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Grapevine
16th October 2026
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
Thank you for joining us, we’ll jump right in...
Bidvest Noonan appointed Brandie Deignan to the newly created executive role of Managing Director, Strategy. This appointment aims to strengthen the company’s long-term growth agenda, accelerate innovation, and keep the business ahead of evolving client expectations across the UK and Ireland.
Reporting to Chief Operating Officer Cormac Sheils, Brandie will focus on identifying emerging trends, anticipating customer needs, and aligning strategic priorities with operational delivery. She brings over 20 years of senior leadership experience across healthcare, hospitality, aviation, and retail, with a strong track record of driving transformation and performance improvement in large-scale organizations.
Waterman recently announced the appointment of Jonathan Purcell as Managing Director of Strategy and Growth. The company is now further strengthening its UK Leadership Team with the appointment of James Bland, Director of HR; Stephanie George, Director of Legal; Rob Chandler, Director of Finance; and Susan Nilsson, Director of Communications.
Briggs & Forrester Group announced several leadership appointments taking effect on 1 January 2027 as part of its planned executive evolution as the company enters its 80th year.
Current CEO Paul Burton will step down to serve solely as Group Chairman. He will be succeeded as Group CEO by Duncan Benedetti, the current Managing Director of the Living business and Group Board member, who will oversee operational performance and strategic direction. Consequently, Matthew Orme will step up from Operations Director to Managing Director of the Living business.
Habinteg Housing Association appointed Monika Liskiewicz as Executive Director of Resources, overseeing finance, governance, people services and IT/data.
Restore Information Management appointed Douglas Rimmer as its dedicated business development manager for heritage, as demand for specialist storage solutions and information management from museums, libraries and other organisations continues to grow.
Core Integrated Group appointed Tom Carter as Senior Project Manager, a newly created role leading mechanical works and turnkey projects within its Core Maintenance Services division.
We attended the IWFM Strategic Leaders Forum for a discussion on effective asset management.
Thanks to Steven Gladwin for chairing the presentations and panel debate alongside Chris Jeffers, Joanna Harris, Gordon Mitchell, and Anna Williamson.
We had insightful, senior-level discussions covering everything from the risks of running assets to failure and the role of the Golden Thread, to sustainability, compliance, and the application of data and AI.
A key recurring theme was the importance of knowing what assets we have, their condition, and how they support building occupants. Technology certainly has a vital role to play, but only when it provides information that leads to better decisions regarding maintenance, investment, and risk.
David Stevens, Director of Estates, Facilities & Capital Development at East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT), and Vice President of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), has won IWFM Leader of the Year and Executive Leader of the Year at the Engineering Talent Awards 2026 – read more here
Congratulations to Jamie Harris, Donna Currie and the Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland - Flooring Solutions Scotland team on their 3rd birthday!
Three years after adopting an employee-ownership model, Churchill Group has fully repaid the loan used to fund the share purchase for its Employee-Ownership Trust (EOT), reaching its "financial freedom" milestone.
As of October 2026, over 70% of staff across its specialist businesses are employee owners. Annual staff turnover has dropped by 17%, and the average length of service for both management and frontline staff now exceeds five years.
To maintain colleague involvement, Churchill Group has launched a 23-member Employee Transition Council, chaired by COO Darren Read and Co-Chair Hannah Bridgman. The self-nominated council aims to represent colleague interests, guide leadership decisions, and evaluate the creation of permanent employee voice councils tailored to its specialist businesses.
CEO James Bradley noted that reaching financial freedom and establishing the council are key steps in keeping colleagues at the center of the business as it continues to evolve.
Mitie has secured a three-year extension to its integrated facilities management (IFM) contract with the Cumbria Consortium, including Sellafield Ltd. Mitie will continue providing engineering, maintenance, cleaning, waste management, grounds maintenance and catering services across sites in Cumbria and Warrington, with an option to extend for a further two years.
Nearly 1000 professionals from across the workplace and facilities management industry gathered in London on Thursday (8th Oct) to celebrate the 2026 IWFM Impact Awards. The awards recognise the people, partnerships and projects making a lasting difference across the profession - read more here
Pareto has partnered with GLP Training to launch the Group’s first Level 4 Associate Project Manager apprenticeship programme. This initiative supports career development and strengthens project delivery across both the Pareto and Sowga businesses.
The programme began on 14 October 2026 and includes the APM Project Management Qualification. Participants will develop their knowledge of project planning, commercial management, risk, and stakeholder engagement, applying their learning alongside their existing responsibilities.
Joint administrators from PwC UK have completed the sale of National Car Parks Limited (NCP) to NCP UK Trade Co Limited, part of the Martin Property Group. The transaction secures the future of the business, transferring the NCP brand, 276 staff members, and the majority of its 145 operational UK car parks to the buyer.
NCP entered administration on 16 March 2026 due to sustained financial difficulty, leading to site reviews, closures, and transfers to other operators. The administrators continued trading the business to achieve the best outcome for creditors and save jobs. Over the coming months, the joint administrators will assist the purchaser with operational transitions and work to either complete the transfer of the remaining sites or return them to landlords.
The Morris & Spottiswood Group has opened a new office in Inverness to support Scotland’s growing energy grid investment and expand its UK-wide footprint.
Newly appointed Divisional Director Martin Bell, a chartered electrical engineer with nearly two decades of local experience, will lead the Highland expansion. The new location consolidates the Group’s integrated end-to-end service offering in northern Scotland—recently demonstrated by a multi-disciplinary CAT B fit-out for Apache in Aberdeen—while serving diverse sectors including retail, defence, commercial, and public infrastructure. Moving forward, the Group plans to build a full local team and offer apprenticeships in the region.
