The voice of Landsec | Aspire // Bringing our community TogetherAsOne
Caxton Youth
As our three-year partnership with Caxton Youth Organisation comes to an end, we reflect on Aspire’s contribution to the charity.
See pages 014-023
“We
David Wickens
I One Magazine
Cover: Solomon Jackson, Portfolio Director at Recorra, on the Aspire Thames Path Walk for Caxton Youth.
Head of Workplace Operations & Chair of Landsec | Aspire
In our main feature this month, we bid a fond farewell to our charity partner, Caxton Youth Organisation, after three years of fundraising and volunteering for this amazing organisation.
By getting together for our Sports Days, Quiz Nights, Golf Days and Aspire Challenges, we’ve been raising money to enable Caxton Youth to support young people with physical or learning disabilities in the borough of Westminster. And who can forget our ‘DIY SOS’ volunteering event, where we donned overalls and got busy with paintbrushes to transform the charity’s Pimlico base? Thank you to everyone who has played a part in this successful collaboration. Our new charity partner is homelessness charity, The Connection – we’ll have a full introduction to them in next month’s magazine.
Well done to everyone who took part in the 27-mile Aspire Challenge hike through the Forest of Dean and Wye
Valley on 26-28 September. This was our final fundraising event in aid of Caxton Youth and we’ll have a full report in the October issue –I predict blisters and beers in equal measure!
On a more serious note, an article in this edition details the exceptional response of the team at Nova to a major incident involving a doubledecker bus collision recently. Their professionalism and care helped to ease a difficult situation and their collaboration epitomised the spirit of Aspire. Well done and thank you. Also in this issue, you can find out more about Landsec’s Workplace Managed Service business in an interview with Daisy Murray. We also have the first of regular updates from the AspireAssist 24/7 HelpDesk, which will have a new team structure from the end of October. Plus you can find out more about Melanie Innes, Strategic Account Manager for Bidvest Noonan, in our ‘5 minutes with’ column.
Rose Swainston
A round of applause for
CAROLINE RODGERS
We are pleased to shine a light on the exceptional contribution of our dedicated Workplace Implementation Manager.
Caroline’s role is fundamental to the operational readiness and performance of our buildings, and her impact is felt across every stage of mobilisation, transition and service integration. Most recently, she’s been working her magic on the Oval Works project, our new and sustainable site in Lambeth. Caroline leads with precision, professionalism and a deep understanding of the complex interdependencies that underpin the built environment. Her work spans multiple disciplines – including Development, Engineering, Workplace Operations and Finance – and she plays a central role in aligning internal teams, external partners and client stakeholders to ensure seamless delivery for golive. From mobilisation plans to risk registers, her attention to detail ensures that every mobilisation is delivered with confidence.
KEY CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
— Programme Leadership: Caroline leads the end-to-end implementation of Workplace projects, ensuring that all services — from M&E and cleaning to security and helpdesk — are fully operational by go-live. She develops and maintains detailed mobilisation plans, risk registers and delivery timelines, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget and to the highest standard.
— Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Acting as the primary point of contact during mobilisation phases, Caroline facilitates workshops, site visits and regular progress meetings. She ensures that all stakeholders are informed, engaged and aligned, managing expectations and resolving challenges with clarity and diplomacy.
— Cross-Functional Coordination: Caroline works across internal departments — including Engineering, Compliance, Health & Safety, Procurement and Finance — to ensure that all operational,
statutory and contractual requirements are met. She also liaises with external suppliers and Service Partners to ensure readiness and integration.
— Operational Readiness & Compliance: She oversees asset verification, condition surveys and the onboarding of site teams, ensuring that every building is handed over in a compliant, safe and fully functional state. Her attention to detail ensures that no element is overlooked, and that every mobilisation is delivered with confidence.
— Change Management & Continuous Improvement: Caroline supports the cultural and operational transition of services, helping teams adapt to new environments and processes. She captures lessons learned and drives continuous improvement across the implementation lifecycle.
