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The Leading News & Information Service For The Facilities, Workplace & Built Environment Community
This month includes new appointments at Atlas, Praxis Group, SBFM, Compass Group and more.
Picture: a graphic showing the headshots of Karen O'Neill, Andrew Lunt and Tom Mitchell
Atlas Workplace Services is proud to announce Karen O’Neill as its new Managing Director. Karen steps into the role following eight successful years as Commercial and Finance Director, bringing with her deep expertise, a passion for excellence, and a strong track record of delivering value for clients.
Atlas Workplace Services specialises in total facilities management and engineering maintenance services. Late last year, it became an Employee Ownership Trust alongside other parts of the Atlas group. Now, the business is poised to accelerate its growth and strengthen its reputation for service excellence.
The appointment is part of a broader strategy to build on the strong foundations of the business and unlock new opportunities. To support this mission, Stuart Cook and Chris Tighe have also been promoted to executive roles, leading on operations and compliance, and business development respectively. Both have been important to the recent success of the business and will work closely with Karen to drive innovation, enhance efficiency, and concentrate on customer satisfaction across the Workplace Services portfolio.
Karen O’Neill, Managing Director of Atlas Workplace Services, commented: “It is an honour to take on this role in a business I care deeply about. I am proud to have such a talented team behind me, including Stuart and Chris. We are part of an Atlas group that is growing with purpose and with ever-expanding service capabilities. Together, we will build on our strengths, challenge ourselves to keep improving, and ensure Atlas Workplace Services continues to be known for outstanding services and trusted partnerships.”
Chris Wisely, Atlas Group CEO, said: “I am pleased to have appointed Karen to this role, which is richly deserved. Since joining us, Karen has helped us to foster a customer-centric approach and in turn win business with clients across the UK. Her expertise, commitment to our customers and vision for the future make her ideally suited to lead this next stage of the Atlas Workplace Services journey as we continue to create happiness for our people and customers.”
Praxis has announced the appointment of Andrew Lunt as Managing Director, Praxis Facilities Management Ltd. (PFM).
In this new role Andrew will work closely with the Praxis Group Board in driving the growth of Praxis’s in-house facilities management business with a focus on enhancing the service offering and delivering new business.
Andrew was previously Managing Director at Atlas Workplace Services where he held the position of Group Head of Services and joins Praxis at a time of sustained growth across the Group, with the remit to provide dedicated leadership to one of the vertically integrated Group’s key divisions.
Andrew Lunt commented: “I am delighted to join PFM at a very exciting juncture in the company’s growth story. Praxis’s success is built on delivering exceptional service across its various business lines, and as we continue to expand my focus will be on enhancing the service offering within the facilities management business, embracing new technologies and supporting our occupiers. I look forward to leading the talented PFM team in driving excellence and supporting Praxis Group to achieve its wider asset management goals.”
James Hewitt, Chief Operating Officer, said “We are delighted to welcome Andrew to the team. Andrew’s experience and strong track record in growing businesses aligns with Praxis’s objective to expand our facilities management function, which is an important component of our vertically integrated model. Andrew will play a key role in ensuring that as it expands and grows, PFM will continue to provide best-in-class service, not only to the Group, but also to new client relationships outside the Group”.
PSD Group advised Praxis on this appointment.
Integrated facilities management provider 14forty, which is part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, is strengthening its commitment to its clients’ ambitions with the appointment of Tom Mitchell as Strategic Partnership Director.
Tom will focus on helping clients achieve their long-term objectives, delivering strategic value across 14forty’s entire client base.
Reporting to Donna Lee, Strategic Partner for Compass Group UK & Ireland - Business & Industry, Tom will focus on anticipating client needs. His efforts will support areas such as sustainability, innovation and operational excellence.
Tom will also collaborate closely with operators and the leadership team to drive efficiency, deliver seamless service experiences, identify cost-saving opportunities and embed sustainability across all 14forty services.”
Antony Collett, managing director of 14forty said: “Tom’s role is pivotal and will help take our proposition to the next level as we build on our integrated offer, hospitality heritage and leadership position in social value, to deliver world-class service to our clients.”
