Grapevine

17 June 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.

Compass makes Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer List

Compass Group UK & Ireland, the UK’s largest food and support services provider, has been recognised as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer 2025 - compiled by the Department for Education and RateMyApprenticeship.

The 2025 rankings recognise and celebrate England’s leading apprenticeship employers for their overall commitment to employing apprentices, the diversity of their apprentices, whether their apprentices achieve and their own feedback on their employer’s programme.

Ranked 35th on the list, Compass currently has over 600 people on programmes, and its offer continues to evolve - from a level 2 up to Degree level 6. These range from culinary, facilities management, business management, finance, HR, events and IT.

Jonathan Foot, Director of Skills and Early Careers at Compass Group UK & Ireland, said:

"Providing opportunities for all is at the heart of Our Social Promise, and our award-winning apprenticeship programmes are a key part of that commitment. These programmes can be truly life-changing - we’ve seen incredible stories of individuals who have completed or are currently undertaking apprenticeships within Compass and these people are thriving as a result."

"We’re honoured to receive this recognition and incredibly proud of our dedicated apprenticeship team, who consistently go above and beyond to support learners in reaching their full potential."

Wagstaff Interiors Hosts Another Triumphant Charity Casino Night Raising more than £27,000

Wagstaff Interiors Group and Umbrella Furniture once again transformed their Clerkenwell showroom into a casino pit, welcoming their suppliers and manufacturers for their annual charity casino night. This year's event raised over £27,000, supporting Waste to Wonder and Global Orphan Empowerment Academy's Sustainability Cookery School in Gambia.

Held at their London Showroom in Brewhouse Yard, Clerkenwell, the evening featured casino games, a prize raffle, and a celebration of community spirit. Funds raised will aid in equipping young Gambians with skills in sustainable cooking, agriculture, hospitality, and tourism, to foster education, future employment and food security.

The evening featured an impressive array of prizes donated by Wagstaff Interiors. Some favourite prizes amongst the attendees included a Vitra Eames chair, a series of red-letter day experiences, and a selection of Apple and Bose audio products.

Building on the impact and success of previous charity initiatives, which included a borewell project in 2023 that provided clean water to 9,000 people, this year's event underscores Wagstaff's commitment to sustainable education and community impact in Gambia.

With guests getting the chance to roll the dice throughout the night, contributions were made through ticket sales and on-the-night donations which channeled directly into the Sustainability Cookery School in Gambia - a joint effort by Waste to Wonder Worldwide and the Global Orphan Empowerment Academy. Waste to Wonder offers a groundbreaking Ethical Clearance service, ensuring redundant office furniture is reused responsibly rather than wasted. Since its founding, it has diverted tens of thousands of tonnes of equipment from disposal and donated office furniture over 1,300 schools across 32 countries worldwide, all while advancing corporate ESG goals.

Matt Clarke, Marketing Director at Umbrella Furniture, reflected on the evening’s success:

“Waste to wonder is a charity that is close to our hearts - we’ve been working with them in commercial office clearance for 18 years now. The work they do and the donations - it really changes lives, which we’ve seen first-hand on our trip with them to the Gambia. They are one of our key partners when we are raising money for charity as we truly believe in their work.”

Leading Charity Extends Partnership With The Clean Space

Norwood, the leading charity for people with neurodiversity and neurodevelopmental disability, has awarded The Clean Space with a soft facilities management contract, to provide high-quality, specialist cleaning and support services at their diverse and vital care facilities across North London and Berkshire.

The renewed contract will see The Clean Space providing a full suite of soft FM services, including cleaning, window cleaning, hygiene services, pest control, waste management, and external garden maintenance; and will also support Norwood’s goals for sustainability, infection control, and best-practice compliance in line with Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards.

Having initially been entrusted with the contract in 2020, The Clean Space transformed Norwood’s soft FM service delivery by implementing robust management structures, improving staff performance, and enhancing service efficiency, resulting in a significant reduction in complaints, improved audit scores, and a more consistent, high-quality cleaning service.

Leigh Coleman, Assistant Director of Property & Facilities at Norwood, commented: “We support and empower neurodiverse children and their families and people with neurodevelopmental disabilities to live their best lives.. The Clean Space has always gone above and beyond to help us provide a clean and welcoming space for our families, delivering services in a safe, flexible, and responsive manner, whilst upholding the highest standards of care and compliance.”

Wesley Smith, Sales and Marketing Director, commented: "This renewal highlights our expertise in delivering tailored soft services to the care and charity sectors, reinforcing our reputation as a trusted provider committed to service excellence.

“Retaining this contract is a testament to the strong partnership we’ve built with Norwood over the past five years. Our team is incredibly proud to continue supporting such an important organisation, ensuring their environments remain clean, safe, and welcoming for both residents and staff. We look forward to further enhancing our service delivery and working collaboratively with Norwood to achieve their long-term goals.

