Grapevine

20 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.

SBFM Partners with Working Chance to Provide Employment Opportunities for Women with Convictions

SBFM has partnered with Working Chance, the UK's only employment charity solely for women with convictions, to offer opportunities to women leaving the criminal justice system. The partnership began in May 2024, and two women have been successfully employed to date.

The partnership prioritises quality matches that benefit individual applicants and supports SBFM’s Evolve programme, which provides comprehensive support, training, mentorship and career opportunities in the facilities management industry.

Evolve addresses employment barriers by offering workshops, coaching and digital learning career support to various groups, including ex-offenders, the homeless, ex-services personnel, former sports professionals, the long-term unemployed, care leavers, neurodivergent people, and those with disabilities. SBFM collaborates with more than 40 Evolve Partners to expand career pathways beyond FM in multiple sectors.

Working Chance partners with 130 national employers and maintains connections with all 12 women's prisons across the UK. The charity's approach centres on providing hope and accessibility, allowing women to engage when they feel ready following conviction.

The application process has been streamlined to benefit applicants, especially those who require urgent support. This flexible and responsive approach enables Working Chance to contact SBFM about individuals who want to find work right away, ensuring rapid responses rather than lengthy waiting periods.

Details are managed through an online portal. Once candidates meet the established criteria, a systematic approach includes group induction and straightforward onboarding processes, effectively guaranteeing employment opportunities for those who complete these stages successfully.

Over 100 FM Businesses Sign Open Letter to the Government about Employment Rights Bill

Entrepreneurs Dominic Ponniah and Malcolm Hills, the CEO of office and commercial cleaning company Cleanology and the MD of Think FM respectively, have co-authored an open letter to PM Sir Keir Starmer, Deputy PM Angela Rayner and Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds setting out strong opposition to key elements of the proposed Employment Rights Bill.

The letter has 128 signatory companies, representing £7 billion in UK GDP.

The co-authors are convinced that the bill will have a devastating impact on the FM sector. The bill proposes large-scale changes to employment law including making unfair dismissal a day one right, significantly increasing union powers and introducing statutory sick pay from day one.

In the letter, which Dominic has published on LinkedIn, he states: “We are deeply concerned that some of the Bill’s provisions will have serious unintended consequences that could harm both good employers and the very employees that the Bill seeks to protect.

“Introducing day-one unfair dismissal rights will increase the legal and financial risk of taking on new hires and discourage employers from offering opportunities to individuals who need a first step, a second chance, or time to prove themselves – and further will discourage growth and reduce employment opportunities — especially in labour-intensive sectors like ours.

“Probationary periods are a vital part of responsible recruitment, allowing both parties to assess suitability before long-term commitments are made. This change will also encourage and increase the number of vexatious claims against employers, over-burdening an already overstretched tribunal system heavily weighted in favour of the employee.

“Meanwhile, introducing statutory sick pay from day one places a new, immediate cost on employers — especially in sectors like ours where staffing models are built around tight margins and stringent contracts. While we support fair and compassionate sick leave policies, the reality is that many SMEs simply cannot absorb this additional cost without significant impact.

“This additional burden will force some employers to reduce staff headcount or reduce their hours, turn down new contracts or even exit the market altogether. None of these outcomes will benefit our employees or our customers, many of whom are public services”.

The letter can be read here.

Compass Celebrates Six Month Impact of Street League Partnership

Compass Group UK & Ireland, the UK’s largest food and services company, is celebrating six months of success with Street League by starting a new phase of support at its flagship regional community skills and learning hub, Xcelerate with Edgbaston.

Using the power of sport, Street League supports young people aged 16-30 who are living in some of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities, to give them opportunities to succeed in life and the workplace. In November 2024, Compass teamed up with the charity to create learning and job opportunities for young unemployed people, giving them skills for future success.

Since the launch in November, 46 young people have been given roles through Constellation, with 29 in London and 17 in Glasgow. On the back of this success, Street League will now be utilising Xcelerate with Edgbaston in Birmingham to deliver a rolling eight-week Academy Programme.

As part of this programme, the Compass team will be showcasing the opportunities within Compass, as well as introducing community and delivery partners to showcase the wider opportunities within the local communities.

13 June

Peartree Cleaning Service Steps Up to Support BRE’s Charity Initiative

Earlier this month, three members of Peartree Cleaning Services, Steve Cooney, Brenda Ayling and Nichola Underwoodjoined a team from CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS), on their ‘Step Up for Supply Chain’ walk to raise valuable funds for the Alzheimer's Society, and to support the social enterprise Waste to Wonder, to fund the building of essential water borewells in The Gambia, ensuring more communities have access to safe drinking water. The 42km walk took place along the Thames Path from Hampton Court to CBRE’s head office at 61 Southwark Street, near London Bridge.

Peartree encourages its team to give back to the community through hands-on engagement. In 2024, head office staff contributed 364 hours to volunteering projects.

Stuart Conroy, Commercial Director at Peartree Cleaning Services, commented: “We’re extremely proud of our colleagues for taking part in such a worthwhile initiative. Social value isn't just about ticking boxes; it's about creating real, meaningful impact and driving positive change across everything we do. Through a combination of targeted investments, inclusive policies, and community engagement, we have demonstrated that ethical and responsible practices can drive meaningful change.”

Step Up for Supply Chain is an initiative set up by CBRE – creating a positive impact beyond the immediate work environment and encouraging their team to ‘step up to the challenge’, both professionally, and in their efforts to give back to the community.

If you would like to support their fundraising, please visit the JustGiving page here:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stepup-forsupplychain?utm_term=b8PqGj5xE

Corps Security Sponsors D-Day Commemorative Fundraiser for Blesma

Corps Security is sponsoring a 50-mile Normandy Beach fundraising challenge to support the Limbless Veterans charity Blesma. Beginning today, on the 3rd of June, the challenge aims to raise £5,000 and will cover each of the five beachheads, once codenamed Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword, that the Allied Troops landed on 81 years ago.

George Bromley, a Serving Officer in the Royal Engineers, will take part in the gruelling coastal swimming and walking challenge to commemorate the 81^st anniversary of D-Day. He will place a Corps and Blesma wooden cross on each of the five beaches to commemorate those fallen in the battle. Bromley will be accompanied by partner Micol Flegenheimer, and supported by a team of volunteers, including historian Peter Jones and Nadège Anturo, organiser of the 81^st D-Day events on Sword Beach.

At the end of the challenge, his team will be serenaded by the Military Wives Choir, and elements of the 77 (Armoured) Engineer Squadron will also receive Bromley and Flegenheimer with RAF Spitfires flying overhead. Celebrations will continue at the D-Day Swing Festival on the 7^th of June.

Bromley hosts yearly D-Day fundraisers and has participated in commemorative events in Normandy since 2015. In 2024, Bromley was the first person to swim from Portsmouth to Sword Beach to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

George Bromley, Serving Officer in the Royal Engineers, said: “There are lots of D-Day celebrations and events in landmark years such as the 75th or 80th anniversaries, but attention fades in the intervening years. I believe strongly that it is important to recognise what it means every year and I try my best to uphold the stories and memories of the greatest generation.”

“Our aim is to pay homage to the soldiers and officers who took part and to raise funds for Blesma, which provides lifelong support to veterans who lost limbs or the use of limbs. Blesma was crucial in the aftermath of WW2 looking after injured veterans and continues to play a vital role for injured service personnel.”

Andrew Topp, sales & marketing director at Corps Security, said: “We are incredibly proud to support George’s D-Day challenge, raising vital funds for Blesma. As a company founded to provide employment for ex-servicemen this cause is close to our hearts. Sponsoring George’s walking and swimming challenge is our way of honouring the sacrifices of the past while helping to improve the lives of those who live with the impact of their service today. The endurance and resilience this challenge demands are a powerful tribute to the strength and determination of our soldiers and veterans across our armed forces.”

The challenge is raising funds for Blesma, the Limbless Veterans charity which provides serving and ex-service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss, lost the use of a limb, an eye or vision loss, in the honourable service of the United Kingdom.

To donate, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/memorialmarch2025?newPage=true

Workman Launches new Mentorship Programme with The Circle Partnership

Workman LLP, the UK’s largest independent commercial property management and building consultancy firm, has launched an internal mentorship programme in collaboration with The Circle Partnership.

The scheme, specifically targeted at Associates, recognises the critical importance of supporting employees at the pivotal mid-point of their careers.

Introduced in direct response to employee feedback and as part of a wider culture and values project across the firm, the scheme is open to all Workman employees at Associate level nationwide, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility across the firm, while underlining the value of mentorship. Mentees will be matched with Partners and experienced team members across the business, fostering cross-functional relationships and ensuring the programme is grounded in real-world insight, support, and collaboration.

The programme is designed to build confidence, enhance visibility, foster community, and provide targeted support for Associates who have moved beyond APC qualification and are navigating fresh challenges, including client management and leadership development.