Grapevine

16 May 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.

Veterans Can… Bids Farewell to Portraits of Fallen Soldiers of Afghanistan Displayed at the Gurkha Museum Trust as They Journey to Nepal

Veterans Can... hosted by The Gurkha Museum Trust, organised the farewell event for the portraits of the 11 Gurkha soldiers and 4 British officers who lost their lives in Afghanistan. The intimate event took place on 24April 2025 at The Gurkha Museum in Peninsula Square, Winchester. The portraits were then transported to Nepal and presented to the Gurkha Memorial Museum in Pokhara.

Kevin Wills, an artist and Army veteran, painted portraits of each of the 457 British Army officers and soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan and the Brigade of Gurkhas lost 15 members during the Afghanistan conflict. Since November 2023, the Gurkha Museum Trust has been displaying the portraits of 11 Gurkha soldier who lost their lives while serving in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021, on loan from Kevin the artist. The originals of the portraits of the four British officers have already been presented to their families and Veteran Can... have been fundraising to undertake the trip to Nepal to present the remaining portraits to the families of the Nepalese Gurkha fallen heroes.

In May 2025 a small team of veterans from the Veterans Can… community travelled from Winchester, UK to Kathmandu, Nepal with the portraits. On arrival in Kathmandu they were joined by Gurkha Veteran Hari Budha Magar MBE, who became the first double above-knee amputee to reach the peak of Mount Everest in 2023 before being attending various events in the nation’s capital. From there, the team travelled by road with members of the Gurkha Welfare Trust to Pokhara – the home of the British Gurkhas. In Pokhara on 11 May, Kev and the team presented his portraits to the families of the fallen Gurkhas during a respectful ceremony at the Gurkha Memorial Museum where they will be kept on display.

Garrath Williams - Co-Founder of Veteran Can... said: “When I first met Kev, I wanted to find a way to show gratitude for this immense commitment, and as this was around the same time we launched Veterans Can... we put an idea to our community about getting behind Kev, and making this trip happen for him. I’m so chuffed we can do this, and it makes it all the more impactful having Hari involved, who has a close personal connection to some of the Gurkhas who were sadly killed in action.

Kevin Wills added: “The "Fallen of Afghanistan" project was an idea I had 4 years ago, and it felt like the right thing to do to make sure those who made the ultimate sacrifice are not forgotten. Being able to present the last few portraits to the museum in the presence of the families of fallen Gurkhas is a huge honour; and being able to draw a line under this project with such an expedition is amazing.”

Hari Budha Magar MBE said: “I am very happy to get involved with handing over portraits of fallen Gurkhas who were killed in Afghanistan to their families in Nepal. I was wounded in Afghanistan, so this is very close to me and someway brings me closer to my fallen colleagues. This means a lot to me.”

Watts 30th Pocket Handbook is Soon to Launch

As Watts Group gets ready to launch the 30th edition of their Watts Pocket Handbook, our readers can unlock a 25% discount off of their pre-orders.

After nearly a decade since its most recent edition, leading property and construction consultancy Watts will be releasing the 30th edition of the long-awaited Watts Pocket Handbook - the trusted go-to guide for property and construction professionals.

The handbook, compiled by Watts’ Group Chairman, Trevor Rushton, is industry-standard, but this year, it will be taking more of a collaborative approach. A first of its kind, it will feature experts from various disciplines at Watts, from fire safety to legislation, property ownership, and ESG, offering the most comprehensive view of the industry yet.

To mark the occasion, the handbook’s release will coincide with UKREiiF, where Watts will be hosting their first fringe event. Attendees can look forward to an exclusive networking and drinks reception, and will be among the first to preview the 30th edition of the Watts Pocket Handbook. Visitors will also have the opportunity to win copies of the new edition in a raffle to raise funds for the Group’s 2025 charity partner, Mental Health UK (MHUK).

The evening will also include hundreds of free copies of previous editions of the handbook, along with opportunities to network and share insights with fellow delegates, clients, and industry leaders over drinks.