10 July

Sodexo Ranks in Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025 List

Sodexo UK & Ireland has been recognised as one of the top 100 apprenticeship employers in the country, ranking 46th in the Department for Education’s 2025 list.

The rankings, developed in partnership with RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk, celebrate outstanding apprenticeship employers across England who are providing high-quality opportunities, helping future apprentices, parents, and careers advisers identify leading programmes across multiple industries.

The Top 100 rankings are calculated based on a weighted algorithm determined by the partner organisations, the Department for Education and RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk. Ranking factors include the number and level of apprenticeship opportunities offered, completion rates, and overall satisfaction as shared by the apprentices themselves.

Sodexo offers a wide variety of apprenticeships in areas such as IT and business administration, facilities management, hospitality and catering, healthcare, and prison custody. These range from Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) to Level 7 (degree level) schemes.

Apprenticeships play a central role in Sodexo’s social impact strategy. The organisation considers all vacancies and roles as apprenticeship opportunities wherever possible, demonstrating its commitment to creating varied career pathways and promoting social mobility.

Bill Buchan, HR Director, Sodexo UK & said: “This recognition is a testament to our commitment to developing talent and creating real career pathways. Apprenticeships are powerful tools for social mobility, and we’re proud to offer our colleagues the chance to grow, thrive and shape a career they’re proud of."

Faye Szpytma, Apprentice Chef, added: “Joining Sodexo as an apprentice has completely changed my perspective on what a career can look like. I’ve gained so much confidence, real-world experience, and qualifications while being supported every step of the way. It’s incredible to see Sodexo recognised nationally for creating opportunities and backing apprentices like me to succeed."

Amey Becomes Patron of the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance, Championing Opportunities Across Infrastructure

Amey has proudly announced its patronage of the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance, reinforcing its commitment to advancing diversity, inclusion, and social mobility across the UK’s infrastructure sector.

Founded in 2017, the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance promotes equity and accessibility in apprenticeships and skills development. As a Patron, Amey will collaborate with the Alliance to drive initiatives that break down barriers to employment, particularly for individuals furthest from the labour market. This partnership will provide Amey with access to expert insight, research, and diverse networks, all vital to shaping a more inclusive, future-ready workforce.

Amey’s patronage aligns with the recent rebrand of the business employability programme, Journey to Work, and its apprenticeship scheme, which this year offered a newly designed range of opportunities for people of all ages, tailored to build real-world skills and contribute directly to some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, ensuring individuals are job-ready and future-fit.

Commenting on the announcement, Claire Robinson, Amey’s HR Director, said: “As one of the UK’s leading infrastructure companies, we recognise our responsibility not only to deliver vital public services, but also to help develop the diverse, skilled workforce that sustains them. That’s why partnerships like this matter, joining forces with the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance strengthens the work we’re already doing and helps us go further in creating real, lasting pathways into employment for underrepresented groups.”

Safaraz Ali, Founder and CEO of Pathway Group & Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance, welcomed Amey's patronage, stating: “Amey’s decision to join the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance as a Patron is more than a partnership-it’s a clear statement of intent. It reflects a deep commitment to breaking down barriers and driving measurable change in how talent is nurtured across the UK.

With the strength of the Amey brand and its influence in infrastructure, combined with our shared mission for equity and representation, this collaboration is set to create meaningful opportunities for those too often overlooked. Together, we are building a workforce that truly reflects the society it serves.”

Jagdeep Soor, Executive Director at Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance & Pathway Group, adds, " I am delighted to welcome Amey as Patrons of the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance. Amey's commitment to promoting an inclusive learning environment and improving equity and accessibility of opportunity aligns perfectly with our mission to open more doors for underrepresented and marginalised communities and individuals. I am extremely excited about what the future holds for our meaningful partnership.”

CIPD Welcomes Plans to Extend Bereavement Leave to Those Who Experience Pregnancy Loss at any Stage

Commenting on government plans to amend the Employment Rights Bill to grant leave to employees who experience miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy, Claire McCartney, policy and practice manager at the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, said:

“Pregnancy loss can have a profound impact on a person’s mental and physical wellbeing and returning to work while still grieving can be both isolating and overwhelming.

“We welcome this amendment to the Employment Rights Bill, which will offer crucial support during what’s often a deeply distressing time. With an estimated one in four pregnancies ending in miscarriage - many before the 24-week mark - this change will ensure employees are given the opportunity to come to terms with their loss before having to go back to work.

“Employer support will also be invaluable beyond this period of leave. Supportive line managers play a crucial role in helping women and their partners navigate their return to work after pregnancy loss. When they do return, employees should be met with flexibility, understanding, and compassion.”