Grapevine

9th July 2026

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

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Waterman Group has announced two senior leadership appointments within the UK Consulting business to strengthen national capability and strategic growth.

Jonathan Purcell, previously Managing Director of Building Services – North, has been appointed to the new role of Managing Director of Strategy and Growth. He will work with UK COO Mark Emberton and fellow Managing Directors to deliver strategic priorities and identify high-value market opportunities. Simultaneously, Mark Terndrup is expanding his current role as Managing Director – South for Building Services to lead the discipline across the entire UK.

Knight Frank has appointed Claire Blacklock as an Associate within its Property & Asset Management (PAM) team. Joining from Savills, where she was an Associate Director, Claire brings over 15 years of experience in Central London commercial property management, specialising in complex multi-let offices, tall buildings, and mixed-use estates.

A Chartered Surveyor since 2018, Claire’s expertise includes design for management and the mobilization of major redevelopments. Her portfolio features high-profile schemes such as Aldwych Quarter, 8 Bishopsgate, and Sugar House Island. In her new role, she will support clients throughout the asset lifecycle, helping to optimize building performance and strengthen income streams through Knight Frank’s tech-led asset management services.

Pinnacle Group has appointed Hadleigh Standen as Divisional Director within its Homes division.

Hadleigh returns to Pinnacle following four years at the Cabinet Office, where he held senior roles within the Government Commercial Function and the Office of Government Property. With over 20 years of private sector experience serving public sector clients, including a previous tenure as Pinnacle’s Head of Facilities Management, he brings extensive expertise in large-scale service delivery and government estate performance.

In his new role, Hadleigh will oversee strategic and operational delivery for key contracts, including the management of 49,000 service family homes through Pinnacle Service Families.

Lendlease and The Crown Estate have launched the "Impact Partnership Joint Venture," a £24 billion partnership to deliver housing and commercial space across the UK. Managed by a new jointly owned company, the first phase includes Euston, Silvertown, and Stratford Cross, totalling 9,000 homes and 7.03m sq. ft. of commercial space. Work begins this September at Silvertown, with a Euston planning application expected in spring 2027.

A second phase, including Smithfield in Birmingham and Thamesmead Waterfront, is expected to join later this summer, adding 18,500 homes and 2.88m sq. ft. of commercial space. Infrastructure at Smithfield starts later this year, with housing construction beginning in 2027. This partnership aims to unlock complex urban sites and attract private capital to support national growth.

Sullivan & Cromwell, the New York-headquartered law firm, has appointed Newmark to source up to 160,000 sq ft of office space in central London, potentially doubling its current 75,000 sq ft footprint at 1-9 New Fetter Lane.

This move reflects a broader trend of US law firms driving prime London office take-up, which rose 13.3% in 2025. Knight Frank reports that 15 of 19 major legal sector transactions last year were expansions, with American firms frequently paying premium rents for new headquarters to attract top talent. While the City remains the primary hub, firms like McDermott, Will & Schulte have recently relocated to larger West End premises, signalling a shift in submarket preferences.

Reconomy has officially signed the British Chambers of Commerce "Circularity in Practice" pledge. This initiative, inspired by His Majesty The King, aims to accelerate the real-world adoption of circular economy solutions such as waste reduction, reuse, and remanufacturing across the UK.

As a signatory, Reconomy commits to developing measurable action plans, collaborating with external partners, and educating stakeholders to move these practices from aspiration to commercial reality. This commitment allows Reconomy to work more closely with customers—many of whom are also signatories—by joining their working groups and supporting the delivery of their circularity goals.

European integrated facility management company, Apleona, has acquired a majority stake in Sygna Holdings Limited, entering into a strategic partnership. Sygna’s leadership team will retain a significant shareholding and continue to manage the business.

Headquartered in London with 90 specialists, Sygna provides commissioning (CxA, CxM, CxC) and technical project management across Europe. Their expertise spans the full project lifecycle for high-performance facilities, including data centres, commercial offices, and critical infrastructure.

Britain recorded approximately 29,000 lightning strikes in a single night the other week, as intense thunderstorms followed a period of high heat and humidity. The London Fire Brigade responded to roughly 400 incidents overnight, including house fires caused by direct strikes.

This pattern has continued, with schools and buildings across the country reporting lightning damage to electrical systems, leading to temporary closures for repairs. As the atmosphere warms, it holds more moisture—roughly 7% more for every 1°C of warming—which fuels the storm clouds that generate lightning. Consequently, as heatwaves become more frequent in the UK, so do the thunderstorms that follow.

With another heatwave, building compliance specialist PTSG is urging building owners and duty holders to ensure their lightning protection systems are functioning correctly and that any outstanding remedial works are completed.

Q3 Services has secured a new five-year contract with The Square in Camberley, following a successful four-year tenure. Starting in August, Q3 will continue providing cleaning and security services for the 550,000 sq ft retail centre, which hosts approximately 140 retailers.

