Grapevine

14 November 2025

Welcome to this week’s Grapevine, the place to get your bitesize FM updates in one place, in a handy five-minute read.

Got a story for us? Please send news stories & press releases to: newsdesk@twinfm.com.

Tributes Planted at National Memorial Arboretum

On Thursday 30th October, members of the Atlas team joined the Royal British Legion at the National Memorial Arboretum, volunteering to prepare the Field of Remembrance ahead of its unveiling the following day.

Each year, the Field of Remembrance becomes a place of quiet reflection, a space where thousands of tributes are laid to honour those who gave their lives in service to the nation. This year holds particular significance, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. 35,000 handwritten tributes from families across the UK now form part of a remarkable display, each carrying a deeply personal message of remembrance and gratitude.

The tributes take many forms, from the traditional Remembrance cross to symbols representing faiths across the world, including the Muslim crescent, Star of David, Sikh Khanda, Hindu Om, and secular commemorative markers. Together, they create a moving testament to unity, sacrifice, and shared memory.

Atlas Workplace Services is proud to have held a facilities management contract with the Royal British Legion for several years. For the volunteering team, it was a privilege to play a small part in bringing this display to life, planting tributes that honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served, and continue to serve, in defence of our country.

David Tarbuck, Atlas Group Marketing Director, said:“Remembrance Day is a special event for many of us with family members or friends who have served in the Armed Forces. We were pleased to have helped the National Memorial Arboretum build this year’s Field of Remembrance, which includes tens of thousands of personal messages. Atlas has signed the Armed Forces Covenant and we are committed to supporting Forces personnel - past and present - and their families."

The Field of Remembrance will remain open to visitors at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, until 16th November.

As Philippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance at the Royal British Legion, reflected:

“Remembrance is part of our nation’s culture and means so much to so many people.”

Reconomy Connect Partners With Reskinned to Help Retailers Keep Unwanted Clothes in Circulation

Reconomy Connect, a brand by Reconomy, the leading international circular economy specialist, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Reskinned, a circular fashion platform, to make it easier for its retail customers to keep unwanted clothes in use for longer.

Reconomy Connect’s partnership with Reskinned will help bring the platform’s solution to its leading retail customers, supporting them to rise up the waste hierarchy by focusing on reuse. It aims to make circular fashion scalable, credible and low-effort by creating more options to rehome unwanted clothes and extend product lifecycles. It also aims to open up new commercial opportunities for retailers.

Reskinned has over 20 years’ recycling experience and combines technology and textile expertise to recondition, resell, repair and recycle clothing at scale. It collects unwanted clothes and sorts them by hand before undergoing a thorough grading process to assess quality and condition. Quality items are sold back to the public on its resale platform for up to 60% off their original price, while others are repurposed or recycled ensuring nothing goes to landfill.

This partnership comes at a time of strong second-hand goods sales in the UK, with the Centre for Economics and Business Research forecasting sales of £4.8bn this year, up from £4.3bn in 2024. Two-thirds of Britons bought second-hand goods online last year, keeping 199 million products in circulation and preventing them from ending up in landfill. This is important progress given textile waste contributes to significant levels of pollution with discarded items taking decades to decompose.

Dave Seal-Yates, Head of Circular Solutions at Reconomy Connect, a brand by Reconomy, commented: “We are excited to partner with Reskinned to provide brands with easy-to-implement, EPR-compliant takeback solutions that not only help remediate faulty customer returns, but also get more products back into circulation; turning challenges into opportunities for both profit and sustainability. Through this partnership, brands will also gain access to innovative recycling solutions and be able to join Reskinned’s fibre-to-fibre programmes, closing the loop on textile waste.”

Matt Hanrahan, Co-Founder at Reskinned, added: “We are pleased to be partnering with a best-in-class, technology-led international circularity business that works with some of the biggest brands in the world. By coming together, we can help more retailers rehome unwanted clothes and accelerate the shift towards a more sustainable fashion future.”

