths (38 per cent) of companies surveyed expect climate change to impact their company in the next 12 months – an increase of 11 per cent on the previous year.

CSOs anticipate that floods, wildfires, earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis will all increase.

Noah Price, International G4S Academy Director said: “Climate change and natural disasters pose a significant threat to a companies’ physical security operations.

Most companies tend to be reactive, addressing security threats only after they’ve struck. It’s business critical that CSOs anticipate potential threats and prepare for them. No action or just reaction is not an option.

“Being reactive often results in significantly higher financial and reputational losses compared to the costs of implementing robust, preemptive security measures. Planning will ensure businesses are more resilient, safeguarding people and assets.”

NEWS & ANALYSIS

SFMI ASSESSMENTS: TRENDS DATES FOR THE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF FM FM DIARY 22-23 JANUARY 2024

FM Forum Radisson Blu Hotel, London Stansted https://facilitiesmanagementforum.co.uk

13 FEBRUARY 2024

Building Heroes Conference RAF Museum Midlands, RAF Cosford www.buildingheroes.org.uk

T

he Sustainable Facilities Management Index (SFMI) 2023 assessments have uncovered significant trends shaping the future of the FM industry.

Employee Wellbeing – a tool for employee retention Employee retention has emerged as a crucial area of concern for FM providers operating in a constrained talent pool. While wages and salary increases have traditionally been tools for attracting and retaining talent, FM companies are now realising the importance of fostering a positive workplace culture and embracing responsible business values.

Emphasising employee development, wellbeing, and social value has become pivotal in maintaining a strong and committed workforce.

Decarbonisation Gains Momentum The SFMI findings indicate a heightened understanding of decarbonisation among mature sustainable FM providers. These companies are expanding their measurement of zero carbon, particularly in scope 3 emissions.

The industry is witnessing an increase in customer demands for services that extend beyond energy and workplace management to include decarbonisation implementation and strategy. To meet these evolving needs, both small and large FM providers are rapidly upskilling and diversifying their service offerings.

Long-Term Risk Planning Becomes Essential Senior leaders are urged to adopt a longer-term risk planning approach, encompassing strategic risks related to climate change impacts over a 10- to 15-year horizon. This will help them to engage with asset owners and manage potential significant devaluations from climate transition and physical risks. As regulations shift toward a more extended risk assessment period, the industry must evolve its culture at the senior level to proactively address these challenges and opportunities.

Scope 3 Emissions Challenge Accelerates The boundaries for scope 3 emissions are expanding, with a focus on measuring purchased goods and services in the greenhouse gas corporate inventory. Larger FM providers are now poised to engage with suppliers to achieve progress in this area, emphasising the need for resource allocation and knowledge transfer to ensure a sustainable journey. The industry is also witnessing a shift in waste management practices, with mature FM providers identifying and addressing large streams of waste in the value chain through elimination or circular/recycling systems.

The findings have come from the SFMI’s assessments which provide a detailed roadmap of how FMs embed sustainability within their organisation, and from the SFMI’s industry network partners who provide insight from the built environment. The SFMI identifies areas of weakness and provides an improvement plan.

20 FEBRUARY 2024

Workplace Futures 1 Great George Street, London www.workplace-futures.co.uk

27-28 FEBRUARY 2024 London PropTech Show ExCeL London https://proptechshow.com

05-07 MARCH 2023 Futurebuild ExCeL London www.futurebuild.co.uk

13-14 MARCH 2023

The Manchester Cleaning Show 2024 Manchester Central https://cleaningshow.co.uk/manchester

17 APRIL 2023

Property Connect Golf Day Farleigh Golf Club, Warlingham, Surrey www.property-connect.org

17-18 APRIL 2023 MSP Show ExCeL London www.servicedeskshow.com

08-09 MAY 2023 FOOTPRINT+ Old Billingsgate, London www.footprintplus.com

25-27 JUNE 2023 InstallerSHOW NEC Birmingham www.installershow.com

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024

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NEWS & ANALYSIS

FMJ.CO.UK

ASSOCIATION NEWS

THREE MEGATRENDS WILL AFFECT WORKPLACES FOR YEARS TO COME FINDS IWFM RESEARCH

T

he Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) has marked the 30th anniversary of its founding with the release of new research, ’30 years back, 3 trends for the future’.

Developed with sector experts, the work traces the progress of workplace and facilities management (WFM) from the evolution of offices to the rise of digital innovation, changing workspace objectives to a focus on sustainability and employee experience. Today – post-Brexit, post-pandemic and in increasingly competitive conditions – workplace and facilities professionals are “lynchpin” players in organisations, says IWFM. The report identifies three “megatrends” affecting professionals, the sector and the wider business world today: embedding workplace

strategy as a service; putting people, planet and profits on the same footing; and the relationship between smart buildings and WFMs. Workplace strategy, the first megatrend, is set to become mainstream in demand and supply.

This will present a huge opportunity for WFMs and FM service providers in years to come, and it is important that they grasp the opportunity early, evidence their value and secure their seat before others fill it.

On the second, progress in ESG and sustainability is uneven at best. While many organisations have taken positive steps, few have embedded sustainability as core strategic outcomes. That will change, not simply due to political and societal pressures, but from the tangible benefits that action delivers in terms of

CIBSE PRESIDENT, ADRIAN CATCHPOLE TO ADDRESS EMBODIED CARBON AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE AT COP28 During his participation in a panel event at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28, CIBSE President, Adrian Catchpole’ will focus on the two key themes of embodied carbon and climate resilience. He will emphasise the need for a step change in the way carbon emissions are calculated in buildings, calling for a focus on embodied carbon, and pointing to CIBSE’s work on the TM65 embodied carbon calculation methodology for building services, launching a local addendum for UAE during COP28.

TM65 is the first step to promoting transparency in the supply chain and is the only methodology for calculating embodied carbon in building services equipment (when Environmental Product Declarations are not available). Catchpole will advocate strongly for the methodology to enable engineers and manufacturers to produce comparable carbon metrics using consistent rules.

The other theme of climate resilience will address the need to shift focus beyond decarbonisation to the world’s resistance to climate change. According to CIBSE: “As industry leaders in this field, stresses we need to maintain focus on net zero targets, while reviewing the impact of our work and our industry’s ability to adapt to those changes.”

From January 2024 CIBSE has mandated CPD on sustainability and building safety, requiring all corporate members to complete at least one CPD activity on each.

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DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024

profits. Those companies that put people, planet and (still, much needed) profits on the same footing will be best positioned to achieve all three.

Thirdly, smart buildings are increasingly advocated as a driver for automating and supporting maintenance and security, improving workplace and customer experience, and delivering sustainability outcomes. And yet, despite incredible advances, experts agree that smart buildings and their ecosystems remain in earliest stages of development and the concept lacks a clear definition and an underpinning specification. As the research details, however, this presents both a challenge and opportunity for WFM.

TIME TO TACKLE “PLAGUE” OF WORK ACCIDENTS AND ILL HEALTH, SAYS NEW IOSH PRESIDENT

N

ew IOSH President Stuart Hughes is calling on the profession to challenge itself to develop new ways of tackling the “unacceptably high” number of work-related deaths, fatalities and ill health.

With an estimated 7,500 people dying because of unsafe and unhealthy working conditions every day around the world, Hughes says the OSH profession has an obligation to combat this by working together with businesses, governments and other professions.

“We need to challenge ourselves, ask ourselves if what we’re doing to protect people is working as effectively as it can,” he said. “We need to focus on ensuring we’re doing the right things, for the benefit of society.”

Hughes was confirmed as IOSH President for 2023-24 at its AGM on Wednesday 15 November. He takes over the role from Lawrence Webb.

An experienced OSH professional and chartered member of IOSH, Hughes is

currently Head of Health and Safety for Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team.

Among his aims over the next 12 months are to work with IOSH and other OSH professionals to advance health and safety standards around the world, develop thought leadership to address key challenges, as well as support efforts to provide opportunities for future generations of professionals.

He points to the International Labour Organization’s adoption of a safe and healthy work environment as a fundamental principle and right at work as being key for this.

“We’re still plagued by unacceptably high numbers of deaths at work, along with serious injuries in workplace accidents and ill health caused by exposure to harmful materials and substances at work,” he said.

“We have a mandate from the ILO and there is a clear link between OSH and delivering the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. All of this gives us greater reach and the ability to drive change in collaboration with businesses, governments and other professions.”

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WORKTECH LONDON

ERA OF CHANGE Craig Peters, Senior Consultant, Magenta Associates reports from Day 1 of WorkTech London (November 21st - 22nd) which included discussions on the evolving needs of occupants and how digital technology is transforming the workplace

David McConaghy Photography

I

t felt quite apt that Edwin Heathcote, Architecture and Design Critic at the Financial Times, used his platform at WorkTech 2023 to reminisce back to the start of his career where “it was all about buildings that were shaped like spaceships”. Apt, not because he arrived in one. Although, let’s face it, after the past few years would anyone be surprised? No, apt because one of the underlying themes of WorkTech 2023 was of course artificial intelligence (AI) and the emerging trends in office design.

Interestingly, a passing comment

by Heathcote on how the concept of the 15-minute city is being quashed by right-wing media and politicians didn’t get the attention that it perhaps deserved. Heathcote suggested that right of centre media isn’t completely behind the idea of 15-minute cities as "it’s an attack on cars, and you can’t attack their cars".

With a growing focus on ESG, it is concerning that those at the top have described 15-minute cities as ‘a police on people’s lives’. The 15-minute city was first coined at COP27 in 2021. It

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suggests that instead of being perfected for cars, cities should be designed so that within the distance of a 15-minute walk or bike ride, people should be able to access work, housing, food, health, education, culture, and leisure.

PEOPLE AND AI The concept of purpose versus profit when it comes to AI also proved to be a regular discussion point throughout the event. As we witness the evolution of technology, questions arise about the true intentions behind the development of AI. "I can be replaced by a tape recorder," remarked Daniel Hulme, CEO and Founder of Satalia. His compelling talk on day one of WorkTech reflected on the rapid advancements in AI. He highlighted the intriguing collaboration between OpenAI and Microsoft, or any other entity at the forefront of marketing campaigns.

“OpenAI has spurred the creation of numerous research labs,” he said.

“These labs, however, aren't driven solely by commercial output. Instead, their primary goal is to push the boundaries of understanding and building more sophisticated, intelligent

machines. The focus, therefore, is on identifying and mitigating risks associated with AI development.”

Hulme emphasised the importance of clarity in purpose. Is the goal genuinely to enhance understanding and safety around intelligent machines, or does the pursuit of profit take precedence?

The concern lies in the potential shift as companies grow, where the drive to make money could overshadow the initial purpose.

“The tension arises from this delicate balance” Hulme added. Is the commercial purpose aligned with the core values of advancing technology safely? It raises critical questions about governance structures. Hulme also suggested that structures akin to notfor-profit models or specific governance structures for genuine, non-commercial pursuits may be more appropriate.

Hulme concluded with a clear unease about the potential conflict between the noble goal of advancing AI for the greater good and the commercial imperative that might threaten it.

EMPLOYEE’S EVOLVING NEEDS The ’hotelification’ of the office to meet the evolving needs of employees was

also dissected during a panel which featured Nicole Brocklebank-Fowler, Global Head of Property Portfolio, Clifford Chance; Jess Costanzo, Commercial Director, Simmtronic; Bastiaan de Groot, CEO, Ingy; and Dan Drogman, CEO, Smart Spaces.

Drogman emphasised the transformation of workplaces into more personalised and comfortable environments. He also highlighted the role of technology in facilitating this shift, comparing it to a hotel app that fosters two-way communication between employees and landlords.

According to Drogman, this marks a significant shift as landlords adopt a more customer-focused approach akin to the hospitality industry, aiming to ensure the comfort and satisfaction of employees in the workplace. Quite ironically, 22 Bishopsgate – where the event was held - is monitored by thousands of Smart Spaces’ sensors.

During the conference, Nicole Brocklebank-Fowler, Global Head of Property Portfolio at Clifford Chance, echoed the sentiment that employees now harbour "much higher expectations" from their office spaces. She discussed the challenge of determining the elusive "secret sauce recipe" for each organisation and culture, something that continues to challenge businesses of all sizes and across different industry sectors. The discussion delved into the importance of providing a frictionless experience to entice employees back into the office, acknowledging the significant changes in work habits and the need to regain employee trust.

The panel, moderated by Arraz Makhani, Development Director at Unwork, explored the multifaceted responses of buildings and workplaces to the evolving needs of businesses and employees. As Jess Costanzo, Commercial Director at Simmtronic, noted: "the workforce's increasing involvement in decision-making is leading to a demand for more personalised solutions." This means that it is adding a layer of excitement to the evolving dynamics of office spaces. In this era of change, the conference continued to shed light on how technology, trust-building, and personalisation are all becoming integral aspects of the contemporary workplace experience. https://worktechevents.com/ events/worktech23-london/

ADVICE & OPINION

COMMENT

SOUND ENERGY Despite the push for more ‘in person’ working styles, many office spaces still struggle with persistent and overbearing ‘noise’. Ben Hancock, MD at Oscar Acoustics, explains how acoustic sound sprays can help manage the next phase of office working

A

large proportion of the UK workforce are well accustomed to hybrid working – spending their time between the office, where they interact with colleagues and the quiet surroundings of their home. But views around hybrid working are changing with more employers seeing time in the office as a way to improve productivity.

The trend, which is linked to a boost in productivity, is catching on and for the first time since the pandemic, people are spending more time in the off ice than they are at home. A study by recruitment giant, Hays, of almost 15,000 white collar professionals found that 43 per cent now work exclusively in the off ice compared to 39 per cent who are using a hybrid model(i).

Yet, as we’ve seen in recent times, working styles are constantly evolving, and while employers may insist of a need for more ‘face time’ from staff – this is still interspersed with people in the off ice communicating with those working remotely.

WORKPLACE HIVE The shift back to off ice work is placing a greater emphasis on the suitability of working environments – extra personnel are once again turning off ices into a hive of activity, bringing with

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them spiralling noise levels. Increased demands are also on facilities managers, whose job it is to ensure safe and comfortable surroundings, and who will be expected to manage this ongoing issue.

The problem is that much of the UK’s off ice stock is ill-equipped to deal with the cacophony caused by everyday workers. Our own studies(ii) show this to be the case. For example, hybrid workers in the finance sector blame ‘poor quality work’ and a drop in job performance on excess off ice noise.

Nearly three quarters (74 per cent) believe that they can work better at home than in the off ice "because it was easier to focus". More than one in four (26 per cent) have been pushed to work outside of contracted hours, to make up for lost time due to a lack of focus. These are telling stats and reflective of similar findings over the past three years.

So, what can FMs do to stem the problem before workforces are back at full capacity? One solution is to manage and reduce off ice noise through the right acoustic solution – primarily the use of premium acoustic sprays. The idea of using headphones or noise screens only goes so far and affects the flow of communications between teams, making it unworkable. It’s only by absorbing sound energy rather than reflecting it,

that FMs can make a real difference.

SPRAYS SOLUTIONS The beauty of premium acoustic sprays is not just their effectiveness but their versatility. They can be applied to nearly all substrates, including metal, wood or concrete and on the walls or ceilings, allowing them to work with the contours of a space without impacting the design scheme. To the eye, passers-by won’t see any difference – they work seamlessly but make all the difference on the ears.

These types of sprays also complement the growing use of dividing structures and pods used for collaboration and brainstorming. They allow complete flexibility with Cat A and Cat B without disrupting the acoustic spray finish on the ceiling above.

However, they do more than just turn down the volume; premium acoustic sprays also contribute towards many sustainable design and health certification systems, including BREEAM, SKA, Living Building Challenge and adds up to 17 points towards the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating of a project. They’re also GREENGUARD Gold Certified, important given the recent focus on air quality, so it’s important to choose sprays that have been third-party tested.

For FMs, fire safety is always paramount, and not all products are created equal. It’s imperative that acoustic sprays go above and beyond Approved Document B fire requirement (Class 0 to BS476 & B-s1, d0 fire rating) as they produce little to no smoke and absolutely no droplets, which can assist in the safe escape of off ice workers.

It’s obvious that the changing dynamics around our workspaces will have a big impact on the levels of noise workers are exposed to. Those keen to nip the issue in the bud will do well to think about off ice acoustics, which has a major influence on productivity levels but also staff health and happiness. As the world of work turns yet another corner, FMs can continue to stay one step ahead, and it starts with giving the right care and attention to off ice acoustics. Your off ice productivity may depend on it. (i) https://bit.ly/3uzvyoA (ii) https://bit.ly/3QRDVTW

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COMPLIANCE

AN FM PROVIDER CAN MAKE ACCREDITATION AND AUDITING SMOOTHER Company audits, whether for health and safety, compliance or accreditation for ISO or other standards are a vital part of the FM remit. Richard Theobold, Operations Director at Precision FM explains how an FM provider can help simplify the accreditation and auditing process

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acilities management, more than almost any field, is about planning and establishing clearly defined procedures for efficiency and compliance. A reputable FM supplier, likely holding its own accreditations, will be extremely familiar with the formal processes required to achieve these standards. They will almost certainly manage their FM work through a centralised Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) system.

