LS2159 Aspire One Newsletter - Issue 61 April 2021

ISSUE 61 : APRIL 2021

One

The voice of Landsec | Aspire // Bringing our community TogetherAsOne

Embrace the

great outdoors

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is Nature and there are lots of ways that you can get involved. See pages 006-013

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For information regarding the articles in this magazine contact aspire@landsec.com Landsec, 100 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5JL

+44 (0) 20 7413 9000

aspire@landsec.com

One newsletter is keen to welcome points of view from Landsec staff and Service Partners. Therefore, the views expressed in this newsletter are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Landsec. We welcome contributions whether through social media, email, letters or stories. Please forward contributions to aspire@landsec.com

Cover and inset: Getting closer to nature on the The Aspire Peak District Challenge 2018.

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The Lord Mayor of London at One New Change.

David Wickens One Editor-in-Chief david.wickens@landsec.com

Kelly Barlow One Editor kelly.barlow@landsec.com

David Wickens Operations Director & Chair of Landsec | Aspire

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There’s a great deal to be positive about this month. Not only has the sunshine made a welcome return, the easing of restrictions signals progress along the UK’s roadmap to recovery.

delayed career progression and that the office environment is better for managing relationships, training and mentoring. This growing confidence and desire for face-to-face collaboration is fantastic news for all of us.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the successful reopening of nonessential retail and outdoor hospitality across the London Portfolio. I know you are all working very hard to ensure the continued safety of customers and visitors. It was particularly good to welcome the Lord Mayor of London to One New Change as part of his tour of the City as it emerged from lockdown.

I’m also delighted to welcome two new Service Partners – Otis and Kone – to the Landsec | Aspire family. Please take a moment to say ‘hello’ to your new colleagues if you see them at work on your lifts or escalators.

Recent research shows increasing confidence about a return to the office, with 58% of workers saying they would be comfortable returning from April 12th, rising to 67% by June 21st. Many people feel that remote working has

I’m sure you’ll agree with me that it’s wonderful to see the buzz beginning to return to our capital at last!

As ever, stay safe.

Martin French One Design & Layout martin@tigerbaydesign.co.uk

Heidi Scott One Copywriter heidi@tigerbaydesign.co.uk

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The Rt Hon William Russell, 692nd Lord Mayor of the City of London. Photography by Micky Lee.

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The Lord Mayor of London On 14th April as part of his journey around The City to meet with businesses emerging from lockdown, The Rt Hon William Russell, 692nd Lord Mayor of the City of London, was welcomed to ONC by Marc Myers (Landsec Senior Centre Director) and Becca Bailey (Landsec Retail Experience Executive), along with members of the Cheapside Business Alliance.

Taking place in the week that hospitality and non-essential retail in the City officially reopened, the Lord Mayor’s tour included visits to Nespresso, Marks & Spencer and Madison. He was keen to understand the safety measures in place to meet Government Covid-19 guidelines and was happy to have his temperature taken by Madison staff prior to visiting the rooftop bar and restaurant, where customers can now enjoy meals on the terrace.

“This is a move in the right direction towards returning the Square Mile to the vibrant and thriving ecosystem that it always has been,” commented the Lord Mayor. “Businesses have been working extremely hard to ensure that they are able to welcome back visitors and workers in the safest way possible, whilst still maintaining the buzz and vibrancy we have all missed so much.”

The City of London Corporation is playing its part in supporting firms, including a new Covid Business Recovery Fund of up to £50 million aimed at small and medium businesses.

It is also continuing its revised Al Fresco Eating and Drinking Policy to issue pavement licenses free of charge for suitable premises.

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Aspire Peak District Challenge 2018

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10-16 May MENTAL HE ALTH AWARENESS WEEK

Connect with nature

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With increasing interest in improving mental health and getting rid of the stigma that has traditionally surrounded it, Mental Health Awareness Week has become a popular fixture in the UK calendar and one that the Landsec | Aspire community is always keen to support.

This year’s theme of Nature reflects the important role that the natural world has played for many of us through the challenges of the pandemic. Research shows that taking a walk outside was one of the top coping strategies for the social and emotional issues brought by Coronavirus, and that experiencing green spaces and wildlife has been vital for our mental health.

The positive effects of nature were well known before Covid-19 though. Back in the 1960s, a study in the US found that hospital patients who had a view of nature recovered faster than those who did not. There is a wealth of evidence that the natural world helps us to deal with stress, enhances our creativity and gives us a sense of wonder.