Tom joins 14forty from CBRE Global Workplace Solutions, bringing an unique blend of expertise to his role, having held positions in finance, business development and technology integration– including three years at Compass Group UK & Ireland, Business & Industry when 14forty was first founded.
Tom said: “Joining 14forty feels like coming home for an exciting new chapter in our 10-year history. With visionary new leadership, it is a time of transition and real opportunity.
“My focus will be on building partnerships that are embedded into the fabric of our clients’ goals, turning our services into enhanced and valued assets that drive resilience, efficiency and growth.”
Leading soft service provider SBFM has appointed Mark Fenn as the company’s product director. Working with SBFM’s CTO, Ricky Majer, Fenn will be instrumental in optimising technological services ensuring SBFM continues to pioneer as an industry leader in innovation.
Fenn is responsible for analysing market needs and developing and scaling tech, data, and automation. His passion for digital products and technology, combined with his commitment to delivering customer value and commercial scalability make him perfectly aligned with SBFM’s ethos and values.
Fenn has an impressive 15-year background in tech, particularly in software as a service (SaaS), across multiple industries including telecoms, financial services, and pharmaceuticals. Recent positions include product manager at Lumanity medical consulting, and senior director, customer success EMEA, at technology management solutions company Calero MDSL.
Mark Fenn, product director at SBFM said: “SBFM’s company’s people-first ethos and problem-solving through technology really resonates with me. I’m looking forward to getting under the skin of the needs of our workforce and customer base, and delivering meaningful tech that improves service delivery.”
SBFM’s CEO Matt Chapman said: “Mark's strategic vision, expertise and customer-centric approach make him a valuable asset to SBFM. We are thrilled to welcome Mark to the team and look forward to working together to deliver greater innovation for our colleagues and customers.”
The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) is delighted to announce the appointment of John Hooker as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). John, who currently serves as the Chief Executive of SATRA Technology Centre Ltd, will officially take over the role in the summer of 2025, succeeding Alan Murray.
Speaking on the appointment, Alan Murray said: “After 11 thoroughly enjoyable years at BSIF, I am delighted to pass the baton on to someone of John’s calibre, who will lead the Federation in its next important phases of development, serving the safety industry in the UK.”
John Hooker joined SATRA in September 2015 as Executive Director and has been instrumental in developing the organisation’s PPE certification and testing capabilities. He also led the development of SATRA’s Century House test equipment manufacturing facility.
John began his career as an engineer before transitioning into operations and commercial general management. Over the years, he has held board positions in various manufacturing and service companies, particularly in highly regulated industries, including the medical device and automotive sectors. His extensive experience and leadership will be invaluable in advancing BSIF’s mission to promote safety and health in workplaces across the UK.
On his new role, John Hooker commented: “I am very excited to be joining the BSIF and really looking forward to supporting the leading PPE and Safety Equipment businesses, as well as the broader market, in improving workplace safety and health across the UK.”
Compass Group UK & Ireland has appointed Michelle Sanders in the role of Chief Growth Officer and Sophie Smith as Chief People Officer, both will start next month and will join the Executive team.
Michelle was previously the Managing Director of Samworth Brothers Futures, which focuses on exploring upcoming trends and fostering connections in non-traditional retail domains. She initially joined Samworth Brothers as Sales Director in 2013 and moved her way up through other business and commercial roles, including Category Commercial Director for the ‘food to go’ division – the company’s largest sector. Prior to that, she also worked at Noble Foods and Associated British Foods. Michelle will be responsible for delivering the company’s growth agenda, overseeing its growth community team across all sectors.
Sophie Smith joins from the position of Chief Human Resources Officer, leading the People function for BW Group, a global maritime and sustainable technology company, based in Singapore. She also spent time at Experian as HR Director for Asia Pacific and Europe, and held leadership roles at Rolls- Royce, 3i, and NatWest. Sophie will take the lead on Compass Group UK & Ireland’s Talent agenda and continue work in delivering the company’s ‘Our Social Promise’ – a commitment to support a million people with opportunities and change their lives through job creation, education, training, community and charitable engagement by 2030.