The contract supports a soft services manager, a security supervisor, and teams of 11 cleaners and 11 security/CCTV operators. The successful bid highlighted Q3’s SME agility and innovative practices, such as chemical-free cleaning, as Camberley continues its town centre regeneration through 2034.

Just Ask, Bidvest Noonan’s specialist social housing unit, has been appointed as the top-scoring supplier on Fusion21’s new £85 million Grounds Maintenance Framework.

Running from June 2026 to June 2030, this is the first framework awarded under the Procurement Act 2023. It provides over 1,000 public sector organisations—including housing providers, local authorities, the NHS, and emergency services—with a compliant and efficient route to procure high-quality grounds maintenance, landscaping, and outdoor services across the UK.

The Government Workplace Design Guide, a suite of guidance documents and standards setting out the aspirations for government and public sector workspaces, has been updated to reflect the rapid evolution in the way people work in offices. The previous annexes are now out of date and have been removed – read more here.

Maintenance, refurbishment and fit-out contractor, Novus Property Solutions, has been awarded a RoSPA Gold Award at the 2026 RoSPA Awards, recognising its continued commitment to the highest standards of health and safety across its operations.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Awards celebrate their 70th anniversary in 2026, marking seven decades as the world's largest and most respected health and safety awards programme. This year's awards attracted around 2,000 entries from nearly 60 countries, reflecting global recognition in accident prevention and workplace safety.

Swift Fire Compliance has partnered with BESA to launch a new Fire Damper Inspection and Maintenance Course. This training aligns with the updated BESA DW145 and National Occupational Standard BSEFSD04 to address tightened compliance under the Building Safety Act 2022.

Given that 70% of fire dampers fail their first inspection and fewer than 1% of buildings meet DW145 fundamentals, this course provides facilities managers and engineers with the technical skills and digital record-keeping knowledge necessary to maintain the "Golden Thread" of safety information.

You can find more information and book your place here: https://www.swiftclean.co.uk/fire-damper-awareness-training/

3rd July 2026

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

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Excellerate Services UK & Ireland has announced that Nick Rastelli and Justin Moore are appointed Joint Chief Executives, effective 1 July 2026. This structure addresses the scale of the business across 7,000 sites; Nick will lead sales, client relationships, and operations, while Justin will oversee technology, finance, and the Service Centre.

Johan Venter, who led the business for three and a half years, transitions to a new role as Chairman for the UK, Ireland, and UAE. This follows the retirement of Harvey Soning, who served as Chairman for nine years and will remain a Board Member until December 2026.

Trevor Grote, Managing Director of BELL Lighting, has been appointed President of The Lighting Industry Association (The LIA), the UK's largest trade body for the lighting industry and its supply chain.

Representing more than 170 member organisations with a combined turnover of £1.6bn, The LIA champions compliance, sustainability, education and industry standards. Trevor's appointment recognises his longstanding leadership in the sector and places him at the forefront of shaping the future of UK lighting.

Social enterprise and security specialist Corps Security has promoted Eren Stirling to Sales & Marketing Director following his role in driving business growth since joining the company in 2019.

Stirling will lead the sales and marketing function, focusing on brand development, new client relationships and expanding into new market sectors. He will also help embed Corps' integrated security model, bringing together security guarding, remote monitoring, and intelligence, risk and consultancy services to deliver tailored, end-to-end security solutions.

Kier has appointed Dan Andrews as Director of Kier Places Workplace Solutions, strengthening its facilities management and technical services offer across the UK.

Andrews joins from CBRE’s Global Workplace Solutions division, where he was Executive Director leading multi-disciplinary FM operations, including hard and soft services, projects and ESG. He will focus on driving service excellence, investing in technology and people, and helping clients optimise the performance of their built environments.

Part of Kier Group, Kier Places manages more than 3,500 buildings and client assets across sectors including justice, government, healthcare, education and local authorities. Its services include hard and soft FM, mechanical and electrical engineering, planned and reactive maintenance, compliance, decarbonisation, fire and water safety, security, cleaning, grounds maintenance and 24/7 customer support.

Barclays and Canary Wharf Group announced that Barclays has acquired a long-term leasehold interest¹ in its global headquarters at One Churchill Place from CWG.

The transaction secures Barclays’ control of its global headquarters beyond the current lease term, which runs to 2039, while providing greater certainty over long-term occupancy costs. The transaction values the acquired leasehold interest at £750 million and is expected to be broadly neutral to Barclays Group’s CET1 ratio and earnings^.

The acquisition also supports Barclays’ ongoing investment in its workplace, enabling the creation of high-quality, flexible space for colleagues as working patterns and business needs continue to evolve. The building provides over 1 million sq ft of workspace and has served as Barclays’ global headquarters since 2005.

Hot on the heels of the Barclays news, PwC UK has selected Canary Wharf as the location for its new London office.