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The green ribbon – the international symbol for mental health awareness – will be worn by millions of people during #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.

This year, as well as ribbons and pin badges, face coverings with a green ribbon design are also available.

Landsec is once again supporting Mental Health Awareness Week to help colleagues recognise and reduce stress in their work and personal lives in order to maintain good mental health, and there are several ways you can get involved and #ConnectWithNature.

Q&S Webinar Landscaping Service Partner Q&S will be hosting a live webinar to highlight the relationship between wellbeing and plants. Presented by Q&S Contracts Manager, Jamie Westcott, this event will explain the positive effects that the sight, scent and texture of plants – and the act of gardening itself – can have on mental health. You can find out about easy-care indoor plants and there will also be a chance to ask Jamie your plant and gardening questions.

All Aspire colleagues are welcome to join the webinar from 1.00-2.00pm on Wednesday 12th May – speak to your line manager if you want to sign up.

Photo competition

Quiz

Get snapping for the Landsec Nature & The Environment photography competition, in which you can enter a photo of a landscape or environment that is important to you, makes you happy or supports good mental health.

It could be a view from your dog walk, your vegetable patch or your favourite beach – whatever inspires you!

Another Quizsec is planned for Friday 14th May. Give your brain a workout in a team of 6, with any conferring via a group chat and your captain answering the questions on Kahoot. Ask your line manager for details on how to join.

The competition will be judged by Kelly Rimmer (Guest Services Manager for Rapport), Miles Watson-Smyth (MD of Windowflowers), Thomas Kluza (Sales & Account Manager at Windowflowers) and Jay Wood (Guest Relations Manager for Landsec’s Outlet Portfolio). The winner will get the chance to go to Christmas Common in Oxfordshire in October to help select the Christmas trees for the London Portfolio, as well as visiting Windowflowers at their nursery for some floristry tuition.

To take part, Landsec & Retail employees should send their entries to jay.wood@landsec.com, while Aspire members should send their photos to kelly.rimmer@rapportservice.com.

Please get your photos in by 2pm on Thursday 13th May as judging will take place that afternoon, with the winner being announced on Friday 14th May.

Mental Health First Aid course Office Concierge is offering a Mental Health First Aid course and all Aspire team members are welcome to attend. The training will cover topics including understanding the signs and symptoms of mental ill health, how to open conversations on mental health and how to help someone experiencing crisis.

The course will take place in late May or early June – the date is yet to be decided and Office Concierge is keen to hear from anyone interested

by Friday 14th May, in order to plan timings and accommodate as many people as possible. If you would like to take part, please send an e-mail to annaross@officeconcierge.co.uk.

Aspire Peak District Challenge 2018

Landsec Nature & The Environment Photography Competition ENTER NOW

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James Gladding - NG Bailey Account Director, Aspire Peak District Challenge 2018.

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Solomon Jackson - Head Of Corporate Accounts at Bywaters, Aspire Three Peaks Challenge 2017.

Aspire Lake District Triple Challenge 2019.

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There is something to be wondered at in all of Nature.

Aristotle Greek philosopher

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Aspire Lake District Triple Challenge 2019.

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With fresh styling and a brand-new cleaning team in place, it’s all change at Dashwood. Aspire One magazine spoke to Louise Ody, Landsec Workspace Manager at the Liverpool Street property, to find out more.

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“There are exciting changes happening here at Dashwood,” explained Louise.

“As well as complete refurbishment of the building, we’re trialling combined service provision across our latest customer propositions, starting with the cleaning workstream.”

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Office Space

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Louise Ody - Landsec Workspace Manager.

Aspire One Christmas 2019.

There are exciting changes happening here at Dashwood.

As well as complete refurbishment of the building, we’re trialling combined service provision across our latest customer propositions, starting with the cleaning workstream.

Louise Ody Landsec Workspace Manager at Dashwood

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Office Space

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Dashwood is now home to Landsec’s new Office Space concepts – Myo, Customised and Blank Canvas – and Principle Cleaning won the contract for cleaning across all three brands after a tendering process.

and-match,” explained Louise, “so colleagues have more choice in what they wear. The Uniqlo brand is renowned for its sustainability, of course, but it’s also smart yet comfortable.”