Caroline attending the Aspire Recognition Awards. Meet
WHY CAROLINE STANDS OUT
She brings to her role a quiet strength, a collaborative mindset and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She does not seek recognition, but her work consistently delivers results that speak for themselves. Her ability to navigate complexity, build trust and deliver with integrity makes her an invaluable asset to Landsec and a trusted partner to our Aspire Service Partner teams. So, we extend our sincere thanks to Caroline for her unstinting dedication and outstanding performance.
Caroline with colleagues from her One New Change days!
MANY THANKS TO CAROLINE RODGERS FOR HER UNSTINTING DEDICATION TO THE OVAL WORKS PROJECT.
Oval Works is our new, sustainable site in Lambeth, which comes on stream at the end of this month. The 77,000-sq-ft building forms part of Oval Village, a mixed-use community with 1,360 homes and workspace for over 750 people. Oval Works has a strong focus on wellbeing, with a wellness-focused café, dedicated cycle provision and a wraparound roof garden with breathtaking views. The project has also included the restoration of an iconic, Grade II-listed gas holder. This project has presented a number of challenges and Caroline has worked tirelessly to keep the project on track. Her commitment and attention to detail are very much appreciated.
Glenn Darlison Aspire Service Delivery Director (Hard Services)
“Caroline has been a key part of the mobilisation, transition and Aspire Service Partner integration of key new Workplace assets, such as n2 and The Forge.”
David Wickens - Head of Workplace Operations & Chair of Landsec | Aspire
MANAGED SERVICE
Tailored contracts achieve
RAPID GROWTH
Collaborating with specialists in the Landsec | Aspire family, we offer customers a full-service experience, taking care of their workspace and providing value and peace of mind, so they can take care of business.
Daisy, can you explain what the Managed Service offer is?
Managed Service is essentially a Workplace solution, launched to deliver a bespoke service package through our Aspire Service Partners. This is a traditional MEBF (mechanical, electrical and building fabric) service that has the flexibility to deliver other service streams, as well as the diversity to deliver project works – both engineering and fabric tasks. It’s a single entity that can deliver any requirement within the built environment. We also assist in the pre-contractual setup and management of Landsec’s Created workspace offering. Recently, we’ve had great success with Managed Service at MediaCity.
What kinds of services can be included?
A variety of tasks – engineering, housekeeping, supply of greenery and plant care, confidential waste management, Wi-Fi provision and compliance management. For the latter, we take care of all regulations, audits and inspections for customers to meet statutory safety standards. And all PPM (planned preventive maintenance) tasks are recorded on our compliance system. In addition, the Aspire Technical Operations Centre (TOC) offers energy management reviews and can provide reports for customers on how to be more energy efficient. Then there are ad hoc tasks outside of the contract – such as electrical infrastructure, installing new desks
As Landsec’s Workplace Managed Service business has more than doubled over the past year, we interview Daisy Murray, Managed Service Account Manager, to dig deeper into the success.
or providing Christmas trees. Managed Service is perfect for customers who don’t have their own supply chain in place.
What role does the AspireAssist 24/7 HelpDesk play?
Every Managed Service customer has access to the AspireAssist 24/7 HelpDesk as part of their contract. They simply log their issue with the helpdesk and Aspire sorts it out – it’s all in one place and the job is tracked through the entire journey.
How long has Workplace Managed Service been available?
Managed Service has been available for two years, although I started as Account Manager in September 2024. Previously, I had worked for NG Bailey for a decade and then transferred to BGIS as Contract Manager for five months before joining Landsec.
What’s behind the success of Managed Service?
Our sales have more than doubled in a year, which is due to a combination of demand from customers, our commitment to delivering operational excellence and the professional approach of our Aspire Service Partners, the TOC team and the Aspire Assist Agents – all of whom show real dedication and teamwork, every day. The Aspire helpdesk team deserve a special shout-out. The helpdesk is where Managed Service begins and ends for every customer. I usually have bi-weekly meetings with my customers and not a month goes by
where the helpdesk team don’t get a mention for being so helpful. Each and every Managed Service customer compliments them.
Is the Managed Service team growing too?