Starting in 2030, PwC will occupy 350,000 sq ft of office space at One Eden. This move serves as a major endorsement of Canary Wharf as one of Europe’s most connected and dynamic mixed-use districts.

It is also a significant vote of confidence in One Eden, a next-generation workplace providing over 580,000 sq ft of workspace designed with a focus on quality, flexibility, sustainability, and experience.

In life sciences, acquisitions are a routine path to innovation, but corporate real estate (CRE) is often overlooked.

Each biotech deal adds facilities, laboratories, leases, workplace services and operating systems that must be absorbed into the parent organisation. If left unmanaged, these assets can create disconnected sites, add complexity, reduce visibility and increase risk.

This article from CBRE argues that CRE should be treated as a strategic enabler of post-acquisition value creation, not just an operational support function. It presents a practical, repeatable integration playbook for serial life sciences acquirers that preserves scientific momentum while making acquired businesses governable, compliant and aligned with enterprise standards – read the full article here

The Society of Pension Professionals (SPP) has published Pensions in a Warming World, warning that climate change is becoming a defining factor in pension outcomes, funding strategies and retirement security.

The report argues climate change is now a financial and governance issue that will affect investment returns, inflation, employer covenant strength, insurance markets and long-term pension savings. It says UK pension schemes, managing trillions of pounds in assets, cannot diversify away from climate risk.

Examining different climate scenarios across Defined Benefit, Defined Contribution, Collective Defined Contribution and public sector schemes, the report concludes that while climate risks remain uncertain, the cost of inaction is increasingly clear.

Key findings include the financial materiality of climate risk, greater exposure to market volatility and economic disruption from delayed action, growing physical impacts on insurance and infrastructure, and increasing governance challenges. The SPP says effective climate governance is now essential to prudent long-term pension management.

The guide is available to all, in full, for free, here: https://the-spp.co.uk/document-category/guides-and-reports/

Maintenance costs, as measured by the BCIS All-in Maintenance Cost Indices, are set to rise by 15.7% over the five years to 1Q2031, according to the latest forecast data from the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS).

Cleaning costs are expected to rise by 29.1% over the same period, driven primarily by labour costs, while energy costs are forecast to fall by around 10% between 2026 and 2031 - though the near-term outlook is considerably more volatile.

Dr David Crosthwaite, chief economist at BCIS, said: 'The facilities management sector is navigating one of the more complex cost environments we have seen in recent years. R&M output is growing, which reflects genuine underlying demand - regulatory pressures, ageing assets and sustainability requirements are all driving activity - but that growth is happening against a backdrop of costs that continue to rise faster than many organisations have budgeted for.’

R&M output is forecast to grow by 7.7% over the forecast period, with growth of 1.0% expected in 2026.

Dr Crosthwaite added: 'Labour is the dominant pressure. Wage growth combined with the National Insurance changes introduced in 2025 has pushed maintenance and cleaning costs higher, and while we expect some moderation, costs will remain on an upward trajectory throughout the forecast period.

'Energy is the most unpredictable element of the outlook. The overall forecast points downward, but the near-term volatility - driven largely by the situation in the Middle East - means organisations need to plan for uncertainty rather than assume a smooth path to lower costs.'

For more information about BCIS, please visit: www.bcis.co.uk

Churchill Group has welcomed, specialist commercial cleaning provider, Principle, into its business. Principle will merge with Churchill's Portfolio division, with the Principle brand retained while Portfolio transitions into it over the coming months.

The move brings together two employee-owned organisations with shared values around people, service quality and long-term client relationships, strengthening Churchill's specialist cleaning offering across London under a single brand.

The integration combines Principle's expertise in landmark buildings with Churchill's innovation, technology and social impact programmes, creating enhanced services for clients while expanding opportunities for employees.

Axis CLC, a national provider of essential property compliance and maintenance services, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Fieldway Group Limited, a specialist provider of fire safety and compliance services since 1999.

This acquisition strengthens the company’s fire risk assessment and active fire capabilities while expanding their presence in North West England, where Fieldway operates in the social housing, healthcare, and education sectors. Fieldway will continue to operate under its existing brand, with Managing Director Tony Carden and his management team remaining in place to drive future growth.

PTSG has launched a nationwide recruitment campaign to identify and develop the next generation of engineering and technical talent.

The group plans to recruit up to 50 apprentices annually across its UK operations, with the goal of having 150 apprentices enrolled within three years. This initiative represents the most ambitious investment in talent development in the Group's history and builds on PTSG’s established commitment to technical training.

Supported by the new PTSG Centre of Excellence launching this month, the programme will provide young people with the skills, qualifications, and practical experience necessary for careers in modern engineering, compliance, and specialist services.

PTSG is now encouraging schools, colleges, parents, careers advisers, customers, colleagues and community organisations to help identify candidates for the Class of 2026.

For more information visit www.ptsg.co.uk/build-your-future-here

Legrand UK & Ireland is offering free commissioning services to anyone purchasing CP Electronics lighting control systems for an education building this summer.