With more than 750 pages of updated content and vibrant colour illustrations, the Handbook continues its legacy as a must-have resource for surveyors, engineers, architects, project managers, developers, facilities managers and students across the built environment.

Trevor Rushton said: “The latest edition of the Watts Pocket Handbook is, as it always has been, aimed at providing clear, accessible technical guidance to professionals at every stage of their careers. This edition renews that commitment, responding to the evolving needs of the property and construction industries.”

While the official publication date is set for 8 July 2025, pre-orders will be opening on 17 June 2025 via Routledge. Not only this, all UKREiiF attendees and contacts will be offered an exclusive 25% discount on their pre-orders.

ThisWeekinFM readers can also claim a 25% discount off their pre-order using the following code: WPH2025

Amey Rehabilitation Alliance Board to Reduce Reoffending

Amey has officially launched a Rehabilitation Alliance Board to support the UK Government’s initiative to reduce reoffending, helping prison leavers secure meaningful employment and reintegrate successfully into society.

Chaired by Amey’s People Director and ESG Lead, Stephanie Johnson, the Board has united leaders from across Amey to work alongside key partners including the Ministry of Justice, Employment Advisory Boards, third-sector organisations, and Amey’s supply chain.

The Board has developed targeted rehabilitation programmes over the last eight months that are designed to break down employment barriers for prison leavers, addressing the estimated £18 billion annual cost of reoffending to the UK economy.

Stephanie Johnson emphasises the importance of employment in rehabilitation saying: “We know that the rate of reoffending drops significantly for individuals who are employed within six weeks of release. As a facilities management company working across 64 prisons, we know that reducing reoffending is a community effort and we are in a unique position to support that transition during sentence and beyond.”

The Board will initially focus on improving outcomes for young people, women, and 18–25s, with roles identified and ringfenced across Amey and its supply chain, alongside dedicated support, including CV writing, application guidance, and interview coaching. The Board has also established partnerships with third-sector organisations to support prison leavers’ needs on release.

Stephanie adds: “Amey has a longstanding commitment to rehabilitation. We already run several initiatives to open up opportunities for prison leavers, from in-prison training to guaranteed interviews. The Rehabilitation Alliance Board is a natural next step in scaling that impact and working more closely with government and industry to reduce reoffending.”

Amey already partners with the New Futures Network, part of HM Prison and Probation Service, and Working Chance to ensure vacancies across the business are shared with prison leavers.

9 May

Considerate Constructors Scheme Works With the Industry to Raise Skin Cancer Prevention Standards

As Skin Cancer Awareness Month shines a spotlight on melanoma prevention this May, Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) is reinforcing its commitment to worker wellbeing by addressing one of the construction industry's most overlooked occupational hazards: UV exposure.

According to HSE data, construction workers account for a staggering 44% of occupational skin cancer diagnoses, yet they currently make up only 8% of the UK workforce. With a large proportion of construction tasks taking place outdoors, prolonged exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays poses a serious and persistent threat.

A strong UV risk management strategy can differentiate a contractor, highlighting its commitment to best practices and excellence in worker protection. In line with this, Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) is committing to updating its Code of Considerate Practice to include skin protection as a key assessment criterion. The company will also work with the industry to champion efforts to develop a new gold standard solution for UV protection. In future, on-site health and safety contractors must demonstrate a comprehensive, proactive approach to UV risk management. This commitment will not only protect workers but also set a new benchmark for the industry.

"Enhancing prevention measures against skin cancer is a priority for CCS as we progress in refining our Code to elevate worker wellbeing standards across the UK," said Desiree Blamey, Head of Partnerships at CCS. "We believe all men and women deserve to be safe at work. We want to change behaviour to save lives.

"By encouraging better education, more visible protection, and practical daily measures, we hope to drive a real shift in how the industry manages the risks associated with UV exposure."