Yes. It was just me but I’m increasingly relying on the support of Adele Waddington, Aspire Co-ordinator. We also have support from Jamie Boorman as our dedicated Commercial Finance Manager now, which is great, and we hope to expand the team further as the unit continues to grow.
What does the Managed Service operation at MediaCity look like?
We have three Managed Service customers at MediaCity and that should grow to five soon. The team at Equans, the site’s Maintenance & Engineering Service Partner, have been extremely helpful and hardworking in supporting me, despite dealing with big changes at the site. The Aspire helpdesk has been operational for MediaCity customers since August, so the teams there have had to be agile and work in new ways.
What are your plans for the future for Managed Service?
We’re hoping to get more customers – across both our London sites and MediaCity – and we’re hoping to deliver bigger projects. We also want to get our Service Partners together for some social activities. Our first one will be a golf event, so please look out for information about that!
Daisy Murray.
MANAGED SERVICE
“A
huge thank you to everyone in Aspire who works on Managed Service tasks. We are very proud of your contribution to the success of this great product.”
Alison Currell, Aspire Service Delivery Director (Soft Services)
Proudly delivered by
“It’s been a great team effort from all our hard services partners; without their dedication and attention to detail, this initiative would not have achieved such significant growth.”
Glenn Darlison, Aspire Service Delivery Director (Hard Services)
FAREWELL TO CAXTON YOUTH
We’ve made Pimlico perfect!
After more than three years, our partnership with Caxton Youth Organisation must draw to a close, but we’ve enjoyed a wonderful collaboration with this fantastic charity.
SSelected as our charity partner through the votes of Landsec | Aspire members back in 2022, Caxton Youth Organisation is dedicated to improving the lives of learning disabled and autistic young people in the borough of Westminster. Its youth club at its base in Pimlico provides a fun and safe space for young people to learn essential life skills. The charity also has Midge Island –a residential outdoor pursuits site on the River Wey in Surrey – plus a minibus to provide transport to and from its facilities, as well as for day trips and residentials.
The charity tailors its projects and programmes to the needs of its members, providing support to boost independence, develop personal skills, increase employability, promote inclusion and enhance wellbeing. It has six full-time and five part-time staff to support its current membership of 59 young people. “It costs around £500,000
a year to keep us running,” says Rose Swainston, the charity’s CEO. “Having financial and practical support from Aspire has made a huge difference to the service we’ve been able to provide.”
Making Pimlico perfect
Much of the practical support that Aspire has provided to Caxton Youth over the past three years has been focused on improving the charity’s base in our ‘Making Pimlico Perfect’ campaign. Early inspections of the building by technical experts from our Service Partners led them to advise Caxton Youth to invest in rewiring and new lighting. Once this work was completed, Aspire members were able to redecorate the premises in our ‘DIY SOS’ volunteering event in February 2024. Wielding paintbrushes and rollers, colleagues from our Service Partner teams, Landsec and Caxton Youth joined forces in a two-day makeover. Returning to the building afterwards was one of the highlights of the partnership for Rose Swainston. “Going back and seeing it so much brighter was
Meet the team
Marlene Aguilar, Team Co-ordinator – Workplace Operations.
great,” she says. “I’ve worked here since 2015 and it used to be rather dark and gloomy, but now it’s such a nice, warm space – a lot more welcoming and professional.”
Since the DIY event, additional work has been carried out by Aspire members at the site. New flooring has been laid throughout, with laminate used for the main rooms and vinyl for the kitchen and toilets. The banquette seating in the social area was replaced, with the pipework underneath being boxed in. New bars for the fire doors were fitted and a fire-proof hatch was installed between the kitchen and the main hall, ensuring the building was up-to-date in terms of health and safety. A professional coffee machine was recently installed, which will be used to provide training in barista skills for the young people. The room at the back of the building was given a complete overhaul – with a sink and cupboards being ripped out and
a workstation bench being built and sockets installed – in order to transform it into a music studio. The door to this room was also widened to make it suitable for wheelchairs and therefore DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliant. Caxton Youth is completing the finishing touches to this music room now, equipping it with a range of digital equipment including keyboards, mics and a mixing desk. Rose Swainston thinks that this room is the change that the young people value most. “It’s what they’ve always wanted,” she explains. “Now they can use the studio to create and edit both music and podcasts.”
