A new community of practice* has been formed by Sodexo’s Corporate Services division aimed at bringing together sustainability heads from some of the UK’s leading organisations to be change-makers through collaboration. In today’s rapidly changing world, sustainability is a topic that concerns not just professionals in the field, but also
Leading property management firm Rendall & Rittner has been appointed as the management company for Minster Court, a highly-regarded retirement community located in Axminster, Devon. Built in 2004, Minster Court comprises 44 one and two bedroom apartments that provide accommodation for residents of retirement age. The property will be an
The Right to Manage company (RTM) for Avenue Court in Poole has appointed Rendall & Rittner to take over management of the property’s 48 homes. Rendall & Rittner is one of the UK’s leading property management companies with a wealth of experience in working with RTMs and Resident Management Companies
CEG has just completed two floors of bespoke designed and fit-out space for transport, infrastructure, and engineering company SYSTRA, at the iconic 28-storey Alpha tower in Birmingham. The 10-year lease of 14,000 sq ft marks the largest custom fit deal delivered by the investment and development company to date. Richard
Leading property management company Rendall & Rittner has appointed Alan Todd as Programme Manager to oversee the delivery of its technology transformation project including MyPlace, its market-leading new customer portal. Alan will have responsibility for the implementation of the whole programme across all stakeholders internally and externally. His remit includes
Prestigious event for Facilities Management and Cleaning industry to be held at iconic Mayfair hotel Considered to be the pinnacle awards for the cleaning industry, Kimberly-Clark Professional is delighted to announce the return of the Golden Service Awards on Thursday 23 May 2024 at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
Scottish government-owned train operator leverages MRI Horizon to centralise data, automate processes and drive efficiencies across station rentals ScotRail, the publicly owned Scottish railway network operator, has selected MRI Software’s Horizon solution to manage its rental and lease portfolio, comprising 220 units across 356 stations. MRI Horizon is an innovative
By Nick Winstone, Co-Founder & MD of Biovate Hygienics Sustainable cleaning plays a major role in supporting a company’s overall sustainability goals. It creates a good brand image for your company, slashes energy costs, promotes green procurement as well as care for the planet and its people. According to a
“We dirty our hands every day, so we know how to clean” Established in 2010, Green Facilities Management is an eco-friendly commercial cleaning company providing reliable and innovative cleaning services to a range of businesses such as: offices and co-working spaces; retailers and restaurants; schools and education hubs; and museums
The award-winning asbestos and abatement company, Amianto Services, is celebrating its five-year anniversary having provided vital services across the UK. Amianto Services, part of The Sovini Group, offers an award-winning asbestos and abatement removal service, in addition to their recent expansion of services to provide passive fire protection (FIRAS). Since
A new community of practice* has been formed by Sodexo’s Corporate Services division aimed at bringing together sustainability heads from some of the UK’s leading organisations to be change-makers through collaboration. In today’s rapidly changing world, sustainability is a topic that concerns not just professionals in the field, but also senior directors and decision-makers across all departments. Building a climate and nature-aware business requires an understanding of the complex world of ESG and its potential risks and opportunities. In March this year Sodexo, in partnership with FuturePlanet, launched its community of practice for sustainability leads from its clients and suppliers in both the public and the private sector. Through a programme of intentionally designed events, a dedicated online community platform and community support, the Sodexo community of practice has three intentions: Members of the Sodexo community of practice have shared a multitude of challenges, solutions and ideas that can be used to transform their organisations and achieve net zero, nature and social goals. These have been reviewed, sorted and prioritised by each of the participants. Themes and solutions shared include carbon reduction particularly scope 3, supply chain engagement assessments with a particular focus on diverse supply chains, employee and wider stakeholder engagement. Topics covered with a shared relevance across sectors also include getting buy-in from stakeholders, climate related objectives for employees and sharing best practice on how to engage and empower employees to act. With support from FuturePlanet, Sodexo’s vision is to foster a community which continually collaborates online and in person to drive ongoing impact both in the short and long term so that all can collectively achieve climate and sustainability goals to drive systemic transformation. Julie Ennis, CEO Corporate Services, Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “Navigating challenges such as calculating carbon emissions, influencing policy and regulations, leveraging business spend, and balancing ambition with delivery can be overwhelming for many. Through this new community we have co-created we are able to bring many organisations together from various industries to listen and learn from each other, so we can collectively achieve our climate and sustainability goals.” Carl Pratt, Founder of FuturePlanet adds: “It is inspiring and energising to feel the potential for impact that we have when we come together, share openly and collaborate. Everyone