Available until the end of 2026, this initiative is designed to help facilities managers achieve compliance with CIBSE recommendations within limited budgets. According to CIBSE Guide M, comprehensive documentation and certification are essential to verify the suitability of a system's design.

Because commissioning can take several days depending on the facility size, this offer helps reduce overall project costs, allowing for budget allocation toward other necessary upgrades. Free commissioning applies to any CP Electronics lighting control system installed in education buildings, such as schools.

When providing a quote, Legrand will calculate the required commissioning days and apply them to the part code at no charge.

The entry deadline for the BESA Industry Awards is midnight on Friday, July 10th. Entry is free, and you are welcome to submit multiple entries across 19 categories.

The BESA Awards recognise individuals, teams, and companies that demonstrate excellence in building services engineering through innovative projects, products, and initiatives.

Winners will be announced at the BESA Industry Awards dinner on October 22nd at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London.

And finally, we look forward to welcoming our sponsors and guests to our popular Facilities Industry Annual Summer River Boat Party on Thursday, July 9th, 2026. We will be joined by 400 industry professionals for an unforgettable evening of quality networking and hospitality on the River Thames.

Headline Sponsor: MS Webb & Co

Badges & Lanyard Sponsor: YorPower

Entertainment Sponsor: KGN Pillinger

Pre-Boarding Drinks Sponsor: GardenStyle

Supporting Sponsors: Ability Facilities Management, AccuGRIT, CBW Staffing Solutions, Core Facilities Services, Elecplumb, First Choice Drainage Solutions, Invida, OMGC, PTSG, Sunbelt Rentals UK, The Hire Partner, TÜV SÜD, Westbury FM, Workwave

Table Owners & Registered Guests: 3Way Cleaning, ABM UK, Acumen FM, Affinity FM, Apex Lifts, Aqua Protec, Avalon Pro, B&R BARS, BBGG, Capcon Engineering, Catch 22, Cheeky Panda, City Electrical Factors, Cleaner Direct, Cleanology, Collabit Software, CoSourced, Crazy Goat, CYS Security, Edmundson Electrical, Emerald Lifts, Envirotech Energy, Facilio, HMAC Ventilation, HOSS Engineering, HSBC, HSS ProService, HVAC Recruitment, IWFM Veterans, Jayserv Mechanical & Electrical, Jones FM, KEM Pumps, Leaksafe, LooLogIQ, Maintenance Supplies, Matrix Industries, MML, NGB Clean, NRF Solutions, Natinwide Door Services, OBS Lighting Consultants, Oracle Managed Services, Orion Eco Solutions, Orpen Design Solutions, Penguin FM, PFS Group, Precision Marketing Group, Prolec Solutions, Rexel, SEE Services, Senseco, SINGU, SLM Waste, Smart Source Savings, SmartSec Solutions, Stonebridge FM, Strata Services Group, TechniFire Solutions, TestUK, Unite Lift Services, Warm Spark Building Services, Yesss Electrical, Zerix Technologies

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26th June 2026

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

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Robin Mills, CEO of Compass Group UK & Ireland, will retire this summer following a distinguished 19-year career with the business. During his tenure, Robin served seven years as CEO and was a member of the Compass Group PLC Executive Committee.

Known for his people-centered and client-focused leadership, Robin oversaw a period of significant growth in which the UK & Ireland business doubled in size. He successfully guided the organisation through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and led its expansion into new sectors and markets.

Robin’s passion for innovation, social mobility, and sustainability has shaped the culture of the business, placing great food and exceptional service at its heart. In addition to his executive responsibilities, Robin served as Chair of the Compass Group Foundation. Since its launch three years ago, the Foundation has supported more than 21,000 people and backed over 300 small enterprises globally.

Corps Security has restructured its senior leadership around a new integrated operating model, appointing Paul Lotter as Chief Operating Officer to lead the change.

The new model brings together its three core divisions – Corps Security, Corps Monitoring and Corps Intel – to deliver integrated, end-to-end security solutions. Lotter will oversee a senior operational team and work closely with Andrea Strong, Group Director of Technology & Innovation, to embed technologies such as drones, robotics and AI analytics across the business.

Lotter has more than 30 years of security industry experience and has been with Corps since 2018, previously serving as Managing Director and holding senior roles at Securitas and Interserve.

JLL has secured a new West End office, taking around 14,000 sq ft at Royal London Asset Management’s 1 Newman Street in Fitzrovia as part of a lease assignment of the 6th floor.

1 Newman Street, the multi-let office and retail block, will form a key component of JLL's London office strategy which also incorporates its new UK flagship office at 1 Broadgate in the City of London and 20 Water Street at Canary Wharf. JLL currently provides property management services for the entire asset at 1 Newman Street.

The BREEAM Excellent building is located opposite the Elizabeth line entrance on Dean Street and is closely aligned with JLL’s ongoing strategy to deliver flexible work options as well as sustainable, technologically seamless, inclusive and amenity-rich workplaces across its UK portfolio. 1 Newman Street is also managed by JLL.