Next to the music studio will be a sensory space, which is currently being developed and which will provide a valuable chill-out area for Caxton members who feel they need some time out.
“We desperately needed support for all these projects,” explains Rose Swainston. “Without Aspire’s help it would have been really difficult
to raise the money required to hire tradespeople whilst also trying to raise money to support our young people,” she explains. “There were so many tasks for us, as a small team, to manage on our own, while delivering a service at the same time. The foundations of a highquality youth service are the resources and facilities that help to realise the potential of young people. Now that Aspire has put these foundations in place, we can focus on using the space for cool and interesting projects.”
Annalisa Saba, a Trustee of Caxton and whose daughter has been a member of the youth club for 14 years, understands the value of the changes at Pimlico for the young people and their families.
“I have watched Caxton become an even more beautiful, safer, welcoming and more purposeful place to be for our children,” she says, “which makes them feel safe to be themselves, create friendships and amazing memories, and learn new things. This is the only place in Westminster that exists like this for
Meet the team
The result of our ‘Making Pimlico Perfect’ campaign.
united
Fundraising for
Raising funds at the Aspire Quiz
Night.
inclusive
our disabled children and young adults and contributes to helping so many parents get some respite from their caring role, which is relentless at times. It gives our families a lifeline to some aspects of normality, which is precious and necessary to help parents cope with their daily realities.”
Paige Kaye, Fundraising and Communications Manager for Caxton, believes that the contribution of Aspire has been transformative for the charity. “Aspire has given us over £100,000 worth of support through donations, gifts in kind and hours of labour. You’ve transformed our youth club and truly made Pimlico perfect.”
Temporary home for Caxton staff
While their Pimlico base was being rewired in the summer of 2023 and Caxton’s staff were unable to access their offices, Aspire was pleased to provide a temporary home for them.
“We were able to provide space for the Caxton team to work at One New Change and 16 Palace Street,” says Alison Currell, “which enabled them to continue to collaborate, rather than having to work solely from home.” The building works took eight months in total, which was a longer timeline than anticipated. “I really felt like part of the Aspire family,” says Rose Swainston, “because I was there every week for so long! As we were undertaking a big renovation project, it was helpful to be around people with facilities expertise, as I could ask their advice if I needed it.”
A big ‘thank you’
When it comes to what has been achieved in Making Pimlico Perfect, there are a number of people who deserve a special mention. Paige Kaye is keen to single out the team from Jaguar Building Services. “They have always been the first to put their hands up – no matter how big the ask – over the entire partnership, and we’re so grateful,” she
The Aspire Thames Path Walk team completed 24.9 miles.
Serafino
Masella...
Got to be in it to win it!
Fundraising events
Raising funds for Caxton Youth has involved a wide range of activities, from the Aspire Golf Days, Quiz Nights and Sports Days to the annual challenge events. “Our fundraising for Caxton has been very successful,” says Alison Currell, Aspire Service Delivery Director, “and it’s also been a whole lot of fun. We couldn’t have achieved what we have for our charity partner without the participation of Aspire members and their generosity.”
Events included:
Thames Path Walk – September 2022
Aspire members – along with Rose Swainston (CEO), Kate Boddington (Chair), Alex Hiscock (Youth Worker) and Tim Chatwin (Trustee) of Caxton Youth – hiked the Thames Path from Reading to Maidenhead, raising over £3000.
Yorkshire Three Peaks – October 2023
Our intrepid team walked over 39 km (24.5 miles) with 1585 m (5200 ft) of ascent in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, raising over £9,500.
Snowdon 360° – October 2024
Aspire members reached the summit (1085 m or 3560 ft) and completed the marathon-length circumnavigation of Snowdon, raising over £6,000.
London Marathon – April 2025
Ollie Harris, Workplace Support Assistant, completed the London Marathon in 5 hours and 30 minutes, raising over £3,300 for Caxton.
Forest of Dean & Wye Valley –September 2025
Our final fundraising event for Caxton Youth has just taken place –well done to everyone who took part in this 44-km (27-mile) challenge.
