Grapevine

1 July 2022

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.

CBRE’s UK Procurement Team Wins Supplier Diversity & Inclusion Award

BRE’s Global Workplace Solutions Procurement team in the UK has been named winner of the Supplier Diversity & Inclusion Award at the World Procurement Awards 2022, which acknowledges the procurement function that uses its influence and reach most effectively to positively impact the diversity and inclusivity of its supply chain.

CBRE was recognised for its efforts in overhauling procurement practices to provide more opportunities for diverse-owned suppliers and social enterprises to work with its clients. Working with advocacy organisations, including Social Enterprise UK, internal sales teams and clients, the team provided suppliers with mentoring and support to grow, allowing CBRE to increase spend with diverse suppliers by 325 per cent in just one year.

The judges praised CBRE’s rapid pace of progress and the team’s efforts to raise awareness throughout the organisation.

Kevin Lynn, Division President, CBRE Global Workplace Solutions, said: “We are extremely proud to have won this prestigious award for making a positive social impact through our progressive procurement strategy. Diversity, equity and inclusion are core pillars of CBRE’s culture, and this award is testament to the hard work and commitment of our team to positively impact our supply chain and the communities they serve.”

Inviron wins RoSPA Commended in the Facilities Management Industry Sector Award

Inviron has successfully been awarded the RoSPA Commended in the Facilities Management Industry Sector Award for their health and safety performance throughout 2021.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is a British charity that aims to save lives and prevent life-changing injuries which occur as a result of accidents. Their Awards is one of the most prestigious and recognised schemes in the world with almost 2,000 entries every year, nearly 50 countries and a reach of over 7 million employees.

Elaine Clark, Compliance Manager, commented “This is a fantastic achievement for Inviron to obtain not only our 7th Gold Award but a Commendation in the Industry Sector Award Entry. These awards are very competitive, and judging is to the highest standard so to achieve this demonstrates our commitment throughout all aspects of the business. A good team effort with input from all parts of the business, well done and thank you to everyone who contributed to the entry”.

Malcolm Clocks up 50 years at Cleeonol

Loyal Malcolm Cross has clocked up 50 years working for one of the country’s best-known manufacturers and suppliers of cleaning and hygiene products.

Malcolm’s marathon stint at Cleenol started in 1971 when you could buy a pint of milk for five pence or a pint of beer for 16 pence. He started out as a driver before working his way up to warehouse manager and then works manager – a role he held for 40 years.

In recognition of his steadfast loyalty, Cleenol’s MD and fourth generation owner Sam Greaves recently rewarded Malcolm with a memorable gift – a dream trip to be taken with wife Linda to the Balearics Islands with Saga Holidays.

Malcolm – who reached 50 years of service at Cleenol on December 23 – has acquired so much experience over the years that even now, as almost an octogenarian, he is playing a vital role organising staff, planning, checking goods inwards, helping with production and driving a fork lift truck, among other duties.

Malcolm, who says he has “no retirement plans whatsoever”, has a few words of advice for others who want to work past retirement age: “Stay engaged, keep active and look for things you enjoy at work. Having an active mind and bags of energy is also really important”.

24 June 2022

EMCOR UK Signs the Armed Forces Covenant

EMCOR UK, a leading provider of facilities, asset and workplace management services, is delighted to announce that it has signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Covenant is a pledge that those who serve and have served in the armed forces and their families will be treated fairly in society. EMCOR UK signed the Covenant on 20^th June, the start of Armed Forces Week, when celebrations begin ahead of Armed Forces Day on 25^th June.

One of the key principles of the Covenant is providing employment support to members of the Armed Forces community. As a national facilities management service provider with clients from numerous sectors including defence, EMCOR UK is well-positioned to provide a career path for those members, including ex-service personnel.

Signing the Covenant is an important step for EMCOR UK and its social value work. In particular, it ties in with the UN Global Goals 8, 10 and 17: Decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, and partnerships for the goals. For example, EMCOR UK will drive social mobility by supporting ex-service personnel who may struggle to transition to civilian life. It will also engage those transitioning that have a disability to deliver equal opportunities and tackle workforce inequality.

Keith Chanter, CEO at EMCOR UK, said: “We recognise the sacrifices that those in the Armed Forces make, and the difficulties they and their families can face when transitioning to civilian life. Signing the pledge is a commitment from EMCOR UK that we support veterans and wider members in gaining employment and will support them throughout their time with us.”