Gone are the days of filing cabinets groaning with thousands of service sheets for thousands of completed cleaning and maintenance tasks.

Amongst other things, a CAFM system is an online portal that can ensure all your records, servicing schedules and invoices can be kept in one secure location making it easier to obtain any information or documentation you are asked to produce as part of an audit.

you’ll need the documents in order then, too.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CAFM A CAFM system can generate a range of reports that could be beneficial to your operations. For example, this software can populate a schedule for future planned preventative maintenance, including cleaning and sanitisation work. This forecasting and preparation for upcoming maintenance activities increase your likelihood of passing assessments.

PROVE YOUR STUFF There are real scenarios where the role of your facilities management provider is crucial in providing necessary data to demonstrate processes. For instance, if you’re looking to adhere to voluntary standards such as ISO 45001 then your FM provider will have documents saved on their systems that are pertinent.

During obligatory Health and Safety Inspections conducted by the HSE, the focus is on scrutinising both your compliance documentation and the physical condition of the site. You’ll want an FM firm that frequently documents and saves site activities, so you can easily demonstrate that you’re doing the job right.

You might opt to do a Health and Safety Audit, which though not mandatory, are increasingly popular among firms who want to demonstrate and ensure legal compliance. In these audits, either an internal manager or an external expert validates the systems and adherence to them, mainly concentrating on documentation.

Don’t forget those times when you may need to undertake specific obligations, like PAT testing, 14

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You’ll naturally want a comprehensive record of all past and completed maintenance and sanitisation tasks. This historical data is crucial for reviewing past work and understanding the maintenance trajectory of your facilities and CAFM simplifies this process.

Consider an asset history report, which is invaluable for providing detailed maintenance information, outlining both completed and scheduled work. This level of detail aids in tracking the maintenance of each asset over time, with data being represented in ways that mean something to you.

Equally important is having full details of all staff and subcontractors who have entered or might

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enter your premises. This is essential for security, compliance, and coordination, ensuring you have a complete record of who is where and when. These reports, collectively, enhance your management and operational efficiency.

The key point is that full reports ought to be available at any time at the touch of a button. Your FM partner should always be ready to support you with necessary information to prove compliance in any related area.

ISO TIPS A formal external audit is the final step in acquiring an ISO certification. ISO certificates are always issued with a limited lifespan, typically three years, necessitating regular audits and recertification.

Documentation is the cornerstone of any audit process. Good intentions and widely known but undocumented information won’t suffice. It’s essential to have everything properly recorded and documented. When it comes to certification or recertification, it’s crucial to begin preparation well in advance of the audit. This foresight ensures that you are thoroughly prepared when the time comes.

Equally important is having a staff member who is well-versed in the standard being audited.

This individual should be capable of conducting an internal audit. Internal audits are a critical preparation tool that shapes your readiness for the external audit, which you must pass.

Any problems identified, whether in internal or external audits, must be promptly and effectively corrected. Remember to revisit these corrections after some time to ensure that the solutions have been effective and are still in place.

Your audit process should not only focus on identifying outright failures but also on pinpointing weaknesses. These are aspects of your process that, while not failing, could lead to failure in the future. Addressing these weaknesses proactively will naturally ensure smoother operations.

You can never be too prepared, so ensure you join up with an FM provider that can get you the documentation you need to pass assessments.

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TAKING THE TEMPERATURE FMJ AIMS TO SUPPORT TECHNICAL EXPERTISE IN THE FM MARKET

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Jason Webb, Managing Director, Electronic Temperature Instruments on the importance of precision temperature control in maintaining vital assets

recision temperature control is a critical element in laboratories and research facilities, where breakthroughs in scientific research, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare rely on maintaining specific temperature conditions. The challenge of maintaining steady temperatures in these environments doesn’t come without obstacles to overcome.

There are however, some innovative solutions that address these challenges, including the essential role that wireless data loggers play in ensuring accuracy and efficiency.

THE CHALLENGE OF TEMPERATURE CONTROL Laboratories and research facilities are hotbeds of innovation, where accuracy and consistency are crucial. The challenge lies in maintaining precise temperature conditions, often within narrow tolerances. Fluctuations can jeopardise experiments, compromise the integrity of research, or render pharmaceuticals ineffective.

To overcome these challenges, facility managers and researchers are turning to advanced temperature measurement and monitoring equipment. These technologies not only ensure that temperature conditions are met but also enhance efficiency, save time, and reduce costs.

Modern laboratories and research facilities are also equipped with stateof-the-art temperature measurement and monitoring tools. These tools include sensors, thermostats, and what we believe to be the star of the show, wireless data loggers.

WIRELESS DATA LOGGERS: THE UNSUNG HEROES Wireless data loggers have revolutionised the way temperature is monitored and controlled. These unassuming devices are quietly making a significant impact on laboratory operations. This is largely down to them continuously measuring 16

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temperature and wirelessly transmitting data to a WiFi router. This real-time monitoring ensures that any deviations from the desired temperature range are promptly detected and addressed.

The data transmitted by these loggers can be accessed from anywhere in the world, making remote monitoring a reality. Researchers and facility managers can keep an eye on temperature conditions, even when they are miles away from the facility. The loggers maintain a detailed temperature history record, presented in clear and simple graphs. This historical data is invaluable for analysing temperature trends, ensuring conditions have been consistently maintained, and identifying any anomalies.

THEIR ROLE IN VACCINE STORAGE AND MANAGEMENT The importance of precise temperature control is particularly evident in vaccine storage and management. Many vaccines are sensitive to temperature variations and must be stored within a specific temperature range to remain effective.

These devices provide continuous monitoring of vaccine storage units, offering peace of mind to healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies.

The temperature history records generated by data loggers serve as a vital tool in demonstrating the proper storage conditions of vaccines, especially in times of vaccine distribution on a global scale.

Pre-pandemic, temperature monitoring of vaccines was carried out manually every few hours. Someone would have to enter the insulated container, opening the doors which let in potentially damaging amounts of heat. If something went wrong between measurements, a few hours was more than enough time for some vaccines to be lost before the next measurement was taken. However, measuring any more

regularly would slow transit, ultimately increasing the demand for the resources such as dry ice that are required to keep the vaccines cool. Vaccines also have a limited lifespan so more time in transit limits their shelf-life once they arrived at the medical centre. The World Health Organisation estimates that over 50 per cent of vaccines worldwide are wasted each year. A great number of these are lost due to inefficient delivery and storage.

Wireless data loggers have revolutionised the market. They monitor and record the temperatures in both storage and transport facilities and relay it in real-time. Access to real-time data is vital. WiFi-enabled data loggers transmit data via the cloud to be stored on local devices. They allow for immediate

often have periods of closure, especially at Christmas.

Wireless data loggers continue to monitor and record temperature conditions even when the premises are empty and the doors are locked. This is crucial for maintaining the quality of temperature-sensitive items, such as research samples, pharmaceuticals, or perishable goods. In the event of a temperature deviation, these devices can send alerts to designated personnel, allowing for timely intervention, even when nobody is on-site.

Precision temperature control is an indispensable aspect of laboratories and research facilities. Whether it’s the pursuit of ground-breaking scientific discoveries, the development of life-saving pharmaceuticals, or the

action to be taken if any issue arises with cooling equipment.

distribution of vaccines to safeguard public health, wireless data loggers play a vital role in preserving the integrity of temperature-sensitive assets. Their real-time monitoring capabilities, global accessibility, and comprehensive temperature history records contribute to a transformative impact on the world of science and research. During periods of closure, these devices provide an extra layer of assurance that the controlled environment remains just that - controlled - safeguarding valuable research and critical inventory.

MONITORING DURING QUIETER PERIODS One of the often-overlooked benefits of wireless data loggers is their ability to ensure the integrity of temperaturecontrolled items when commercial premises are closed, which is especially pertinent during the festive season. Whether it’s a laboratory, a pharmaceutical storage facility, or a research establishment, these facilities

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SOCIAL - BLOG

CHRIS JAY, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF BASCULE DISABILITY TRAINING

@CIEHF Building a community A day care centre that uses architecture to help elderly users feel less isolated and supports increased connection and wellbeing has been named the UK’s best new building. #CIEHF #ergonomics #humanfactors Anthony Foxlee-Brown www.linkedin.com/in/ anthony-foxlee-brown/ I’m thrilled to share that I’ve started a new position as Group Head of Marketing at The Nurture Group! @BRE_Group “This report provides guidance on #embodiedcarbon modelling & reporting processes to enable greater transparency & clarity.” BRE’s Pat Hermon has contributed to @UKGBC guidance, “Embodied Carbon: Improving your modelling & reporting.” See more: https://bit.ly/486M919 #netzero Peter Watts linkedin.com/in/peterwattssd I’m very happy to announce that Watts Sustainability has joined the Carbon Accounting Alliance. We have been doing an increasing amount of work in this area - establishing greenhouse gas inventories, developing targets and decarbonisation plans and welcome the opportunity to collaborate with others and help spread best practice in this fast developing area.

UK Green Building Council @UKGBC UKGBC launches new guidance to support the construction industry to accurately model and report on embodied carbon emissions.

As we work towards #NetZero as an industry, transparent embodied carbon reporting will be key. Download here: https://ukgbc.org/ resources/embodied-carbon-modelling-andreporting/ Paul Bagust linkedin.com/in/paulbagust-b0420520 Head of Property Standards at RICSHead of Property Standards at RICS The new @rics Professional Group Panels will play a vital role in shaping our forthcoming plan. We are looking for members from diverse backgrounds based outside London to join us in this really important work. https://bit.ly/46TsuBa @acasorguk Addressing employee #MentalHealth is crucial - employers should provide appropriate support, just like they would with a physical illness. Learn how to better support your employee’s mental health here: https://acas.org.uk/supporting-mentalhealth-workplace

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A SHIFT IN MODERN WORKING BEHAVIOURS CAN BE USED TO IMPROVE INCLUSIVITY

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or many businesses the home working revolution is coming to an end, with several already demanding that staff return to the office. Interestingly, not all businesses are using the stick approach. Some are choosing the carrot in the form of new, contemporary workspace designs that are being used to lure employees back to the office.

It strikes me that at a time when we are boldly reassessing the working environment, and redesigning and re-evaluating the space to best suit the worker’s needs, that we could potentially make a huge stride in creating an inclusive workplace. While efforts are being made to create a space to suit all, why wouldn’t we consider the needs of people with disabilities? They do after all, represent 24 per cent of the population.

The good news is, designing an environment that best suits the needs of hybrid workers and their modern working methods, isn’t a million miles away from creating an accessible space. For example, modern workplace design trends are focussed on flexible, fluid, and adaptive shared spaces, that can be used as and when people enter the office - as opposed to staff working from a designated, stationary desk, in one particular area of the office.

Fortunately, with just a little extra thought and planning, flexible options and adaptive designs, can also be accessible workspaces. Ad-hoc desk environments must naturally have ergonomic furniture that is adaptable to users of all shapes and sizes, which could also meet the needs of people with disabilities. Desks that are height adjustable will also accommodate wheelchair users as well as all sizes of hybrid workers.

Creating an environment where furniture must be suitable for all users, means people with disabilities can be included, if the right choices are made. There will of course, be instances when some staff members have specific needs and therefore bespoke, dedicated spaces may be a necessity. Again, redesigning the office space presents the perfect time to ensure everyone’s needs are met.

An activity-based space for all Many modern offices are adopting activitybased methods of working, that involve a range of spaces best suited to a certain task. These can include quiet booths, collaboration zones, touchdown and ad-hoc desks, meeting spaces, privacy spots, focus booths, lounge areas and recreational environments.

As well as providing a more diverse range of micro-environments for each task, the choice of conditions in these spaces will help many people with disabilities. For example, for neurodiverse

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employees, having the option of a space designed for quiet or contemplative work may be particularly useful. With a little more thought this environment can be designed aesthetically to sooth and calm.

Given that the average anxiety levels are also higher for people with disabilities, an environment that can offer relief from noise, or office busyness will also be welcomed. Offering private pods or quiet zones with soundproof walls can help anyone experiencing stress as well as provide a place for everyone to simply concentrate. These environments that offer lower stimulation can lend themselves to people who may have mental health impairments and any staff with symptoms of stress and anxiety.

When considering multiple zones, it’s important to point out that people with disabilities shouldn’t be confined to a particular area, but rather if a plethora of options were made available, all people (both those with and without disabilities), can choose an appropriate space to suit their moods. Failure to do so could, of course, result in indirect discrimination claims.

When making any workplace alteration, keep everyone in mind. Just a few basic changes can help create an inclusive environment, even if it is simply through the consideration of the placement of switches and plug points, mixed height surfaces and storage, walkways and widths between desks, doors, the placement of chair legs on new tables, (for wheelchair access), layout, floor surfaces and lighting - as these will all make an enormous difference.

Of course, as you develop your environment, you must also remember to consider creating an inclusive culture, after that - inclusivity can become a vital component of your brand, potentially attracting a customer base with the annual spend of £274 billion per year and introducing you to a whole new and untapped talent pool.

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Although research has suggested there is a largely positive outlook regarding workloads and employment across the facilities management sector, many employers continue to cite difficulties in finding staff for skilled maintenance, support services and property management roles. What more can be done next year to help address the recruitment shortfall within the facilities management sector?

A well-established training and development scheme within the business can have the most tangible long-term benefits, as anyone with the aptitude to perform in the role can be hired and receive training that will extend their knowledge.

This practical approach to talent development is crucial for creating a qualified workforce that can meet the sector's needs.

Apprenticeships and vocational qualifications are also vital to the growth of the industry and filling the skills gaps in the sector. These initiatives are not just stopgap measures but essential investments in the sector's future. They will provide the long-term talent stream the sector needs, while bringing people up to date with the latest technological changes.

In FMJ's regular monthly column, our team of FM experts answer your questions about the world of facilities management THE RECRUITMENT EXPERT’S VIEW PAUL CONNOLLY, CEO, 300 NORTH The FM sector has continually seen stable growth despite difficult economic headwinds in recent years. In terms of recruitment and the talent shortfall we continue to see in the sector, businesses have adopted a number of strategies to bring in the talent they need. Retention is a large part of this, and this year we have seen many businesses address and improve their approach to ESG and CSR internally in order to boost employee satisfaction and engagement.

The constraint on staffing for various roles across FM is largely due to the lack of necessarily skilled professionals in these areas. It’s vital that we continue to see that the major medium and long-term projects to implement training and development programmes continue to be resourced and provided across the sector. Businesses are working with local educational bodies to provide accredited qualifications and building up their inhouse training programmes to bring people on at all levels and give them the relevant skills within their roles. For companies without such programmes, immediate action is imperative as the significant benefits of such projects require time and patience in a fast-moving industry.

Paul Connolly

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These sorts of training opportunities, especially when sponsored by a company can be incredibly valuable to young people and ex-military personnel who may need that skills boost before coming into a specialised role in the sector.

Alongside a robust training and development scheme, it's crucial to articulate clear career advancement pathways within FM. The whole of the sector needs to work together to share case studies on FM careers, communicate better on transferable skills, indicate the other sectors people have entered FM from and encourage people towards industry standard qualifications which have a demonstrative career benefit. This not only aids retention but also makes FM careers more attractive to prospective talent.

Finally, the FM sector must re-evaluate its recruitment strategies. Partnerships with external recruiters can sometimes be undervalued, the approach being to find the cheapest supplier, rather than assessing the value of the service provided and measuring impact with a more partner-based approach.

It is important to analyse the lost value to the business of unfilled roles. Having a more engaged supplier to fill roles more efficiently can streamline the hiring process and ensure a higher return on investment through the acquisition of quality talent.

There is a continued need to review and adapt recruitment and retention processes to the current market to combat the skills shortage in the sector. By investing in education, embracing technology, and fostering a more inclusive and progressive workplace culture, the FM sector can build a robust, skilled workforce for the future.

THE HR EXPERT’S VIEW MEL TAYLOR, GROUP HR DIRECTOR, CHURCHILL Many people want to work for an organisation that aligns with their personal and professional goals. Investing in training

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schemes, developing social value initiatives, and prioritising stakeholder voices are a strong foundation for recruitment.

Prioritising people is important for improving recruitment, no matter what sector you operate in. By doing so, teams have access to the best support and resources, enabling them to work in an environment that encourages innovation and promotes productivity.