Brad Cordrey, Workplace
Manager at
Landsec, tackles the Aspire Snowdon
360°.
says. Jay Nel, Senior Technical Services Manager for Jaguar, has enjoyed the volunteering at Pimlico. “It’s been a privilege to work with Caxton Youth and we have enjoyed being involved with such a noble charity,” he says. He goes on to pay tribute to Dean Brown, Fabrics Manager, and his team of engineers. “They have been outstanding in delivering decorative enhancement to the space by installing partition walls, DDA doors and a lot of flooring,” says Jay. “This has made a notable difference to the overall feel of the centre and ensured a more enjoyable experience for the young people who use it.”
Alison Currell is also full of praise for the Jaguar team: “Jay and his colleagues have been so helpful. Many thanks also to 21 Engineering for generously donating the flooring. And thank you to every Aspire member who contributed in any way to our fruitful partnership
with Caxton,” she continues. “Whether you painted walls, delivered furniture, installed electrics, answered quiz questions, played golf, hiked for miles or climbed a mountain – we are truly grateful for your efforts.”
Kate Boddington, a Trustee of Caxton Youth, is keen to shine the spotlight on three members of the Landsec team. “I would like to personally thank Alison Currell and Kelly Barlow, who have worked tirelessly for Caxton and are a delight to work with, co-ordinating with all of the Aspire network members,” she says. “I’d also like to take this opportunity to recognise Marc Myers from Landsec for his dedication, as a long-standing supporter of the charity.”
Rose Swainston is also thankful for the support of the Aspire community and believes it has provided a great platform for the future. “We’ve had a really good journey with Aspire,” she says.
“The support with our building has meant that we’ve been able to grow, which we wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. We’ve got ambitions to reach even more young people and we are now in a position to make that happen.”
Our new charity partner
Our new charity partner is The Connection, an organisation dedicated to combatting homelessness in London. Look out for a detailed introduction to The Connection in next month’s edition.
Aspire Hole in One Golf Day.
“Thank you to everyone in Aspire. You’ve made such a difference in the lives of learning disabled and autistic young people. You’ve all left a legacy at Caxton, and what you’ve supported and created will have an impact on young people for so many years to come.”
Paige Kaye Fundraising and Communications Manager for Caxton Youth Organisation
“The Aspire team have gone above and beyond our expectations with their help and support for Caxton, and we will all be eternally grateful for every person’s time and contribution to making Caxton a more beautiful place to be.”
Annalisa Saba Parent and Trustee
“The Aspire-Caxton partnership has gone from strength to strength and I am grateful to all the organisations and individuals who have supported the charity over our time together. Bringing the fundraising, events and expert support together as we renovated the clubhouse was so valuable for the young people and our hard-working staff team.”
Kate Boddington Trustee
Kate Boddington.
Wilson Sterling on the Aspire Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.
In this new and regular feature, we will bring you updates on the Aspire Assist 24/7 HelpDesk.
The aim is to get to know the team better, take a look at ticket volumes and give a shout-out to the team members who are supporting us in delivering the very best service to our customers. It’s been just over three years now since the AspireAssist 24/7 HelpDesk became part of the Landsec Workplace team. In this time, we have seen many changes. The team has increased in number from 5 to 13 and has taken on the responsibility of handling all incoming calls to the main Landsec switchboard, as well as the processing of purchase orders (POs). Most recently, we launched Aspire Assist at MediaCity in Salford and the team provided training for both Service Partners and customers there. So far, the feedback on Aspire Assist at MediaCity is great!
In the last couple of months we have had a lot of movement within the team.
Jayden Tracey, Aspire Assist Agent, will take on the role of Workplace Support Assistant in Jamie Cotgreave’s team at the beginning of November. Grace Adefila, formerly Aspire Assist Administration Agent, recently moved to Capital Projects. Shamora Dalhouse, Aspire Service Delivery Manager, will sadly be leaving Landsec on 17 October.
To support the evolving needs of the business, we are changing the structure of the Aspire Assist team. I’m sure some of you will already have spoken to some of our new starters. If not, please pop by and say ‘hello’.