According to a press release from the GMB Trade Union, Churchill Cleaning has announced a significant redundancy process that puts approximately 130 outsourced cleaners at risk.

The company plans to reduce cleaning services by over 1,000 hours per week. This reduction equates to more than 40 staff members, or roughly one-third of the weekday cleaning workforce. Furthermore, Churchill Cleaning has reportedly refused to offer voluntary redundancy, which may lead to compulsory exits for the affected staff.

Notably, this announcement follows the government’s pledge last week to end "the era of outsourcing."

NG Bailey, the UK’s largest independent engineering and infrastructure services business, has reported strong financial results for the year ended 27 February 2026, driven by the successful implementation of its Journey to 2030 strategy.

Turnover increased to £707m from £662m in 2025, while underlying operating profit rose to £21.2m from £15.0m.

The Group’s newly formed Built Environment division delivered year-on-year growth, while its electricity infrastructure business, Freedom, remained a major driver of performance. IT Services also generated healthy margins following a strategic reset.

NG Bailey invested £3.5m in digitalisation, sales and capability growth during the year. Its order book has increased to £1.7bn, with a focus on resilient, high-growth sectors including defence, healthcare, rail, decarbonisation, energy and water.

ABM has been re-awarded its contract with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide critical cleaning services at University Hospital Waterford (UHW).

Since 2019, ABM has improved UHW’s cleaning standards—as noted by HIQA—and established Ireland’s first on-site training facility for hospital cleaning operatives. This renewed partnership includes 265 staff servicing all UHW facilities, including critical environments like operating theatres, ICUs, and the new Haematology and Oncology Day Unit. These services support out-of-hours clinics and essential patient flow.

Dalkia UK has secured a place on the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) RE:FIT 5 Framework.

As a pre-qualified Energy Service Company (ESCo), Dalkia will provide public sector organisations—including local authorities, NHS Trusts, and universities—with a streamlined, compliant procurement route for decarbonisation projects. We offer guaranteed energy and cost savings through Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs) using technologies such as solar PV, heat pumps, LED lighting, and building fabric improvements.

This framework enables faster project delivery by removing the need for lengthy tendering processes, helping your organisation meet sustainability targets more efficiently.

Amey has been appointed to the Government Commercial Agency’s £3.5bn Construction Professional Services 2 (CPS2) Framework. Over the next four years, Amey’s Advisory business will provide multidisciplinary design, engineering, and project management services to UK public and third-sector organisations.

Amey secured places in six lots, acting as a prime partner for general infrastructure, project management, and defence. Additionally, in partnership with JBA Consulting, Amey was appointed to all three Environment Agency Flood Risk and Asset Management (FRAM) lots. This represents Amey’s first major appointment with the Environment Agency and a significant expansion into the environment sector.

Q3 has secured a three-year, £2 million integrated facilities management contract with Health Sciences University (HSU), delivering cleaning, security and engineering services across its Bournemouth and London campuses.

The contract, supporting around 30 on-site roles, strengthens Q3’s presence in the higher education sector and will see the company implement a technology-led service model featuring its Facilio CAFM platform, cobotics and chemical-free cleaning technology.

Clade Engineering has completed a fully financed, low-carbon heating solution for David Lloyd Clubs’ Harrogate site. The project replaced legacy gas boilers with a 480kW R290 natural refrigerant air source heat pump system, designed and installed end-to-end to meet the facility's complex heating needs without operational disruption.

Delivered via a Heat-as-a-Service model to eliminate upfront capital costs, the system is currently achieving a monitored COP of 2.5 to 3.2. This project demonstrates the successful retrofitting of natural refrigerant technology in challenging commercial environments while supporting David Lloyd Clubs’ broader decarbonization targets.

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has published its UK Construction Benchmarks 2026 report, analysing 10 years of data from 4,791 projects worth more than £34bn. While project waste per £100,000 of value has fallen by 28%, material waste per completed asset has risen by more than 10%, indicating growing material intensity. New build projects are the worst performers, generating 36% more waste per 100m² than the industry average. Although landfill diversion has reached 99.5%, the report highlights the need to focus on reducing overall waste generation, particularly in residential new build, which produced 11.3 tonnes of waste per 100m² in 2025 compared with 6.8 tonnes for commercial projects.

Sunbelt Rentals UK and Ireland recently held its annual Apprentice Awards at the Heart of England Conference Centre to celebrate the talent and future capability of its teammates.

This year’s expanded event recognised apprentices at all career stages across engineering, operations, leadership, and technical disciplines. CEO Phil Parker opened the ceremony by emphasising the importance of investing in talent and the role apprenticeships play in driving career progression and future leadership. The awards highlighted how continuous professional development across the business ensures Sunbelt Rentals remains equipped to meet evolving industry demands.