Compass Celebrates Success at Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards

Compass Group UK & Ireland celebrated being named the Large Employer of the Year, for the second consecutive year, at the annual Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards 2025. The event took place at the Hilton London Metropole, on 7 November and was attended by over 700 people.

Marking a decade since its launch – the event celebrates the nation’s most inspiring apprentices and the employers, learning providers, and institutions that champion them. Founded by The Pathway Group, The Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards aim to showcase talent and diversity within multicultural communities through the celebration of those working hard to overcome adversity to achieve their goals through apprenticeships.

Compass Group UK & Ireland took home the award in the Large Employer of the Year category, against tough competition across a range of sectors, for their commitment in attracting and supporting apprentices from diverse backgrounds. The company now has over 700 people learning through apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 6 with subjects ranging from culinary to finance, facilities management and HR.

In addition, the following Compass apprentices were recognised as Highly Commended in their categories:

Intermediate Apprenticeship - Zyanya Cadman – Production Chef, ESS

Retail, Hospitality & Tourism - Victoria Caroline Pedro Decker - Head of Housekeeping at a school within Lodestone House

Jonathan Foot, Director of Skills and Early Careers, Compass Group UK & Ireland said: “A huge shoutout to our five fantastic apprentices who made the shortlisted - especially Zyanya and Victoria who were highly commended – they made us all so proud.

Winning Large Employer of the Year for the second year in a row at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards is an incredible achievement. This truly reflects our culture and dedication to nurturing talent and creating opportunities for all. A big well done to our entire team!

I would also like to congratulate our partner HIT Training, who were named Large Learning Provider of the Year.”

Compass was also on the shortlist for:

Intermediate Apprenticeship

Kundai Nazare – Commis Chef, Eurest

Retail, Hospitality & Tourism
Junior Geyoro – Business Development Exec Chef, Chartwells Universities
Albert Barbuta - Hospitality Head Chef, Restaurant Associates

Retail, Hospitality & Tourism

Compass Group UK & Ireland

31 October

The Manchester Cleaning Show Returns For 2026

The Manchester Cleaning Show, the UK’s second-largest cleaning and hygiene trade event after London, will return to Manchester Central on 18–19 February 2026, bringing together the brightest industry innovators and decision-makers from across the North.

Attendee registration is now open, but organisers are also encouraging suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers to secure their exhibition space early to make the most of the growing demand for northern connections.

Major names are already confirmed for the 2026 show, including Jangro, Killis, Lucart, Team Software, BICSc, Tork, Northwood Hygiene, i-Team, Embassy UK, and SC Johnson Professional.

With a reputation as the North’s essential cleaning and FM event, the show provides a platform to connect businesses with buyers and influencers from across the likes of hospitality, healthcare, large venues, and education. Exhibitors can showcase innovations, build relationships, and gain practical insights that drive real business growth.

The 2024 show attracted over 80 exhibitors and 2,500 attendees, and the 2026 edition will look to build on that success, delivering access to a commercially significant regional audience.

Notably, 76% of the 2024 attendees did not attend this year’s London event, making Manchester a unique gateway to reach regional buyers. In addition, 79% of the 2024 visitors held purchasing power, and 27% controlled budgets exceeding £1 million, with organisations such as Asda, Savills, Heathrow, Royal Mail, David Lloyd, and leading UK universities all in attendance.

Paul Sweeney, event director, said: “The Manchester Cleaning Show has become the heartbeat of the industry in the North. Exhibiting here puts your brand directly in front of high-value decision-makers who want to connect locally, do business face-to-face, and discover what’s new. For any company looking to grow its reach beyond London, this is where those opportunities begin.”

The 2026 Manchester Cleaning Show will feature live product demonstrations, expert-led seminars, and networking opportunities, alongside an exhibition floor showcasing the latest products and sustainable solutions driving the industry forward.