Next month in our Aspire Assist update, we will get to know the new team members – Dejee, Oliver and Joel – a little better.
Where every detail is carefully
This month at MYO
This month we have been extremely busy with all the final preparations for the launch of MYO King’s Cross, which took place on 26 September. The launch event attracted over a hundred agents and brokers from the real estate industry and our seventh location proved a real hit. Thank you to our wonderful teams and Service Partners for helping to make MYO King’s Cross a success and continuing to provide excellent service for MYO members at all our sites. Your dedication is one of the factors driving MYO’s growth and our enviable Net Promoter Score (see below). Your efforts do not go unnoticed – thank you!
Becca Munroe
Workplace Operations & Experience Director
Stand-out status for MYO Liverpool Street
CBRE UK, the real estate services provider, recently highlighted 20 standout serviced office spaces in London in its latest curated guide – and MYO Liverpool Street topped the list! The workspaces were selected for their design, amenities and business appeal. Congratulations to the MYO Liverpool Street team.
MYO Piccadilly ranks no. 21 in The Tallys
We’re also delighted to report that MYO Piccadilly achieved spot number 21 in The Tallys, the ranking of the top 100 workspaces from Tally Workspace, the online marketplace for office space. Another great result!
Green-fingered volunteers
Well done to the Principle Cleaning team and Viktoria Vakratsa, Flexible Workplace Manager, for volunteering at Richard House Children’s Hospice in Beckton last month for the charity’s Gardening Day. “It was a chance to get stuck in, tidy up the gardens and give something back to such an incredible place,” explains Sylwia Romanowska, Operations Director for Principle. “We rolled up our sleeves for a mix of pruning and watering. It was a lovely way to spend time together as a team but, more importantly, to help make the hospice gardens a welcoming and peaceful space for the children and families who use them.”
Amazing average NPS
Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a popular method of measuring customer experience by surveying customers to find out how likely they are to recommend a business to other people. In the year 2024-25, MYO achieved a portfolio average NPS of 40, with MYO St Paul’s scoring 69. This is a fantastic result that we are looking to replicate – or even improve on – this year. Keep up the good work!
Viktoria Vakratsa, Flexible Workplace Manager.
5 minutes with…
Melanie Innes
Strategic Account Manager, Bidvest Noonan
What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy spending quality time with my family – my husband, 8-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter. We enjoy outdoor activities, particularly family hikes and exploring new trails together. Epping Forest is a favourite destination. I enjoy jogging and generally keeping fit. I also enjoy baking and my kids often jump in to help out – not just with the measuring and mixing, but also with the fun part of licking the bowls afterwards! It’s these precious moments that create lasting memories.
What’s on your bucket list?
I would love to visit Japan and experience its rich culture firsthand, from visiting ancient temples and karate dojos (my kids are keen karate students) to enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms in spring. The Serengeti is also on my list, as I’ve always wanted to witness the incredible wildlife migration it’s famous for.
Are you a fan of anything or anyone?
I’m a big fan of the South African rugby (Springboks) and cricket (Proteas) teams. I am South African and moved to the UK when I was 21. I played cricket when I was younger – in fact, I was captain of the girls’ cricket team at secondary school. However, I am the biggest fan of my husband, who has always been my strength and pillar. He’s Scottish and a proud Celtic supporter. His unwavering support inspires me to strive for excellence in both my personal and professional life.
Do you have any mantras in business or in life?
‘Keep pushing forward’ – this reminds me to stay resilient, take on learning opportunities and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.
What would you say is your greatest achievement?
Balancing my professional life with being a dedicated mother. It’s rewarding to see my children grow and thrive, whilst still maintaining my professional career and development.
Have you been inspired by anything you’ve seen, read or experienced lately?
In the past few months, one of the most inspiring pieces I’ve listened to is an audiobook, ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear. It focusses on the power of small, incremental changes that lead to significant improvements over time. It emphasizes how developing good habits can transform your life.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you were younger?
I wish I’d listened to ‘Atomic Habits’ years ago as it certainly inspired me and could have done so earlier. However, making small changes leads to bigger things and embracing that at any time in your life is certainly a positive.