“The contract only began on 1st April,” continued Louise, “but it’s going well so far. Supervisor Scheila Costa and Operations Manager Gosia Wudarczyk are both very engaged, which is great and helps me enormously.”

Other changes at Dashwood include the use of innovative technology to take cleaning to new levels. “We’re introducing ATP testing, which means the use of instant swab tests to assess microbial levels after cleaning,” said Louise. “It enables us to detect the high-touch points that we need to focus our efforts on.”

Using one team across the entire workspace secures real benefits for the business. “It gives us an important degree of resilience and flexibility,” said Louise. “If there are team members absent for some reason or a higher workload in one area, we can balance our resources more easily. In addition,” she continued, “having just one cleaning team means the customer experience is seamless for everyone.”

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The team members at Dashwood are sporting new uniforms featuring Uniqlo clothing. “The new uniforms are mix-

Dashwood is also implementing Principle Cleaning’s PCS Connect washroom-monitoring system.

“This technology allows us to optimise washroom cleaning schedules based on usage,” explained Louise. “The system uses movement sensors to capture real-time washroom footfall data. This is fed into an interactive app that assigns appropriate cleaning resources and monitors trends.”

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Members of the Landsec | Aspire community joined with an estimated billion people worldwide to mark Earth Day on 22nd April.

Launched back in 1970, Earth Day is a global event to educate and inspire action on environmental issues. The movement works with more than 75,000 partners in over 192 countries to drive positive action and policy change to benefit our planet. The theme for Earth Day 2021 was Restore Our Earth, with the emphasis on ways to build up the world’s natural ecosystems.

“We shared helpful hints and links to information on topics such as sustainable fashion and growing airpurifying plants with our teams,” explained Kelly Rimmer, Guest Services Manager for Rapport. “There were also links to webinars and some amazing films. Colleagues were encouraged to take part in the online quizzes on the Earth Day website on subjects including Species Protection, Climate Change, Plastic Pollution in the Oceans, Deforestation and Clean Energy.”

Education is a key part of Earth Day, with the aim of boosting climate and environmental literacy among people worldwide. You can try the quizzes out yourself at www.earthday.org

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Kelly Rimmer, Guest Services Manager for Rapport.

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TogetherAsOne, we have the power to Restore Our Earth.

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LIFT OFF FOR

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& We are delighted to welcome lift specialists Otis and Kone to the Landsec | Aspire family. These new Service Partners will support the engineering service stream along with current Service Partner, D2E. In this issue of One magazine we introduce Otis, with Kone featuring in a later edition.

Otis is now maintaining the lifts at Cardinal Place and 80-100 Victoria Street. The contract began on 1st April but there was no fooling around for Otis, with no less than 33 team members being mobilised that first day across 11 Landsec sites nationally.

80-100 Victoria Street.

Within the London Portfolio, service delivery managers and engineers from Otis introduced themselves to the Aspire team and reviewed the lifts and escalators to ensure safety and identify any potential work.

Otis is the world’s leading company for elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service. Its solutions move a staggering 2 billion people a day and the company maintains more than 2 million customer units worldwide.

We look forward to working with representatives of Otis as we continue to AspireAsOne.

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Aspire SERVICE STREAMS

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Go the extra mile A shout-out is in order for Kristina Jakaityte (Portfolio Manager) and Charles Walden (Senior Portfolio Manager) of NJC, who were extremely accommodating when the gym at The Nova Building was being redecorated recently.

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Landsec Assistant Workspace Manager Kelly Barlow explains, “Whilst we were completing the redecoration works in the gym in time for the grand opening on the Monday, Kristina and Charles kindly helped out by pushing their deep clean back until the Saturday, when the decorating works would be finished.

In addition, Charles has been very helpful in sourcing items for the residents’ hampers.”

Thank you, Charles and Kristina – you always go the extra mile to make life a little easier for others.

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Kristina Jakaityte at the Aspire Cocktail Masterclass.

Charles Walden at the Aspire Recognition Awards.

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REMEMBERING

Dawn Seaton 1964 - 2021

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It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Dawn Seaton after a short battle with cancer. Dawn worked as part of the Aspire Helpdesk team at NG Bailey (now AspireAssist).

Dawn, 56, originally came to NG Bailey as a temp but her lively personality and great work ethic meant she was soon offered a permanent role. From 2017 she worked as a helpdesk operator, originally being based in the Angel Building and then moving to One New Change.

