Keeping your living room clean and organized is not just about the aesthetics. After all, it’s a room where you entertain most of your guests, where your family can bond, and where you’re most likely to spend a larger part of your day. With all that in mind, you want
UKWSL has retained the contract to provide trade waste services to independent brewing and pub retailing business, Marston’s. The news comes as its existing contract draws to a successful conclusion after being named 2019 winners of the ‘Partnership Excellence – Commercial category’ at the National Recycling Awards. The new five-year,
Social enterprise Mytime Active has appointed B38 Group to provide a range of facilities management services at its 26 sites over the next three years. The Wakefield-based FM company will carry out mechanical and electrical engineering on heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Mytime has 22 golf and leisure sites
Whether a commercial property has just been constructed or undergone a renovation, it will need a clean up before it is let or employees can return following a refurbishment. A great deal of dust and debris is generated during any construction project or renovation, and as commercial premises are usually
Skanska delivers facilities management (FM) with a focus on sustainability and customer service. Supporting more than 65 organisations across over 3,000 locations nationwide, here we explore how they use SMART technology to create ‘healthy’ buildings that their customers love. “FM is all about people and culture” declared Adam McDonald, Managing
Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project profession, has announced the appointment of its first female president – Sue Kershaw, UK managing director of Major Projects Advisory at consultancy firm KPMG. As president, Kershaw will advocate for the project profession, host the association’s high-profile events and
The Wates Group is set to expand its facilities management offering with the launch of Wates Facilities Management (‘Wates FM’) – a new business with expanded nationwide capabilities. Formerly operating as Wates Smartspace FM, Wates FM will build on its existing nationwide portfolio of total facilities management services across a
Bouygues Energies & Services has been appointed by Westminster City Council to deliver a wide range of services across 160 locations including City Hall, libraries and other community facilities. The five-year contract, which has the potential to be extended, will see Bouygues Energies & Services deliver a diverse range of
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has published the new Level 2 Facilities Services Operative apprenticeship standard and assessment plan. The Level 2 Facilities Services Operative (FSO) apprenticeship is ideal for those new to the profession who are looking for an entry level role in the industry. It offers
Property maintenance can often seem like an exhausting and costly endeavour, with numerous aspects of a building to consider. By implementing a planned maintenance schedule for your building you can ensure that all elements of your premises are taken care of in a timely and cost effective manner. Here we
Keeping your living room clean and organized is not just about the aesthetics. After all, it’s a room where you entertain most of your guests, where your family can bond, and where you’re most likely to spend a larger part of your day. With all that in mind, you want everybody to feel comfortable in it, and for that to happen, it has to be clean, functional, and easy on the eyes. So, to help you keep your living room organized and tidy, here are a few tips you should follow. Keep things off the flat surfaces Papers, magazines, remotes, pens, and other smaller items can easily make your flat surfaces messy. So, make sure everything in your home has its designated spot when not in use – and make it a habit to return everything to its spot when you’re done using it. So, for your papers and magazines, you should have files or magazine holders, and for your pens, you should add some pen holders or even mugs. You can easily find storage solutions that can serve as decoration as well, and it’s also something you can be creative with if you like DIY projects. Think about multifunctional items Speaking of having a designated spot for all your items, to have that, you need to actually have enough free spots. So, when choosing your furniture, opt for pieces that double as storage. For example, your coffee table should have some storage underneath for things like remotes, coasters, and other things you need around the table. You can also find armchairs and sofas with hidden storage underneath in case your living room is a bit smaller and you could use that extra space. Use the vertical space Another way to make use of all the available space is to install some vertical storage. This way, you would not be wasting any space, and you wouldn’t have to overcrowd the horizontal space with storage solutions either. Whether you use the top shelves for decorations, books, or plants, it’s bound to come in handy. Make it brighter and fresher Darker spaces naturally look less clean, so in order for your home to look cleaner, make sure it is well lit. Open your windows to let in as much natural light as you can, and layer your light sources so no corner is left in the dark. Additionally, if you happen to be a smoker, or if your guests often smoke in your living room, consider getting one of the quality air purifiers for smoke. By getting one, you’d remove any smoke particles from the air, and the room would actually feel much cleaner too. Plus, this kind of purifier can be especially useful in winter when it’s simply too cold to open the windows, so it really is a must. Add a wastebasket The living room is not where people usually have a trashcan. However, if you happen to have kids who like to snack in front of the TV, if there are paper scraps around for one reason or another, or if you have pets in the living room that can sometimes make a mess, consider adding a wastebasket. Moreover, you can find wastebaskets in different styles, so you can always pick one that looks modern and would not break the aesthetic flow of your living room. Tidy up in the morning Organization is a lot about your living room layout, but it’s also about your personal habits. If you are not used to cleaning your living room, no matter how much storage you have, the clutter will inevitably accumulate. So, make it a habit to spend 10-15 min every morning just cleaning up a bit, putting things where they should be, and maybe putting away those glasses that you forgot on the table last night. It’s a great way to avoid creating a mess, and it can be a great mood booster as well. Your living room is where you, your family, and your friends will probably spend most of your time together, so you really want it to leave a good impression. After all, your home is a representation of you, so you should keep it clean and organized. To do that, follow the listed suggestions, and you should never again have any trouble with clutter or dust.
UKWSL has retained the contract to provide trade waste services to independent brewing and pub retailing business, Marston’s. The news comes as its existing contract draws to a successful conclusion after being named 2019 winners of the ‘Partnership Excellence – Commercial category’ at the National Recycling Awards. The new five-year, multi-million-pound deal will continue to cover the 1,000-plus sites that Marston’s currently operates so day-to-day procedures and practices are to remain unchanged. The partnership, which commenced in October 2016, has seen Marston’s achieve zero waste to landfill and increase its recycling rate to circa 77 per cent: both of which contributed to an overall saving of six per cent on its annual waste spend. Max Kanda, Managing Director of UKWSL, commented: “Having fine-tuned our operations throughout the Marston’s estate over the past three years, we feel optimistic about improving on an already-impressive recycling rate, continuing to save costs and exploring additional closed loop solutions. “We are grateful to Marston’s for giving us an opportunity to steer this partnership to greater heights.” Andy Kershaw, Group Head of Facilities and Capex at Marston’s, added: “We are delighted that UKWSL has been awarded the Marston’s trade waste contract until 2024. The partnership has succeeded in achieving its cost saving, recycling and zero waste to landfill goals and we look forward to partnering with them once again for the next five years.”
Social enterprise Mytime Active has appointed B38 Group to provide a range of facilities management services at its 26 sites over the next three years. The Wakefield-based FM company will carry out mechanical and electrical engineering on heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Mytime has 22 golf and leisure sites nationwide, plus a head office in Bromley. Established in 2004, Mytime Active aims to “improve wellbeing by making it simple for people to get active, be positive, spend time with friends and eat better”. The organisation runs lifestyle preventative health services across the UK at six leisure centres and 16 pay-and-play golf courses in London, the Midlands, and on the South Coast. B38 Group will take a more strategic role including the provision of maintenance staff, training and support, as well as building life cycle management with forward maintenance planning. The FM group offers a comprehensive range of operations for private sector clients and blue-chip organisations nationwide, working across the retail, manufacturing, logistics, corporate, education and healthcare sectors.
Whether a commercial property has just been constructed or undergone a renovation, it will need a clean up before it is let or employees can return following a refurbishment. A great deal of dust and debris is generated during any construction project or renovation, and as commercial premises are usually quite large, the post-build clean is generally a pretty big operation. Dust and mess can be extremely hazardous, so it is important during office refurbishments that employees are briefed about where they can go as there is a chance they could breathe in harmful dust or chemicals. See tips on how to maintain safety during your office refurbishment here. Let’s take a look at what the post-build clean of a commercial property involves. There are generally two stages to a post-build clean: The initial rough clean An in-depth clean The initial rough clean The first stage involves getting rid of any rubbish, debris and excess concrete dust left by the builders. Some of this will be done before the build or renovation is completed, such as cleaning dust prior to carpet or floor tiling installation, or before fitting kitchen and sanitary facilities. The external windows, frames and cladding may also be cleaned before internal work is finished up. Who does a post-build clean? Most commercial property developers hire a professional cleaning company to do this work, often tendering the contract to a selection of cleaning businesses before choosing the best deal (who incidentally may not necessarily be the cheapest). Some builders will do a rough clean and remove rubbish and debris before contracting out the in-depth post-build cleaning to save money, while others may leave a lot of the construction debris on site for the cleaning company to deal with. What about health and safety? Health and safety for cleaners on a post-build site is paramount. There are many risks associated with an almost constructed or newly constructed buildings. Common risks include trip hazards and improper supervision. Post-build cleaning operatives should have sufficient health and safety training. A risk assessment is also an important step required to protect workers. Supreme Cleaning are one of many commercial cleaning companies who send cleaning operatives on Site Safety courses and provide them with CSCS cards (CSCS is the Construction Skills Certification Scheme). Cleaning operatives are required to understand site-specific method statements and risk assessment requirements before they are assigned to a particular job. Where cherry pickers or scissor lifts are required for cleaning work at height, operatives should be IPAF qualified (this is a bit like a driving license for mobile elevating working platforms). What does the in-depth clean involve? The specification for a post-build clean will obviously vary according to the type and size of the commercial property and the scale of the build or renovation, but can include: The removal of stickers, paint splashes, render and protection from internal and external windows and frames The removal of protection from floors, doors, radiators and other areas Thorough cleaning to remove builders’ dust from all surfaces, including inside cupboards – this can involve some cleaning at height Cleaning of light switches and electrical points, radiators and fire extinguishers Removal of dust and finger marks from ceiling panels Cleaning of all doors, woodwork, ledges, shelving and skirting boards, as well as door handles and hinges Floor scrubbing and buffing and any carpets or matts vacuumed Thorough cleaning and sanitising of all kitchens and bathrooms, including the removal of stickers, paint spots and plaster, and the polishing/wiping of tiles and chrome to leave it free of smears Removal of grout haze from tiles and paint spots from flooring Cleaning of glass entrance doors (inside and out) and the reception desk Cleaning of all staircases and lift cars, including lift doors, balustrades and handrails Ventilation duct cleaning Most cleaning companies operating a large post-build commercial clean will allocate an on-site project manager to liaise with the commercial property manager or the business conducting the renovations. The cleaning project manager is responsible for checking the quality and progress of the clean. How to choose a post-build cleaning company Regular domestic cleaning companies aren’t suitable for the post-build cleaning of commercial properties. Be sure to choose a reputable cleaning company with construction cleaning experience. It’s a good idea to check out testimonials. It could be worth contacting a previous client of your preferred cleaning company for a reference. If the cleaning company is as good as they say they are, they won’t mind you doing that. Above all, before hiring a cleaning contractor, be clear about budgets, what is included in the clean and time-frames.
Skanska delivers facilities management (FM) with a focus on sustainability and customer service. Supporting more than 65 organisations across over 3,000 locations nationwide, here we explore how they use SMART technology to create ‘healthy’ buildings that their customers love. “FM is all about people and culture” declared Adam McDonald, Managing Director of Skanska’s Building Services operation, when we sat down together. Adding, “We value and take care of our people with an injury-free environment (IFE) approach. I’m proud to say we have a culture of care and support, which enables us to deliver the best front-line service to our customers.” If anyone’s at the forefront of putting the customer first, Skanska certainly are. As a company that develops, builds and maintains some of the UK’s iconic buildings including the Gherkin and MoD Main Building, Skanska really are at the forefront of developing the best offers for their customers. It’s going down well too – their research shows that 70% of existing customers have worked with their facilities management team for at least 10 years or more. But how do they do it? Sustainability is a much talked about focus right now, as Skanska’s customers continue to enquire about how it can better assist them to achieve their goals. Laura Mayhew-Manchon, Environmental Manager, said: “We’re pushing the boundaries in carbon reduction – we’ve set a target of net zero carbon reduction by 2045, and we’re including all of our supply chain, not just our own immediate operations.” But you need to have the right team and processes in place to make sure commitments stick, which is where the company’s embrace of technology benefits them. We were keen to delve into how other organisations can use technology to make a difference, both internally and to customers. So, we asked Laura: What are the most consistently missed tech opportunities? Laura revealed, “Better connected assets and equipment will support improved building user experience, use and functionality. That’s the first thing. But ultimately, for FM teams, the data these produce and how we use and interpret it is key in delivering effective, efficient FM that drives optimal building performance.” This supports IWFM’s research that better understanding of technology and data, which includes upskilling existing staff as well as bringing new skills in, is crucial to better performance. In turn, this can create ‘healthy’ buildings. So, what defines a ‘healthy building’? According to Laura, “spaces where the relationship between the building, energy, occupant satisfaction and wellbeing is reviewed continually.” Those final words, ‘reviewed continually’, are undoubtedly the most important. Much of the profession implements change and then forgets to make time to review those changes and to develop them for better results. But, if we’re to see meaningful change in our profession, it’s something we absolutely must do. Acknowledging how customers, or communities, engage with buildings is crucial. “You also need to design the delivery solution around the customer. For example, our City of London contract has delivery teams aligned to customer type rather than geography,” said Adam McDonald. Adding, “Procuring the supply chain sustainably and locally helps, too. We have committed to procuring within a certain radius of contracts, paying them on time (Skanska adheres to the fair payment charter) and training them via the Supply Chain Sustainability School.” Which brings us to our final point: What’s next? For Skanska, it’s about having “engaged, well-trained, positive people to help drive quality FM service delivery. As a profession, we need simpler and more effective procurement models that are driven by service quality rather than price,” Adam said. So, what did we learn? Sustainability is top of the agenda, and that can be driven by technology. As a profession, we need to upskill and make sure we always put the customer first, and those customers can differ considerably from building to building. We must also aim to create ‘healthy buildings’ – spaces where the relationship between the building, energy, occupant satisfaction and wellbeing work as one and, more importantly, is reviewed continually. Skanska is sponsoring this year’s IWFM Awards. Find out more about they’re current work through the Awards website.
Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project profession, has announced the appointment of its first female president – Sue Kershaw, UK managing director of Major Projects Advisory at consultancy firm KPMG. As president, Kershaw will advocate for the project profession, host the association’s high-profile events and facilitate engagements. Commenting on the appointment, John McGlynn, chairman at APM said: “As a well-respected and high-profile project management practitioner and leader, we’re delighted to have Sue as our first female president. She joins us during a period of ongoing growth, but also at a time when there are numerous challenges facing the project profession (including economic uncertainty, digitisation and transformation, and skills shortages). Her experience will be invaluable in supporting us to further help people and organisations to deliver better projects and also to promote our vision, mission and strategy to new and more diverse audiences.” The 2018-19 APM Members’ Review reveals the growth of the organisation. Almost 800 individuals have achieved the Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) status, including 495 within the first five months of the standard being announced in October. APM reported a 17 per cent growth in revenue and individual membership grew to nearly 30,000 (an increase of 16 per cent on 2018 figures). Sue Kershaw, who is also UK head of infrastructure programme and project management at KPMG, said: “As the second woman to receive an APM Honorary Fellowship back in 2011, I have witnessed their fantastic efforts in driving change within the project management space. APM’s work has been essential in equipping people with the skills required to build successful careers in the sector and develop professional benchmarks that demonstrate attainment of technical knowledge, professional practice and ethical behaviour. I’m very much looking forward to getting started in the coming months, helping to shape the future of the sector and drive professionalism. I’m also keen to champion important professional issues like driving gender diversity in project management.” Outgoing President David Waboso, who himself made history as the first black and minority ethnic (BME) president of APM, said: “Three years ago when I took on the role, my ambition was to enhance APM’s status as a body that supported the needs of the profession – and in doing so, further raise the profile of the profession both at home and abroad. Fast forward to today and I see great progress has been made and a profession that has grown in stature and strength. Having secured chartered status, APM is now collaborating with an increasing range of bodies and is building the talent and capability of the profession. As such, we’ve significantly improved the delivery of the programmes – in spite of the increasingly complex nature of organisations and in an extraordinary economic climate. It’s been a true honour to be a part of Association journey and I stand aside knowing that the association is on a skyward trajectory and in safe hands.”
The Wates Group is set to expand its facilities management offering with the launch of Wates Facilities Management (‘Wates FM’) – a new business with expanded nationwide capabilities. Formerly operating as Wates Smartspace FM, Wates FM will build on its existing nationwide portfolio of total facilities management services across a range of environments, including banking, retail and healthcare, and will seek opportunities to provide FM support to both private and public sector clients. Wates FM will become part of Wates Property Services division alongside the group’s Living Space business, which provides planned and responsive repairs for more than 500,000 social housing properties and more than 350 buildings nationwide. This restructure will allow the two businesses to combine their expertise. The group has 85 key customers across 14 sectors, including 60 social housing providers and it has a combined annual turnover of c.£400 million with a £1 billion forward order book. David Morgan, managing director of Wates Living Space, said: “Wates’s continued success is built on the breadth of our in-house capabilities and our agility in identifying and maximising complementary areas of our business. There is a great deal of synergy between Wates Living Space and Wates FM and aligning the two businesses will enable us to significantly enhance our service to clients. “Operational efficiency is essential when working with the public sector and this is something that underpins Wates Living Space’s position as a leading UK provider of housing repairs and maintenance.” Wates FM currently manages at least 350 commercial properties, delivering services including statutory compliance, cleaning, security, catering, porterage, front-of-house, helpdesks and computer-aided facilities management (CAFM), as well as mechanical and electrical and building fabric maintenance through a mix of site-based and mobile teams.