Do you have any regrets?
Not really. I find that any experience, whether it is good or bad, has taught me valuable lessons that have shaped who I am today.
Do you have any pets?
No. Our kids would like a puppy but having one doesn’t fit with our working hours at the moment.
What’s your all-time favourite movie?
I have to admit that I’m not really a movie-watching person. I enjoy a really good Netflix series though.
What was your first ever job?
My first job was working at Calsonic, a factory in Port Elizabeth that manufactured catalytic converters. My role was end-of-line inspector and I really enjoyed it. I was 18 at the time worked there for three years, until I moved to the UK. It taught me the importance of dedication and teamwork.
What would you say is your best skill in business?
Building strong relationships and promoting teamwork amongst colleagues. I believe that understanding and connecting with people is key to success. What’s your favourite part of your working day or week?
I love collaborating with teams. Using our combined energy and creativity for brainstorming sessions is crucial to our shared successes. I find that these collaborative moments not only boost morale but also promote camaraderie among team members. And your least favourite?
Dealing with administrative tasks. Whilst I appreciate its importance, I find admin less engaging and quite time consuming. I prefer to engage with people and projects, which I find more fulfilling. Seeing great end results is very motivating and shapes us for the next exciting project.
Melanie at the Aspire Quiz Night.
Have you noticed?
Look out for the brand-new #AspireAsOne noticeboards, which are popping up in welfare spaces across the Workplace portfolio. This is where you’ll be able to find all the latest Aspire information – including details of our Aspire Higher campaign. Check out the poster and simply scan the QR code if you want to give a ‘high five’ to a colleague. You can nominate a team member who has demonstrated one of the Aspire purposes – Customer Service, Excellence, Integrity or Respect – and they may get the chance to attend our exclusive Aspire Awards dinner next April.
There is also a poster about the Landsec | Aspire 100% Club. Did you know that Aspire members with zero absence in this contract year will automatically be entered into our exclusive prize draw to win £1500 worth of Trailfinders gift vouchers? Whether you fancy soaking up the sun in Sorrento or hiking in the hills around Hanoi, the 100% Club could be your ticket to holiday heaven.
Another QR code at the bottom of the noticeboard links directly to the One Magazine page of the Landsec website, where you can read recent issues. We are also developing an Aspire app to help our communications reach a wider audience – watch this space!
Football match kicks off charity partnership
We’re delighted to reveal that our new charity partner is The Connection, an organisation committed to tackling homelessness in London.
To kick-start Aspire’s fundraising and to mark World Homeless Day, we’ve collaborated with BGIS to organise a charity football match on Friday 10 October between BGIS and Aspire All Stars.
Everyone is welcome to come and watch the match, which kicks off at 7pm at Coram’s Fields (what3words: /// switch.pinch.couple), so please come along to support your colleagues.
The teams will be 8-a-side, mixedgender from various Service Partners and there will be a trophy for the winning team and a Player of the Match award. Fruit and water will be provided for players.
Each team will also feature two people from The Connection and the charity will have an information stand at the event with details of their work. All donations will be very gratefully received either through cash on the day or via the JustGiving page (please scan the QR code below). We’ll be featuring The Connection in our October issue, where you can read more about their fantastic work to provide support for those experiencing homelessness.
Many thanks to BGIS, who are covering the costs of the pitch hire, FA-certified referee and refreshments.
Beach boys and girls
Well done to the Bidvest Noonan team for undertaking a beachcleaning session at Gabriel’s Wharf recently. The 10-strong team collected rubbish from the banks of the Thames, which was then weighed and disposed of by Recorra.
“We managed to collect 52.4 kg of waste,” says Lawrence Merry, Estate Security Manager, “and we all agreed it felt great to do something for the city we live and work in. I’m proud of the team and what we achieved on the day.”
Nova team responds to serious incident
Well done to the team at Nova for responding swiftly and professionally to a major incident earlier this month.
A double-decker bus left the road and collided with pedestrians and street furniture in Victoria Street on 4 September. A total of 17 people were injured in the accident, which made national news.