The latest insight into empty property was revealed following a survey of 350 UK commercial property owners commissioned by SafeSite Facilities and carried out by Censuswide – read more here.
The Cleaning Show will return to ExCeL London from 16–18 March 2027, bringing together suppliers, buyers, and operational leaders as cleaning teams face rising expectations around hygiene, staffing, sustainability, and cost control.
The 2027 event follows a record London edition in 2025, which welcomed more than 8,000 visitors. Its return comes as the UK cleaning and hygiene sector approaches £72 billion in value (British Cleaning Council, 2026), with cleaning recognised as a critical component of infection control, workplace experience, environmental performance, and efficient building management. For more information and to register your interest to attend, please visit The Cleaning Show website here: https://cleaningshow.co.uk/london
ThisWeekinFM CEO Christmas Lunch Tickets - Sold Out!
Limited Sponsorship Opportunities available
With just under six weeks until the ThisWeekinFM CEO's Christmas Lunch at Gaucho Tower Bridge, individual tickets are now sold out!
Taking place on Thursday, 26th November, this year's lunch will bring together senior-level in-house clients to connect with company directors and owners from across the industry.
A few sponsorship packages are still available, and we encourage you to enquire while opportunities remain.
Make sure you're part of it
Get in touch at laurence@twinfm.com to discuss your requirements
Thank you to our Sponsors:
Headline: Andwis Group FM Category: Westbury FM Robotic Façade Cleaning Services Category: Towercraft
08th October 2026
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
Thank you for joining us, we’ll jump right in...
Fisher German has made four promotions within its Commercial Property Management (CPM) division following a successful six months.
Zoey Collis (South West), Zain Daniels (South East), and Lucy O’Hare (Midlands) have been promoted to Associate. Additionally, Marcus Vernon has been promoted to Senior Client Accountant in Liverpool
Freedom, an NG Bailey Group company, has announced two key appointments to UK energy and utilities leadership groups: Rob Thompson (Managing Director of Design & Advisory) joins the Energy & Utility Skills Partnership (EUSP) CEO Council and Ross Warne (Digital Transformation Manager) joins Nima’s IM4Power Supply Chain Leadership Group.
These roles will allow Freedom to actively contribute to industry discussions on skills, workforce development, digital transformation, and information management across major UK energy and infrastructure programmes.
WPS Facilities Management has expanded its facilities management (FM) business with the acquisition of Calibre Building Services (CBS) today.
As a specialist FM provider, Calibre brings significant commercial building management expertise and a team of approximately 200 employees, growing the WPS national workforce to around 3,400 people.
The Clean Group has announced that Sam Pinnick is joining the company as Managing Director, moving from Mitie. Following this transition, John Chidlaw will step into the role of Chief Executive Officer, having previously served as Managing Director.
John noted that Sam brings extensive leadership experience, fresh thinking, and a strong passion for people, culture, and service delivery. His appointment strengthens the leadership team as the business works to expand its national presence and build long-term partnerships with leading UK organisations.
Sodexo has acquired Olive, an independent UK catering business founded in 2004. Based in Atherstone, Warwickshire, Olive employs approximately 1,000 and provides tailored, on-site catering services to around 150 contract clients across the UK.
Olive's strong food concept and client-first approach complement Sodexo's workplace go-to-market strategy and existing brand portfolio.
Waste to Wonder Worldwide was formally presented with The King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainability 2026 on 25 September at Fairfield College in Dilton Marsh. Presented by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Dame Sarah Troughton, the organisation was the sole Wiltshire recipient of the prestigious award this year.
The celebration was attended by the full Waste to Wonder team, including Alan Cooper OBE, along with clients, partners, and charity representatives. Fairfield College, a past beneficiary of Waste to Wonder’s ethical reuse program, provided a fitting venue to highlight the company's work in transforming redundant workplace furniture into environmental and social value.
The accolade grants Waste to Wonder Worldwide the use of The King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.
Axil has been named among the UK’s 150 fastest-growing companies in the inaugural Financial Times and Statista 2027 ranking, which recognises businesses with the highest revenue growth between 2022 and 2025.
This recognition reflects Axil's expansion in waste and resource management across the UK and Ireland. Since 2018, the company has grown from 35 to over 300 employees, supporting nearly 300 customers with a 29.98% CAGR.
Axil achieves this by embedding on-site expertise, specialist capabilities, and data to help businesses reduce costs, manage compliance, and optimize waste operations through improved material recovery and hazardous waste management.
Cardo Group has acquired Norfolk-based roofing, renewables, and building maintenance specialist Aspect Group Services. Founded in 1972, Aspect provides pitched and flat roofing, property maintenance, and renewable energy solutions across the private, commercial, and public sectors.
The acquisition expands Cardo Group’s national service offering and strengthens its presence in East Anglia. Managing Director Matt Dillon and CEO Liam Bevan both expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting plans to invest in service delivery and expand capabilities while maintaining regional focus and trusted quality.
Paul Castle, Chief Sales Officer at NIC Services Group Ltd, announced on LinkedIn that NIC has secured a major new contract with Asda.
Described by Castle as “groundbreaking”, the contract is set to transform the delivery of cleaning services across Asda’s extensive and complex retail estate, creating what he says will be a “paradigm shift” in how, why and when cleaning services are delivered.