We have implemented support for our teams across the business in various ways. Most recently, the business transitioned into an Employee-Owned Trust (EOT).

This enables a company to become owned by its employees. Becoming an EOT can enable greater cohesion between employees and the organisation at large and encourage involvement in the future of the business.

EOTs do not involve direct share ownership by employees, rather a controlling interest in the company is transferred to an all-employee trust which is then held for the benefit of employees.

The senior leadership can continue to manage and guide the company to ensure its long-term viability.

EOTs have numerous benefits for employees to develop in their roles, engage with the organisation they effectively help run, and help the business flourish. Our transition to an EOT has been good and is very popular amongst our employees despite only being in the early days of the transition. This will continue to have a positive impact on our employee retention and recruitment.

In the FM industry, cleaning operatives can be a “hidden workforce”, and many find themselves stuck in unskilled roles that offer little career progression. There needs to be a refocus on training existing talent and offering recruits better development opportunities. Multiple schemes working in tandem can achieve this: for example, mentorship programmes and employee wellbeing schemes give employees the tools to reach their ambitions while supporting their health.

Technological advancements in staff training can also make a company more attractive to potential employees. Traditional training sees employees reading from manuals or sitting in front of a screen, not demonstrating the hands-on nature of a role.

The introduction of technology in training programmes can be an innovative way to improve retention and enhance the training experience. For example, Virtual Reality (VR) systems can provide a fully immersive training platform. We have created a VR programme for cleaning operatives on our rail contracts and the feedback has been extensively positive.

Mel Taylor

This kind of technology requires significant investment, testing, and review, but has the potential to produce phenomenal results for employee engagement and enthusiasm. Technological investments like this not only innovate the industry but show employees how their needs are being prioritised, incentivising their engagement in their roles and the company. For potential recruits, it demonstrates a clear intent that they will have a chance to develop and thrive.

It’s great to see the positive outlook for the sector; now it’s up to the FM industry to put the processes in place to attract and retain the talent that’s out there. Making positive changes to the structure, training, and even ownership of organisations will address the recruitment shortfall by showing genuine care for employees.

THE INSTITUTE OF WORKPLACE AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT’S VIEW LINDA HAUSMANIS , CEO, IWFM On the cusp of a new year, organisational demand on workplace and facilities management (WFM) remains high.

Today’s agenda for the sector spans issues as varied as employee experience, sustainability and EDI, (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) underpinned by data and technology; that’s before the daily challenge of managing buildings, ensuring safety, efficiency and compliance.

Demand is a good thing; it shows that WFM is increasingly seen as a lynchpin role tying together numerous organisational threads Mel Taylor and helping to drive organisational performance.

However, obstacles remain in recruiting employees to meet organisations’ needs. These include a low awareness of the sector’s rich array of job roles and career advancement opportunities among school leavers and jobseekers; making WFM a career of choice to encouraging training and development, to ensure long-lasting, impactful careers; plus, highlighting the importance of the profession’s role in driving success across a myriad of organisations. To help address this shortfall in the new year, it’s important to devise solutions to each issue. That’s where IWFM comes in.

WFM offers so much of what today’s jobseekers want: fair pay,

Prioritising people is important for improving recruitment, no matter what sector you operate in. By doing so, teams have access to the best support and resources, enabling them to work in an environment that encourages innovation and promotes productivity.”

Linda Hausmanis

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024

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flexible working, upskilling and reskilling, plus the opportunity for a varied and impactful career. It’s vital to share that message through every avenue. At IWFM, we’ve advocated for the profession for over 30 years, enhancing the sector and benefitting professionals through industry-recognised training and learning resources. Our mission is to position WFM as a career of choice for professionals from all backgrounds.

Indeed, it’s vital to recognise the variety of professionals that can be attracted to WFM. Recently, we’ve seen increased interest from the Armed Forces community, professionals beginning their career, professionals transitioning back into the workplace after a break and young people. We’ve created networks to bring diverse groups together for mentorship and support, sharing industry insights and learnings.

Furthermore, there needs to be a greater emphasis on the different career paths available in WFM. Through upskilling and reskilling, professionals can gain and develop skills which will enhance their organisations. Professionals can be encouraged to exploit these opportunities and organisations would benefit from adopting them, to boost their teams and their own outcomes. With these initiatives, professionals can improve their own prospects, gain transferrable skills and enhance the sector’s lynchpin role. At IWFM, we are the sector’s standard setter, having developed the Professional Standards framework and a suite of qualifications and training, from entry to Master's level.

Whether on the ground or in the c-suite, WFM remains on the frontline: responding to wider changes, driving improvements and a key part of delivering organisational outcomes. However, this reality may not be clear to professionals as they embark on and progress in their career. At IWFM, we see our organisation as a business enabler, and in partnership with organisations across the world of work, we optimise the profession’s impact. A good first step is to engage: expand recruitment campaigns, unlock learning and development opportunities, encourage mentorship and networking. Spread the word. Organisations need workplace and facilities management, and the profession needs you.

BUILDING SERVICES AND MAINTENANCE PROVIDER’S VIEW STEVE MCGREGOR, GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR, DMA GROUP Recruitment continues to be a prevalent challenge for most businesses in the facilities management space. Back in 2008, during the ‘credit crunch’, companies were up against the wall. They had no choice but to reduce their headcount. Many people ended up out of work, with employers ultimately able to have their pick of the available talent pool.

Now, that dynamic has flipped on its head. Instead, the industry can’t find enough people to do the jobs that need to be filled, with the competition for talent now rife as skills shortages continue to heighten.

The pressing challenge of the skills gap in UK engineering demands

Steve McGregor

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a paradigm shift in our recruitment strategies. It's time to break free from the shackles of traditional hiring methods and embrace the untapped potential of skilled individuals from diverse backgrounds.

At DMA Group, we've taken a bold step towards this change with our apprenticeship scheme.

Gen Z is drawn to businesses that champion technological advancements. Our guided development model goes beyond merely fostering trade careers; it delves into the personal growth of our apprentices, exposing them to diverse functions within our organisation. This strategic move not only nurtures their technical skills but also broadens their horizons, creating a workforce that is not only proficient but versatile.

New starters can already take inspiration that 70 per cent of our current senior leadership team followed a trade-based apprenticeship. These experiences are deeply embedded with each person because they participated in a well-structured programme over three or four years – we will be seeking to develop a skills development programme that creates real life chances for real people.

However, the success of our apprenticeship scheme homegrown platform BiO is not just about technological innovation; it's a testament to the belief that investing in people is an investment in the future. We're not merely filling roles; we're cultivating a workforce that thrives in an era defined by rapid technological advancements.

We hope that the symbiosis of our apprenticeship program and BiO® is a beacon for the industry, showcasing the potential of embracing new technologies to bridge the skills gap. By doing so, we’re not only future-proofing our business but also contributing to the cultivation of a skilled and adaptable workforce. It's a call to action for the entire FM sector – a plea to rethink recruitment strategies, invest in the development of talent, and champion the technologies that will define the future.

The future belongs to those who dare to break the mould and invest in the untapped potential of a diverse and skilled workforce.

It's time for FM to step into the future.

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CASE STUDY

BCO ANNUAL AWARDS

THREE OF THE BEST The BCO’s annual Awards celebrate the best in class of UK workplace design. FMJ focuses on three of this year’s award-winning office spaces and learns what BCO CEO Richard Kauntze and Chair of judges Mike Burton look for in a prize-winning workplace

T

he British Council for Offices (BCO), a member organisation representing the interests of all those who occupy, design, build, own or manage offices in the UK, has been running a National Awards programme for over 30 years that aims to help set the standard for best-in-class office buildings across the sector.

Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive at the BCO explains the rationale: “One of the BCO’s primary objectives is to define excellence in office space. Our annual awards programme is a means of recognising the highest quality office spaces, both amongst peers, and by focusing public attention on the best examples of workspace. This allows those involved in office design, lettings, and management not only to benchmark excellence, but to celebrate truly innovative 24

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and inspirational spaces.”

This years’ awards ceremony included winners of the BCO Regional Awards among the attendees at Grosvenor House in London, who were hoping to take home the National Award for their category. According to Kauntze the format of the BCO Awards, whereby winners from the regions go on to compete for recognition on the national stage, ensures that excellence is recognised from across the UK. This encourages a broader perspective and avoids a Londoncentric view.

Says Mike Burton, Director at AECOM and Chair of the BCO’s National Judging Panel: “There is obviously a difference in land costs, construction costs and rental values across the UK. However, this has shown not to inhibit great design and outstanding projects, shown with winners in Inverness, Bristol, Stevenage and London. There are

more entries that ever outside London, showing the increase in demand in our major cities for high quality office space, with great public amenity and transport links.”

BARCLAYS GLASGOW CAMPUS According to Kauntze, this year’s overall winner of the Best of the Best Award, Barclay’s Glasgow Campus, “shines a light on one of the most impressive new spaces in Scotland. Barclays’ project illustrates the benefits that come from integrating truly considered placemaking and social initiatives into office projects.”

The Barclay campus, which won the Corporate Workplace Award and the Best of the Best title, has successfully regenerated a derelict site on the bank of the River Clyde.

The judges were particularly impressed with the benefits it has delivered for both employees and the wider community

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BCO ANNUAL AWARDS

through considered placemaking and social initiatives.

Burton explains that the Corporate Workplace Award is open to either a building commissioned by owner-occupiers or a joint venture between a developer and an occupier, with entries judged on the combined merits of its base build and fit out.

He says: “Barclays Glasgow Campus stood out in this category for its scale and impact, as a catalyst for the regeneration of the south side of Glasgow, with a strong focus on community engagement and inclusive design. There is a holistic approach to the whole campus, integrating seamlessly the base build and fit out along with restored historic buildings, landscaping and public realm.

“The flexible offices provide a huge range of great workplaces for the employees including cafes, gyms, meeting rooms, and plenty of outdoor spaces that encourage collaboration and support health and wellbeing. A sustainability centre has been created for visitors, that supports learning and education on climate change, renewable energy, sustainable materials and water reuse, whilst the generous and attractive public space supports a wide range of community use.”

There’s also a strong message to the built environment in the awards programme on the ways in which sustainability is being woven into the design of these workplaces. Says Burton: “With a renewed focus on environment, social value and governance (ESG) the awards have adapted to reflect those offices that the clients have placed sustainability at the heart of the project.

“The projects that show how they have minimised embodied carbon, and energy use, all while supporting occupant’s health and wellbeing are leading the way in this sector and this is reflected in the award winners.”

had a significant impact on the industry. The goal is no longer simply to create buildings, but to provide a space that can enhance workplace culture and give back to the surrounding community.

“The ESG Award was introduced in 2023 to acknowledge the importance of this movement in the sector. The 2023 winner, the HERE Building, is an excellent example of the innovative approaches being brought forward to transform existing buildings into thriving hubs for a community of businesses.”

The HERE Building, Thames Valley Park and winner of the ESG Award ‘exemplifies the power of data-led design’ according to the judges which Burton describes as an exemplar

It was particularly exciting to see how sustainability and wellbeing came to the fore in all of this year’s winning projects, showing that ESG principles are becoming determining factors across all categories of excellence.”

CASE STUDY

example of a retrofit project by a developer that focussed on the occupiers needs. This included the use of sustainable materials, which resulted in significantly reduced carbon and energy consumption. The office also features new meeting pods, cafes, outdoor spaces, high class gyms, training and nutritional programmes all designed to support health and wellbeing.

Says Kauntze: “It was particularly exciting to see how sustainability and wellbeing came to the fore in all of this year’s winning projects, showing that ESG principles are becoming determining factors across all categories of excellence.”

With ESG now a core part of the criteria for all the awards, Burton explains that: “Key aspects of the award-winning projects included defining the ESG goals and desired outcomes the teams wanted to achieve at

ESG IS HERE With this year’s awards being notable for focusing on the societal impact of great office buildings, there are a number of ways the winners and those shortlisted put ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) at the heart of their projects.

“The role of the office has undergone a transformation in recent years,” says Kauntze, “just as the notion of ‘office work’ continues to be transformed in line with new technologies and working patterns. This has DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024

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CASE STUDY

BCO ANNUAL AWARDS

the start, measuring these and ensuing they are met on completion.

“Some projects used assessment methods such at embodied carbon and operational energy measurements, as well as assessments such as BREEAM and WELL. Some circular economy principles were also applied.”

Green travel plans, EV charging, promoting cycling and walking and providing public transport links were also important features.

This extended to local sourcing of materials, the use of local labour, the support of apprentices and those young people learning STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects.

Says Burton: “Spaces were designed for all, using diversity and inclusion specialists and community engagement included providing facilities, spaces for meeting and events, local employment and education.

“Health and wellbeing, including air quality, acoustics, day lighting, biophilia, facilities including cafes, gyms, wellbeing facilities are all important factors as are accreditations such as WELL, Fitwell or AirRated.”

TEST OF TIME As Chair of judges, Burton also highlights the importance of post-occupancy assessments when sizing up a potential winner. He describes key success factors that include soft landings and post-occupancy evaluations to make sure the buildings are operating as intended, the FM team are 26

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the FM team really gave the judges an insight trained and the users understand the building into the success of the building. The building and fine tuning and seasonal commissioning remains fully let and is home to a wide range of is completed. occupiers who have flexed and grown beyond This is of particular significance in the award the pandemic, helped by the inherent flexibility which went to White Collar Factory, a previous of the building.” winner of the BCO’s National Innovation We wanted to know if there were any areas Award in 2018. For 2023 it was the recipient of office design the BCO and the judges would of the Test of Time Award, where it was like to see more of in future award entries, for described by the judges as “a very brave example, improvements in accessibility, more project” that created the next seamless technology and greener builds? generation flexible office and Says Burton: “There will be more a building that has allowed focus in the future on circularity and businesses to grow, There will be more focus regenerative design where buildings during and beyond the in the future on circularity and will be designed to have a positive pandemic and is now regenerative design where buildings impact on the environment and fully let. where the building materials, Burton explains will be designed to have a positive fixtures and furniture used are that the White Collar impact on the environment and where predominately recycled and reused.

Factory, which was the building materials, fixtures and “There will continue to be far more completed five-years furniture used are predominately refurbishments and retro fits, with the ago won the BCO need to reduce embodied carbon and Innovation Award in 2018 recycled and reused.” celebrate the repurposing of the existing for setting new standards buildings. in the office market. BREEAM “The growing use of data along with AI to Outstanding, WELL Platinum, inform the design and construction process, WIREDSCORE and SMARTSCORE Platinum with intelligent building systems that improve awards along with passive design, openable the user experience while reducing energy windows with natural ventilation, tall ceilings, and support maintenance will be more flexible floor plates and innovative concrete commonplace.” core cooling were all features of the project.

He concludes: “Projects with passionate He says: “The building was the result of clients, with sustainability at their heart will a bold and ambitious research project and continue to win these prestigious awards.” hence the judges were delighted to visit the For more information on all the awards building again to see if it has stood the test of winners and entry details for 2024 visit: time. Discussing the ongoing maintenance, www.bco.org.uk/Awards/Awards.aspx flexibility and use with both the users and

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FEATURE

DISASTER RECOVERY

BOUNCING BACK D

When disaster strikes, business operations can be significantly impacted, causing major losses. Hein Hemke, MD of disaster recovery firm BELFOR, explains how FMs can improve their chances of recovery and limit lasting impact on their business

isasters can hit a business at any time, leaving significant disruption in their wake. From fires and floods to natural disasters and malicious damage, such incidents can have a detrimental impact on a company’s operations, causing long and costly interruptions.

CHANGING CLIMATE While global supply chains have become more complex and vulnerable, natural disasters have also become more frequent and devastating. In fact, according to the British Red Cross extreme weather events are on the rise. From heatwaves and droughts to floods and storms, the climate crisis is contributing to, and worsening, emergencies across the country, putting the health, homes, and livelihoods of society at risk.

As global temperatures continue to rise, 28

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normal climate patterns are changing, making what we call “surges” more frequent and increasingly likely.

WHAT IS A SURGE? A surge is an unexpected event that impacts a large number of people simultaneously, resulting in widespread damage that requires specialist restoration services.

A national surge could be the consequence of a weather event happening all over the country, such as the cold snap we saw in December 2022, which led to frozen pipes and water tank ruptures. Or it could be a localised surge, which typically impacts lots of people in one specific area - a major flood, for example.

Whether it is a natural disaster or localised water or fire damage, significant restoration services are required to enable businesses to

return to normality.

WEATHERING THE STORM So how do you mitigate the damage to give your business the best chance of recovery?

How can businesses prevent major losses, improve their chances of recovery, and limit the financial impact on their business operation?

A rapid, high-level response from a disaster recovery expert is key to minimising damage and preventing secondary losses.

