New Appointments in Facilities Management – April 2025

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22 April 2025

Take a look at the latest appointments in the world of FM, commercial real estate and the built environment, including appointments at Sodexo, ISS, Apleona and more.

 

Picture: a graphic showing the headshots of Laura Walker, Colin Hamilton, Dr Pascal Engel

 

 

Laura Walker Joins Sodexo as Growth Director for Corporate and Energy & Resources Business

 

Laura Walker has been appointed as growth director for Sodexo UK & Ireland’s Corporate Services and Energy & Resources business.

Laura has over 15 years’ experience working across real estate, FM, F&B and hospitality for companies across a range of sectors and industries.  

In her new role Laura will drive Sodexo’s growth in the delivery of food and workplace services, and facilities management to some of the world’s most recognisable brands. Sodexo’s corporate services and energy & resources business operates across a range of different environments including headquarters, regional offices, data centres, manufacturing centres and research and development hubs through to offshore platforms, refineries and remote sites.

Lynsey O’Keefe, CEO Corporate Services and Energy & Resources Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “We are delighted to welcome Laura to our team. She has a strong background with both B2B and B2C brands and is a commercially astute director who has delivered profitable net growth for both private and PLC organisations. With her extensive experience and results driven mindset, Laura will help us continue to drive our growth in the delivery of sustainable, nutritious and delicious food choices, and valued experiences in the workplace.”

Laura added: “I’m thrilled to be joining Sodexo at such an exciting time for the business. Sodexo has a strong reputation for delivering exceptional food and workplace experiences, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to build on this legacy, drive growth, and create innovative, sustainable solutions for our clients across diverse and dynamic environments.”

 

ISS UK & Ireland Appoints Managing Director of Capital Projects

 

ISS UK & Ireland (ISS) has confirmed the appointment of Colin Hamilton into a newly-created role of Managing Director, Capital Projects.

The creation of this new role reflects a growing market for solutions to a range of building, refurbishment, and sustainability challenges across the built environment. Colin’s appointment will help ISS leverage and augment its capital projects capability to service this expanding range of client needs and meet its own ambitious growth targets.

Colin is a Chartered Civil Engineer with more than 35 years’ experience in capital projects management, in both the public and private sectors. In a consulting capacity, he joined ISS in December 2024 to independently review the company’s capital projects offering and suggest ways to deploy in-house expertise to build stronger, deeper, and more valuable client partnerships. In his new role, Colin will lead a central team, working closely with the company’s network of key account directors and managers to provide the bespoke solutions their clients need.

Colin Hamilton, Managing Director, Capital Projects, ISS UK& Ireland, commented: “I am thrilled to be joining ISS at such a significant moment for capital projects growth. This new department represents a strategic investment in the future, allowing ISS to strengthen its project capabilities, drive greater value for clients, support sustainable growth and build on the strong foundations already in place. I am looking forward to working closely with ISS’ teams, partners, and stakeholders to grow this business in a meaningful way.”

Scott Davies, CEO, ISS UK & Ireland, commented: “In recent years, ISS has continued to win and retain business thanks to our deep understanding of our clients’ objectives. This new appointment reflects that understanding, and our ability to leverage our proven service record to support clients as part of genuine, strategic partnerships. We are delighted to bring Colin’s experience and business acumen to bear as he leads the charge in this key growth area.”

 

Apleona Appoints CTO to the Executive Board

 

Apleona Group has expanded its Executive Board to include the position of Chief Transformation Officer (CTO), appointing Dr Pascal Engel to the Executive Board as of 1 April 2025. In the future, all functions and competences relevant for the further digital transformation and professionalisation of the company will be bundled in the division for which he will be responsible. These are IT & ERP, AI & Data Analytics, Operational Efficiency, Digital Customer Solutions and Green Real Estate.

“With the appointment of Dr Engel to the Executive Board, we are strengthening our ability to combine digitalisation, operational excellence and innovative customer solutions under one strategic umbrella. Over the past few years, Dr Engel has provided impetus for the transformation of central processes and will play a key role in driving our growth and decarbonisation strategy through data-driven management, intelligent technologies and closer integration of our innovation and technology areas”, said Dr Jochen Keysberg, CEO of Apleona, commenting on Dr Engel's appointment.

Dr Pascal Engel joined Apleona in 2019 as an experienced expert in business process optimisation and digitalisation, following a career with international consulting firms. Since then, he has continuously supported Apleona's development and successfully established numerous transformation programmes. Among other things, this has led to the widespread introduction of a digital end-to-end process for operational service delivery, the development of data-driven property management and the introduction of AI-based automation in FM operations.

Dr Engel commented: “I look forward to working with my colleagues to expand Apleona as the FM brand for end-to-end digitalised processes, fast and intelligent customer solutions, data-driven innovations and AI-supported and technically sophisticated decarbonisation solutions for existing buildings.”

 

Elior UK Appoints New Food Development Director

 

Leading contract caterer Elior UK has appointed Mark Webber as its new food development director. Webber will spearhead the development of innovative food strategies innovations and lead the central food team in delivering the high-quality service Elior is renowned for.

Webber will manage Elior UK’s central menu creation ensuring it is strategically aligned with Elior’s near-term Net Zero and carbon reduction commitments for 2030. He will also oversee Elior’s supplier partnerships and chef collaborations, ensuring a unified approach to both sustainability and quality. In addition, Webber will also help expand Elior’s street food partner network ‘Street Kitchen Collective’, a dynamic collection of own-brand concepts and street food partners bringing together flavours from around the globe.

Webber has more than 25 years’ experience in the contract catering industry in roles such as group executive chef, head of culinary defence, director of food and culinary director. Webber’s extensive industry experience has earned him a respected reputation in the culinary space, making him the ideal candidate to lead Elior UK into its next chapter of innovation.

Mark said: “Joining Elior at such a dynamic time for the catering industry is an exciting new challenge. I’m looking forward to working with Elior’s talented development team to continue delivering great tasting, nutritious meals whilst integrating new partnerships and innovation to delight our customers. It’s never about blindly jumping on the latest trend, it’s about carefully considering all the options and curating the best tailored solutions for our customers.”

 

Legionella and Fire Safe Services Announces New Managing Director 

 

Legionella and Fire Safe Services, an award-winning specialist in water hygiene, fire safety, and social housing regeneration services, today announced the promotion of Operations Director Danielle Bayliss to Managing Director. Current Managing Director Steve Morris will be handing over the reins to focus on driving the commercial growth of the business.

Danielle, who co-founded the business in 2017, brings a unique perspective to the role, having transitioned from journalism to construction, following in her father's footsteps. Her appointment underscores the company's commitment to progressive leadership and diversity in the construction industry.

She said: "I'm incredibly proud to step into the role of Managing Director at Legionella & Fire Safe Services," says Bayliss. "Since co-founding the business with Steve Morris, Steve Broughton and Caroline Bigg in 2017, I've been passionate about building a company that prioritises people, compliance, and exceptional service. As a young director and a woman in the construction industry, I know the importance of challenging stereotypes and leading by example."

 

Other Recent New Appointments:

 

 

• Katie Harvey Joins Cloudfm Executive Board 
• Paul Eagle Named New Chair of BESA Technical Committee
• Pinnacle Appoints Former Army Sergeant Major as Chief of Staff for Service Family Homes Contract
• ACCL Promotes David Little to Operations Director

 

Picture: a photograph showing someone writing in a lined notebook. A cup of coffee can be seen on the desk. Image Credit: Pexels

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 22 April 2025

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