BGIS has been awarded a long-term contract to oversee Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) operations for H&M Group across 241 stores in the UK & Ireland. The portfolio includes H&M, ARKET, COS, and & Other Stories.
This partnership expands BGIS’s retail presence in the region. BGIS will deliver a coordinated IFM model supported by account leadership, national operational capability, technical expertise, and a centralized technology platform to ensure compliance, consistency, and clear governance.
Churchill has been named as a supplier on the Government Commercial Agency’s (GCA) Facilities Management and Security Services framework (RM6378), specifically for Lot 3 (Soft Facilities Management).
Under Lot 3, Churchill will deliver cleaning, front-of-house, waste management, grounds maintenance, and hygiene and safety services. To secure this appointment, Churchill met mandatory service management criteria, including performance monitoring, quality management, social value delivery, carbon net zero initiatives, and workforce management.
Sunbelt Rentals announced a new partnership with Primary Engineer® as the London regional partner for the "If You Were an Engineer, What Would You Do?®" competition.
As part of this initiative, Sunbelt Rentals engineers and technicians will volunteer in schools to share their career journeys and demonstrate practical problem-solving. The partnership aligns with Sunbelt Rentals' 4.0 growth strategy, aiming to connect industry with education and inspire young people to pursue engineering careers.
West Sussex manufacturer Forza Doors launched a recruitment drive to fill around 20 roles across various departments and levels, including continuous improvement, AI and automation, production operatives, technical and product development, sales, and estimating. Recruitment will remain a key focus through 2026 and into 2027 to meet ongoing high demand.
Based near Horsham, the UK’s manufacturer of bespoke timber fire doors and joinery has grown from 12 employees in 2010 to over 230 today, expanding its team by over 18% in the past two years and investing over £200,000 in staff training and qualifications.
Congratulations to David English from Metric Office Furniture & Interiors on his nomination for Businessperson of the Year at the Surrey Business Awards 2026 and also to Sophie Forrest-Lavery from Forrest Group, who has been shortlisted as a finalist for Business Woman of the Year at the Kent Business Awards.
Good luck to you both!
On 6th March 2027, Chris Thomas, Managing Director at JV Price Ltd, will be competing in Ironman New Zealand—a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycle, and 26.2-mile run—to raise funds for the ME Association.
This cause is deeply personal to Chris. Ten years ago, just before their wedding, Chris and his wife were in a car accident. Since then, Victoria has lived with ME/CFS, which has had a devastating impact on her, their family, and their life together. At 43, Chris wants to be as fit, healthy, and strong as possible—not just for himself, but to be in the best position to look after Victoria.
Chris will be traveling to New Zealand on his own to take on the challenge. If you can donate, share, or simply help raise awareness of ME, he would be incredibly grateful for your support. You can support Chris through his JustGiving page.
Join our CEO on 26th November for his exclusive Christmas Lunch event
for FM & Workplace professionals.
The Facilities & Workplace Networking Club, organised by ThisWeekinFM, hosts something for Christmas every year, from three course lunches to full-on Christmas Parties. Our CEO, Laurence Allen, always starts the seasonal celebrations early with a Christmas Lunch for a selection of Company Owners or Directors that are actively involved in the procurement of goods and services. This year the event is being opened up to a limited number of the Facilities & Workplace Networking Club members and non-members.
Thank you to our sponsors for their support: Headline Sponsor: Andwis Group; FM Category: Westbury FM
Other sponsoring opportunities are available. More details available here.
30th September 2026
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
Thank you for joining us, we’ll jump right in...
Cushman & Wakefield has appointed Arron Browne as Head of Flexible Offices London to strengthen its flexible workspace capabilities.
Browne joins from WeWork International, where he was Director of Business Development for EMEA and APAC. He brings extensive commercial real estate and flexible workspace experience, having held senior leadership roles in business development, operations, and asset management at Flux HQ, KAIZEN Asset Management Services, and a private family office.
In his new role, Browne will lead the Flexible Offices business, working with occupiers, landlords, and operators to deliver strategic flexible workspace solutions across the UK and expand the firm's offering.
Mark Wolverson has returned to Willmott Dixon as Director of Construction for the North East region.
Bringing over 16 years of industry experience—including 14 previous years with Willmott Dixon and his recent role as Operations Director for the North East at Wates—Mark will lead the delivery of a £58m portfolio spanning civic, defence, transport, and education projects currently on site.
Pareto has appointed Kira Hafner as Commercial Director to strengthen its senior leadership team and drive commercial growth.
Kira brings 15 years of experience in corporate real estate, workplace strategy, and flexible workspace, following senior roles at The Instant Group, IWG, and Steelcase.
In her new role, she will lead the commercial team, focus on winning new opportunities, align internal teams around client needs, and develop Pareto's market proposition and long-term client relationships.
Ashley Newton joined Smart Managed Solutions Ltd as Group Sales Director. Ash joins following a 28-year career at CBRE (formerly Norland), bringing extensive engineering and facilities management expertise. In his new role, Ash will focus on strengthening client relationships and expanding into new markets and regions.
"The parallels between the early trajectory of my career and the current ethos of Smart are perfectly aligned," said Ash. "After taking time to recharge, the passion and drive of the Smart team made this the obvious next chapter. I look forward to working with our team to build something truly exceptional for our existing and future customers."
HVAC Recruitment Limited welcomed Anthony Perrin as new Divisional Director.
Anthony joins with over a decade of experience specialising in Hard Services Contract Recruitment and will be responsible for growing and developing the Hard Services Contract division nationally.