has a piece of the puzzle in their organisation, it is through intentional community building that we can start to the amount of collaboration required to move further and faster towards out climate, nature and sustainability goals. When we do that it creates the feeling that together we can do this! Which I love.” Claire Atkins Morris, Sustainability Director for Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “We recognise that with our closest partners, we can play a role in leading adaptation, mitigation and transformation. I have thoroughly enjoyed the roundtables particularly connecting at a personal level, something so many events I have attended are missing. It is so important for change-makers to connect regularly to drive ambitious change in their respective organisations. By working together, sharing resources, co-creating solutions and amplifying our influence, we believe we can tackle the complexities of ESG, using anchor institute mentality to create impact in the communities we live, work and serve.” Comments from some of the community participants include: Justin Turquet, director of sustainability, Bunzl Catering and Hospitality division said: “I really enjoyed having a space to reflect and share with fellow professionals where we have aligned experiences and can learn from each other.” Paul Andrews, director of global energy, Smith & Nephew, said: “I feel encouraged that other businesses are ahead of us who have stories that we can learn from and use to encourage actions in our business.” Sodexo was one of the first organisations to have its UK and Ireland net zero 2040 target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In January this year, Sodexo recorded in its progress update report a 33% reduction in scope 1,2 and 3 GHG emissions for the UK and Ireland, compared to its 2017 baseline. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading property management firm Rendall & Rittner has been appointed as the management company for Minster Court, a highly-regarded retirement community located in Axminster, Devon. Built in 2004, Minster Court comprises 44 one and two bedroom apartments that provide accommodation for residents of retirement age. The property will be an impressive addition to Rendall & Rittner’s extensive portfolio of managed later living accommodation when the company takes up its duties on November 1st, 2023. Lee Johnson, Divisional Director at Rendall & Rittner, comments, “Minster Court is a cherished retirement community and we are very pleased to be entrusted with its care. Our property management approach of extensive personal communication allied to sensitivity and thoughtfulness, align perfectly with the community ethos at the property.” Minster Court features a range of modern conveniences for residents including lift to all floors, a well-appointed residents’ lounge, laundry facilities, and a guest suite for visitors. A 24-hour emergency Careline response system also provides residents with both comfort and security. For over 30 years Rendall & Rittner has provided a dedicated service for later living accommodation delivered by an in-house expert team. The company is also a member of ARHM which provides specialised standards for the retirement and later living sector. Rendall & Rittner manage later living homes nationwide via its network of offices in Bournemouth, London, Milton Keynes and Manchester. The retirement portfolio is managed by locally based teams which enables Rendall & Rittner to provide an expert service, supported by high-quality locally based contractors. Find out more at: https://www.rendallandrittner.co.uk/about-us/our-regions/south-west/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Right to Manage company (RTM) for Avenue Court in Poole has appointed Rendall & Rittner to take over management of the property’s 48 homes. Rendall & Rittner is one of the UK’s leading property management companies with a wealth of experience in working with RTMs and Resident Management Companies (RMC). Rendall & Rittner is a trusted partner-of-choice for many hundreds of RTMs and RMCs, committed to best practice and is regulated by RICS, a member of RICS’s Client Money Protection Scheme and is highly accredited by ARMA, British Safety Council and Investors in People. The company, whose South West region is based in Poole, offers a tailored service to its clients and residents focussed on protecting financial liabilities and giving professional guidance on all aspects of property management. Divisional Director Lee Johnson comments: “At Rendall and Rittner we have the resources, safeguards, accreditations and the standards of service that come from being part of a national property management company, combined with the power of local expertise and knowledge. Our locally based property managers and independent contractors are dedicated to delivering exceptional service, backed by our robust systems and 30 year track record for customer service and innovation.” Lee Johnson adds: “Avenue Court is a highly desirable address in the local area and we are honoured to have been selected by the people who live here to take on the responsibility of managing their homes. Rendall & Rittner has extensive experience in collaborating with Resident Management Companies and Right to Manage companies, and we look forward to working together at Avenue Court to deliver an exceptional standard of service.” Avenue Court is an impressive collection of modern apartment buildings located off The Avenue, a conservation area to the west of Bournemouth known for its outstanding natural beauty. The property sits within large and well maintained communal grounds and has easy access to Branksome Beach, Bournemouth town centre and Poole. Rendall & Rittner will commence property management duties from 1st November, 2023. The addition of Avenue Court represents an impressive addition to Rendall & Rittner’s South West division which has recently seen notable growth in its portfolio of properties under management. The South West team is located a short distance from Avenue Court in Poole, however the reach of the team goes much further, covering all of Hampshire and Dorset, as well as a growing influence across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and Bristol. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CEG has just completed two floors of bespoke designed and fit-out space for transport, infrastructure, and engineering company SYSTRA, at the iconic 28-storey Alpha tower in Birmingham. The 10-year lease of 14,000 sq ft marks the largest custom fit deal delivered by the investment and development company to date. Richard Brookes, investment manager at CEG, explains: “Most companies don’t employ experts at design and fitting out workspace. They have a business to run and staff to manage, so a landlord willing to deliver this, especially one that will amortise the costs within the lease, can help clinch the deal. “SYSTRA were already located on one floor, but as they swiftly grew, they wanted bespoke, contemporary workspace befitting the expanded team. We agreed a deal over two floors, with a full design and refit package, providing 160-strong workspace, meeting and board room and kitchenette facilities – all designed to retain and attract the best talent. “Our in-house team of building and project managers know Alpha better than anyone and were able to design the most efficient space, working in harmony with existing pipework, air/cooling system and fire constraints. We managed the process from end to end, meeting SYSTRA’s goals from design and layout to productivity, health and sustainability, with the client also making cost savings thanks to our supply chain buying power.” In recent years, CEG delivered a £16.6 million refurbishment of Alpha, creating a contemporary and collaborative working environment for corporates wanting space floor by floor to Let Ready fully furnished flexible studio space for smaller and growing companies. As a result, the building is now 85 % let. John Porter, facilities manager at SYSTRA said: “Alpha is well located within central Birmingham close to New Street station, which makes it really accessible for the team. The recent refurbishment has also provided some of the highest quality space in the city, and the Let Ready studios were ideal. “The ability to accommodate our fast growth within custom-designed space be-fitting of our brand was perfect, and the fact that it could all be delivered by the landlord at no risk to us was even better. “We have a well-motivated team which loves coming to work in our new workspace. they benefit from the café, wellness studio and gym on site, and the Life by CEG app is great for keeping everyone up to date with events and offers.” Since early 2022, CEG has delivered more than 150 Let Ready Custom Design + Fit Out deals, with the help of its UK network of agents. By the end of this year that is likely to grow to more than a 100 deals per annum, creating bespoke workspace for thousands of people. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading property management company Rendall & Rittner has appointed Alan Todd as Programme Manager to oversee the delivery of its technology transformation project including MyPlace, its market-leading new customer portal. Alan will have responsibility for the implementation of the whole programme across all stakeholders internally and externally. His remit includes co-ordinating the rollout of the system across Rendall & Rittner’s entire portfolio of developments over the next 12 months, ensuring training for staff, facilitating ways of working and managing customer impact. He has already established a cross-functional programme steering group with involvement from senior management to help ensure employees are engaged and on board. MyPlace has been developed as a bespoke, next generation online platform that will provide an easy to use, one-stop shop for customers. Also being introduced is a Customer Engagement System to enhance customer communications, whilst a client portal will start to be built from late this year. Alan has over twenty years’ experience in leading large programmes for a wide range of major companies including Mastercard, Western Union, Co-op and the Football Association. His expertise is in supporting and enabling major change within organisations, and he has broad experience across a variety of business sectors. Alan says: “I am very pleased that I can bring my broad experience and skills to deliver this major change to Rendall & Rittner effectively and efficiently. My role is to make sure that there is a plan in place that brings everything together at the right time to ensure our technology transformation project, including MyPlace, is implemented in a structured and successful way.” MyPlace and the Customer Engagement system are live and being used by the first group of properties, following their successful trials earlier in the year. More developments are being added constantly with the rollouts continuing in the coming months and into 2024. Richard Daver, Group CEO of Rendall & Rittner comments: “Successfully carrying through this sort of transformational change requires collaborative and joined up working across the business. We are delighted to welcome Alan to the team, who will be pivotal in driving the delivery of our digital transformation project forward and leading our company-wide commitment to make it as successful as possible for our customers, clients and ourselves.” Find out more at: https://www.rendallandrittner.co.uk/about-us/technology/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Prestigious event for Facilities Management and Cleaning industry to be held at iconic Mayfair hotel Considered to be the pinnacle awards for the cleaning industry, Kimberly-Clark Professional is delighted to announce the return