Barnsdales appointed as property and asset manager of the 770,000 sq ft shopping centre The Doncaster-based property consultancy Barnsdales has been selected by Frasers Group to undertake the property and asset management of the Frenchgate Shopping Centre. The retailing giant purchased the centre earlier this year and has now chosen Barnsdales to oversee key elements of the 770,000 sq ft shopping destination in the city centre. With over 120 well-known brands across two storeys, the Frenchgate Shopping Centre has been a prime shopping destination for over 50 years. Now, with new ownership and new management, it is poised for a period of reinvigoration.  Jason Barnsdale, Managing Director of Barnsdales, said:  “With its own transport hub, the Doncaster Interchange, and adjoining railway station, it’s certain that when people come to Doncaster, they come to the Frenchgate Shopping Centre. It’s an honour to be entrusted with the everyday management of the centre and to act as asset managers and joint leasing agents with Rawstron Johnson on behalf of the Frasers Group; we’re determined to help it thrive as a bustling shopping and dining destination. “I’m genuinely delighted that Barnsdales has been chosen to manage this iconic Doncaster shopping centre. Barnsdales is headquartered in the city, working nationally from offices throughout the UK. This is a significant instruction for the Barnsdales property management team.” Barnsdales, which was established in Doncaster almost 120 years ago, is now a leading national property consultancy group. With offices in Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham, Bristol, Cirencester, Manchester, Lincoln, and London, Barnsdales’ headquarters is located on White Rose Way in Doncaster – less than two miles from the Frenchgate Shopping Centre. Corinne Mycock, General Manager at Doncaster’s Frenchgate Shopping Centre, said: “The Frenchgate Shopping Centre is delighted to bring on Barnsdales as property and asset managers and joint letting agents. As they are based in the city, we feel they have a close connection to – and an innate feel for – the place, which is essential. “We’re hopeful that having professionals from a company based in and operating from Doncaster will give us a more hands-on, proactive approach.” Barnsdales’ instruction follows several high-profile wins for the company, including the recent appointment to the property and facilities management of Newton Aycliffe Town Centre, a privately owned 200,000 sq ft shopping outlet consisting of 64 retail units in County Durham. To learn more, visit www.barnsdales.co.uk or contact the Barnsdales head office on 01302 323 453.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

2024 felt the lasting impact that regulatory change has had on the facilities management sector. The introduction of the Fire Safety Act 2021, the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 fundamentally reshaped responsibilities, focus areas and challenges for facility maintenance professionals, establishing new compliance requirements and standards that will continue to influence the direction of the industry this year.  Jason Instrell, Industry Lead at SFG20, the industry standard for building maintenance, has shared his insights regarding how the facilities management industry will continue to evolve in 2025 and the changes he believes will be particularly impactful for those working in the industry. 1.   Sustainability at the forefront in the race to net-zero The landscape of the UK’s built environment is set for a profound environmental transformation. With the Prime Minister announcing an 81% reduction in carbon by 2035, the race toward carbon neutrality is accelerating, propelled by technological efforts, evolving government policies and heightened public climate awareness. As we look towards 2025, the need for sustainable building maintenance practices will only grow. As the global urban population continues to expand rapidly, construction and, ultimately, carbon emissions will follow suit. 40% of global carbon emissions are from the built environment, with 30% coming from building construction, operation and demolition.  To mitigate this, businesses and building owners must consider and implement ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings, through sustainable maintenance, and ensuring that new buildings incorporate this into their initial design is one way to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Training and competence remain firmly in the spotlight, with businesses needing to develop the knowledge and experience to help hit their carbon reduction strategies in 2025.  2.            Building compliance in the spotlight Regulations and legislation are constantly evolving. These changes, whether small or large, can lead to confusion and can change requirements around the design, installation, verification and maintenance of buildings. This can have an effect on maintenance tasks and frequencies.  With the ongoing developments in the RAAC scandal across UK schools and Universities, and the final report from the Grenfell Inquiry, 2025 will likely see an even greater spotlight placed on competence and compliance in line with the Building Safety Act 2022. The industry’s barrage of building and structural integrity issues means it comes as no surprise that compliance has risen to the top of many priority lists. Building owners, property managers and contractors will need to ensure that regular risk assessments are undertaken (especially in relation to higher-risk and high-rise residential buildings), statutory works are being scheduled, a principal accountable person (PAP) is appointed, and that all maintenance information is evidenced as part of a golden thread.   