Anthony’s appointment also marks another exciting step for the business, with the opening of a new Essex office. The new location gives HVAC Recruitment an even stronger presence across London and the South East.
On Verve’s contract to deliver bespoke guest services for Kanaloa, the action-first ocean philanthropic organisation, at its London headquarters, Kanaloa House, has been extended by one year starting in September 2026. Following a successful first year, the team has expanded from one to three DayMakers providing concierge services, event coordination, and workplace support.
DayMakers deliver a flexible, tailored service integrated into Kanaloa’s unique space, which is designed as a convening hub for oceanic companies. Services include welcoming guests and operating barista coffee equipment, focusing on personalized care and attention to detail.
Maria Julia Rangel, Real Estate Operations & Client Experience Manager at Kanaloa, highlighted On Verve’s personal approach and attention to detail as key reasons for the extension. Cheryl-Anne Cooper, Chief DayMaker at On Verve, expressed pride in the partnership's growth and the adaptability of their model in high-end environments.
Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland has been awarded Gold Level Membership by the Supply Chain Sustainability School (SCSS) in recognition of its ongoing commitment to environmental, social, and responsible business practices.
The SCSS supports the built environment sector by providing training, resources, and best practices across key sustainability areas. Sunbelt Rentals achieved this status following a review of its "Our Planet" sustainability strategy, which highlighted achievements in carbon reduction, depot decarbonisation, circular economy and biodiversity initiatives, responsible supply chains, and community support.
Glider Technology Limited (Glider) and Virtual Helpdesk Limited (VHD) have announced a strategic partnership to help asset owners maintain accurate, trusted, and auditable building information throughout their estates' operational lifecycle.
By combining Glider's Asset Intelligence discipline with VHD's facilities and asset management platform, the partnership bridges the gap between governed asset data and daily operational processes—such as planned and reactive maintenance, compliance checks, and inspections.
Under the agreement, VHD will continue offering its operational tools for facilities management, while Glider provides the structured, governed record. Both companies are also exploring deeper technical integration to automatically update Glider’s platform with real-time field data from VHD. This collaboration aims to reduce information risk, simplify statutory compliance, and ensure critical building data remains accessible long after handover.
HSS ProService Marketplace and Cross Rental Services have renewed their long-standing partnership through a new long-term contract. Building on a relationship of over a decade—including Cross Rental Services' acquisition of All Seasons Hire from HSS ProService in 2022—the agreement ensures UK customers retain seamless access to specialist HVAC and refrigeration equipment, tailored engineering support, and site surveys across sector-specific environments.
The partnership combines Cross Rental Services' nationwide fleet of over 40,000 HVAC solutions and team of 70+ engineers with HSS ProService’s marketplace technology platform, which connects suppliers across 3,000 UK locations for planned, seasonal, and emergency requirements.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has confirmed a 12-month pilot to assess bringing Transport for London’s (TfL) bus and Tube station cleaning services in-house.
Launching on 28 September, the pilot has been developed by TfL in partnership with current contractor Mitie and the RMT union. It will assess the feasibility, costs, operational challenges and potential benefits of insourcing, while also evaluate service quality and build TfL’s internal expertise.
Key details:
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Scope: Victoria line stations, excluding King’s Cross, Oxford Circus and Warren Street; bus stations at Finsbury Park, Euston, Tottenham Hale, Vauxhall and Walthamstow; Victoria Coach Station; British Transport Police locations at Buckingham Palace Road and Finsbury Park; and Northumberland Park Depot.
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Staffing: Around 250 cleaners will be seconded to TfL for the duration of the pilot.
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Evaluation: Performance will be assessed against safety, security, customer feedback, service quality and financial measures, alongside regular staff surveys.
The pilot will run for 12 months, after which the results will be reviewed to determine whether and how TfL’s cleaning services could be delivered in-house.
The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) is calling on individuals, businesses and organisations across the building controls and BEMS sector to put themselves forward for the BCIA Awards 2027, as the awards celebrate their 20th year.
Entries opened on 9 September 2026 and close on Friday 11 December 2026.
The awards recognise achievement across 11 categories, celebrating the people, businesses and projects making a difference across the building controls and automation sector. The finalists will be announced on Wednesday 3 March 2027, with the winners revealed at the awards ceremony on Thursday 6 May 2027 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.
The awards are open to the wider building controls and BEMS industry, providing an opportunity for both BCIA members and non-members to gain recognition for their achievements.
For more information about the BCIA Awards 2027 and how to enter, visit the BCIA website: https://www.bcia.co.uk/bcia-awards-2027
Join our CEO on 26th November for his exclusive Christmas Lunch event
for FM & Workplace professionals.
The Facilities & Workplace Networking Club, organised by ThisWeekinFM, hosts something for Christmas every year, from three course lunches to full-on Christmas Parties. Our CEO, Laurence Allen, always starts the seasonal celebrations early with a Christmas Lunch for a selection of Company Owners or Directors that are actively involved in the procurement of goods and services. This year the event is being opened up to a limited number of the Facilities & Workplace Networking Club members and non-members.
More details available here.
18th September 2026
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
Thank you for joining us, we’ll jump right in...
learnd has promoted Sean Dillon to Head of Digital Solutions following his 16 years with the business, where he most recently served as Head of Operations for Data Centre Solutions.
In his new role, Sean will lead product evaluation to ensure solutions are secure and compliant, while standardising digital initiatives to bridge the gap between innovation and operational delivery for partners and facilities managers.
Cleanology welcomed back Gareth Leverton as new Chief Growth Officer.