Following the incident, and the initial emergency services response, a disaster recovery specialist is usually the next on the site. They will visit the affected site as quickly as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours to maximise the potential for recovery success.

Once they have carried out the necessary health and safety checks, inspected and

FMJ.CO.UK

assessed the damage, they will start carrying out any emergency mitigation works. These works may include any of the following:

Making your property safe and secure Removing standing water and debris Safety checks and installing temporary power supply

Identifying and dealing with hazardous materials

Detecting leaks using different methods such as thermal imagery/acoustics

Removing unaffected items to protect and prevent them from being damaged

Listing/creating inventories of affected items

Installing equipment to stabilise the

environmental conditions (i.e. temperature and humidity)

It is important that these emergency mitigation works are carried out as quickly as possible, to help prevent any further damage to your facility and its contents.

When implemented fast, these activities will increase the potential for successful restoration.

After emergency mitigation works have been carried out, restoration experts will create an inventory and determine which items can be restored. These works will either be carried out on your site, or damaged items may be carefully packed and taken away to a specialist workshop.

After the restoration process is complete, further reinstatement works may be required to return the site to its pre-loss condition.

This could be plastering affected areas or remodelling office spaces to their original state.

Traditionally, affected businesses have faced delays between the restoration and reinstatement phases, but we have recently launched a new end-to-end service, which provides a seamless transition, reducing the life cycle of the process and taking the stress away.

The restoration team will hand over to our reinstatement team, who will then see planned repair works completed, ready for occupants to return to business as usual as quickly as possible.

DISASTER READINESS As I’ve said already, disaster can strike at any time, and they are often hard to predict.

DISASTER RECOVERY

However, making sure you have clear procedures in place for such scenarios can make all the difference.

Planning ahead for every eventuality is part and parcel of a robust health and safety plan. Put simply, disaster readiness is the difference between effective operational recovery, and loss of equipment, resources and customers.

Being prepared can also reduce the impact that such an incident has on wider supply chains due to loss of production. So, it is critical to business success.

Businesses should make sure they’re one step ahead by having a disaster recovery plan. Before an incident occurs, you should work with a trusted disaster recovery partner to do a survey of your facilities, systems and critical assets, to identify and plan a critical path to business recovery.

Your supplier will then recommend practical, proven steps to prevent or solve potential problems before they become reality.

As an example, a RED ALERT service is structured to work with a client’s own emergency procedures so that when the unexpected happens, an action plan can be initiated with speed and effectiveness. After a thorough survey of a site, a blueprint is created to ensure key locations and assets are accounted for and are thoroughly reviewed en-route to the location, meaning the recovery team is ready to spring into action as soon as they arrive.

This service also enables customers to jump straight to the top of the queue when an incident occurs, meaning an experienced team will be sent directly to the site within four hours, or less, in most cases. It is certainly worth investing in such a service to ensure that if the worst does happen, your incident takes precedence, enabling you to get back up and running sooner than the rest.

Integrating this process into your business continuity plan will not only minimise business interruptions but will help you get back to operational excellence as quickly as possible.

FEATURE

CASE STUDY When a specialist machinery manufacturer had a major fire in the paint finishing section, the facility suffered heavy soot contamination, with high chloride levels.

The area with the most damage was the stock holding area, which had over 66,000 items with a replacement value of £1 million.

A dedicated technical team worked on site for three weeks to get operations back to normal. From implementing an ultrasonic cleaning methodology to installing a large dip bath line to clean affected equipment, this rapid response prevented any secondary damage and minimised significant business interruptions.

Equally, when a coastal storm surge flooded a medical technology manufacturer’s global head office location the business was soon put on a path to rapid business recovery. The 550,000 sq ft site, which comprised clean room manufacturing, office blocks, R&D labs, archives and warehousing, was left with no power or lighting, and was surrounded by flood debris. The bespoke manufacturing machinery and electronic equipment (£3 million value), IT servers, cold and chemical stores, archive documents and stock were all affected by flood water. The hazardous site conditions made this recovery incredibly complex.

BELFOR UK’s M&CL Operations Director arrived on site within 12 hours of the incident and its management team joined the customer’s crisis and recovery team to establish a critical path for recovery.

An immediate response was assembled bringing in technical experts from Germany, Netherlands, Poland and DeHaDe. An onsite restoration centre was established, and a complex drying programme began.

Thanks to the collaborative approach to recovery, critical business production restarted within five days and 97 per cent of machinery and electronics were recovered and restored. The customer was also supported with a subsequent flood resilience project to ensure they had a robust plan in place for any future disasters.

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024

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BUSINESS CONTINUITY

CHANGING PLACES Stewart McGillivray, from Guardian Water Treatment, looks at the changing face of UK commercial buildings and what needs to be considered to keep HVAC safe, efficient and operational

of water storage levels, pipe work distribution and pipe sizes. This helps ensure delivery of cold-water temperatures within statutory parameters and reveal redundant services that can potentially be mothballed.

Secondary disinfection is useful in the armoury against bacterial takeover. The latest range of secondary disinfection products are highly effective, eco-friendly, safe and money saving. We champion Hypochlorus Acid, which offers considerable benefits in terms of storage and handling.

CLOSED SYSTEM CARE

P

ost-pandemic, the face of the working world has changed forever. Total home working had declined steadily over the past few years, but our desire for a more flexible approach to where we work has endured. Recent data from Leesman shows that 74 per cent of UK employees plan to be in the office two or fewer days a week, with Monday and Friday being particularly quiet.

To attract people out of the spare bedroom, commercial buildings need to do more than simply provide a place to ‘work’. Breakout zones and areas to eat, play and socialise are becoming very much part of the modern office. Canary Wharf, for example, is set to receive a major upgrade, partnering with the Eden Project to enhance green spaces and eco credentials. Inside, existing commercial buildings are adding more collaborative areas, which is sometimes leading to more square footage despite workers being in the office less.

Mark Kowal, Senior Vice President of the British Council for Offices and Partner at Sheppard Robson said: “It is myth that more flexible or hybrid working heralds a decline in the desire for office space…Over the past five years, the adoption of activity-based working and desk sharing reduced the number of traditional desks in favour of a variety of workspace settings to suit a technologically-enabled workforce.

“COVID-19 accelerated this trend, but in doing so has opened up opportunities for increased collaboration and social areas within the office, creating a dynamic shift in the space budget and bringing a focus to design features that are attractive to employees.”

But what’s happening beneath the surface of all this change? Building services have been specified

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Whether shut down completely or at significantly reduced capacity, the building services within these properties cannot simply be left. Essential maintenance tasks must still take place – particularly for water-based plant which can fall foul of pathogen proliferation if left to stagnate. In the event of a prolonged period of inoccupancy, or change of usage, it’s critical that water treatment plans and processes are reviewed.

Poorly maintained pipework can create the perfect conditions for legionella and other bacteria to thrive, risking the health of humans and expensive infrastructure assets, such as air conditioning and heating.

Unoccupied buildings can end-up being less visited by maintenance teams, so problems go largely unchecked until it is too late. In the case of corrosion, unidentified leaks can lead to system failure. Where this is the FM’s responsibility, liability runs into huge figures.

Remote monitoring is a key tool for those responsible for the efficient running of essential capital HVAC plant. 24/7 monitoring is particularly important where a building is a) empty – monitoring provides constant eyes on a closed-system, despite lack of ‘human’ interaction or b) going through a period of change.

Modifications to HVAC operation/design intent and supporting equipment and pipework can leave a closed system at risk of deterioration and loss of material integrity. Air ingress, for example, can lead to unfavourable dissolved oxygen levels, the primary cause of corrosion. Lack of flow and temperature can proliferate bacterial levels.

Apart from identifying problems, real-time monitoring can also prove the success of any works that take place; key where HVAC systems are altered or upgraded. If conditions return quickly to specified levels, then precautionary measures such as excessive flushing can be avoided. This ‘proof’ can also help FMs avoid the aforementioned liabilities if things do go wrong at the hands of an external contractor, for example.

LEGIONELLA PREVENTION

FLEXIBLE DELIVERY

Water systems are designed to be used, with water flushing through pipes, taps and showerheads a key part of legionella prevention, while minimising debris build-up in a system. During lockdown we saw a 20 per cent increase in legionella cases.

Where a building lies dormant for a period of time (such as in schools), or if its usage changes, it’s important to review Legionella Risk Assessment to ensure compliance with ACoP L8.

Understanding the change in water turnover related to low occupancy levels requires a review

Whether maintaining an underused space until such a time as it is reoccupied, or managing the shift in workplace culture, proper planning and adjustments in maintenance regimes, using the latest technologies to safeguard essential HVAC, will help ensure equipment remains in good working order, while minimising risks such as legionella and corrosion.

In a post-pandemic world, we understand more keenly that things can change, quickly. FMs must be ready and flexible in their delivery.

to operate efficiently and safely in accordance with the original usage of a building. If that building changes - either in volume of occupants, or the way it functions - the essential HVAC that ensures people are comfortable, healthy and safe may be compromised.

OUT OF SIGHT BUT NOT OUT OF MIND

FOCUS

INTERVIEW

LEGACY & FUTURE Ross Abbate, CEO of newly independent FM provider Macro explains to Sara Bean the rationale behind its divestment from Mace Group and the opportunities he believes it will bring to clients and suppliers

O

n 31 October, 21 years after the launch of the facilities management division of global consultancy and construction company Mace Group, its FM Operate brand announced a management buy-out and a return to the original Macro name. Macro and Mace Group say they will retain a close relationship, with a transitional services agreement in place for the next nine months to enable the new business to establish its independence.

The MBO was led by Mace Operate CEO Ross Abbate, CFO Chris Bampton and Mark

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Holmes, who announced his intention to step down as Mace Group’s Deputy Chairman to Chair the newly independent company.

Abbate explains: “We decided on the Macro name because it represents our legacy and future, connecting us to our strong foundations and our significant period of growth from 2002 through to today.”

The continuity of reverting to a familiar brand name is underlined by the fact that Abbate has been CEO of Operate since 2020 and has worked within the business since 2007.

He says: “Within Macro, no change

happened between 31 October and 1 November. The only difference is the top company used to be Mace Group and now it’s Macro. Before it was the Mace Group board owners, and now it’s me, Chris and Mark.”

Abbate says that the logistics of running an FM business within a largely construction project led organisation was the catalyst for the change.

“If you look at the Mace Group it was about 90 to 95 per cent construction and consultation, with four engines, Develop, Consult, Construct and Operate. Over time Consult and Construct became the really

FMJ.CO.UK

big engines, and as a result Mace’s future investment plans didn’t fit for the FM sector or the size of our business.

“Earlier this year Mace Group came to this realisation. A good example being we were in the process of getting in a new financial system. FM businesses run differently to contracting or consulting businesses and if we’d gone into the group’s financial system it would have meant a disproportionate cost to our business. The group board decided it was probably time to let us do things our own way and invest in the systems that we need.”

Talking to Abbate just days after the buyout he explained that there was still a lot to do, but for clients the key message is not just ‘business as usual’ but a fresh opportunity to refine the operational systems to benefit from the agility of not being part of a large corporate brand but operate as an independent and agile business.

GLOBAL PRESENCE Although not one of the biggest players in the FM space, Macro has an annual turnover of £130 million and has built up an impressive global presence over the past two decades.

Abbate explains: “We operate in over 45 countries, and all that growth happened organically – based on our clients asking us to support them within those countries. As clients asked us to go into countries we’d grow into that market. While we never had a strategy of going into a new country with a business development team, we were able to grow organically and could then leverage the overhead in those countries as we acquired more and more business.”

Macro works on a three-hub basis, which is London, covering the UK and Europe, and accounts for about 50 per cent of turnover.

Dubai, covering the Middle East and all of Asia APAC accounts for approximately 25 per cent of business. The other 25 per cent operates out of Atlanta in the US and covers North America and areas of South America.

The Macro brand will continue to cover three key areas; managed services, which accounts for 90 to 95 per cent of turnover, an FM consultancy business, which is three to four per cent of turnover, and help desk business fm24, which represents around two per cent of turnover.

Says Abbate: “fm24 is a very solid business, where we offer a helpdesk for existing service management clients but also run it directly for other clients that require a helpdesk. This means we provide a helpdesk for other service providers and we’ll keep on expanding in that space. For instance, we’re turning to look at AI and some of the technology around chatbots.

“The FM consultancy business is based around two main regions, predominantly in the UK and out of the Middle East. It is in

INTERVIEW

the UK where the Mace relationship has been key, for instance supporting Mace in procurement projects, or looking at some operations from an FM perspective, but we’ll also do some work directly for clients, including asset verification and strategy reviews.

“In Dubai, FM consultancy is usually around construction projects, conducting design reviews, putting operational budgets in place etc. So, for the future it’s about strengthening that and making sure that we deliver our skills set across both regions.”

Over the long term, Macro will continue to act as a “preferred supplier” for Mace Group’s own facilities management services including Mace Group’s HQ at 155 Moorgate; but the newly independent brand will now be free to explore potential future joint service offerings to new and existing clients.

FOCUS

BUSINESS STRATEGIES We last interviewed Ross Abbate in 2021 on the then Operate’s 2026 Business Strategy which had three strategic priorities: to pursue a sustainable world, to grow together and to deliver distinctive value.

This is still the goal he says: “With our managed services we’ve a target operating model where we’re still focusing on experience, compliance, sustainability and efficiency. But now we can invest more in those areas so I can foresee a lot more opportunity to offer clients innovative solutions.

“For me the business strategy is still one we want to work towards, what we will do over the nine months is rebrand to different terms, but growing together is the exciting bit and I know our team is ready to help grow our business.

“The employees I spoke to say they’re excited that they’ve now got a bigger voice and as the business goes forward this offers them even greater potential. Everyone in the business appreciates we all have to step up a gear.”

He also believes the change will enable Macro to invest in a more targeted way in the future of the workplace – allowing for

For me the business strategy is still one we want to work towards, what we will do over the nine months is rebrand to different terms, but growing together is the exciting bit and I know our team is ready to help grow our business.”

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INTERVIEW

That reputation that Macro had is important to me to continue and make it even better because the way we are going to grow is through brand value – we’re not the biggest but we’ve great strong relationships with our clients, a strong reputation for problem-solving and doing a great job.” the introduction of fresh service offerings and the infrastructure required to meet the changing needs of clients.

Sustainability remains a priority. The Mace Group announced it was a net zero carbon business in 2020, and as a group has been building on that success by aiming to achieve a 10 per cent year-on-year reduction in emissions and only offsetting the outstanding carbon to gold standards.

Explains Abbate: “For me, sustainability is not something you do as an add on, it’s part of everything we do and as an organisation that strives to be net zero our role is to help our clients to achieve their sustainability goals.

“As an engineer, I’ll try and keep it simple by asking clients, ‘What is your plan? Let’s go and look at your portfolio, what can we do with it and where will it get you? Let’s implement that and deliver results’. The next priority is to ensure we can measure the results and see a positive change in energy consumption.”

FUTURE PLANS He says: “All our clients have been fully supportive and can see the benefit it’s going 34

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to have for them because we’re in a great position in that we have a global coverage but can also offer a tailored service and because we’re not a huge corporate, every client can pick up the phone to me as group CEO which is not something a bigger player would do for all their clients.

“Financially we’re also in good shape because of the way the deal has been structured and we can start to invest in stuff that we want to do and where we want to do it.”

For the first nine months Abbate says while they’ll concentrate on transitioning away from Mace he’s also keen to explore ways of using technology to drive the FM managed services.

“We talk a lot about AI and IoT and yet a lot of people need to ask, ‘What does it actually do and how are you driving it?’

“For me, it’s about developing a consumption-based model. A good example is in using cleaning IoT, which measures the use of a washroom. Instead of the cleaner going in every hour to clean it, use the tech to engage the cleaner once it’s reached a usage

level according to the service agreement.

We are also working with our partners on introducing robots to help streamline cleaning services.

“Bringing that into maintenance you can measure temperature, sound and vibration to help identify if there is a fault. It’s those type of technologies I want to build on. Then, when you put AI on the end of it, this is when you start to programme performance, which then offers even more control.

“We’ve also a bit of an exercise to move away from the group from an IT perspective, to enable us to create efficiencies which are tailored more to what we need.”

Meanwhile, Abbate, who was speaking to FMJ from Dubai will be kept busy talking to clients in all three hubs and working to reposition a brand which reflects the values of 800 people instead of being part of a group of 7,000.

He concludes: “My priorities now are to bring our clients with us on this journey.

We’ve had a really good year building our client base and we want to continue doing that and deliver a great service.

“That reputation that Macro had is important to me to continue and make it even better because the way we are going to grow is through brand value – we’re not the biggest but we’ve great strong relationships with our clients, a strong reputation for problemsolving and doing a great job.”