3.            AI integrations Recent developments in AI create an opportunity to revolutionise how the industry approaches building maintenance. The biggest challenge for facility managers is identifying what tasks must be performed on each asset in a building to preserve life, reduce cost, and stay compliant with current regulations. This can sometimes be costly and time-consuming, and essential maintenance can be missed, leading to an increased risk of equipment failures and faults.  IoT, internet of things, technology relies on sensor technology mounted on assets to monitor statuses such as energy consumption, pressure, vibration and flow rates. Its adoption can allow businesses to accurately plan maintenance tasks in an efficient and cost-effective way. Digital twin technology provides a virtual model of an asset that can mimic the installed equipment, allowing for real-time data and facilitating efficient, data-driven decisions for facility managers.  Businesses are still under pressure to develop the necessary skills and teams to successfully work alongside AI technology, such as IoT and Digital twin technology, for predictive maintenance, data analysis and a cost-effective allocation of FM budgets. The construction industry is reported to have one of the lowest adoptions of AI technologies, with only 12% of businesses currently using some form of artificial intelligence.  2025 will see a continued push to overcome these challenges and take full advantage of AI assistance within the FM space. This will likely continue through training and development opportunities for all those involved in the facility management process, to best integrate new AI technologies into business strategies.  4.           Adoption of digital-led maintenance strategies  With 43% of FM companies naming systems integrations as the most significant problem in their business in 2024, 2025 will not see this changing. Digital integration of mechanical, electrical and building services systems remains a top priority. The reluctance to adopt digital-led maintenance was initially due to the effort and high costs of hardware and software. However, the landscape is changing as more options become available. Yet challenges remain, as businesses work to develop the necessary skills to install sensors, monitors, and interpret the generated data effectively. Overcoming these hurdles will be essential over the next year to unlocking the full potential of digital maintenance. 5.            Enhanced connectivity  Property managers have to collaborate with multiple stakeholders, from building owners to facility management consultants and engineers, who all play a crucial role in the safe and legal maintenance of a facility.  Managing extensive workforces, with a mix of internal and external resources, tends to make streamlined collaboration much trickier. In particular, ensuring the right people receive the necessary information at the right time becomes a challenge.  In a recent poll conducted by the experts at SFG20, 66% of asset owners and property managers revealed that maintaining the ‘golden thread’ and ensuring all the information is captured and accurate, remains a concern for their business. This shows that many current FM systems are not aligning in a way that helps facilitate efficient, collaborative working.  Developing and providing software solutions that enable teams to share data and work efficiently will continue to characterise industry changes throughout this year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Everton has appointed OCS, a global leader in facilities management, to provide integrated facilities management services at the Club’s new stadium.   OCS, who currently have around 8,000 clients across the UK, Europe, the Asian-Pacific and Middle East regions, have signed a five-year agreement for facilities management solutions for Everton Stadium, including waste management, cleaning and security.  Everton will make the move from Goodison Park to their new home at Bramley-Moore Dock in 2025, and the partnership will see that OCS – with a 120,000-strong global workforce and a proven track record in football stadia and events – will manage and maintain the stadium to ensure it is safe, secure and operates efficiently.  When fully operational, OCS will deploy a team of up to 200 locally recruited people at Everton Stadium for matchday and core operations.  Richard Kenyon, Chief Commercial and Communications Officer at Everton, said: “We are pleased to welcome OCS as provider of facilities management at our new home.  “OCS, which becomes an Official Supplier of Everton Stadium, has a large global client base and a strong track record in facilities management which makes them an excellent partner for us.   “From our very early meetings, it was clear that they are not only committed to the highest of standards but were also very keen to make a significant impact in our community and this is reflected by the commitments they have made to Everton in the Community over the course of the agreement.   “We’re excited to work alongside OCS to bring these community initiatives to life over the coming years and to see them play their part in delivering exceptional fan and visitor experiences in our new home.”  Bruce McDonnell, OCS Private Sector Managing Director at OCS, said: “We are delighted to partner with Everton. “We have seamless operations in some of the most iconic football stadiums in the UK and we have a proven track record in ensuring the safety and satisfaction of fans, players, and staff alike.  “We know that Everton’s new stadium won’t just be a football stadium, it will be a destination – for music, conferences and other events alike.”  