Swiftclean is hosting a free webinar for Facilities Managers on Wednesday, July 8th at 10:00 AM regarding the "Golden Thread" of compliance under the Building Safety Act 2022.

Commercial Director Martin Hembling and Training Manager Richard Crews will provide practical guidance on maintaining digital records for ventilation, fire, and water hygiene to reduce risk in higher-risk buildings.

Our popular Facilities Industry Annual Summer River Boat Party is celebrating its 10th Anniversary on Thursday, July 9th, 2026, and is set to be our biggest yet. We expect 400 industry professionals to join us for an unforgettable evening of quality networking and hospitality on the River Thames.

Headline Sponsor: MS Webb & Co

Badges & Lanyard Sponsor: YorPower

Entertainment Sponsor: KGN Pillinger

Pre-Boarding Drinks Sponsor: GardenStyle

Supporting Sponsors: Ability Facilities Management, AccuGRIT, CBW Staffing Solutions, Core Facilities Services, First Choice Drainage Solutions, Invida, OMGC, PTSG, Sunbelt Rentals UK, The Hire Partner, TÜV SÜD, Westbury FM, Workwave

Will you be joining them?

19th June 2026

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

Thank you for joining us, we’ll jump right in...

Elior UK has announced that Catherine Roe is stepping down as CEO after twenty years with the Group, including twelve years leading the UK business. Under her leadership, the company achieved significant growth in revenue and profitability. To ensure a smooth transition, Catherine will remain with the business until 30th September 2026.

Michal Seal, currently Managing Director of Healthcare, has been appointed as her successor. Michal joined Elior following a successful tenure at SSP Group and most recently returned the UK Healthcare division to sustained profitability. Her reputation for strategic leadership and delivering results marks an exciting new chapter for Elior UK.

Willmott Dixon Interiors has appointed Mandhir Singh Sidhu (Sid) to lead its commercial fit out team. Sid brings extensive industry experience in building client relationships and supporting early-stage project development.

This appointment reinforces our commitment to the commercial fit out, refurbishment, and retrofit market. As part of the Willmott Dixon family, we continue to leverage our national reach and sector expertise to create high-quality workplaces.

Congratulations go to Paul Blackford, CEO, and the team at Cosourced Group who have made it into the Sunday Times 100 Fastest growing companies, Ranking #90 across the whole UK - In all sectors.

Data centers in space are no longer a distant prospect; they are becoming a reality. Read this interesting article by JLL here.

Falls from height remain the most common cause of workplace fatalities. According to recent HSE figures, 35 workers in Great Britain lost their lives due to falls from height during 2024/25.

To manage these risks effectively, it is essential to implement sensible and proportionate safety measures. The HSE's step-by-step guide to working at height is available to help you identify and control these hazards.

Mitie has deployed 24 AI-powered "mowbots" across UK customer sites, marking a significant investment in technology-led grounds maintenance. Teams are gaining new digital skills as "Robot Pilots," using real-time mapping tools to manage these autonomous units.

The fully electric Kress Voyager mowers support sustainability goals by producing zero direct emissions, eliminating fuel spill risks, and operating quietly—ideal for sensitive environments like schools. Additionally, frequent mowing improves soil health naturally through "grass cycling," reducing the need for fertilizers.

Groundworks have commenced at the Ancoats site in Manchester for the Manchester Digital Campus (MDC). Current activity involves clearing the 5.5-acre brownfield site, installing temporary machinery tracks, and conducting ground investigations to prepare for the main construction phase beginning in 2028.

Led by the Government Property Agency (GPA) and the Cabinet Office, this project is a core component of the Government Digital and Data Strategy and the Places for Growth programme. Once complete, the MDC will co-locate approximately 8,800 personnel from various departments to enhance the public sector's digital capabilities.

East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) has launched its five-year strategy for 2026-2031, shaped by the "Big Conversation" which engaged over 1,700 stakeholders. Serving 1.8 million people across Bedfordshire, Luton, and East London, the Trust aims to provide safe, joined-up care focused on community wellbeing.

Over the next five years, ELFT will prioritise improving care quality, supporting staff excellence, advancing equity, and strengthening prevention. This strategy addresses rising service demands and health inequalities by leveraging the Trust’s commitment to inclusion and clinical leadership.

Frasers Property UK has secured a new 6,060 sq ft lease at Maxis Business Park, Bracknell, for an AI-driven enterprise software firm.

The new tenant has moved into a state-of-the-art, fitted suite on the second floor of Maxis 1. This hub was designed specifically for collaboration and innovation, providing the team with the necessary space to grow and thrive. They join a prominent community of occupiers at the park, including Dexcom, Evelyn Partners, Cadence, and Panasonic.

This latest deal reflects the continued demand for high-quality, fitted office space in the region.

Hall & Kay has launched a new water mist fire protection solution in strategic partnership with Aquasys. This technology uses ultra-fine droplets to suppress fires through rapid cooling and oxygen displacement, utilising significantly less water and smaller infrastructure than traditional sprinkler systems.