SBFM Launches Cleaning Academy at HM Prison Wealstun

Soft services facilities management provider SBFM has launched a cleaning training academy at HM Prison Wealstun (HMP Wealstun) as part of The Ministry of Justice’s HMP Academies Programme, further expanding its commitment to providing sustainable employment opportunities for ex-offenders.

Following the initial bid in early 2023 and a comprehensive onboarding process, SBFM is the only organisation successfully enrolled on the HMP Academies Programme for a three-year contract, with the option to extend for a further two years. SBFM will train nine cohorts annually through the academy.

HMP Wealstun is a category C men’s prison in West Yorkshire, which houses approximately 800 prisoners.

SBFM was responsible for designing and fitting out the interactive workshop. The space features a mock-up of multiple specialised spaces including a bathroom facility, hotel room, warehouse, corporate environment, retail area and a cinema space. Each environment has the flooring it would have in a natural setting to support training, from carpets to hard and shiny surfaces.

Working closely with HMP Wealstun and The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), SBFM developed a two-week training programme for prisoners who are within three months of their release. As an accredited provider of The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) training, SBFM ensures all participants can earn industry-recognised qualifications before release.

Beyond technical cleaning skills, the programme supports recruits with English, maths, and communication development, tailored to individual starting levels. The academy also incorporates practical job-seeking elements, including CV writing sessions and interview technique building.

After each course, SBFM will open up employment opportunities and the recruitment team will conduct formal interviews, all successful candidates will be offered employment opportunities. SBFM has an agreed-upon target to employ 30 per cent of trainees over the next three years.

Colin Shute, founder of SBFM, said: "This workshop represents a significant milestone in our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for those in need of a second chance. By expanding our Evolve scheme through this partnership with HMP Wealstun, we're not just teaching cleaning skills – we're rebuilding lives and contributing to safer communities through reduced reoffending rates."

SBFM and Wealstun have previously worked together to offer ex-offenders employment as part of its SBFM’s Evolve programme, which offers sustainable employment opportunities to disadvantaged groups.

Sodexo Celebrates People Going Above and Beyond Every Day

At a special dinner held at the prestigious Wallace Collection in London, Sodexo UK & Ireland celebrated the amazing dedication to delivering service excellence every day of the winners of its annual Spirit of Sodexo awards.

Chief Operating Officer, Jean Renton and Sodexo Ambassador, broadcaster and Rugby World Cup winner, Matt Dawson, welcomed winners from the 18 award categories and guests to the special dinner developed and served by Heritage Portfolio, part of Sodexo Live! and catering and hospitality partner to the Wallace Collection.

Out of the 18 categories, five were special recognition awards, the winners of these were:

Adele Chapple, a Domestic Housekeeper at North Devon District Hospital received the highest accolade at the awards, Employee of the Year. Adele works at the Hospital’s Fern Cancer Specialist Centre and in addition to her job, Adele also provides valuable support to the centre, its patients and their families. Adele organises many fundraising activities for the centre, bakes cakes for the families using the centre and makes hairpieces for the cancer patients. Adele is an exemplary employee, living Sodexo’s values every day.

Zero Harm Mindset learning & development team. The team received special recognition for the Chief Operating Officer award for excellence for the team’s exceptional capability in the successful delivery of Sodexo’s Zero Harm Mindset training to every manager across the UK and Ireland.

Steve Moran, Regional Chief Information Security Officer was awarded Manager of the Year for his visionary leadership, commitment to mentoring and developing talent within his team.

Team of the Year went to Sodexo’s team at HMP Northumberland. When RAAC was discovered in a number of the buildings at the prison the team pulled together to overcome the issues this presented with limited access to buildings and reduced space. The team demonstrated a can-do attitude, creative thinking and commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone living and working at the prison.

The Lifetime Achievement award went to Mark Cockburn, a cleaner at George Watson’s College in Edinburgh. Mark has been working at George Watson’s College for almost 50 years! Over that time, he has inspired multiple generations and is loved and respected by both his Sodexo colleagues and the College community. 