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FOCUS

WASHROOMS

WASHROOMS

IN WINTER The risk of contracting colds, flu and new COVID variants inevitably rises whenever people congregate to party. Lee Radzki from Tork manufacturer Essity considers ways of reducing cross-contamination in the public washroom this winter

I

t has been three short years since the news came through that Christmas, as we knew it, was cancelled. The memory of 2020 still haunts us all. That was the year when festive get-togethers were banned which meant many people were forced to spend the holidays alone.

And in the intervening years, countless more Christmas plans have been derailed by one or other family members catching the virus and being obliged to self-isolate instead of joining in the fun.

So we are warier than ever of falling ill over the festive season. But at the same time, we still want to socialise with friends and family.

However, as new COVID-19 variants emerge and as the flu season kicks in, there is little we can do to completely eliminate the risks of succumbing to an illness short of staying home alone for the entire festive break.

And the risks spill over into January when 36

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the New Year party season coincides with a heightened chance of catching winter colds and flu.

Some risks can be mitigated, of course.

When socialising in restaurants and bars, anyone who is particularly vulnerable can choose to frequent quieter venues where they will be better able to socially-distance from other customers.

WASHROOM WARY But all bets are off as soon as they need to visit the washroom. During any festive celebration, people are likely to be drinking more than usual which will inevitably translate into more frequent trips to the washroom. And the facilities will become crowded and congested as a result.

It can be difficult to avoid coming into close contact with other people in busy toilets since these are typically fairly confined

spaces. When queueing, washroom users will be standing close together and breathing the same stale air because many facilities are unventilated. And after having to stand in a lengthy queue, visitors are more likely to skimp their hand hygiene in order to be able to return swiftly to their table. So their hands may still be contaminated with germs which they might then pass on to others.

So all efforts should be made to reduce the washroom queues and to make them into safer places for everyone.

Queues tend to form in toilets where the hand hygiene facilities are difficult to use or where supplies of soap and paper have run out.

A cubicle with no toilet paper will quickly be considered “out of action”, and the same will apply to a hand basin that offers no soap supply. And if the taps are stiff and unwieldy; the soap supply is difficult to access or

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WASHROOMS

10 seconds or more while their hands are thoroughly dried. A high-capacity hand towel dispenser is a good alternative since this will allow the visitor to take a towel and move on, drying their hands as they go while freeing up the unit for the next user.

TECHNICAL APPROACH

if hand drying takes too long, further congestion will occur.

Soap dispensers should therefore be easy to use and provide a long-lasting supply to avoid the risk of run-outs. They should also be quick to refill, preferably with a cartridge system since this allows a refill to be snapped into place in seconds.

Hand dryers can lead to queues since these require washroom visitors to stand still for

Run-outs can be difficult for staff to predict, particularly in the washroom of a particularly busy venue. However, a digital system that “connects” the washrooms will remove the guesswork and allow cleaners to stay ahead of the game.

These systems enable cleaners to check remotely via a smartphone or tablet when dispensers are running low and which washrooms are coming in for particularly heavy usage. This will allow them to target those washrooms where extra attention might be needed and help to ensure that dispensers are kept topped up at all times.

Tackling the problem of washroom congestion is only one way of reducing the risk of contracting illnesses during the festive season. There are other measures that can be employed to enhance washroom safety for example, the facilities should be kept well ventilated by installing fans, leaving windows open where possible and replacing outer doors with partitions to improve the airflow.

Strategically-placed signs and posters will remind people of the importance of hand hygiene and the risks involved with touching contaminated surfaces. And hand sanitiser dispensers should be sited in prominent places outside the facilities and kept permanently topped up to supplement the hand washing facilities.

Being ill over the festive period is something we are all keen to avoid – and publicly-used washrooms can present a clear risk. However, washroom providers can play their part in keeping people healthy by facilitating good hand hygiene, reducing the crowds and by ensuring there is a longlasting supply of soap and paper products provided at all times.

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GREEN WASHROOMS

Paul Mulready, Marketing Manager at Northwood Hygiene Products offers advice on how to factor sustainability into running a washroom To lower the carbon footprint of a washroom, we need to consider a multitude of factors, such as reducing energy or water consumption, cutting the number of virgin fibres used in paper products, using 100 per cent recyclable packaging, choosing eco-friendly consumables, and reducing the distance that products have to travel.

This can be challenging as large volumes of soap, water, toilet tissue and hand towels are used in washrooms every day. Furthermore, energy is required to heat and light these spaces and power units, such as dryers.

Offering visitors a greener washroom experience reassures them that a company is doing its best to be responsible.

Signposting the use of sustainable products, reducing waste, limiting consumption and recycling used products all clearly show visitors that the organisation is committed to making a positive contribution.

Controlled dispensers that limit the use of consumables like soap and paper towels are a must. Not only do they help to cut costs, they also significantly reduce waste and are therefore more environmentally sustainable. Dispensers that release one length of paper or one shot of soap at a time naturally limit consumption and contribute to sustainability.

Dispensers that minimise runouts of consumables contribute to achieving good standards of hygiene and help the washroom to be managed more efficiently and sustainably. High-capacity systems for soap and paper will help to prevent products depleting and reduce the need for maintenance staff to check stock levels, which all contributes towards efficiency and sustainability.

The way a disposable product is dispensed is important in helping to promote hygiene and minimise the impact on the environment. Dispensers that are sealed, and splash-proof keep products safely stored inside, helping to prevent the contents becoming contaminated and ultimately wasted.

RESPONSIBLY SOURCED Thinking sustainably, providers should ensure that paper products are made only from raw materials that have been responsibly sourced – either from recycled materials or from sustainably managed forests.

Jumbo toilet rolls are often used in high footfall washrooms, and while they offer high capacity, they do need to be checked to ensure the paper has not run out. Maintenance staff may be tempted to replace a roll before it is completely finished to avoid having to go back to replenish it, but this can drive up paper costs and waste product, which is not good for the environment.

A high capacity, dual roll toilet roll system in a locked dispenser is a sustainable, hygienic and efficient solution.

There are dispensers available that restrict use to one roll at a time to deliver cost savings, reduce waste and help the environment.

Sealed soap cartridges are more sustainable than bulk fill soaps, which can be messy and time consuming to fill. Foam soaps generally use less product compared to liquid soaps and they are quick to lather, which reduces the amount of water required for handwashing.

When choosing washroom suppliers, FMs should also scrutinise the supply chain itself. Are your partners environmentally responsible? Do they work to offset or reduce their carbon footprint? How sustainable are their logistics?

FMs can significantly reduce the environmental impact of a washroom by taking a more holistic approach and working with partners that concentrate on manufacturing, delivering and recycling products in the most sustainable way.

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STORAGE

A DIFFERENT SORT OF HYBRID Nigel Dews, MD, Restore Records Management explains why hybrid storage systems offer a pragmatic approach to digital transformation in facilities management

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n today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the pressure to embrace digital transformation and reduce paper usage is ever-present. The rewards are enticing; increased efficiency, heightened compliance, and the promise of longterm cost savings.

Yet, for many facilities managers, the prospect of diving headfirst into full-scale digital transformation can be a daunting and financially burdensome endeavour. This is especially true when confronted with the monumental task of digitising a vast archive of physical records.

In this article, we explore the world of hybrid storage systems – a pragmatic and cost-effective approach to digital transformation within the realm of facilities management.

This innovative approach allows digital and physical records to coexist harmoniously, supporting the notion that not every document demands an immediate digital facelift.

For facilities managers eager to set sail on the digital transformation journey, the steps outlined here for establishing a hybrid solution can help guide a course towards a more efficient and sustainable future.

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inventory management, making it easier to retrieve crucial information when required. Think of it as decluttering your digital attic.

Set your records management goals in stone It’s crucial to establish clear objectives for records management. It’s like having a roadmap for a cross-country adventure. You wouldn’t start a road trip without a destination in mind.

Whether your primary goal is to reduce physical storage space, streamline operational efficiency, save money in the long term or save time on document retrieval, a strategic goal in your sights will be your North Star guiding your every move.

Distinguish VIP records from the rest Here’s a little secret: not all records are created equal when it comes to how often you need to reach for them.

So, let’s play favourites for a moment.

Identifying high-demand documents allows you to prioritise their digitisation, making them readily available for online access. By doing this, you’ll have them at your fingertips online, saving you precious time and valuable resources.

Put the spotlight where it matters most. For records that are frequently accessed, scanning is an efficient solution. Digital copies can be instantly retrieved, eliminating the need for physical retrieval. When you’re constantly digging them out of the filing cabinet, it’s time to give them a digital upgrade.

Tackle the overstayers Many organisations retain records “just in case” or lack well-defined retention policies.

Establish clear retention policies and index those records with destruction dates. It’s like giving your records an expiration date, keeping you firmly in the driving seat and in the good graces of compliance regulations.

On the flip side, remember that just because a document was created yesterday doesn’t mean it needs to be kept on-site. Embracing a hybrid approach allows for the seamless relocation of even the most recently generated records, as they remain readily accessible from alternate storage locations.

Kick things off with a ‘lift the lid’ records analysis The initial step is to comprehensively analyse the types of records your business manages.

Think of it like sifting through a treasure trove – you’ve got everything from HR paperwork to financial documents, legal papers, and maintenance records. Each one plays by its own set of rules when it comes to how long it should be kept for.

By identifying the contents of your archive, you can determine which records can be securely destroyed, which should remain in their current physical form, and which are better suited for scanning or digital conversion.

CONCLUSION

Evaluate your current records management practices Many organisations store records with minimal management, resulting in difficulties locating specific documents when needed. It’s like putting your car keys in a “safe place” and then spending hours searching for them when you’re already late for an important meeting.

Relocating records offsite to a specialist records management provider and implementing robust indexing practices can significantly enhance

In a nutshell, the journey toward digital transformation need not be all-or-nothing. Instead, it’s about finding that sweet spot—a perfect blend of the old and the new. Embracing a hybrid storage system isn’t just a compromise; it’s a strategic advantage. It allows FMs to unlock the full potential of digital technology while retaining the practicality of certain physical records - the best of both worlds.

It’s not just a leap into the future; it’s a calculated and elegant dance between tradition and innovation.

Securely dispose of unnecessary records Finally, once the retention date does come around, avoid falling at the last hurdle. Ensure those records are securely destroyed and that you are provided with a secure destruction certificate to evidence compliance. And then sit back and consider how you can redeploy the space you have freed up.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY

NO JOB TOO SMALL Peter Doyle, Head of Health and Safety Services at Citation on how to prepare for the key areas of focus for the HSE regarding workplace safety in 2024

FOCUS

little as changing a lightbulb, the right safeguards need to be put in place.

This means staff need to be suitably trained to use the work-at-height equipment, and ladders need to conform to commercial standards, be inspected, and be in good condition.

STRESS MANAGEMENT The HSE is also taking a more active approach to long-term, less talked-about conditions such as stress. A challenging labour market in which it’s harder to find the right people only increases the stress on long-term employees. This is leading HSE to consider it in similar terms as it does many other risks, and the requirement that businesses conduct a Stress Risk Assessment and put appropriate controls in place to mitigate it is another important consideration for 2024.

There are simple steps that facilities managers can take to help manage stress, they should use the HSE’s six Management Standards to guide their stress risk assessment: Demands – this includes issues such as workload, work patterns and the work environment Control – how much say the person has in the way they do their work

P

roactive and reactive maintenance is all in a day’s work for facilities managers, whether that’s a quick task or a large refit project. No matter the scale of the job, however, there is always a responsibility to ensure it is carried out safely.

With this in mind, facilities managers may already be aware that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is taking a much closer look at various aspects of workplace safety in 2024.

In particular, the long-term effects of poor practice on personal and environmental health.

There are several guides available on current HSE focuses, but here are the details that we expect to be a key focus for facilities managers next year.

WORK-RELATED ILL HEALTH Potential causes of work-related ill health are set to come under the HSE’s microscope in 2024 as it continues with its ‘Protecting People and Places’ 10-year strategy. Workrelated ill health affects more than

a million people each year and is often harder to prevent than one-off tragic accidents. This is why the HSE is taking a detailed approach and examining the day-to-day aspects of many workplaces with a finer-tooth comb.

While this is a risk that may only arise with large-scale refits, managing risks from asbestos is an area that all facilities managers should be familiar with, and perhaps the most notorious risk factor for long-term work-related ill health. In 2024, we’re likely to see HSE expecting everyone involved in a construction or refit project to be aware of the risk from Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM), and to understand how it relates to their work. This includes third-party contractors for whom asking to see the asbestos register prior to starting work should be second nature.

Exposure to legionella bacteria is another likely area of focus, with the issue having hit headlines in September of this year after the bacteria was found on the Bibby

Stockholm accommodation barge.

Again, legionella is by no means a new issue, but refit projects pose specific risks if plumbing systems are old or out of use, and those supervising this work should be aware of the risks posed by stagnant water in these systems.

HSE enforcement officers will be looking for proactive, widely understood policies to manage these risks, no matter the size of the job. So, it’s crucial that facilities managers set high standards and stick to them.

PROPER RISK ASSESSMENT This is another area likely to be of focus, and another case where the ‘no job too small’ approach will be important. Proper risk assessments need to be carried out to ensure that work from height is carried out safely, or avoided altogether if it’s not necessary. There are significant resources out there to make this a smoother process, including Citation’s risk assessment template.

Even if the job at hand includes as

Support – this includes the encouragement, sponsorship, and resources provided by the organisation, line management and colleagues Role – whether people understand their role within the organisation ensures that they do not have conflicting roles Change – how organisational change (large or small) is managed and communicated in the organisation More powerful than any resource, however, will be talking directly to employees to understand their concerns, and how they believe their working environment could be improved.

THE DEVIL’S IN THE DETAIL As the HSE takes a closer look at workrelated ill health in the coming year, it’s a good time to review all formal processes and procedures. The risks are all ones that will be familiar to experienced facilities managers, but the focus in 2024 will be on ensuring that the right risk assessments and practices are in place, no matter the size or scale of the job.

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WINTER MAINTENANCE

FROST-FREE FESTIVITIES

Samantha Fry of UK-wide grounds and winter maintenance specialist Ground Control, offers some essential tips for maintaining outdoor facilities, including car parks and external spaces, to keep things running smoothly over the winter festive season

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he festive season may bring a wellearned break for many businesses.

However, for FMs working in the retail industry or front-line services, this time of year may be more demanding, with cold, icy weather conditions, high volumes of traffic, and service users rushing at the last minute.

It is essential to ensure that your facilities’ car parks, grounds, and outside spaces are well-prepared to withstand the challenges of the cold months. Maintenance during this season is crucial, not only to keep your property looking its best, but also to ensure the safety, functionality, and accessibility of outdoor areas for employees, customers, and guests.

EVALUATE YOUR GROUNDS Identify areas that may require special attention during the winter months 40

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including: Problematic drainage areas that may lead to ice build up.

structures. Additionally, clear leaves and debris from drainage systems to prevent blockages.

Overhanging branches that might pose a risk of falling due to heavy snow or ice.

LAWN CARE

Cracks or damage in pathways and pavements that could become safety hazards.

Your grass may not grow much during the winter, but it still needs some care to ensure it’s healthy when spring arrives. A few steps to take include:

TREE AND SHRUB MAINTENANCE

Mowing your lawn one final time at a lower setting to prevent snow mould.

Trimming and pruning your trees and shrubs is essential before a period of extreme weather sets in. Remove dead or weak branches to prevent them from breaking under the weight of snow or ice, potentially causing damage to your property. Proper pruning also encourages healthy growth in the spring. Trim overhanging branches to prevent them from accumulating heavy snow and potentially damaging vehicles or

Raking up fallen leaves and debris to prevent suffocation of the grass.

Aeration to improve soil drainage and encourage root growth.

WINTER LANDSCAPING If you want to maintain an attractive appearance during the winter months, consider adding evergreen plants, winter

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flowers, and seasonal decorations to your outdoor spaces. These touches can enhance the beauty of your grounds and help brighten up a dull January.

SNOW AND ICE MANAGEMENT Snow and ice are common challenges this time of year. Clearing it from walkways, driveways, and parking areas is essential for access to your car park and facilities. Here are some tips for effective snow and ice management: Stock up on de-icing materials such as rock salt or calcium chloride.

Invest in snow removal equipment like snow blowers, shovels, and ploughs.

Create a snow clearance plan, including designated areas for piling snow.

Prioritise high-traffic areas and emergency exits for immediate clearing.

Keep walkways and entrances to employees and visitors clear and safe.

Invest in services from a reliable gritting company to proactively spread salt on walkways and parking areas to melt ice and improve traction.

Invest in reliable snow ploughing service to clear parking bays and driveways promptly. Regular ploughing prevents the build up of snow, reducing the risk of accidents.