of the Golden Service Awards on Thursday 23 May 2024 at the London Hilton on Park Lane. Created more than 30 years ago, the biennial Golden Service Awards are one of the most prestigious events and sought-after accolades in the facilities management (FM) and cleaning industry across a variety of sectors, including healthcare, retail, manufacturing, hospitality, education, leisure and office. “Behind the scenes, our cleaning and FM teams continue to make our workspaces and our public venues safe despite difficult times for all of us,” said Craig Bowman, General Manager for the UK and Ireland at Kimberly-Clark Professional. “We can go to work and attend events with our families and friends trusting that the many cleaners and FMs keep these locations safe. We are delighted to announce the launch of the Kimberly-Clark Professional Golden Service Awards 2024 where we will acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of our industry colleagues.” Entries to The Kimberly-Clark Professional Golden Service Awards 2024 close on Friday 27October 2023, with finalists to be announced on Monday 4 December 2023. Entries are welcome from all FM and contract cleaning companies across the UK and Ireland. There are 18 categories that recognise excellence and the achievement of the highest standards in the industry. To honour the achievements of the industry in diverse and challenging times, Kimberly-Clark Professional has announced two new categories: a ‘Social Impact Award’ recognising positive impact on people and communities, and a ‘Cleaning Team of the Year Award’ for outstanding contributions. The sponsors of the Golden Service Awards include a new gold sponsor, Kärcher, and returning silver sponsors, Nationwide, and Bunzl Cleaning and Hygiene Supplies, which are joined this year by a new silver sponsor, Soap20, and a new bronze sponsor, BioVate Hygienics. Welcomed back for the 2024 awards is the Irish Contract Cleaning Association (ICCA), event category sponsors for Inclusion and Diversity. Kimberly-Clark Professional also welcomes returning media sponsors for the Golden Service Awards, including Tomorrow’s Cleaning, Facilities Management Journal and Cleaning Matters. To support all entrants, Kimberly-Clark Professional hosted a webinar on July 26 in addition to distributing a comprehensive ‘how to enter’ guide. The webinar featured support and guidance from the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), which independently oversees the judging process, and Suzanne Howe Communications, the awards’ organisers. “We are very grateful to all our sponsors that support the Kimberly-Clark Professional Golden Service Awards and continue to help us make this special industry event possible. It is our flagship event in the UK and Ireland, and we look forward to discovering how the cleaning and FM industry continues to excel in reaching incredible new heights,” said Bowman. Silver, bronze, category, and table sponsorships are still available. The sponsorship programme will run from the summer 2023 and culminate in the awards ceremony in May 2024. Sponsors benefit from extensive PR and social media coverage, excellent branding opportunities and top-level networking. For additional information on becoming a sponsor, please download our sponsor’s guide here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Scottish government-owned train operator leverages MRI Horizon to centralise data, automate processes and drive efficiencies across station rentals ScotRail, the publicly owned Scottish railway network operator, has selected MRI Software’s Horizon solution to manage its rental and lease portfolio, comprising 220 units across 356 stations. MRI Horizon is an innovative real estate cloud solution used by leading property owners and operators in the private and public sectors to manage complex lease portfolios, improve business performance, and reduce operational risk. The decision to deploy Horizon was part of ScotRail’s digital transformation strategy, implemented after the company came into public ownership in 2022. After reviewing its processes and deciding to bring previously outsourced activity in-house, ScotRail needed to find a property management solution to gather data into a new, easy-to-use centralised system. ScotRail chose Horizon after a competitive and regulated procurement process. “Everyone involved was immediately impressed by how user-friendly Horizon was and the functionality available,” says Kerry McKerron, Senior Product and Revenue Development Manager at ScotRail. “Our team could quickly and clearly see how Horizon would fit with our processes and benefit the business. After speaking with other MRI Horizon users in the same industry who successfully use the solution, it wasn’t hard for our team to make the decision.” ScotRail has already deployed Horizon, with a team of five successfully using it day-to-day after the company and MRI worked closely together to get the system up and running as quickly as possible. ScotRail is now using Horizon to manage lease agreements with tenants that are using station spaces to run cafes, shops, and other retail outlets. Since implementing MRI Horizon, ScotRail has experienced several benefits across the organisation: “ScotRail joins a growing number of UK public sector organisations that use Horizon in different ways to manage the complexities of their property portfolios – either as landlords or occupiers,” says Garreth Cosgrave, Business Development Manager, Strategic Accounts at MRI Software. “What makes Horizon so useful for companies like ScotRail is its scalability and flexibility. It is a cloud-based solution that can fit into any organisation’s existing processes.