The Aspire team sprang into action and provided an area for emergency responders to assess and treat the casualties. Later that day, Landsec received a letter of thanks from a senior representative of the London Ambulance Service, who wrote: “I am certain that providing us with this support helped us to respond more effectively to those caught up in the
emergency, bringing relief and better care than in the windy and wet street of central London…please pass on my gratitude to the members of the team.”
Jenny Harper, Senior Workplace Manager, sent a grateful e-mail to Aspire members the following day.
“The Bidvest Noonan security team were exceptional – calm and organised,” she wrote. “They worked seamlessly with the emergency services, providing reassurance, guidance and assistance to passengers, ensuring safety and confidence throughout. The Regular cleaning team were on hand and assisted by deploying barriers in
conjunction with Jaguar Building Services. JBS then promptly inspected and completed remedials to a bollard.
The Rapport front-of-house team provided support for the passengers and helped set up the refuge area, whilst ensuring the reception area continued to function efficiently despite the disruption...I could not be more impressed by how everyone handled the situation.”
Martyn Pharo, Senior Workplace Manager, also showered the team with praise: “What unfolded at Nova epitomises what true teamwork looks like. The response was calm, professional and incredibly well co-ordinated – a shining example of what can be achieved when everyone pulls together with a shared sense of purpose, embodying the spirit of Aspire. Every team involved played their part seamlessly, responding swiftly and with genuine care for those affected. Whether on the ground, behind the scenes, or supporting ongoing operations, the level of collaboration and dedication on display was nothing short of outstanding.”
Mark Allan, CEO of Landsec, also paid tribute to the Nova team’s response. “I witnessed the immediate aftermath of Thursday morning’s awful accident,” he wrote in an e-mail, “and heard subsequently how brilliantly our team and partners responded in assisting the emergency services with access to Nova South and no doubt much more. To then see the letter of thanks from the Ambulance Service only serves to demonstrate how impactful and positive our team’s response was, and how much it was appreciated.”
Many thanks to everyone who played a part in this exceptional response.
Nova, Victoria.
Landsec | Aspire is always looking for your feedback to help us give praise where it’s due. Whether you’re a team member or a Landsec customer, let us have your Player of the Month votes and winners will be featured in One Magazine.
What are the Aspire Awards?
Every month a ‘Player/Team of the Month’ is voted on by you and your Aspire colleagues from nominations by Aspire team members and Landsec customers. Winners receive a certificate and some well-deserved prizes.
It is a credit to everyone that each month lots of nominations are received, illustrating just how good the Aspire team is and how team members are held in such high regard by the people they work with.
How do your workmates reflect the Aspire purposes? — Customer Service — Excellence — Integrity — Respect
Aspire PLAYER OF THE MONTH August ‘25
Each month we salute the people recognised by you for exceptional performance or for simply being a great team member. Nominations can now be made by emailing aspireplayerofthemonth@landsec.com or directly via WhatsApp on 07702 908921
Dynamic duo at Lucent
WWell done to Joe Mudd and Ken Woolner of Bidvest Noonan for winning our Player of the Month award, as voted by Aspire members.
When a customer employee was taken ill at Lucent recently, Joe Mudd (Deputy Estate Security Manager) and Ken Woolner (Security Controller) stepped in to assist.
Joe went straight to the customer’s floor to offer First Aid, whilst the emergency services were called. He kept the customer’s team, Landsec and Ken informed throughout. “So much so,” says Brad Cordrey, Workplace Manager, “that our main operational contact for the customer was made aware by us, before their own staff members!” When the emergency services attended, Ken co-
ordinated with them to ensure speedy arrival with the patient.
The pair were praised for their actions in an e-mail from the customer a few days later. “I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your assistance with the incident on our floor last week,” wrote a representative. “A special shout-out goes to Joe, who provided fantastic support to our team. I was extremely pleased and reassured, knowing that you were there to help. We truly value your efforts and the professionalism you bring to keeping us safe – please know that your hard work does not go unnoticed!”
Many thanks to Joe and Ken for their fantastic response.
Lucent, Piccadilly.