Robin Mills, Chief Executive Officer, Compass Group UK & Ireland: “We are a people powered business, so the news that Michelle and Sophie are to join is an exciting milestone. They both bring a great deal of expertise, which will support our vitally important people agenda around offering opportunities and nurturing our talent, with Michelle leading on growth across our business. Both these roles are integral for the continued success of our organisation. I look forward to working with Michelle and Sophie.”
Michelle Sanders commented: “I’m really excited to be joining Compass Group UK & Ireland in the position of Chief Growth Officer - the size and ambition of the company aligns perfectly with my aspirations. I am looking forward to the next stage of my career and getting to know the team, as well as Compass’ clients and customers.”
Sophie Smith said: “This is an exciting time to join Compass – the team have an ambitious people agenda, which is brought to life through its overarching Our Social Promise commitment. I am looking forward to working with the Compass teams, to ensure we continue and enhance opportunities for all.”
The British Council for Offices (BCO) has appointed a new chief executive to steer it through its next phase of growth.
Former EG editor and well-known advocate for the real estate sector Samantha McClary will take up the role from 6 May.
She succeeds Richard Kauntze, who has held the position for over 25 years, guiding the BCO through transformative growth and evolution. During Kauntze’s time as chief executive, the BCO’s membership has grown from 585 to more than 4,000. NextGen members (those who are 35 and under) now represent over a quarter of the BCO’s membership as a whole.
McClary has more than 20 years’ experience in the real estate sector, championing and challenging it through the pages of one of the sector’s core publications, Estates Gazette.
In her new role, McClary will seek to build on Kauntze’s achievements by working to grow the BCO’s membership further and to amplify its role as a guiding light for the workspace sector.
Samantha McClary, incoming Chief Executive, British Council for Offices, said: “The workplace has been through such a transformation, accelerated by Covid, but remains such an important element of our built environment. Where and how we work plays a vital role in building community. Our workplaces have a unique ability to bring people together, to enable innovation and collaboration. How we design and build these spaces has a phenomenal impact on people and the planet.
“It is vital that we support this important industry and make sure that everyone understands the role it plays in supporting economic growth, in creating community and in helping solve the climate crisis. This is why I’m excited and honoured to be taking up this role and to be working with the BCO Presidential team and the whole of the BCO membership to ensure the UK workspace sector leads and gets the recognition it deserves.”
Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive, British Council for Offices, said: “It has been an honour and a pleasure to hold the role of chief executive of the BCO for more than 25 years. I am delighted to be handing over the reins to Sam, and I know that she will do an excellent job of guiding the organisation through the years to come.
It is a real testament to the strength and ingenuity of our membership that the BCO has continued to grow and adapt in response to challenges such as the financial crisis, hybrid working, and, more recently, the rise of AI. The office continues to play a vital role in the greater ecosystem of towns and cities, and it is with anticipation and excitement that I will be watching this new chapter for the BCO unfold under the leadership of its new chief executive and formidable presidential team.”
Peter Crowther, President, British Council for Offices, said: “Sam has been at the forefront of the sector for years, not just working to champion the best of its achievements but working to challenge its limits and seek out avenues for progress where needed. I look forward to working alongside Sam as we continue the BCO’s work of helping the sector achieve its best. My heartfelt thanks go to Richard for his years of service to the BCO, a sentiment which I know is shared by the wider membership. Richard has been synonymous with the BCO for as long as I can remember and his tireless work has been instrumental in seeing the organisation grow and establish its place as a rigorous and respected source of guidance, support and progress.”
As a leading advocate for diversity, inclusion and talent, McClary will also seek to further grow the BCO’s NextGen membership and activities, with a focus on collaboration across sectors to ensure the future of the real estate sector remains in safe hands and continues to deliver the places our businesses, people and planet deserve.
Picture: a graphic showing a person working at a desk on a laptop. A large clock is mounted on the wall next to them, and behind them is a large arrow pointing in an upward trajectory. Image Credit: Pixabay
Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 25 March 2025
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