McDonnell added: “We want to embark on a transformative journey together with Everton.  “We want to build something exceptional together, where innovation, community, and operational excellence converge. The future of Everton’s soft services starts here, with us!”  OCS will work closely with Everton to design and deliver a tailored facilities management solution using advanced technologies to increase safety and streamline efficiencies.  This will include a new search and screen process.  Cleaning operations will also benefit from technology such as cleaning robots to maximise productivity and support the maintenance of a clean environment.  In addition to the facilities management services, OCS will work closely with the Everton’s ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategies and Everton in the Community (EitC)programme.   OCS will deliver a full Carbon Impact Assessment to the club and will incorporate sustainable practices into the operation of the new stadium, aligning with Everton on its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.   OCS will also create ESG champion roles to ensure social value commitments are met. OCS’s ESG champions help deliver the business’ commitments around social value, helping benefit local communities with a strong footprint based on recruitment, training and development.  EitC provides life-changing opportunities, particularly for young people, aiming to give them a fresh start in life and opportunities to grow and develop.  OCS will collaborate with EitC to create employment opportunities for local residents, particularly targeting vulnerable individuals.  The partnership aims to recruit approximately 200 staff members for match days, with a focus on sustainable long-term employment and skill development.  Additionally, the facilities management provider will participate in community recruitment events to ensure ongoing engagement and support for local job seekers beyond initial hiring needs.  Jonny Young, Sector Managing Director, OCS said: “Everton in the Community is at the forefront of Football Club Social Value within the English football leagues.  “We are operating hand in glove throughout the recruitment, onboarding, and training of colleagues to improve the lives and communities associated in and around Everton Football Club.   “We are committed to recruiting locally, providing opportunities for all.”  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Written by Water Hygiene Centre As a Facilities Management company what are your responsibilities when it comes to the control of waterborne pathogens such as legionella (amongst others)? Well, it may be as simple as what is written in the contract you have from your water hygiene company describing delivery of certain tasks, but is that it? In short no, there are many other tasks that you are required to do that don’t always get directly specified but without which you cannot provide any assurance that you have fulfilled your side of the contract.  In this blog we talk about some of these, sometimes hidden tasks, as well as what is included in any contracts you have. Legionella Control – where to start? To start with it is very important to ensure you understand exactly what you are being asked to do, if there are areas of ambiguity these should be resolved before you start the contract. If your organisation is a member of the Legionella Control Association the first commitment you make is to ensure that your clients are aware of their obligations under ACoP L8, HSG 274 and any other applicable guidance, such as (S)HTM 04-01 or (S)HTM 01-05. A clear and concise document should be produced confirming who is responsible for carrying out each task so that nothing is missed. If you employ Water Treatment / Water Hygiene companies to help you deliver part of the works, they too should be named in this document. Prior to starting works, the next priority is agreeing the method for completing each task and providing evidence the works are going to be completed by competent staff. On many occasions we find that some basic Legionella training has been completed by staff (whether they are directly employed by you or by a sub-contractor) but with no evidence of competence. The guidance documents use the term “competent” rather than “trained” for a reason, being trained to a standard is important but you need to be able to carry out the work to this standard and in a safe manner. Please ensure you can evidence/records in the event you are inspected by the HSE or any other bodies who deem this necessary. Why should you complete a Water / Legionella Risk Assessment? A Legionella risk assessment for the property should be carried out to identify the assets on site and the pre-planned maintenance that is required. Once the schedule of pre-planned maintenance tasks begins the findings should be reviewed and actions taken if the results fall outside the recommended ranges. A formal review meeting with your client should be held regularly (depending on the risk profile and compliance data) where you are able to discuss the system performance and ensure appropriate works are completed if non-conformances are identified. Obtaining external support for Legionella Risk Assessments and or an Authorising Engineers (Water) provides additional assurance to FM companies that they are doing what is required and highlighting any areas of weakness before any significant failures occur. This also gives the building owner an independent view on performance following the annual Water Hygiene Audit where all measures and results are reviewed in order to provide site with a comprehensive summary of compliance and water safety. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals