Grapevine

5 December 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.

Barratt Redrow Champions Veteran Support Through RBVE’s £2 Million Fundraising Campaign

The country’s largest homebuilder, Barratt Redrow, is co-sponsoring Royal British Veterans Enterprise’s (RBVE) national fundraising campaign, The Great Tommy Sleep Out, for a second year running. Over 14,500 people took part in 2025, raising an incredible £2 million to help veterans rebuild their lives, and for 2026, RBVE want to raise even more.

The Great Tommy Sleep Out is a national movement. Every March, thousands unite to brave the night, sleeping outside for one night to raise awareness and stand with veterans facing homelessness. This symbolic act raises vital funds and awareness, enabling RBVE to deliver emergency housing, mental health support, and employment pathways for those who served.

David Thomas, CEO of Barratt Redrow, says: “Barratt Redrow was proud to sponsor The Great Tommy Sleep Out in 2025, with our teams raising an amazing £250,000 to support veterans. We are excited to do even more in 2026, and we believe the entire housebuilding sector can play a vital role in reducing veteran homelessness.”

Lisa Farmer, Chief Executive of RBVE, added: “No veteran should face homelessness after serving their country, yet too many still need help. Funds raised through The Great Tommy Sleep Out enable veterans without a safe place to call home to get back on their feet. Barratt Redrow’s sponsorship and participation make a huge difference to the campaign’s reach and impact. We’re deeply grateful for their continued support and are looking forward to building on our fantastic relationship.”

EMCOR UK Achieves 3rd Consecutive SFMI Gold for 2025 Sustainability Performance

EMCOR UK has received the Sustainable Facilities Management Index (SFMI) Gold Award for the third consecutive year. The accreditation follows an extensive assessment that includes more than 300 questions across 23 criteria that align with major ESG frameworks and are highly relevant to the FM industry.

The SFMI gave EMCOR UK an overall score of 83.64 per cent, calculated as the average of its scores across the three key areas of the report: governance, society, and the environment.

EMCOR UK was praised for its social value development, including its introduction of structured social value-led meetings with customers of large sites. These touchpoints discuss customers’ social value needs and ambitions, to adapt plans, align customer and supplier objectives, share best practice, and leverage existing initiatives.

EMCOR UK also received mention for its internal app that keeps staff better informed and supported as they go through the TUPE process, creating touchpoints at every step in the process of transferring employers, to reduce stress and increase contract productivity.

Kam Singh, executive director - ESG at EMCOR UK, said: “Participating in the SFMI has allowed us to develop a tangible improvement plan across all relevant aspects of sustainability within our organisation. Winning gold for the third year in a row reaffirms that we are on the right track across all aspects of ESG, as detailed in our strategic plan.”

Messagemaker Installs Smiley Activated Speed Signs For The Children’s Trust

Messagemaker has recently completed a project for its charity partner The Children’s Trust, donating a Vehicle Activated Speed sign (VAS) to help maintain safety around the trust’s Surrey school. The new Smily Activated Message (SAM) sign replaced an old, faulty system and have led to a reduction in vehicle speeds. The project builds on a five-year partnership, which has seen Messagemaker champion the trust and support it with significant donations from regular charitable activities.

The Children’s Trust is the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury and operates its specialist school from its headquarters in Tadworth, Surrey. The school provides life changing education and support for children with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), giving them access to top of the range facilities, green space and a safe, pleasant environment.

This ability to enjoy the grounds of the school is a vital aspect of the care and wellbeing of the children. As a result, safety in and around the site is vital. Cars pose a particular risk as the school is enclosed by a road that enables the staff and visitors to move around the site. Consequently, the trust had an existing system of VAS signs, warning drivers of their speed.

However, after several years in operation the VAS signs were no longer functioning properly and failed to warn drivers when they were exceeding the required 10mph speed limit. The team from Messagemaker noticed the faulty signs when they volunteered to garden for The Children’s Trust and offered to provide a replacement, free of charge.

Since installation of the new SAM signs, the trust has seen a reduction in overall driving speeds, which has helped to create a safer, calmer environment and reduced risk at the busiest points on site.

“Our experience of working with Messagemaker has been fantastic and the support from the team has gone beyond financial contributions,” commented Partnership Manager Tracey Poulton. “The company has shown genuine commitment to our cause, with an enthusiastic team who are collaborative and proactive in helping us make a greater impact to the children and families we support.”

Danny Adamson, Managing Director of Messagemaker commented, “We were very happy to help The Children’s Trust by supplying our signage. As a business we have always sought to actively help the community we are a part of, but it was particularly rewarding to do so on this occasion by supplying our own technology and see the positive impact it has had.”

Since 2021 Messagemaker has also donated the proceedings of its annual charity hike to the Children’s Trust, with the company’s 2025 expedition to the Pyrenees raising £26,653.

28 November

SELECT Donates £2,500 to Prostate Scotland

Electrotechnical trade association SELECT used its landmark 125th Anniversary Grand Ball to make a £2,500 donation to Prostate Scotland as part of an ongoing campaign to educate its members about the disease which affects thousands of men every year.

Scotland’s largest construction trade body handed over the contribution at the culmination of its year of celebrations, during which it has teamed up with the charity to use real-life member stories to raise awareness and encourage testing.

The glittering event, sponsored by Scolmore Group, saw 300 members, guests and industry leaders gather at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel on Friday 14 November to mark the founding of the world’s first electrical trade association in 1900.

Hosted by broadcaster and comedian Fred MacAulay – who revealed earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with the disease – the event shone a spotlight on the importance of early detection and encouraged guests to help spread the message across the industry.

Handing over the donation to charity representatives Mae Bell and Helen Fleming, SELECT President Mike Stark told guests: “Our esteemed host and many of you in this room will know only too well that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Scotland.

“We therefore want to raise awareness among our members, encourage them to get themselves checked out and let them know that help and support is out there.

“To help it continue its work, the SELECT Central Board has therefore agreed to make this donation to Prostate Scotland in recognition of its fantastic achievements.”

Alison Wright, CEO of Prostate Scotland, said: “We are grateful for this donation and delighted that SELECT is helping us spread the message that prostate cancer is more common than most men realise, yet is treatable the sooner that it’s found.

“Prostate cancer affects more men in Scotland than any other, with more than 4,200 diagnoses each year. However, when it’s found early, over 80% of men will live well for years – so early detection really matters.

“Many men can feel embarrassed to talk about things like this, so together we want to remove the stigma and encourage SELECT members to start having life-saving conversations.”

SELECT’s campaign with Prostate Scotland is raising awareness with case studies from members including Immediate Past President Alistair Grant, who successfully underwent prostate cancer surgery in 2016 and now encourages his fellow contractors to get checked.

He recently told the association’s cabletalk magazine: “I consider myself very lucky. I’m living proof that early detection saves lives. I’d urge every man over 50, especially in our industry, to speak to their GP and ask for a PSA test. It could make all the difference.”

SELECT Membership Representative Diane Hales also told the publication how her husband Keith is currently receiving treatment after a check revealed he had prostate cancer. She said: “We should all be urging the men in our lives to make time for a PSA test – it could literally be the difference between life and death.”

Churchill Wins Four Green Apple Environment Awards

The Green Association awarded Churchill four Green Apple Environment Awards for its innovative sustainable development and environmental improvement projects, which demonstrated measurable waste and emission reduction across its portfolio.

The international awards were founded in 1994, and recognise, reward and promote best environmental practice across the globe. The winners were celebrated at a ceremony in the House of Lords on 17th November.

Churchill’s transformation of the Instant Group cleaning contract was recognised with a Sustainable Development – Innovation award, where 42 sites across the UK and Ireland were transitioned to a sustainable PVA cleaning range. The project achieved a 95 per cent reduction in carbon emissions, eliminated single-use plastics entirely, and increased plastic savings from 14 per cent to 17 per cent. These objectives were delivered with zero service disruption and no additional costs to the customer.

Its collaborative work with CBRE on its AtkinsRéalis contract was celebrated with a Sustainable Development – Innovation award. Its cleaning, hygiene, and waste management solutions saved 260.11kg of plastic in 2024, reduced 2.6 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, and achieved a 78 per cent cut in CO₂ emissions from waste liners at its Birmingham site.

Churchill’s approach to waste management earned recognition for two further projects. It earned an Environmental Improvement – Land Regeneration award for its work at St. Marks Shopping Centre, where its on-site composting system provided a closed-loop solution for managing green waste. Since October 2023, the system has processed up to 3.5 tonnes of green waste and produced up to 1.5 tonnes of compost for reuse on site, saving the centre approximately £1,520 in disposal costs, while reducing carbon emissions linked to transport and external processing.

Churchill’s national Recycle Week initiative also won an Environmental Improvement – Partnership award for bringing together over 28 sites and 10 customer sites to collect 570kg of clothing donations that were heading to landfill. The project avoided 283kg of CO₂e emissions and raised an estimated £2,800 for Emmaus UK, a charity supporting people transitioning out of homelessness.

Dominic Folliss, national accounts director at Churchill, said: “It is a huge honour to be awarded not one, but four Green Apples for our projects this year. These collaborations with our customers affect our entire supply chain, so we can reduce waste, harmful product use and emissions together. These awards are confirmation that we are on the right track as we equip ourselves, our stakeholders, and our customers with sustainable tools.”

Construction Industry Reports Escalating Site Theft and Vandalism

Theft and vandalism are growing problems in the construction sector, with almost two-thirds of industry professionals saying they are more of a threat than five years ago.

That is according to a survey of 500 construction industry professionals in which 64% said theft was on the up and 61% said vandalism was an increased threat. In addition, 56% of management said they were worried about the issue.

SafeSite Facilities, which commissioned the survey and delivers site safety products to construction companies nationwide, said the feelings of insecurity reflected deeper concerns in society about economic challenges.

Dr Lowellyne James, HSEQ manager at SafeSite Facilities, said: “During challenging economic times, feelings of insecurity around theft and vandalism reflect deeper societal concerns and financial uncertainty.

“Construction companies need to create workplaces where people feel safe, supported and empowered, physically, emotionally and psychologically.

“Part of tackling the perception of theft and vandalism is building trust, encouraging open dialogue and ensuring swift action when concerns are raised.

“When employees feel secure, they thrive and that’s the foundation of a resilient, productive workforce.”

The survey showed at their current site:

56% said management were concerned about theft, rising to 62% at residential construction sites.
51% said management were concerned about vandalism, rising to 55% in commercial construction and 57% in infrastructure and heavy civil construction.

The survey found 64% said theft was more of a problem compared to five years ago, rising to 88% for more experienced workers and 70% in commercial construction and just 12% said theft was less of a problem.

Meanwhile 61% said vandalism was more of problem than five years ago, rising to 75% in institutional construction and only 14% said vandalism was less of a problem.

The results revealed construction workers thought the following had increased in frequency over the last five years.

Theft 39.5% (up to 48% in commercial construction)
Trespassing 39% (up to 50% in industrial construction)
Vandalism 35% (up to 43% in institutional construction)
Squatting 34% (up to 40% in institutional construction)
Graffiti 27.5% (up to 35% in infrastructure and heavy civil construction)

Paul Goossens, operations director at SafeSite Facilities, said: “Construction sites are especially vulnerable to theft and vandalism during winter and periods of economic uncertainty.

“Longer nights, reduced visibility and fewer workers on site create ideal conditions for opportunistic crime.

“We recommend a layered approach to security, starting with robust physical barriers like steel fencing or concrete blocks to deter unauthorised access.

“Surveillance systems, including CCTV and motion-triggered alarms, provide 24/7 monitoring and rapid response.

“With rising material costs and project delays, tailored site protection is essential to safeguard assets, maintain timelines and reduce insurance risks.”