Ensure that your site has grit bins that are well-stocked throughout the season.

EFFICIENT LIGHTING The days are shorter during the winter, and proper lighting is crucial for ensuring safety in your car park and facilities. Make sure all exterior lights, including car park and walkway lighting are in good working condition. Consider upgrading poor performing lighting to efficient LEDs with daylight detection and motion sensors.

SUSTAINABLE HEATING SYSTEMS

WINTER MAINTENANCE

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these conditions so ensure you’ve retained expert support with drain maintenance, unblocking, repairs, gully, culvert and septic tank emptying, and all areas of complex, industrial cleaning.

guarantee service.

“This year we are working with one of the UK’s largest retailers who already depend on us for both their gritting (including snow and ice management), and grounds maintenance, to extend our services at their REGULAR INSPECTIONS headquarters to include drain clearance, to ensure the entire site is winter ready. They Frequent inspections are vital during have peace of mind that Ground Control, the winter season. Regularly check for hazards such as slippery surfaces, as one supplier, can take care of everything during this incredibly busy time of year. damaged infrastructure, and malfunctioning equipment.

“Another leading supermarket chain that came on board late COMMUNICATION 2021, took advantage of our Even on the toughest of days, efficient onboarding process Work with a winter which enabled us to maintenance when we can receive up 500 calls, we provider that’s mobilse more than 1,000 are still able to help and always strive for sites before the run up available 24/7, to Christmas. Effective so they can deal more. Success is down to the pre-season communication gave us with issues out planning we conduct, and the dedication in-depth understanding of of hours, and the clients’ challenges and clear the way and resilience of our local gritting teams for the festive concerns over this crucial who are critical in enabling us to crowds during period, and we were able to the day. Know that alter our service accordingly deliver a great service your provider can be to give them that extra peace anywhere in the UK.” with you in a minimum of mind.” amount of time, whatever, CONCLUSION whenever, wherever; and is available to speak to you anytime.

Maintenance for car parks and facilities Ian Morehouse, Ground Control Winter over Christmas is essential for safety and Maintenance Director said: “Effective accessibility. With the right preparations, communication is key to customer your business can plough through the satisfaction and safety, which is our overall chaos and continue to provide a safe and priority. Even on the toughest of days, when comfortable environment. we can receive up 500 calls, we are still able A well-maintained exterior not only to help and always strive for more. Success enhances the overall appeal of your property is down to the pre-season planning we but also contributes to a safer and more conduct, and the dedication and resilience enjoyable environment for all during the of our local gritting teams who are critical holiday season. in enabling us to deliver a great service By taking the time to evaluate your anywhere in the UK. property, perform necessary maintenance “With our help desk team’s support, our tasks, and plan for snow and ice network is designed to provide resilience, management, you can ensure the safety and so when the weather gets rough, we can still functionality of your outdoor areas.

Maintaining a comfortable indoor environment is essential during the winter.

Here are some heating-related tips: Regular HVAC Maintenance: Schedule routine maintenance for your heating system to ensure it’s working efficiently.

Clean or replace filters, check for leaks, and address any issues promptly.

Upgrade and retrofit HVAC systems by changing fossil fuel boilers to air source heat pumps (ASHP), heat recovery units, or upgrade inefficient motors in air handling units (AHU) to highly efficient low maintenance motors.

CLEAR DRAINS, GULLIES, SEPTIC TANKS The likes of Storm Babet and Storm Ciran brought much rain and wind to many parts of the UK, leaving potential for blockages.

Nobody wants to be outside rodding in DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024

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MONTH IN FM

SUEZ RECYCLING AND RECOVERY UK PARTNERS WITH AMCS ON THEIR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY AMCS, a leading global supplier of integrated cloud-based software and vehicle technology for the environmental, utilities, resource and recycling industries has announced that leading recycling and resource management specialists, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, has chosen AMCS as their technology partner to accelerate their digital transformation and drive continuous improvement across their triple bottom line.

The scope of the project is to deploy the AMCS Platform, a modern SaaS (Software as a Service) solution, to replace a range of SUEZ’s legacy solutions to provide a streamlined and integrated solution across much of its operations.

Commenting on the announcement Gary Mayson, Chief Operating Officer for SUEZ recycling and recovery UK said: “The roll out of the AMCS Platform is an important step on our digital transformation

journey. Optimising our logistics operations benefits our customers, communities, and the environment, supporting all three elements of our triple bottom line.”

AMCS Platform is replacing several legacy transport, subcontractor management and enterprise systems with a modern cloud-based solution that also offers

significant new functionality, including logistics scheduling, digital subcontractor engagement, contract management and billing/invoicing. The integrated solution will support SUEZ’s continuous improvement programme to drive operational excellence and will improve visibility and oversight across key business functions. AMCS Platform will also be integrated into SUEZ’s existing IT ecosystem using AMCS’s REST APIs and extensibility tools.

AMCS’s Chief Operating Officer, Freddie Kavanagh, also commented saying: “AMCS is delighted to continue its long-term partnership with SUEZ on this transformation journey. With the AMCS Platform, SUEZ has a modern SaaS solution delivering operational efficiency as well as agility to respond to new opportunities and changing market needs. We support SUEZ as a leader in driving the decarbonisation of the resources sector, working to create a more circular, resource efficient economy that is critical to the UK’s net zero ambition.”

https://www.amcsgroup.com infoIE@amcsgroup.com

EVOTECH UNVEILS MYBEMS AI AT CIBSE BUILD2PERFORM 2023 National HVAC and Building Services specialist Evotech has launched myBEMS AI, a revolutionary range of machine learning solutions aimed at optimising building HVAC systems, reducing energy consumption, and slashing carbon emissions. Advocating the need for UK buildings to improve how they perform, the company made its announcement at the CIBSE Build2Perform exhibition at ExCeL, London.

Building on the success of its myBEMS platform, launched a year ago at Build2Perform 2022, the company has introduced cutting-edge AI solutions to help commercial real estate owners, local government, and education providers further reduce their energy consumption, helping them to reach their net zero targets.

John Lumb, Building Performance Director at Evotech, emphasised the impact myBEMS can

have on sustainability, stating: "HVAC equipment typically accounts for around 40 per cent of energy usage within buildings, so by optimising it, we can significantly reduce energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, and improve the overall environmental impact of commercial buildings.

“With escalating energy prices and increasing pressure to achieve net-zero goals, myBEMS stands out as a practical solution.

The system adapts to the ever-changing ventilation, heating, and cooling needs of a building, processing real-time data from IoT sensors to make automatic adjustments.

Some early adopters have reported considerable monthly energy savings, demonstrating myBEMS's potential to play a crucial role in helping clients reach net-zero targets without disrupting their operations.”

In addition, a new myBEMS dashboard will transform how users access data from this digital smart building ecosystem, providing a centralised platform for monitoring and optimising building performance. Evotech is committed to driving innovation in the HVAC and building services industry, contributing to a sustainable and energy-efficient future.

For more information visit www.evotech.co.uk/services/mybems

www.evotech.co.uk info@evotech.co.uk 03332074245 42

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MONTH IN FM

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ANNUAL OFTEC INSPECTIONS? WE HAVE YOU COVERED Fuel Storage Solutions (FSS) is an awardwinning OFTEC registered provider of complete commercial and industrial fuel storage solutions.

We operate nationwide with a team of experienced OFTEC registered Engineers ready to carry out annual tank inspections to keep you compliant, respond to emergencies such as spills and leaks, or to carry out Planned Preventive Maintenance at your site.

TANK INSPECTIONS FSS inspects over 1,000 customer sites annually – ranging upwards from a single 200 ltr tank location to sites storing over 1 million litres of oil. Inspections are required by UK Government regulations and must be carried out by OFTEC registered providers.

COMPLIANCE FSS keeps you compliant with oil storage regulations

avoiding potential environmental catastrophe and costly clean ups, as well as the risk of prosecution.

We check, service and maintain your tanks in line with your own safety standards ensuring that you are fully compliant with OFTEC regulations. This includes providing contingency solutions in the event of spill emergency and interceptors to protect the local water table.

PLANNED PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE (PPM) CONTRACTS Planning PPM into your budget can avoid costly remedial issues arising. Our flexible contracts start with 2-hour response times and a team of 2 Engineers sent to your site.

Every engineer is fully trained ensuring they have the latest skills and techniques necessary to deal with any situation, guaranteeing continuity and profitability for your business.

62-point inspection process – 100% OFTEC compliant All solutions built around individual client sites and needs 100% fulfilment rate on all our 4-hour response SLAs 80-100 calls averaged annually over the last 20 years.

Our dedicated Compliance and Technical (CATS) team will arrange OFTEC inspections and PPM plans. Call 01274 813003 or visit our website.

Working with FSS gives you the assurance of: FSS maintenance teams providing nationwide coverage Response time options appropriate to your business

www.fuelstoragesolutions.co.uk sales@fuelstoragesolutions.co.uk 01274 813003

ZENTIA TAKE HOME MADE IN BRITAIN AWARD 2023 Congratulations are in order for Zentia, one of the UK’s leaders in complete ceiling solutions, for being announced as the Grand Final Winner of the Made in Britain Awards 2023, a category within the North East Business Awards.

Following Zentia’s win in the Northumberland and Tyneside heat of the North East Business Awards 2023, the company went head-to-head with the other sub-regional heat winners to be named overall North East winners for the Made in Britain category. Zentia was subsequently crowned winners at the Grand Final, which took place on 26th September 2023 at Hardwick Hall, and was hosted by Iwan Thomas MBE. The Made in Britain category aims to recognise and champion businesses that are promoting manufacturing and production in the UK. Zentia places a focus on UK manufacturing, with its home base in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, it is the UK’s only manufacturer of complete ceiling solutions. Its UK focus also extends to technical and specification experts, as well as creating short supply chains and reliable deliveries, making it a deserving winner for the Made in Britain category.

Dirk Jaspers, Managing Director at Zentia said: “This makes us very proud. Our company is only three and a half years old, but we have evolved to impressive

new heights. We have invested in assets, in people, and in our premises in Gateshead, and we have also invested in partnerships across the value chain in the

UK. We excite our employees, please our customers and thrill our shareholders, so we are very honoured to receive this award.”

www.zentia.com info@zentia.com DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024

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MONTH IN FM

GEZE UK CELEBRATES 160 YEARS WITH BUBBLES, BUNTING AND BALLOONS

TRUVOX INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHES VTVE COMPACT TUB VACUUM

GEZE, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of innovative and modern door, window and safety technology has been celebrating 160 years in business across all of its subsidiaries around the world throughout 2023.

At GEZE UK we invited all colleagues across our 8 offices nationwide to join in the celebration and have some fun.

Each office was decorated with bunting and balloons and staff were sent cakes and biscuits iced with GEZE 160 years as well as bubbles to blow and other goodies.

Under the motto hundred + sixty years young GEZE has been celebrating across the globe. In addition, a microsite (https://160years.geze.com) has been created detailing the company’s history. Founded in 1863, in Germany, the business remains in the same family and has grown to employ over 3,000 people globally, with 37 subsidiaries in 22 countries.

Kaz Spiewakowski, MD for GEZE UK said: "It’s fantastic to see so many of our GEZE UK colleagues joining in the fun to mark our company’s 160th anniversary.

It is an incredible achievement that at 160 years old the company is still family owned and continues to grow and develop innovative products."

For more information about GEZE UK’s comprehensive range of automatic and manual door and window control products visit www.geze.co.uk.

“Like all Truvox International machines, the design of the VTVe Compact has focused on ease-of-use and manoeuvrability, coupled with maximum reliability and performance.”

Truvox International has introduced the new VTVe Compact tub vacuum, an entry-level vacuum cleaner that offers excellent performance and is ideal for daily vacuuming.

Following the success of the VTVe tub vacuum, Truvox has responded to customers’ requirements for an entry level vacuum. By using the same hose and bag connection, customers can use their existing VTVe accessories.

“The new VTVe Compact is ideal for daily vacuuming in every environment,” says Truvox International UK National Sales Manager Paul Robinson. “Weighing only 5.4kg the VTVe Compact is light and manoeuvrable and easy to move between cleaning jobs. It has a 10-litre capacity for high productivity and delivers exceptional performance. The VTVe Compact features 2-stage filtration, including HEPA 13 media bag.

“Like all our machines, the VTVe Compact is designed to be simple to use and easy to maintain, from the on/off button to the easily accessible on-board cleaning tools. A crevice and brush tool for detailed cleaning and hard to reach areas are included, and the power cord can be stored securely on the holder for transportation and storage.

“Proper floorcare in every environment is essential as it makes a major contribution to health, safety and hygiene.”

www.geze.co.uk

www.truvox.com

01543 443000

www.truvox.com/product/vtve

DANHOUSE SECURITY LAUNCHES MARKET LEADING BENEFITS PACKAGE TO SUPPORT SECURITY OFFICERS

DESIGNING INTERCOMS’ GRAPHICAL INTERFACE CAN HELP ADDRESS THE ‘FLIGHT TO QUALITY’ TREND IN REAL ESTATE

Manned guarding and support services business, Danhouse Security, has created a new market leading benefits package following the launch of a new mission and purpose as a ‘people first’ employer.

Alongside some of the ‘standard’ benefits such as life assurance, personal accident cover and enhanced company sick pay are a host of additional benefits including private healthcare with dental and optical care, hospital care, as well as birth and adoption grants, personal accident care, homecare assistance, day care surgery. Employees will also have access to a 24hour helpline for GP advice and stress counselling, and a wide range of support schemes aimed at improving mind and wellbeing.

Danhouse Security has also implemented an employee benefits portal through which the benefits are explained, accessed and managed. It is also the route to accessing.

John Fitzpatrick, CEO Danhouse Security, says introducing a new benefits package was a priority: “Our business is our people, and we firmly believe that if we look after them, then that is reflected in how they ultimately look after our customers. It’s a ‘win win’ for everyone.”

One of the most important trends in commercial real estate is the ‘flight to quality’, with businesses who are trying to encourage employees back to the office and appeal to the best talent prioritising top-tier office buildings.

Why does this matter for access control? For two main reasons: First, we know from our own discussions with system integrators and installers that their customers are prioritising design – including the design of intercoms and answering units – to an even greater extent now than they did before the pandemic. The bottom line is that, when it comes to office space, every detail matters.

Second, there is a premium on innovation to enhance the desirability of buildings, and building owners are looking to give their tenants the flexibility to shape the space according to their needs.

This second driver has been tougher for the access control industry to address, but 2N has found a way through the recent firmware upgrade to two of our flagship intercoms – the 2N® IP Style and the 2N® IP Verso. Making the display API available to integrators and installers, the upgrade allows tenants to design the graphical display interface as they wish.

And this won’t just enhance commercial projects. We have developed a custom code to illustrate what a customised 2N® IP Style video intercom GUI can look like in a typical residential project.

www.danhouse.co.uk

www.2n.com/en_GB/

info@danhouse.co.uk

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sales@truvox.com

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024

0208 7489269

0203 510 5770

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FMJ.CO.UK

ZENTIA GIVES ULTIMA+ THE ULTIMATE UPGRADE WITH NEW NAMES AND NEW PRODUCTS, MEET PRESTIGE

Z

entia, a UK leader in complete ceiling solutions, is pleased to announce the renaming of its brightest and whitest tile, Ultima+. The new family, titled Prestige, will continue to represent the pinnacle of innovation and excellence in the industry and set new standards for performance, reliability and versability.

Prestige, which was successfully launched on 25th October, offers three reliable, bespoke solutions depending on different client needs. The flagship product, Prestige, offers smooth, finely textured laminated tiles that provide good sound absorption and attenuation, offering perfectly balanced acoustical performance. The tiles are made in the UK*, contain up to 37 per cent recycled content and are available in 35 colours, offering practical and creative solutions for a range of environments including meeting rooms, waiting areas and data centres.

Prestige hA+ offers the same sleek, smooth aesthetics but also forms one of Zentia’s most sound

absorbent suspending ceiling tile to date, making it ideal for open plan areas that require a dose of calm and quiet such as libraries and healthcare settings.

As well as an outstanding acoustic performance, the ceiling systems offer a reinforced scratch resistant face and impressive environmental credentials, being 100 per cent recyclable.

Zentia is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its products. As such we are excited to announce the Prestige family will be the first laminated product to be added to our Pinnacle Partner offcut recycling scheme. The scheme is a promise from us, as a manufacturer, to take back and recycle all offcuts of Prestige tiles from our approved Pinnacle Partners on future projects. This will result in the reduction of the amount of waste going to landfill sites.

The final product within the range, Prestige dB, offers sound attenuation properties that is most effective for when privacy is your main concern by limiting noise being transmitted through ceiling

www.zentia.com/en-gb info@zentia.com

voids. This makes it ideal for individual offices and boardrooms. The tiles offer the same aesthetic finish that Zentia has become known for, and can be specified, as with the rest of the range, in a range of different shapes, sizes and colours* to allow enhanced creative freedom.