Dylan Wickenden, Executive Director, HR, at EMCOR UK, said: “We already have a number of colleagues who come from an Armed Forces background and have always been proud to support them and their families. Signing the Covenant solidifies our commitment and sends a clear message to those looking for work following their service that EMCOR UK is ready to help support and develop ex-service colleagues as they move into civilian roles.”

Simon Briggs, Wing Commander at the Royal Air Force, said: “Working in the facilities management sector is a popular choice for many who leave the Armed Forces as a lot of the skills learned during service are transferable to facilities management. Through signing the Covenant, EMCOR UK has greatly enhanced its standing with the Armed Forces community by formally pledging to support its offer of employment after service and now to the wider community, including reservists and spouses.”

Space FM Team Highly Commended at NEC Awards

 SPACE FM Consultancy Services, part of Space Solutions, was highly commended at last week’s NEC Awards, after entering Building/Facilities Management Contract of the Year.

The Space FM team were recognised for their work with Queen Margaret University’s Estates Management department on the implementation of NEC4 (TSC) FM contract to provide an integrated facilities support provision. By establishing the NEC4 procedure, Space FM has equipped Queen Margaret University with expertise in procurement, negotiations, implementation and contract management.

The project was led by contract management and business specialist at Space FM, Miguel Montenegro, who holds full accreditation as an NEC4 TSC Service Manager.

Speaking on the award, Miguel comments: “We are thrilled to be highly commended at this year’s Building/Facilities Management Contract of the Year at the NEC Awards. Our work with Queen Margaret University’s Estates Management department required a solid understanding of NEC contracts to maximise the benefits that come from efficient procedural and contractual processes.  

“This reflects our profound expertise in contract management, procurement and operational performance that can help to transform a client’s business.”

The Space FM Consultancy Service offers specialist support, using bespoke software packages, with the procurement and adoption processes of NEC contracts and includes fully trained and qualified practitioners in the implementation and use of NEC3 & 4 Contracts (TSC, TSSC, and FM).

Cleanology Goes National in Major New Expansion Drive

Award-winning commercial cleaning contractor Cleanology is bringing its sustainable and ethical approach from London, to the rest of the country.

After 20 years servicing the capital, and nearly 10 years in Manchester, Cleanology is forging ahead with new hubs across the Midlands, Scotland and the South-West. Now working in 14 cities across the UK, national clients include a well-known electric vehicle manufacturer and a number of leading national chains.

To mark the national launch, Cleanology has commissioned an HGV to be specially branded in its iconic green & blue flag logo. Speaking at the launch, CEO Dominic Ponniah said: “We are excited that this branded HGV will be travelling to every part of the country at the same time as we expand our business across the UK. While our base has always been London, we’ve been delivering contracts in Manchester for almost 10 years and now have offices in Manchester and Leeds. The launch of our national service is a natural expansion which will make our future growth plans possible. This year, we have already grown by 50%. We aim to double our turnover in the next three years to £30m; going national is part of that journey.”

In just the past 12 months, Cleanology has expanded from its London and Manchester hubs, to 12 additional towns and cities, including Banbury, Bedford, Bicester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Reading and Southampton. A further dozen locations will be launched over the next year.

Ponniah described the move as a fresh offering for commercial contract cleaning in the regions. He said: “Cleanology is large enough to cope, but small enough to care. We are known for our award-winning sustainable projects – some of which have helped us to save 28,000 plastic bottles every year – and, in 2021, we won a Living Wage Champion Award from the Living Wage Foundation. We are looking forward to bringing innovation and green cleaning to a wider audience.”

Clients have also welcomed the move. Katy Tennant, Director of UK Operations at Clockwise, said: “We use Cleanology at a number of Clockwise locations throughout the country. Their ‘clean green’ approach, using chemical free cleaning; their attention to detail, and their ethics are just a few of the many reasons why we chose them. The Cleanology team have become an extension of our own building teams and our members rave about their service.”

The national launch ties in with Cleanology’s 20^th anniversary celebrations. Festivities were delayed in 2020 due to Covid, but in April this year, a number of Cleanology clients and staff attended a glittering black-tie dinner at Tower Bridge to celebrate.

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