Bouygues Energies & Services has been appointed by Westminster City Council to deliver a wide range of services across 160 locations including City Hall, libraries and other community facilities. The five-year contract, which has the potential to be extended, will see Bouygues Energies & Services deliver a diverse range of services including mechanical and electrical maintenance, helpdesk, cleaning, and security services. Speaking about the contract award, Glynn Newby, Operations Director for Bouygues Energies & Services UK said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded such a prestigious contract developing our Local Government activity in an area where we have already a significant presence. We are proud to be working with a client who places such a strong emphasis on social value.”
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has published the new Level 2 Facilities Services Operative apprenticeship standard and assessment plan. The Level 2 Facilities Services Operative (FSO) apprenticeship is ideal for those new to the profession who are looking for an entry level role in the industry. It offers the opportunity both to master practical workplace skills and gain IWFM professional recognition. On completion of this standard – typically in 12 months – FSOs will be able to provide facilities services support to customers and facilities management departments in a wide range of workplace environments. The FSO role is outward-facing and will involve substantial liaison with customers, as well as compliance with legislation and organisational policies. IWFM played a key role in the Trailblazer group which created the new standard, working alongside sector employers, training providers and educational institutions. This built on our earlier collaborations developing the higher level FM apprenticeship standards critical to providing the industry with the professionals it needs to help address its productivity and skills challenges, whilst also promoting social mobility. IWFM Head of Professional Development Fraser Talbot, said: “This key entry level pathway to our profession couldn’t have come at a better time for those wanting an opportunity to take the first step to a career in workplace and facilities management. “Apprenticeships provide a valuable alternative to academic routes and they are crucial to bringing new talent into the profession. As an apprentice you earn as you learn, gain a professional qualification and get an experience-based launchpad to a career, irrespective of your background. Employers gain assurance that their workforce has the knowledge and skills they require. Investment in professional development also provides a more engaged and productive workforce. It’s a perfect win-win” For full details of the apprenticeship standard click here.
Property maintenance can often seem like an exhausting and costly endeavour, with numerous aspects of a building to consider. By implementing a planned maintenance schedule for your building you can ensure that all elements of your premises are taken care of in a timely and cost effective manner. Here we explore the top 5 reasons to employ a planned maintenance schedule. Compliance As a building owner or tenant there are numerous legislations and regulations which you must stay in compliance with to ensure a safe environment, and to stay within the law. From water safety checks, to electrical and fire equipment, each aspect must be carefully inspected and regularly maintained to confirm their compliance. A planned maintenance schedule ensures that your building undergoes necessary and regular compliance checks and receives appropriate maintenance as and when required. Minimise Breakdowns Without regular maintenance checks smaller and more inconsequential issues can turn into larger, more unmanageable repairs, and even complete breakdowns. Checking equipment and the fabric of the building regularly for potential faults will help to detect any issues before they progress. A comprehensive maintenance schedule will ensure that the entire facility undergoes regular maintenance checks and breakdowns of equipment will be minimised. Time Saving Whilst in the initial planning stages a planned maintenance schedule may seem time consuming, this process will help to save time in the long run. As equipment is checked on a regular schedule, the building or business owner can spend time more effectively elsewhere, without concerning themselves with the prospect of breakdowns or repairs. A blended strategy of reactive and planned maintenance would be suitable for most buildings to ensure there is regular maintenance occurring, along with having a qualified team on hand to respond quickly to a unexpected and reactive issues. Cost Effective Waiting for breakdowns or maintenance issues to arise before fixing them may seem like a preferable option, with no need for outgoing cost of regular maintenance checks. However, this strategy can be a very costly way of maintaining a facility, and lead to longer downtime whilst larger repairs take place. A planned maintenance strategy will help to reduce costs as unexpected maintenance issues are spotted during the regular checks, and can be dealt with before escalating into larger more costly repairs or replacements. Without planned maintenance it can be easy to ignore potential maintenance issues which can have knock on effects further down the line. Equipment Lifespan Replacing equipment within the fabric of a building can be expensive and time consuming, therefore being able to reduce the likelihood of replacements being necessary is highly preferable. Regularly checking equipment around the facility and repairing minor issues as and when they occur will help to maximise the life expectancy and value of the equipment, keeping it safe and efficient for longer. By employing a planned maintenance schedule and a qualified team to take care of the tasks in your facility, will help to ensure your building continues to function safely and within the law. Whilst having the appearance of being time consuming and costly, planned maintenance will inevitably help to prevent major issues and expenditures from occurring.