These compact systems offer greater design flexibility and reduced material costs, making them ideal for retrofit projects, heritage sites, and environments with space or water supply constraints. Hall & Kay will provide end-to-end support—including design, installation, testing, and maintenance—ensuring all systems comply with validated fire test protocols and manufacturer-approved DIOM guidance.

Managing Director Richard King noted that this launch addresses the increasing demand for high-performance, compliant suppression solutions that suit complex building requirements where traditional methods may not be practical.

Integrated facilities management provider 14forty has secured a five-year contract with international food manufacturer Valeo Foods. Following a competitive tender process, the partnership officially commenced in December 2025 and is currently in the mobilisation phase.

Throughout 2026, 14forty will roll out soft FM services—including catering, vending, cleaning, security, grounds maintenance, and pest control—across three UK and Ireland manufacturing and office sites. This collaboration aims to enhance employee experience and operational performance for Valeo Foods’ portfolio, which includes brands such as Barratt Sweets, Rowse Honey, Metcalfe’s, and KETTLE Chips.

Since April, Thermatic has been providing critical ventilation maintenance for the Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust across its three hospital sites.

The contract includes planned preventative maintenance, reactive support for ultra-clean ventilation (UCV) theatre systems, and necessary component repairs. Following a seamless transition, Thermatic is now focusing on improving system visibility and scheduling to ensure compliance and maximise uptime across all clinical settings and theatres.

Dalkia UK’s Scottish team has secured an £8.9 million MEP package for Trinity Academy in Edinburgh, its third Passivhaus standard school. Working with main contractor McLaughlin & Harvey, pre-construction begins this October with completion set for August 2028.

The facility supports Edinburgh City Council’s "Living Well Locally" strategy by reducing energy demand and carbon emissions while providing inclusive, digital, and outdoor learning spaces. This contract follows Dalkia’s successful delivery of projects like Faifley Campus and Jackton Primary, reinforcing expertise in high-performance, low-carbon education infrastructure.

Kimpton has been appointed to deliver a planned preventative maintenance (PPM) contract for the Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot.

The scope includes maintaining the venue's heating and mechanical plant, ventilation units, air conditioning, and emergency generator. Kimpton will align its services with the venue’s sustainability priorities, adding this 2022 site to a cultural portfolio that includes Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, LIPA, and Chester Cathedral.

Corps Security won the Charity and/or Wellbeing Initiative Award at the British Security Awards on June 16.

The award recognises the Corps Veterans Association (CVA), which supports over 290 veterans through peer connection and specialist support. Central to this is the partnership with Combat Stress; CVA have donated nearly £90,000 to date, with a 1% contract donation scheme now generating over £45,000 annually. Additionally, the award highlights internal wellbeing initiatives, including the Aviva+ healthcare package and the Corps Connect portal, which provides over 4,000 users with GP and mental health resources.

The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association is hosting a webinar, “Introduction to Waste Management – understanding and managing your risk,” on Wednesday, 24 June at 11am.

This session covers the UK’s evolving legal and operational landscape, including Digital Waste Tracking and Simpler Recycling. Experts Tina Benfield (CIWM), Craig Burman (Burman Environmental Law), and Mike Hibbert (Waste Consultant) will discuss regulatory compliance, liability management, and practical steps for implementing robust waste processes to avoid financial or criminal penalties - to book your place

Headline Sponsor: MS Webb & Co

Badges & Lanyard Sponsor: YorPower

Entertainment Sponsor: KGN Pillinger

Pre-Boarding Drinks Sponsor: GardenStyle

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15th June 2026

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

Thank you for joining us, we’ll jump right in...

Cushman & Wakefield has appointed Rory Paton as Co-Head of City Leasing in its London Offices team.

Rory brings over 20 years of experience advising developers, investors, and occupiers in the central London leasing market. He joins from JLL, where he is currently a Senior Director and Co-Head of the City Office Agency Leasing team. His previous experience also includes nearly 14 years at Knight Frank, specialising in City of London leasing and development consultancy.

Throughout his career, Rory has advised on high-profile developments such as 2 Finsbury Avenue, 1 Appold Street, 20 Fenchurch Street, Sixty London Wall, 76 Southbank, and EightyFen.

He will join as an International Partner at the end of 2026, leading the City Leasing team jointly with Andrew Parker.

CIBSE announced the appointment of Dave Cooper as President for 2026–2027, succeeding Vince Arnold following his recent inauguration at the Annual General Meeting in London.

With over 40 years of experience in the lift and escalator industry, Dave is a distinguished engineer, educator, and author. A longstanding and highly respected member of the Institution, Dave has played a pivotal role in the development of multiple editions of CIBSE Guide D: Transportation Systems in Buildings, one of the industry’s most influential technical publications. His contributions to engineering and professional practice have been recognised through the award of a CIBSE Silver Medal and an MBE.

In addition to his presidency, Dave remains active in several prestigious roles, including serving as a Visiting Professor at the University of East London, chairing the Lift Industry Charity, and participating in British Standards and SAFed technical committees.

Cleanology has promoted Juliet Widdicombe to the position of Managing Director.

Juliet joined Cleanology just four years ago as Operations Director and was promoted to Associate Director two years later. Her appointment to the top post recognises her role as an integral member of the leadership team. Her dedication, innovation, and people-first approach have been essential in shaping the family-owned business and its 1,400 employees during a period of significant growth.

Bellrock, the property and facilities management specialist, announced a partnership with the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE). This collaboration is designed to support councils navigating the structural and funding shifts associated with Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

APSE member authorities can now access Concerto, Bellrock's cloud-based Integrated Workplace Management System. Concerto provides councils with a single, trusted source of data across their entire estates.

Bellrock brings significant experience to local council transitions. In 2025, the firm successfully delivered three PFI handbacks, and it currently manages 22 active PFI contracts to DfE-recognised maintenance standards. Additionally, Bellrock has maintained NHS estates at 98% statutory compliance.

Current clients include Cambridgeshire County Council, which utilises Concerto to manage its diverse portfolio, as well as Wakefield Council, Runnymede Borough Council, and the London Fire Brigade.

Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland has achieved the EcoVadis Platinum award, placing the business in the top 1% of companies globally for sustainability. This highest possible rating recognises the strong performance across environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.

This milestone reflects the success of the company’s "Our Planet" strategy and progress in embedding sustainability into operations and governance while providing customers with lower-carbon solutions.

The Clean Space, a specialist commercial cleaning company, has acquired London-based provider MN Support Services as part of its strategic growth plan.

This acquisition strengthens The Clean Space’s position in the London market and supports its continued expansion. MN Support Services’ reputation for high-quality service aligns with The Clean Space’s operational standards. With annual revenues of approximately £40 million and 1,800 employees, The Clean Space remains one of the UK’s largest independent commercial cleaning providers.

All staff will transfer to The Clean Space team.

A GMB Union poll of over 5,000 workers indicates that 48% fear AI will replace their jobs, while 58% believe it will eliminate roles within their specific workplaces.

Currently, 29% of respondents report that AI has already been introduced at work, with 26% of that group noting that AI is performing their usual tasks. Additionally, 48% stated that AI is being used to track employee activity. These findings follow recent announcements that AI and automation will replace approximately 1,000 jobs at Asda’s George brand and many of the 450 roles being cut at Nestl

WSW Refurbishments has completed the £1.6 million refurbishment of Units 1 and 2 at Langley Connect for Swiss Life Asset Managers UK Limited and JLL. Since beginning in September 2025, the project was handed over in May 2026, successfully repositioning the units as modern industrial space.

External upgrades included new cladding, roof repairs, replacement glazing, and improved canopies and lighting. Site functionality was also improved with the addition of EV charging stations, upgraded power infrastructure, refreshed landscaping, and optimised parking and cycle storage.

Internally, the office and welfare areas have been reconfigured. All building services were renewed to include LED lighting, PV panels, and modern HVAC systems, ensuring full regulatory compliance.

Following the successful delivery of this scheme, the incoming occupier has instructed WSW Refurbishments to proceed with the internal fit-out.

Mitie has secured a new £4 million, three-year contract with the Government Property Agency (GPA) to provide maintenance, engineering, and specialist compliance services at Quay House in Peterborough and two Grade II listed sites in Whitehall.

The agreement includes predictive HVAC maintenance and compliance testing for water, fire, and security systems across locations housing seven government departments. Additionally, the contract supports social value through new engineering roles, 12 work placements, an NVQ Level 3 apprenticeship, and 120 dedicated volunteering hours.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is currently seeking feedback on the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). This consultation aims to improve worker protections and reduce administrative burdens.

Acorn Safety Services encourages all stakeholders to participate in this public consultation to help shape the future of workplace incident reporting. You may share your views on the regulations and the HSE’s terminology until 30th June 2026.

Detailed information and the submission portal are available at the following link: https://consultations.hse.gov.uk/hse/proposals-riddor-2013/

Ranger Fire and Security announced that Inflexion, a European mid-market private equity firm, has made a majority investment in the business. Hyperion Equity Partners will also make a substantial re-investment to support long-term goals.

Ranger has acquired over 25 businesses, reached 500 employees, and achieved revenues exceeding £75 million. This new investment will accelerate the company’s strategy of acquiring high-performing local businesses and integrating back-office functions to build a national service platform, with potential future expansion into continental Europe.

The Ranger leadership team will remain in post to ensure continuity as they work toward becoming the premier one-stop shop for fire and security needs.

Headline Sponsor: MS Webb & Co

Badges & Lanyard Sponsor: YorPower

Entertainment Sponsor: KGN Pillinger

Pre-Boarding Drinks Sponsor: GardenStyle