Gareth brings extensive experience across the facilities management and support services sectors, along with a strong track record in commercial growth, operational transformation, and strategic leadership.
Ranger Fire and Security has acquired Ulster-based Fire Protection Ireland, bringing the Ranger Group to 26 businesses and over 550 employees. This acquisition supports Ranger’s strategy to build a national platform delivering fire and security services across the UK and Ireland.
Established in 2011 in Cavan, Ulster, Fire Protection Ireland provides nationwide design, installation, and commissioning services for public and private sectors. Its offerings include fire alarms, extinguishers, CCTV, fire training, nurse calls, smoke ventilation, intruder alarms, and specialized fire-retardant spraying for fabric and timber.
The company recently integrated acquisitions Red Blaze and Red Fire under its brand. Its senior leadership team—Sean Sharkey (Managing Director), Richie MacKay (Sales Director), and Andy Redmond (Projects Director)—will remain in place to drive future growth.
Battersea Power Station has submitted a planning application for a revised masterplan, designed by Studio Egret West, covering the remaining 16 acres of the 42-acre site.
Evolving Rafael Viñoly’s original 15-year-old masterplan, the updated vision proposes up to 3.2 million sq ft of residential, commercial, leisure, and cultural space. The design divides the remaining phases into smaller building clusters with enhanced street networks, improved sightlines to the Power Station, and a 'green handshake' landscape strategy connecting to Nine Elms Park. Key highlights include 'The Third Generator'—a dynamic multi-use venue for creative industries—and Phase 5A, which has detailed planning permission to deliver 200 council homes with Wandsworth Council.
This follows the recent start of construction on Prospect Place South and adds to the existing development of over 2,200 homes, 800,000 sq ft of office space, and 170 retail and leisure venues.
Equans has been appointed to every Lot on the Government Commercial Agency's (GCA) Facilities Management and Security Services framework (RM6378). Replaces the previous Facilities Management & Workplace Services framework, RM6378 consolidates facilities management and security solutions under a single procurement route for UK public sector organisations.
With extensive experience across central government, local authorities, healthcare, education, and defence estates, Equans supports clients in improving operational performance, maintaining compliance, enhancing security, and advancing sustainability goals.
GD Allen Consultancy has been awarded a new three-year contract with Cavu.
The consultancy has been working with the Cavu team for the last three years to support facilities management across their UK Escape and Essence Lounges.
IWFM has published Procurement: A Good Practice Guide for Workplace and Facilities Managers, designed to help professionals deliver value-focused outcomes across the full procurement lifecycle.
Produced by practitioners, the guide offers strategic insights, practical tools, checklists, and decision-making frameworks. It encourages shifting from cost-focused procurement to long-term value creation, risk management, sustainability, and stronger supplier relationships, while addressing key developments like the Procurement Act 2023, SME participation, and social value.
Andrew Gladstone-Heighton, IWFM Head of Research and Insight, noted: "Procurement decisions can have long-lasting consequences for organisations, workplaces and service providers alike. This guide is designed to help workplace and facilities managers both inform, and make informed, decisions that deliver value, support good governance and create the foundations for successful service partnerships."
The guide is free to download for IWFM members at www.iwfm.org.uk, and available to non-members for £65.
Soft FM provider SBFM has completed its first acquisition, purchasing the business and assets of commercial cleaning company ecosense following its entry into administration. Effective 1 July 2026, the deal secures ecosense’s UK contracts and safeguards all 1,200 roles, ensuring services continue without disruption.
Founded in 2010 and headquartered in London, ecosense brings a nationwide portfolio of public and private sector clients. Through this acquisition, SBFM strengthens its sector presence, enhances its technology offering, and will roll out its proprietary technology across the ecosense customer base to drive efficiencies and savings. Ecosense employees will also gain access to SBFM’s training, development, and upskilling programs.
Premier Technical Services Group Ltd (PTSG) announced that its electrical services division achieved JOSCAR accreditation, reinforcing its credentials as a trusted specialist services provider to highly regulated and safety-critical sectors.
JOSCAR (Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register) is used by major organizations—including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Boeing, and the UK Ministry of Defence—to assure supply chain compliance, health and safety, quality, and governance.
Andrew Dack, Group Sales Director of PTSG, stated: "JOSCAR accreditation is important because it provides another independent measure of the standards we set ourselves across the Group... This accreditation reinforces our ability to meet those expectations and demonstrates that the systems, people and processes behind our services have been subjected to external scrutiny."
PTSG delivers over 170 specialist services across five divisions: Access & Safety, Electrical Services, Building Access Specialists, Fire Solutions, and Water Treatment.
Q3 has been awarded a three-year integrated FM (IFM) contract, with an optional two-year extension, by Marlow-based Softcat, a FTSE 250 IT infrastructure solutions provider. A dedicated team of over 50 Q3 personnel will deliver IFM services across Softcat's nine UK locations.
As Softcat's first-generation IFM contract, this agreement consolidates previously separate FM services to drive operational efficiencies and establish consistent service standards. Q3 will partner with Softcat’s workplace managers to foster employee-focused, collaborative work environments and deliver a positive brand experience for visiting clients.
The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) is hosting its inaugural Chairman’s Lunch at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Thursday, 29 October, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
This event will bring together manufacturers, distributors, and facilities management professionals to network and gain valuable market intelligence. Keynote speaker Liz Kentish, co-founder of Kentish and Co, will present "What Buyers Wish Suppliers Knew – the view from the other side of the FM buying table," covering buyer expectations regarding value, innovation, and sustainability.
The agenda includes an optional behind-the-scenes tour of Lord’s, followed by the keynote address and a three-course lunch. The event is sponsored by Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers, Cromwell Polythene, Greyland, Harrisons Wipes, and SC Johnson.
Join us for a casual evening of networking at the next meeting of the Facilities & Workplace Networking Club on September 24th at Gaucho Piccadilly, 25 Swallow Street, London, W1B 4QR.
Tickets are limited and we expect over 100 professionals to attend, with more than 60% being company owners or directors. You can learn more about the club and book your place here.
A limited number of sponsorship packages are also available. Please email me directly at laurence@twinfm.com if you would like more information.
The event is sponsored by Westbury FM, Simpro and deskbird.
11th September 2026
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
Thank you for joining us, we’ll jump right in...
Colin Powell has started a new position within the Senior Ops team at Polyteck Group. Previously Colin was Managing Director with Acorn Engineering Limited
Planon has appointed Clarinda Dobbelaar as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) to lead its global marketing organisation and advance its growth strategy. She brings over 20 years of B2B technology marketing experience from previous executive roles at Companial, Software Improvement Group, INTO, and Nasdaq.
Office Space in Town (OSiT) has promoted three senior operational team members across its London portfolio following a £129 million refinancing deal supporting four Zone 1 properties.
Roy Jones, who brings over 27 years of industry experience including ten years at OSiT, has been promoted to Senior General Manager overseeing both the Blackfriars and Waterloo centres. Additionally, Antoinette Byfield and Holly Cole have been promoted to Centre Managers at Waterloo and Blackfriars, respectively. They will oversee staff, facilities, invoicing, procurement, supplier management, and client meetings.
Co-Founder Sarah Singlehurst noted that these promotions reflect OSiT’s commitment to internal talent development and maintaining high hospitality standards.
SmartTask, a provider of workforce management and service delivery software for the cleaning, security and facilities management markets, has been acquired by a management buy-in team led by industry veterans Mike Taylor and Graeme Hughes - read more here.
Prologis has been selected to deliver a 1.3 million sq ft build-to-suit National Distribution Centre for Marks & Spencer at DIRFT, supporting the transformation of its food logistics network and plans to double its food business.
The £340 million development — the largest investment in M&S’s food supply chain history — will support more than 2,000 jobs during construction and around 1,000 once operational.
The facility will feature chilled storage, advanced automated fulfilment, returns and recycling operations, and dedicated office space. TGW Logistics has been appointed as automation partner.
Fully electric and targeting a BREEAM Outstanding rating, the development will showcase Prologis’ expertise in delivering complex, sustainable logistics facilities at scale.
The Keyholding Company (TKC) has been named as a supplier on the Government Commercial Agency’s (GCA) RM6378 Facilities Management and Security Services framework. This covers Lot 4c (Physical and Electronic Security Systems and Services) and Lot 4d (Security Advisory and Assessment Services).
Polyteck has secured places on five lots of Procurement for Housing’s (PfH) £725m Responsive Repairs, Disrepair Works and Void Services Framework. Running from 30 July 2026 for three years (with a potential 12-month extension), the framework gives Polyteck access to social housing work across responsive repairs, void property refurbishment, and disrepair services via direct awards or mini-competitions.
This appointment builds on Polyteck's position on the PfH Planned Works Framework and its growing social housing portfolio, which includes a recent £1.9m kitchen and bathroom contract with Richmond Housing Partnership alongside framework experience with The Guinness Partnership and Centrepoint.
Law Firm, Browne Jacobson announced plans to relocate its Nottingham office to Archers Wharf, 4 Canal Street, securing a flagship Grade A city-centre workplace that reflects its long-term commitment to the region.
The UK and Ireland law firm will occupy three floors, providing 46,352 sq ft of contemporary workspace with 350 desks. A bespoke fit-out will begin shortly, with the move from its current Mowbray House premises planned for early 2028.
The new workplace has been designed around employee feedback, incorporating dedicated quiet zones, wellbeing facilities, collaborative spaces, private call pods, breakout areas and modern amenities.
Sustainability will also be central to the design and operation of the office, supported by its proximity to Nottingham railway station and bus and tram routes, alongside active travel facilities.
Westminster City Council has appointed Connect Property to deliver its Temporary Accommodation Property Management, Repairs & Maintenance, and Compliance Services Contract under a 2+1+1 year agreement.
Following a competitive procurement process under the Procurement Act 2023, this partnership will provide an integrated service covering property management, responsive repairs, planned maintenance, statutory compliance, and resident support. Connect Property will utilise experienced teams, innovative technology, and real-time performance reporting to ensure safe and reliable services.
G4S has secured a 10-year facilities management contract at Sizewell C, the new 3.2GW nuclear power station under construction on the Suffolk coast, with an option to extend for a further two years.
The contract is now in mobilisation and will go live later this year with around 150 employees, rising to 400 at peak construction
G4S will provide integrated hard and soft FM services, including mechanical and electrical maintenance, building maintenance, cleaning, locker management, helpdesk and postal services.
The contract builds on G4S’s existing role at Sizewell C, where it already provides security and medical services.
The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) is hosting its inaugural Chairman’s Lunch at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Thursday, 29 October, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
This event will bring together manufacturers, distributors, and facilities management professionals to network and gain valuable market intelligence. Keynote speaker Liz Kentish, co-founder of Kentish and Co, will present "What Buyers Wish Suppliers Knew – the view from the other side of the FM buying table," covering buyer expectations regarding value, innovation, and sustainability.