Graham Taylor, Director, Sales and Marketing at Zentia said: “We are thrilled to have successfully launched our new product range, Prestige, previously known and adored as Ultima+. Whilst the name may have changed, the brand and range’s reputation for reliability, quality and innovation has not, and Prestige is only another great example of our dedication to making cutting-edge ceiling tile solutions that are made in the UK and of the highest-quality, offering the best solutions for our clients.” *Excluding dB range and SL2 Planks To find out more about the range visit https:// www.zentia.com/en-gb/solutions/productapplications/education-ceiling-solutions/

0191 497 1000 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024

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POGO AND REI PLC PARTNERSHIP BRINGS ULTRA-RAPID EV CHARGING TO DERBY Derby’s fastest public EV charging units have gone live at Southgate Retail Park, the first site in a pipeline of projects being planned by the EV charging network, PoGo, and Real Estate Investors PLC. Southgate Retail Park now features two 7kW chargers and two ultra-rapid 200kW Touch Plus chargers – the fastest available in the area - with large touchscreens and a simple user interface that provides clear instructions throughout the charging experience. In the UK, this is the first time the Touch unit has been upgraded to become Touch Plus using power modules to deliver ultra-rapid charging. The site has been designed taking into account the PAS 1899:2022 standards, this seeing the chargers made fully accessible by wide bays and hatched areas, and a cable management system, to assist drivers and ensure the area around the units is kept tidy and safe when not in use. The chargers allow various payment options, including contactless bank cards, RFID payment cards, app, webpay, and Octopus Electroverse.

PoGo is already looking at five more REI sites across the Midlands, where it expects to install another eleven ultra-rapid chargers in the coming months.

Stuart Douglas, Managing Director at PoGo said: “We are proud to be bringing our reliable and easy to use ultra-rapid charging points to Derby. The addition of EV charging at REI’s Southgate Retail Park will help attract new customers to the shops and restaurants, supporting REI’s tenants at the same time as giving REI

a consistent revenue stream and supporting its commitment to a more sustainable future.

“Demand for enroute EV charging is growing and drivers want reliable charging at convenient locations,” Stuart continues. “We hope that our partnership with REI, and the rollout of our ultra-rapid charging at prime locations, will not only support existing EV drivers but also encourage others, and ultimately support local decarbonisation.”

Jack Sears, Asset Manager at REI PLC, says PoGo’s fully-funded product and service offering is best-in-class: “The PoGo team is taking care of the site analysis, design and installation, and providing the best charging technology and ongoing maintenance, to ensure that visitors have a quick and easy EV charging experience.

“As a leading real estate business, we want to create a positive legacy. We are prioritising the reduction of our own environmental impact, and by adding EV charging facilities at our sites we are also supporting the wider community and businesses who are similarly reducing their environmental impact.”

https://pogocharge.com/ support@PoGoCharge.com 0208 194 9687

EMERGENCY RECOVERY; DON’T TURN YOUR CUSTOMERS AWAY The Bristol restaurant of a well-known chain of carveries recently hit the news headlines when it had to close on a busy Sunday and turn away 600 customers. This catastrophe was due to a fridge malfunction.

Leading mobile refrigeration specialist, Team Refrigeration, extends its message: Emergency breakdowns shouldn't mean business downtimes.

Had this restaurant reached out to Team Refrigeration during their crisis, they could have stayed open. With a promise to deliver a trailer to any location within mainland UK in as little as 4 hours, Team Refrigeration assures businesses that they have a dependable partner to call upon during unforeseen circumstances.

"Situations like this, remind us of the importance of prompt and reliable backup solutions,"

commented Ricky Williams, MD of Team Refrigeration. "Our mission is to ensure that restaurants, pubs, and other food establishments do not experience interruptions in service due to refrigeration issues.

We want to ensure they never have to turn their customers away."

Team Refrigeration's extensive mainland UK coverage means businesses are never too far from getting the assistance they need, whether for emergency breakdowns, planned maintenance, or even temporary stock expansions.

To better understand Team Refrigeration's commitment and wide range of services, or if you find your business in need of emergency refrigeration support, please visit www.teamrefrigeration.co.uk.

www.teamrefrigeration.co.uk info@teamrefrigeration.co.uk 01934 245028 46

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FMJ.CO.UK

KÄRCHER UK: PROUD SUPPORTERS OF AND SUPPLIERS TO THE CLEANING INDUSTRY

A

s specialists in providing cleaning solutions for professionals across a variety of industries, we are extremely proud to be Gold Sponsors of the Professional Golden Service Awards 2024.

James Gordon, Kärcher Marketing Director had this to say: "We are extremely excited to be a gold sponsor of the Golden Service awards in 2024. Cleaning operatives are the heartbeat of our industry and an often unheralded workforce. We are proud to celebrate all award nominations and winners, indeed all those who work tirelessly to keep our offices, hospitals, hospitality and retail spaces clean every day.

Kärcher salutes you and will continue to support the industry to thrive now and into the future."

We recognise the platform that the Golden Service Awards gives to those cleaning teams who often work 'behind closed doors' and see huge value in highlighting their hard work that keeps our offices, retail spaces and hospitals clean, meeting the standards and perceptions we all expect.

From everyone here at Kärcher, we wish all nominees the best of luck and look forward to spending another Golden Service Awards celebrating those that truly deserve the recognition.

Providing peace of mind Years of supporting businesses and cleaning teams to achieve the highest quality clean has also brought to our attention the rising costs and challenges now facing the industry. Rising costs have resulted in an increasing number of companies seeking new ways to reduce spend, which includes hiring professional cleaning equipment. Not only can it help generate efficiencies for organisations of all sizes, it enables them to easily scale up or down, depending on their equipment/cleaning requirements. Hire services, like those provided by Kärcher Hire (https://karcherhire.co.uk), provide businesses complete peace of mind that everything is taken care of and allow cleaning teams to focus on their main responsibilities, while we take care of the rest.

We continuously strive to make sure our professional cleaning solutions enable companies to maintain high levels of hygiene and infection prevention with ease. Our product innovations, endless cleaning solutions and flexible payment options, are specifically designed to provide cleaners with the exact tools they need to efficiently achieve optimum results, regardless of the task at hand.

What our latest product innovation looks like…

Among our latest industry-leading products is KIRA B 50 (https://www.kaercher.com/int/professional/ floor-scrubbers-scrubber-driers/autonomousscrubber-driers/kira-b-50-15330010.html) a robotic scrubber dryer that tackles medium and large floor areas efficiently, easily and safely, and completely autonomously, if required.

Covering up to 15,000m2 a day*, the scrubber dryer robot features a proven roller brush technique, with a pre-sweeping function and 55cm wide side brush that cleans right up to walls. Fitted with a 160 Ah lithium-ion battery, KIRA B 50 swiftly delivers consistently outstanding results, even on textured and uneven floors, freeing up cleaning teams to focus on more complex cleaning projects.

The water volume, detergent dosing and cleaning speed can be precisely pre-set, maintaining high levels of quality while simultaneously reducing costs. Meanwhile, the optional docking station

enables the unit to re-fill its water tank, drain and rinse the wastewater, and recharge its battery without human intervention.

Bolstering cleaning outputs with battery power In addition to providing professional cleaning solutions that leverage the very latest in design innovation, we make sure our products perform when you need them to. The Kärcher Battery Universe (https://www.kaercher.com/int/ kaercher-battery-universe.html) comprises two battery platforms that provide enough power and endurance for indoor and outdoor use.

Battery option 1: 18VThis battery is ideal for compact and handy products that are designed to clean small and medium-sized spaces. Any 18V battery can be inserted into any 18V device for quick and easy cleaning and highly flexible usage.

Swap between a compact scrubber dryer to keep floors hygienically clean and our professional hand vacuum to keep on top of small messes.

Battery option 2: 36VThe 36V battery provides ample power for devices that are designed to clean large areas. Whether you're looking to tidy up outdoor spaces with our range of professional landscape management machines or give your upholstery a new lease of life, transition easily between machines with the Kärcher battery platform.

For more information about our industryleading professional cleaning solutions, visit www.kaercher.com/int/professional.html *when used in conjunction with the docking station.

www.kaercher.com/int/professional.html direct.dealer.uk@karcher.com

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NORTHWOOD ON COURSE TO PLANT 1000 TREES BY END OF 2023 With National Tree Week having taken place from 25 November to 2 December, Northwood Hygiene Products is delighted to announce that it has planted more than 800 trees this year in UK towns and cities this year.

Northwood teamed up with Trees for Cities – the only UK charity to plant trees in towns and cities in the UK and around the world – earlier this year and set a target to plant 500 trees in 12 months. Now, the Telford-based firm has smashed its target and planted 809 trees in just nine months.

Paul Mulready, Marketing Manager at Northwood, says: “We’re absolutely delighted to have planted more than 800 trees so far this year. This puts us well on the way to plant 1000 trees by the end of 2023,

doubling the number of trees we pledged to plant!

“We’re passionate about sustainability and the role that trees play in the environment and we’re committed to our alliance with Trees for Cities and doing our bit to ensure that towns and cities are greener and healthier spaces.”

Under its partnership with Trees for Cities, Northwood donates funds for trees to be planted in urban areas when customers sign up to install North Shore or Raphael dispensers.

Dozens of Northwood customers and end users have already helped Northwood support the scheme, which aims to make a social and environmental impact by engaging local residents to plant trees and bring the multiple benefits of urban trees into their community spaces.

Northwood’s partnership with Trees for Cities is part of the firm’s overall commitment towards sustainability. Embracing a circular economy, Northwood is one of a handful of companies in the UK that is fully vertically integrated, meaning it sells as well as converts parent reels. Northwood collects more than 100,000 tonnes of recovered fibres and produces more than 70,000 recycled parent reels a

year. 75% of Northwood’s products are made from recycled paper and all of Northwood’s paper mills now produce Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) certified base sheet paper.

Northwood’s Raphael proprietary washroom dispenser and consumables system combines strong environmental benefits with superior hygiene.

Developed to cater for any washroom environment, whether it is large, small, high or low footfall, Raphael delivers improved washroom hygiene standards, whilst also saving money and reducing waste.

The North Shore premium proprietary system of washroom dispensers and consumables from Northwood is designed to deliver zero waste and volume in use, North Shore offers industry-leading capacity and supreme cost-in-use benefits. it is easy to install and maintain, as well as being durable, hygienic and environmentally sustainable.

www.northwood.co.uk 01952 236930

WATERBLADE WORKING WELL AFTER 5 YEARS USE In the last month two clients who have the Waterblades fitted to their washroom sensor taps confirm that after over 3 and 5 years respectively, they remain working well. One has recommended us to their FM company who are now fitting Waterblade for their clients. We have only had Waterblade on the market on the market for 5 years, so we are happy with that. Both are household name clients. For more info contact me or check my linkedin posts. Nigel Bamford Waterblade Director.

This year Waterblade has been fitted to 10,000+ hotel bathrooms as well as 1,000’s of washroom basins. Happily, we can now add to that 1,000 plus bathroom basins in the last two weeks alone, having appeared recently on Channel 5’s ‘How To save Money’ in a water saving feature.

With energy being most businesses 3rd biggest expense, Waterblade with a typical energy saving of 1.5% for the whole building and a payback period of months has to be worth considering.

It is WRAS approved and UK manufactured in premises with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 Contact us and we can discuss which Waterblade best suits your taps, and set you up with a sample to try for yourselves.

www.thewaterblade.com info@thewaterblade.com 48

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FMJ.CO.UK

THE FUTURE OF KITCHEN EXTRACT MAINTENANCE T

here are significant problems surrounding kitchen extract systems in commercial kitchens. Many systems are only partially cleaned and leak from various points leading to high remedial costs and systems that use too much energy. Solving this problem can be very expensive as kitchen extract cleaning methods are largely the same as they were in the 1900s, most companies still rely on using manual labour and very time-consuming cleaning processes.

The rising costs of running a restaurant have led to the closure of many well-known brands across the world. The RZ-Clean-Seal® method has changed this. We have created a fully sustainable solution for restaurants, helping them to reduce overall costs, improve their carbon footprint, lower energy consumption, and reduce the fire risks. After 10 years of using our unique process, we have perfected our cleaning methods through testing and working with large restaurant chains - helping our customers reach their carbon neutral targets.

A reduction in the overall cost and frequency of cleaning required by up to 80% is the biggest selling point for our customers, but this is not the only significant benefit. Fire risks are reduced by removing the carbonised grease within the extract system. Waste to landfill is cut by 15kg per cleaning job and reducing energy use and site visits brings down the customers carbon footprint. The franchise model we are offering has the best of both worlds: the independence of running a business with the support of an innovative, established and industry leading company. As a franchisee, you’ll enjoy a fasttrack path to business ownership.

This will increase your chances of success compared to starting a kitchen extract cleaning company from scratch. Our franchisees are fully trained in how to operate the systems that we use, processes, how to sell the solution and accounts. As part of the support we offer, you’ll receive quarterly

reviews, and we will arrange meetings to set overall goals. As part of running a franchise, you will be responsible for recruiting and managing your team of technicians as well as growing the business within your designated area.

Marketing and planning support is provided by our central office team, and you will have the opportunity to complete corporate work to increase profitability.

There are several kitchen extract cleaning companies but only we can offer this unique three step service of clean, seal and maintain, which gives us an advantage within the industry, this is all thanks to our wealth of knowledge within the sector. Through this knowledge we can provide franchisees with a

unique offering to potential customers, the solution is patented and can only be used by RZ-Clean-Seal®.

As an example of how much a customer can save, the cost before using our solution was £8,800 but after a system has been cleaned and sealed that cost drops to £3,600 per year. A system that doesn’t use our solution requires quarterly cleans, involving three shifts to clean 60m of the extract, with the added challenge of grease hardening on the surface.

In contrast, our solution extends cleaning intervals to every six months, requiring only one shift and ensuring easy grease removal. If you want to be part of the future of kitchen extract maintenance, then RZ-Clean-Seal® is the franchise for you.

www.rz-clean-seal.com 01924 925531 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024

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EYE-CATCHING ECOARC RECYCLING STATION Leafield Environmental, the UK’s award-winning designer and manufacturer of litter and recycling bins have launched a new external recycling bin, the ‘EcoArc’ offering an eye-catching and compact unit to encourage people to recycle ‘on-thego’. The EcoArc was initially designed for a retail forecourt environment, but is also suitable for shopping centres, leisure centres, high-streets, parks, beaches and schools.

The EcoArc recycling bin can be used in groups as part of a recycling station, side by side or back-to-back. The slimline curved design has a dimpled hood surface for anti-fly poster and rainwater drainage. The unit features space for two optional A2 poster frames on each side and an optional A4 signage kit to promote key messages.

The standard black base is made from 100% recycled material (subject to availability) and can feature optional traditional banding. The unit can hold up to 80-litres of waste with an optional steel or plastic liner.

The double-sided oval aperture can accommodate a 4-litre washer bottle.

The moulded double skin pull-out door has been designed for added strength and durability and has an integral moulded handle for ease of opening on one side. The door has a smooth surface allowing an optional recycling label to be applied to identify the type of waste collected. The standard pull-out door and recycling label will be in WRAP compliant colours.

Danhouse Security – a manned guarding and support services business – has been relaunched with a new purpose and a new senior management team to provide corporate security and associated services for high-end commercial premises in London and the Southeast.

The business has taken its 30th Anniversary as an opportunity to re-focus operations to address a clear gap in the capital for an independent corporate security business with the agility, appetite, and proven experience to deliver bespoke services. The new leadership will be led by Chief Executive John Fitzpatrick, supported by Waleed Eltayib and Edward Holmes as Operations Director and Commercial Director respectively.

Commenting on the relaunch John says: “Now is the time to build on strong foundations and establish Danhouse Security as the preferred security partner for property management companies and corporations looking after the most prestigious buildings across London.”

Danhouse Security is fully accredited to ISO 9001, ISO14001 and ISO45001, and is an SIA-approved contractor and an accredited Safe Contractor.

https://leafield-environmental.com 01225 816500

www.danhouse.co.uk

envinfo@leafieldenv.com

info@danhouse.co.uk

STO HELPS REFURBISHED HOMES SHINE BRIGHTER AND GREENER

NEW 10-POINT GUIDE TO DEHUMIDIFIERS

0208 7489269

A refurbished housing development is benefiting from an aesthetic, energy-efficient exterior thanks to a Sto external wall insulation system.

Located in Bordon, Hampshire, The Pines features 96 former Ministry of Defence properties, which have been transformed into modern two to threebedroom houses and maisonettes. The refurbishment has been completed by Project Worx Ltd on behalf of Annington, one of the UK’s largest private owners of residential property, most of which is occupied by military families.