“Dawn had a heart of gold,” said Connie Bartlett, her colleague at AspireAssist.

“She was the bubbliest, kindest person.

From the minute she walked in the office, she would be offering to make everyone a tea or coffee, even if she wasn’t having one herself. You could hear her laugh from a mile away,” continued Connie, “and she was forever laughing and making people laugh. She also enjoyed having a harmless flirt!

“Katie, Francesca and I used to meet Dawn in the morning outside One New Change. Every day she would try to get up to sit on the wall but she never could push herself up – one of us would have to give her a hand to get up there but we would all laugh so much watching her try, and then help her once she was up so she wouldn’t fall backwards!

“She will truly be missed,” concluded Connie. “She was everyone’s friend and the office will not be the same without her.”

Dawn was a very family-oriented person. She was a carer for her mum, who lived with her, and enjoyed spending time with her wider family and her son, Aston. The Landsec | Aspire community extends sincere condolences to Dawn’s colleagues, friends and family.

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Dawn had a heart of gold. She was the bubbliest, kindest person. From the minute she walked in the office, she would be offering to make everyone a tea or coffee, even if she wasn’t having one herself. You could hear her laugh from a mile away.

Connie Bartlett NG Bailey

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Dawn Seaton enjoying Aspire at All Star Lanes in 2018.

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Aspire STAFF RECOGNITION AWARDS

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We recognise & reward 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.

Aspire Recognition Awards 2019.

What are the Aspire Staff Recognition Awards?

Every month a ‘Player / Team of the Month’ is selected from nominations by you, other 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 excel in the Aspire values?

— Determined — Inclusive — Driven — United

Have your say AspireAsOne.co.uk

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Aspire PLAYER OF THE MONTH

March ‘21

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 via AspireAsOne.co.uk

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Team of the month

Two members of the engineering team at 123 Victoria Street have been singled out for praise by a Myo client.

When an air conditioning problem arose on an unusually warm day in late March, the client’s offices soon became unbearably hot. Suffering staff members were sent home but a few senior staff had to stay in the building due to work deadlines.

When two executives escaped for a few minutes to get cool outside, they came across a couple of Aspire engineers on their lunch break, who greeted them and asked if they were enjoy the sunshine.

On hearing that there was a technical problem, the pair – Vincent Loftus and Ellis Georghious of NG Bailey – immediately put down their lunch and

went inside to control the situation, despite the client’s pleas for them to finish their lunch first.

Having opening windows for a short while to bring instant relief, Vincent and Ellis successfully brought the temperature down and then monitored it both physically and via their systems. They continued to check in with the client and update them on progress, which the customer found very reassuring.

The client commented that this was not the first time the Aspire engineering team had gone “above and beyond” and that they were “selfless, professional and a pleasure to work with”, as well as “a credit to Landsec”.

Winners ASPIRE ENGINEERING AT 123 VICTORIA STREET Vincent Loftus Ellis Georghious

Well done, Vincent and Ellis for this shining example of being driven to provide an exceptional Customer Experience!

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Aspire Mental Health Week 2018

We’re moving up to participate in Purple Tuesday 365, in order to help keep our focus on enhancing access and inclusion for disabled people all year round.

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Digital accessibility webinar

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20 May Purple Tuesday 365 is hosting a webinar on digital accessibility entitled ‘Creating Accessible Online Content – a necessity today’ and colleagues from across the Aspire network are invited to take part.

The webinar will take place from 2.00 to 3.30pm on Thursday 20th May, which is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose of GAAD is to get people thinking, talking and learning about digital access, with the aim of improving digital inclusion for the more than one billion people worldwide with disabilities or impairments.

In the webinar, Mike Adams, CEO of Purple, will be joined by a number of digital experts to offer practical hints and tips to help organisations create accessible online content and make digital assets more accessible, including case studies from international companies.

If you would like to participate in the webinar, ask your line manager for details on how to book a place.

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Silence to mark lives lost A National Day of Reflection to remember those whose lives have been lost to Covid-19 was held on the anniversary of the first lockdown.

Colleagues from the Landsec | Aspire community joined millions of people across the UK in holding a minute’s silence at midday, remembering victims and the families who grieve for them.

In the evening, landmarks across the country – including the London Eye, Blackpool Tower and Edinburgh Castle – were illuminated in yellow and many people lit candles on their doorsteps.

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