Exhibitors and sponsors can now secure their space at https://cleaningshow.co.uk/manchester. Attendees can register here to secure their place today.

BCIA Calls on FMs to Showcase Sustainability Leadership in new 2026 Awards Category

The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) is urging facilities management professionals to showcase their achievements in energy efficiency, carbon reduction and building management by entering a brand-new category at the BCIA Awards 2026 – the Sustainability Strategy Champion (Site or Portfolio Management).

This new category recognises the end client, in-house facility manager or team that has demonstrated a long-term commitment to decarbonising a building or portfolio of buildings through the effective use of Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS). The winner will able to demonstrate a clear, evidence-based strategy that is delivering measurable energy and carbon savings, highlighting how BEMS can transform building performance by optimising energy use, improving comfort and supporting occupant wellbeing.

Open exclusively to end clients and in-house FM teams, this category celebrates the people that are leading by example, not only through setting ambitious sustainability and energy targets but also achieving them. Judges will be looking for innovation, measurable results, and evidence of lasting impact, alongside testimonials from manufacturer partners or installers.

Commenting, BCIA President Stacey Lucas said: “Facilities management plays a vital role in achieving the UK’s net zero goals, and this new category aims to celebrate those who are putting BEMS at the heart of their sustainability strategies. We know there are some fantastic stories out there so this is your chance to share them and be recognised by the wider building controls community.”

Entries are now open to members and non-members, with nominations submitted via the BCIA’s online entry system. The closing date for entries is Thursday 22nd January 2026 and the winners will be announced at the BCIA awards ceremony on the 7^th May 2026 at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.

Now celebrating its 35th anniversary, the BCIA Awards continue to recognise and inspire excellence across the building controls industry.

Full details on the new Sustainability Strategy Champion category and how to enter can be found at www.bcia.co.uk/sustainability-strategy-champion-2026.

No Toilet? No Problem – TravelJohn™ Launches Hygienic Portable Sanitation Solutions for Healthcare, Remote Work, Travel, and Emergencies

From hospitals to highways, disposable urinal bags, solid waste kits, and sick bags with LIQSORB® technology deliver discreet, portable sanitation – a reliable solution whenever traditional facilities are out of reach.

TravelJohn is now widely available across the UK, offering individuals, healthcare providers, employers, and emergency services a hygienic and discreet sanitation solution for situations where traditional toilet facilities are unavailable or unsuitable.

The range includes disposable urinal bags (both resealable plastic and paper-based options), solid waste collection kits, and disposable sick bags. All products feature the patented LIQSORB® polymer technology that instantly transforms liquids into a leak-proof, odourless, spill-proof gel within seconds.

TravelJohn products contain no loose powder, eliminating the risk of spillage and mess. The absorbent polymer is safely encapsulated within a patented non-woven pouch inside each bag, creating a truly sanitary and odour-free waste disposal method suitable for men, women, and children.

The unisex design and compact size make TravelJohn products easy to store in glove compartments, bags, emergency kits, or medical facilities so it is ready whenever needed.

How it works

1. Open the pouch

2. Use as a portable toilet for all genders (unisex design with spill guard)

3. LIQSORB® instantly gels and deodorises waste within seconds

4. Seal the bag using the resealable strip (plastic version) or peel-and-seal adhesive strip (paper version)

5. Dispose discreetly in general or clinical waste bins

Each urinal bag can hold up to 800ml (28 fl. oz) and is puncture-resistant, non-toxic, and waste disposal safe.

TravelJohn products serve anyone who needs convenient, hygienic sanitation when traditional or sanitary facilities aren't accessible.

The company also offers a lightweight toilet bucket seat, flame-retardant privacy tent that sets up in seconds, featuring three covered windows, an inside pocket for accessories, and easy access — perfect for outdoor use or emergency situations.

TravelJohn products are available throughout the UK and can be viewed via the company's website at www.traveljohn.co.uk and purchased via selected retailers. Products are available in various pack sizes to suit individual, professional, and institutional needs.