The agenda includes an optional behind-the-scenes tour of Lord’s, followed by the keynote address and a three-course lunch. The event is sponsored by Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers, Cromwell Polythene, Greyland, Harrisons Wipes, and SC Johnson.
Join us for a casual evening of networking at the next meeting of the Facilities & Workplace Networking Club on September 24th at Gaucho Piccadilly, 25 Swallow Street, London, W1B 4QR.
Tickets are limited and we expect over 100 professionals to attend, with more than 60% being company owners or directors. You can learn more about the club and book your place here.
A limited number of sponsorship packages are also available. Please email me directly at laurence@twinfm.com if you would like more information.
The event is sponsored by Westbury FM, Simpro and deskbird.
4th September 2026
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
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Congratulations to Roy Jones on his new role as Senior General Manager across both OSiT Waterloo and OSiT Blackfriars.
Roy has been a valued part of the OSiT family for over 10 years, running multiple centres and building an excellent reputation for supporting both his team and our clients. In this new role, he will oversee both locations, leading the Waterloo and Blackfriars teams to maintain the five-star service clients’ expect.
Vertas Group announced the appointment of Ian Mcilroy as new Group Chief Operating Officer, further strengthening the Leadership Team as the company drive sustainable growth and operational excellence across UK-wide facilities management, property design, and strategic workforce solutions.
Ian brings over 20 years of senior leadership experience across facilities management, support services, environmental services, and public-sector partnerships. He has a proven track record of leading complex multi-service operations, delivering strong financial performance, and building high-performing teams. In his new role, Ian will join the Executive Team and the Group Operational Board, taking responsibility for operational delivery, HSQE, and service performance.
Lumii Design Company Ltd announced Dan Black as new CEO in its planned leadership succession.
Former Kier chief executive Andrew Davies has been named as a non-executive director on the board of facilities management firm Mitie.
Cross Rental Services announced leadership changes, effective August 28, to support its next phase of growth across the UK and Ireland.
UK Managing Director Matt Parker has stepped into the CEO role as part of a planned succession strategy since joining the Group in 2024. Under his leadership, the UK business achieved double-digit year-on-year revenue growth in 2026 YTD. After nearly seven years as CEO, Graeme Nesbitt will transition to Board Director & Strategic Advisor, remaining active in the Group's strategic development and key relationships.
Additionally, Russell Harrison has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer. Joining from Churches Fire & Security and previously holding senior roles at Hobbycraft and New Look, he brings extensive experience in scaling private equity-backed organisations.
Last night, we attended the Plates for Purpose charity event at the Urban Farmer Project in Central London.
It was inspiring to see so many people from the sector support this initiative, which raises vital funds for the Waste to Wonder Worldwide Sustainability Cookery School in The Gambia. The school will help young people develop practical skills in sustainable cooking, agriculture, hospitality, and entrepreneurship, opening up pathways into employment while supporting food security in their local communities.
We enjoyed fantastic West African-inspired dishes created by Conor Spacey and Ali Honour from FoodSpace—featuring fresh produce grown right on-site—alongside creative 'flaw some' cocktails and Ghanaian beer. It was also great to catch up with Michael Amos and Paula Gibson from Waste to Wonder, Julie Fenn from Wagstaff Interiors, James Hewitt from Stadium Support Services, Karla Quinn from CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS), and Steve Buswell from Aqua Protec. Apologies to anyone we missed.
All proceeds from the tickets, raffle entries, auction bids, and drinks go directly toward supporting the school.
The Government Commercial Agency (GCA) has officially named the fifteen major contractors selected for its new RM6378 Facilities Management and Security Services framework, which is valued at up to £120 billion.
This procurement framework will run for eight years through to August 2034. It serves as the primary route for central government departments, local councils, NHS bodies, education clients, and emergency services to source both hard and soft facilities management – read more here.
1066 PHD Ltd has officially joined forces with UKS and will move forward together under the UKS name.
According to Mathew Couldrey, Managing Director, 1066 PHD, this merger combines capabilities to offer greater engineering capacity, broader technical expertise, and increased geographical reach across heating, cooling, mechanical, and water treatment services.
Fisher German has been retained by Guiding Light Investments to manage 3 Trinity Park (T3) near Birmingham Airport for the next two years, following the building's sale by Swiss Life Asset Managers.
According to the press release, Guiding Light Investments chose to retain Fisher German, who has managed the 49,595 sq ft office building since 2018, due to the high standard of their work. During their tenure, Fisher German managed tenant relations through major upgrades, including a car park repair, full mechanical and electrical system replacements, and the installation of solar panels and 28 EV charging points. Completed floor-by-floor to minimize disruption, these refurbishments have left the building fully let.
Kerry Whitehill, Partner at Fisher German, noted that being retained by the new owner endorses their management track record and stated that they look forward to supporting Guiding Light Investments over the next two years.
Over the past few years, the creation of more collaborative, comfortable, and flexible environments has gained ground as organisations have come to understand the relationship between the physical environment, the employee experience, and business outcomes.
Currently, this discussion goes beyond offices and reaches industrial and logistics operations with force. In this scenario, factories, distribution centers, and warehouses are designed with a more strategic look. The goal is to consider not only operational efficiency, but also the experience of the people who make these operations happen – read more here.
Wrexham University has awarded Kimpton two competitive tender contracts to maintain its heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems across 20 campus buildings, including student accommodation at Erddig and John Neal, and sites in Northop, Plas Coch, Regent Street, St Asaph, Wrexham Village, and Xplore Henbas Street.
This addition expands Kimpton’s education sector portfolio, which already includes Liverpool Hope University, the University of Chester, The City of Liverpool College, St Helens College, Winsford Academy, and The Grange School.
Reconomy is calling on the government to back a nationwide network of construction material recovery and reuse hubs to divert waste from landfills, lower carbon emissions, and support regional economies.
This call follows a growing shift in the UK construction sector—which accounts for 62% of all UK waste—toward reusing surplus materials. To support this, Reconomy’s Circular Solutions department has partnered with hubs like The Rebuild Site in Carlisle. Since 2021, this hub has supported 219 community projects, benefited over 20,000 people, and diverted more than 30,000 items from landfill in 2025 alone.
David Seal (Head of Circular Solutions at Reconomy) and Emma Porter (Founder and CEO of The Rebuild Site) both emphasised that while contractor demand for reuse is high, systemic changes and government backing are needed to replicate this successful model nationwide.
Due to rapid growth over the last few years, the Linaker Support Teams will be moving into a new, refurbished office in Warrington this October.
The new office is designed to support the next stage of growth, providing more space for collaboration, connection, innovation, and coming together.
Sybron, a supplier of cleaning, hygiene, and catering products to major names in UK hospitality, and Lime Sustainable Supplies (LSS), a B-Corp-certified, data-driven supply chain business, have established a new partnership. This collaboration is designed to bring unrivalled service, support, and sustainability initiatives to the cleaning supplies market.
Through this partnership, Sybron customers in the hospitality sector will benefit from LSS’ advanced, data-driven sustainability modelling. Meanwhile, LSS’ customers will gain access to Sybron’s best-in-class operational support, delivered from its new HQ and warehousing facility at the Icon in Harlow and its northern depot in Stafford.
Leeds-based MEP service provider G&H has secured new maintenance contracts with Rendall and Rittner and Martin House Children’s Hospice, alongside expanding its partnership with Hartnell Taylor Cook (HTC).
Following its successful design and build work at Edenwood House in London (with JJ Rhatigan) and Martin House Children’s Hospice in Wetherby (with Meldrum Construction Services), G&H will now deliver three-year maintenance programmes at both locations to ensure efficiency, comfort, and compliance. Additionally, HTC has expanded its agreement from one Leeds office to 14 sites across Leeds, Sheffield, Doncaster, Newcastle, Manchester, Widnes, and Nottingham.
Across all contracts, G&H’s dedicated team will provide planned preventative maintenance, regular inspections, and servicing of mechanical and electrical systems to maximise performance and reduce reactive callouts.
The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) has selected four recipients for the 2026 Bursary: Finlay Dowling (parent at Essity), Emma Lawrie (parent at Ramon Hygiene), Elisha Round (parent at Essity), and Ellie Wakefield (parent at Vectair Systems).
Following a panel interview chaired by CHSA Vice President and Treasurer David Garcia, these applicants were selected based on need, worthiness of endeavour, and overall performance. Each will receive £6,000 over their university career, paid in £2,000 annual instalments for their first three years.
Finlay will study dentistry at Newcastle University; Emma will study Earth Science at the University of Edinburgh; Elisha will study Chemistry at Lancaster University; and Ellie will study Business & Management at Sheffield Hallam University.
Since 2016, this bursary has helped the children of members' employees cover essential university costs like books, study materials, field trips, and club memberships, while allowing members to thank their staff and introduce new talent to the industry.
Join us for a casual evening of networking at the next meeting of the Facilities & Workplace Networking Club on September 24th at Gaucho Piccadilly, 25 Swallow Street, London, W1B 4QR.
Tickets are limited and we expect over 100 professionals to attend, with more than 60% being company owners or directors. You can learn more about the club and book book your place here.
A limited number of sponsorship packages are also available. Please email me directly at laurence@twinfm.com if you would like more information.
28th August 2026
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
Thank you for joining us, we’ll jump right in...
Premier Technical Services Group (PTSG) has appointed David Newcombe as Director of Lean Transformation as the specialist compliance group continues to strengthen its operational infrastructure.
Newcombe brings more than 30 years’ experience in operational excellence and business transformation across aviation, automotive and biologics. A Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, he was most recently Head of Operational Excellence, Strategic Projects and PMO at Lonza Biologics. He previously held senior roles at Heathrow Airport, including Head of Continuous Improvement.
Reporting to Chief Performance Officer Alison Chard, Newcombe will focus on improving operational performance across PTSG, simplifying processes, reducing waste, increasing productivity and embedding continuous improvement.
The appointment follows PTSG’s recent acquisition of IDSL Group Holdings, which significantly expanded its passive fire compliance capabilities. The Group now employs around 4,000 people across five divisions and delivers more than 170 specialist services.
Chard said Newcombe’s role will help make PTSG “simpler, faster, more consistent and more effective” as the business continues to grow through organic expansion and acquisitions.
The City of London is seeking tenders for a £60m strip-out and renewal of MEP infrastructure at the Barbican Centre.
The project covers multiple basement plant levels and public floors within the live arts venue. The scope of work includes the removal of life-expired services, installation of new plant, complex distribution and containment, and the staged isolation and shutdown of live building systems while interfacing with retained plant.
Construction is scheduled to run from February 2027 to September 2029, with a possible extension to March 2030. Up to four bidders will be shortlisted from the requests to participate, which must be submitted by 12 October.
Cardo Group acquired Correct Contract Services (CCS
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