Square 1 Architectural Solutions specified and installed the StxTherm Robust external wall insulation system to the exterior of the existing properties. Ideal for low to medium rise housing, StxTherm Robust prevents heat loss and eliminates thermal bridges to enhance energy efficiency. By insulating the outer leaf of each property, the entire structure becomes warm and dry, reducing the risk of condensation and associated mould growth.

The installation of the system was completed with a final coat of Stomix Silkotex HD render. This cement-free, silicone resin render is available in a variety of colours, which enabled Annington to create facades with white, grey, blue, beige and yellow finishes. With a high level of water repellence, this render also offers protection from weathering, damp and algae growth.

The high-quality exteriors are complemented by refreshed interiors, including new modern kitchens, bathrooms, high performance boilers, double glazed windows and new front doors.

Humidity control specialist, Condair, is offering a free 10-point guide to specifying dehumidifiers. The document covers the main issues surrounding planning and installing a commercial dehumidification system. It includes information on system design, product sizing, drying psychrometrics, energy saving and much more.

Dave Marshall-George, Sales Director at Condair explains: “This guide has been produced by experts in the field with experience spanning thousands of drying projects. It gives unbiased advice on both desiccant and condensing dehumidifiers. Written in an easy-to-follow style, the 10-point format makes it a very accessible reference tool for any HVAC consultant, installer or facilities manager.

“Planning a dehumidifier project can be a complex undertaking due to all the parameters than need to be considered. Dehumidifiers don’t just remove moisture from the air but also generate heat during the drying process. Managing an area’s humidity often involves consideration of its temperature control too, and this 10-point guide walks the reader through the psychrometrics of this, as well as strategies to deal with it.” Dave concludes.

Condair’s 10-point guide to specifying dehumidifiers is available free to download at www.condair.co.uk/dehum-guide

www.sto.co.uk

www.condair.co.uk

d.newton@sto.com

50

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DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024

0330 024 2666

uk.sales@condair.com

01903 850 200

FMJ.CO.UK FACILITIES MANAGEMENT JOURNAL

JOBS

FM CAREERS - PEOPLE

CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICER HIRE AT BIDVEST NOONAN Julie Mernagh has been appointed to the role of Chief People & Culture Officer at Bidvest Noonan. Mernagh has extensive experience and a proven track record in human resources, talent development, and organisational culture. In her previous role as the Global Head of Leadership and Talent Development at Vodafone, Mernagh was instrumental in developing innovative leadership and talent strategies across Europe and Africa.

Mernagh drove pioneering Diversity & Inclusion policies, enabling Vodafone to become a leader in this space. With over a decade of consulting experience at renowned firms like PwC and Accenture, Mernagh specialised in areas such as strategy, people & change, and led large-scale transformations across Europe.

In her new role at Bidvest Noonan, Mernagh will lead the People & Culture team, focusing on developing and executing a people strategy to foster an enhanced workplace environment and improve overall employee experience.

NHSPS APPOINTS HEAD OF SERVICE OPERATIONS AND SECURITY NHS Property Services (NHSPS) has appointed Sasha Griffiths as the new Head of Service Operations and Security.

Griffiths will act as the single point of accountability for the live service of the Digital and Data function at NHSPS. The role is crucial in ensuring that all services supporting NHSPS remain highly available, reliable, secure, and scalable to meet the current and future needs of the business.

Griffiths is a dynamic leader with experience that spans all parts of IT operations and change – from managing and improving operational support to delivering change and developing and maintaining strategic goals. She joins NHSPS from Mitie, where she was Director of IS Shared Services and previously held related roles in Capita, Skanska and Steria Limited.

LONG-SERVING COLLEAGUE AT NOVUS PROMOTED TO CEO

National maintenance, compliance and decarbonisation contractor Novus Property Solutions has promoted longstanding colleague Lee Hartley to the role of Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 January 2024.

Hartley has been with the Seddon family business for 25 years.

As a board member, Hartley has occupied various roles including Chief Operating Officer and most recently Executive Director. Within these roles, he has played a significant role in the implementation of growth and development strategies, ensuring Novus’ core values, known as ‘the Novus Way’, are embedded into every aspect of delivering projects for customers. As CEO, Hartley will continue to drive Novus’ growth across its core markets.

Prior to assuming his new role in the new year, Hartley will work closely with outgoing CEO Steve Davies for a comprehensive handover.

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POSITIVE ACTION

EMCOR UK’s Apprenticeship Manager Natalie Henderson and Account Director Steve Thomson discuss how apprenticeships not only improve employment opportunities but help support mental health

F

or decades, apprenticeships have been a fantastic way to train and inspire the next generation of workers. The need for apprenticeships is being increasingly recognised.

They are growing in popularity, with over 100,000 starters in 2022, and more than 700,000 people undertaking apprenticeships in the 2022/23 calendar year. EMCOR UK recognises this need for a well-trained workforce and has offered apprenticeships for over 30 years.

THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF SOCIAL VALUE INITIATIVES In 2022, data revealed that mental health was the second highest cause of absenteeism for EMCOR UK colleagues working at British Sugar. These struggles are reflected throughout the UK workforce; Champion Health 2023 data found that 60 per cent of employees experience anxiety, but only 10 per cent are seeking support from their employers.

To help address mental health issues at work and in the local community, we partnered with charity Access Community Trust (ACT). The charity provides a range of services for young people, including helping with learning, development, and employment, as

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well as providing support with mental health and wellbeing.

EMCOR UK volunteers refurbished the Steam House Café in King’s Lynn, one of the charity’s mental health crisis cafes. Through our links with ACT we employed three individuals, and ACT has provided mental health training for over 50 EMCOR UK colleagues.

Training was provided via our L&D team but Steam House Cafe do provide on-going drop in sessions at sites for all colleagues and customers.

In addition to this, we also shared our apprenticeship Levy with ACT to fund two apprenticeships. Through this support, ACT was able to provide opportunities to disadvantaged individuals otherwise overlooked.

These actions resulted in a 50 per cent reduction in the number of working days lost by EMCOR UK colleagues working at British Sugar due to mental health issues.

The partnership also successfully generated over £70,000 in social value, demonstrating how local partnerships can be mutually beneficial, supporting individuals in the community and at work.

After this resounding success, further refurbishment projects are planned, and we continue to work with ACT to identify employment opportunities for individuals struggling to get back into work.

The social value revenue, improved mental health, and jobs created by this scheme highlight how employers across the UK can support individuals in the community and at work by implementing mental health-focused initiatives and training opportunities.

APPRENTICESHIPS DRIVE INCLUSION We currently have more than 130 staff on an apprenticeship with 60 being recruited into posts as an apprentice. We have set a minimum yearly target of 25 trade apprentices, all earning the real living wage, to support with tackling skills shortages which is a vital part of the company’s ED&I approach.

An increasing focus of our scheme is women, who take up fewer roles in FM. Nuffield Health’s 2023 report found that 48 per cent of women felt that their job negatively impacted their mental health, in comparison to 40 per cent of men.

The increased stresses and barriers faced by women in the workplace is something that we have sought to tackle through our new Female Leadership Apprenticeship scheme, funded by the

Apprenticeship Levy. This scheme is run by women, for women.

A range of paid apprenticeships also rival traditional academic pathways for young people. By offering GCSE to degree level equivalents, apprenticeships provide a variety of personal development opportunities and affordable pathways for individuals unable to gain university degrees due to economic disadvantage.

APPRENTICESHIPS NEED SUPPORT Apprenticeships are instrumental in upskilling employees and providing long-term recruitment opportunities. However, their continued success is dependent on further support from schools and the Government.

The introduction of the Baker Clause by the Government in 2018 mandated that all school children in years 8-12 must discuss non-academic routes with training providers. However, the Institute of Public Policy Research found in 2019 that two thirds of secondary schools were not adhering to the Baker Clause's rules. It’s vital that businesses offer a route to work.

The Apprenticeship Levy is a brilliant scheme created in 2017, which allows apprenticeships to be funded by the organisations running them. Though this scheme has doubled the available funding for apprenticeships in recent years, we think it could do even more. If the Levy funds could be further used to fund apprentices’ wages, more organisations throughout the UK could better support their apprentices.

These programmes create future-ready leaders and inspire next generations by building sustainable workforces and uplifting and educating members of the local community. But to remain successful, apprenticeships need more support.

Increasing trade specialist presence in schools will help combat the stigma that they are a low-wage or a last resort option. By providing qualifications for trade apprentices, more organisations can reduce workplace inequalities, retain skilled staff, and sustainably support the wellbeing of their employees.

By creating a steady flow of talent in the UK workforce across all industries, apprenticeships help tackle the UK skills shortage and alleviate the increasing mental health crisis, as well as provide better opportunities for underprivileged youth.

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FM CAREERS - TRAINING

THE TRAINER’S

PERSPECTIVE W

In-centre, on-site or remote training? Gary Cooper, MD, PPL Training assesses the different styles of training delivery

hen it comes to competency training for engineers and facilities staff, the importance of real-world scenario based training and hands-on practical experience can outweigh the convenience of e-learning. But which training delivery method is truly the best for FM professionals?

Our discussions with training managers from disciplines such as high-voltage / low-voltage electrical, mechanical and water hygiene and our own internal commercial analysis have helped us identify the benefits and challenges of providing learning and development opportunities for the FM workforce within three main settings: Remote A live, tutor-led ‘virtual classroom’ session with a set start date and time. Hosted on video conferencing software with screen share.

In-centre A traditional classroom and/or workshop-based environment, in training centres on set dates throughout the calendar year.

On-site At the client’s premises where suitable equipment and classroom space is available to deliver practical elements of any course. The date and time of these sessions can then be more flexible to suit client needs.

REMOTE TRAINING Remote training is not a delivery method that we offer universally for all training courses. However, Water Hygiene Training Manager, Tony Green and his team have been responsible for hosting over 500 remote training delegates in 2023.

“Minor challenges associated with this method of delivery stem from delays in delegates logging in or enabling their cameras… Occasionally, this can stifle conversations that may have happened more naturally in a classroom setting,” says Green.

There are of however potential cost, environmental and wellbeing benefits. Green explains: “Our clients benefit from reduced costs, travel time and environmental impact but the biggest positive we have found is work-life balance. Where tutors would

have previously had to travel they can now deliver courses from any of our centres, or anywhere in the world, theoretically.”

Remote training courses account for around 16 per cent of all training we deliver. While there is a possibility that more courses could be delivered in this fashion, through listening to feedback from our clients, and adhering to guidance and legislation, we can conclude that this delivery method is better suited to building services contractors and non-technical FM professionals, where practical competencies are not a priority.

ON-SITE TRAINING Thirteen of the UK’s top FM companies train with us and a third (33.1 per cent) of training courses delivered by us for these companies are on-site at a location of our client’s choice.

Andy Cresswell, Training Manager for mechanical disciplines, identifies an unfortunate regular occurrence: “It happens quite a lot where people go off for a break and are hooked back into workplace challenges. It can be the nature of the beast with

mechanical engineers.”

However, Tony Green cites a key benefit: “Because we’re there on-site with the delegates, we are able to assess and give advice based on the challenges faced by the organisation who is hosting the course.”

While external factors such as emergencies, or staffing issues can interfere with learning and development opportunities the delivery of bespoke training to suit the built environment that the engineer or maintenance staff find themselves in on the day-to-day, is a clear advantage.

IN-CENTRE TRAINING Proving competency is an ongoing challenge for many who hold high level positions within organisations. It could be argued that this need is amplified when held

by FM contractors, embedded into an organisation’s safety structure. Staying on top of recent guidance updates can be a challenge in itself, and acting upon the requirements in busy day-to-day workflows is equally as challenging.

For this reason, taking time away from site to attend in-centre training is advisable.

For example, there have been recent updates to HTM 06-03 ‘Electrical Safety Guidance for High Voltage Systems’. HV/LV Training Manager Graham Taylor spoke about the benefits of in-centre training for individuals.

“There sometimes aren’t the opportunities in dayto-day working environments for our delegates to get to grips with high voltage switching - because of this, we have developed training exercises and course handouts to aid in demonstrating competency.

“The biggest advantage of coming to one of our centres for an open course date is networking.

The variety of like-minded people and cumulative knowledge that can be gained, outside of that being passed on by our tutors, is sometimes worth the course admission fee itself.”

THE VERDICT There can be no one-size-fits-all approach to training delivery, and while in-centre training is the most popular, compelling arguments can be made for other delivery methods. For example, the implementation of 3D scans / photogrammetry can serve as reasonable substitutes for hands-on practical demonstrations.

There is also a good case for offering self-paced e-learning for specialist engineering disciplines which can include Continued Professional Development (CPD) for staff between longer formal courses. These can be offered through webinars and conference recordings and can also include providing aftercare services, such as logbooks, model forms and sample permits.

As we adopt the latest technologies and further develop our existing training delivery methods to respond to changes in the environment and in demand, our training options are continually adapting to ensure the delivery of excellence as standard.

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FM CAREERS - NEWS Over half of staff want access to medical insurance as a core benefit

More than half of the UK workforce (51 per cent) want private healthcare insurance at work as concerns around access to healthcare grows. Dental insurance tops the list of asks as access to NHS dentists causes nationwide concerns, according to new research by recruitment firm Robert Half.

The firm’s 2024 Salary Guide - which analyses and reports on market salaries, hiring trends, and skills requirements across the UK – highlighted clear concerns from employees as the NHS struggles due to a lack of staff and stubbornly high waiting times. These worries have translated into growing demands for better healthcare benefits, with private dental insurance most sought-after (cited by 62 per cent of workers).

According to Robert Half’s data, a further 57 per cent of staff are interested in Health and Outpatient Insurance, while more than a third (35 per cent) would like mental health resources or Employee Assistance Programmes as workers struggle with burnout and other mental health issues.

ABM launches sixth year of its Junior Engineering Engagement Programme Facility services provider, ABM, is inviting the sixth cohort of students to take part in its Junior Engineering Engagement Programme (J.E.E.P) which aims to raise the profile of apprenticeships and the facilities management industry amongst young people and their parents.

The programme engages with year seven students, aged 11 to 12, and will run in four schools across London, Birmingham, Bradford, and Manchester. This year’s curriculum expands its focus to include aviation and soft services, providing students with a holistic view of the industry. Classroom sessions and field trips immerse students in core subjects like electricity, lighting, and safety. Supported by independent education charity The Talent Foundry, the programme is evaluated annually using surveys for all stakeholders, including students, teachers, and volunteers, which helps shape the future of J.E.E.P and highlights the successes of the initiative.

The programme is delivered by facilitators from The Talent Foundry and supported by ABM volunteers from across aviation and business & industry divisions who attend sessions to mentor and support students.

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Generative AI will have greater impact on white collar jobs than blue collar jobs in next 10 years

New workplace research from Pearson finds that white collar roles are under greater threat from generative AI than blue collar roles, as the technology takes a greater foothold in the global economy. The latest instalment of Pearson’s Skills Outlook series looks at ‘Gen AI Proof Jobs’ - analysing the impact of generative AI on more than 5,000 jobs in five countries – Australia, Brazil, India, the US and UK. The research shows that around 30 per cent of some white-collar roles could be done by generative AI. The findings also showed that less than one per cent of time spent on tasks involved in many blue-collar jobs could be done by generative AI.

Many of the most affected white-collar roles contain repetitive tasks – such as scheduling appointments or answering and directing calls - that could be easily replicated by generative AI. The white-collar roles that are most generative AI proof tend to be the ones involving tasks related to mathematics, like engineers. Generative AI is currently notoriously inaccurate at maths computations, making those jobs a little more AI proof for the time being.

On the flip side, many blue-collar roles - such as landscapers, mechanics, or construction workers - include manual labour or customer service elements that can’t easily be replicated by generative AI.

Compass launches regional community skills and learning hubs for training and excellence Compass Group UK & Ireland has announced the launch of Xcelerate – its new regional community skills and learning hubs for training and excellence.

The training facilities will be provided in partnership with its clients, with the view to train thousands of people every year.

Xcelerate regional community skills and learning hubs will be equipped with cutting-edge technology allowing people to train with the latest innovations to provide customers and clients with great food and great service.

Xcelerate provides training for every aspect of hospitality including culinary, facilities management, baristas, receptionists, event managers, hosts and bartenders.

The first centre and flagship site due to launch is at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, in early 2024 – called “Xcelerate with Edgbaston”. These new regional community skills and learning hubs for training and excellence are being created following conversations with its own colleagues as well as external feedback, which concluded that moving to a regional model for training would have a greater impact than a single site.

There are ongoing discussions with clients across the UK, with the view to launching Xcelerate at new locations in the future. The training options will be scaled up and down dependent on the facilities created at each site.

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