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Nick Winstone, Co-Founder & MD of Biovate Hygienics Sustainable cleaning plays a major role in supporting a company’s overall sustainability goals. It creates a good brand image for your company, slashes energy costs, promotes green procurement as well as care for the planet and its people. According to a 2021 consumer intelligence survey report by PwC, 76 percent of consumers are likely to stop buying from a brand that doesn’t practice sustainability. From the same report 84 percent of employees prefer to work for a company that cares for the environment. (¹) One of the ways a facilities management team can boost sustainability efforts is to adopt a green cleaning strategy. Unfortunately, using traditional cleaning chemicals poses a health risk, whilst sustainable cleaning products will take greater care of your employees and the environment. The best way to clean green is to use a cleaning product that will biodegrade completely within a short time frame, within 28 days. The way the products are packaged is also really important to think about. For commercial cleaning products these should be as concentrated as possible. For example, a multi-purpose 1.5 litre pouch uses 90 percent less plastic than a jerry can and makes 275 spray bottles, massively reducing the carbon footprint and plastic waste generated. Recyclable components Fitting products with trigger heads that are made from 33% PCR plastic with no metal parts, and are fully recyclable, as some of our products are, also helps with sustainability. Their use stops 7.5 tonnes of virgin plastic from entering the supply chain, with CO2 emissions reduced by 13% and wastewater by 17%. Responsible sourcing of cardboard packaging also reduces our CO2 emissions by 25%. Another important factor to consider is the impact a product has on the user. Basically a green cleaning product should not be classified as an irritant to skin or corrosive in its diluted state. Sustainability high on the agenda Sustainability is high up the agenda for businesses across most sectors, with environmental impact becoming a major driver in procurement decisions. This is sure to accelerate in a post pandemic world. In the liquid product cleaning industry, this is reflected in demand from customers and their distributors for chemical-free and plastic-free cleaning products. They are mindful of the fact most commercial cleaning products are in a ready-to-use format, increasing plastic waste and carbon footprints. Others contain traditional chemical actives which are unkind to the environment, while inhaling some chemical cleaning products is simply unhealthy, especially for cleaners using the products all day. We’re on a mission to establish our company as the UK’s go-to sustainable brand offering a carbon neutral range of liquid cleaning products that will change the way Britain cleans. We’re looking to ensure that all our products are carbon neutral and sustainable inside the packaging, the way they’re packaged, the way they’re produced and the way they’re transported and stored. All our products are designed with these goals in mind – and we like to think we’re leading by example, setting standards for the rest of the sustainable cleaning industry to follow. https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/library/consumer-intelligence-series/consumer-and-employee-esg-expectations.html https://www.biovatehygienics.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
“We dirty our hands every day, so we know how to clean” Established in 2010, Green Facilities Management is an eco-friendly commercial cleaning company providing reliable and innovative cleaning services to a range of businesses such as: offices and co-working spaces; retailers and restaurants; schools and education hubs; and museums and leisure centres. One year ago, it began using the new Multiwash™ PRO scrubber-dryer from Truvox International. We spoke to Green FM CEO, Manu Sareen, to discover why the company had chosen Multiwash™ PRO, and more about its relationship with Truvox. “I first came across Truvox International and its original Multiwash™ machine about six years ago when we took over a retail cleaning contract and bought half a dozen machines,” says Manu Sareen. “They were reliable and delivered great results, but our current relationship with Truvox developed last year when we re-discovered the company and its newly released Multiwash™ PRO, which is considerably better and more efficient than other machines we were using. Ease of use and sustainability “Our mission is to provide and maintain a hygienic environment for staff and visitors at every location, boosting morale and productivity. One of the most important reasons to work with Truvox is to make life easier for our operatives, but we also know that we are working with a business where sustainability matters. “The Multiwash™ PRO is so easy to use, works on all surfaces, and requires minimal training. It’s not as bulky as other scrubber-driers but at the same time it is robust and durable, and is easy to move from one place to another. The machine washes, scrubs and dries in a single pass, giving improved and unrivalled cleaning results – and leaves floors ready for staff and customers to walk on. “The Multiwash™ PRO is effective when used with only water and no chemicals. However, the water in London is very hard and can leave mineral deposits on the floor, so we use a pH neutral detergent to cater for this problem. “Another positive contribution to sustainability is the machine’s reliability. It needs less maintenance and engineer visits than other machines, so that helps reduce its carbon footprint. “Green FM is proud to be an ethical and sustainable business, and Multiwash™ PRO and Truvox International are a great fit for us and our clients. ‘We dirty our hands every day, so we know how to clean’ “Since the pandemic, our clients and their customers expect to see us cleaning. Before, we were often expected to clean out-of-hours and behind-the-scenes, as if we weren’t even there! Now we can carry out cleaning in plain sight, and so the fact that Multiwash™ PRO also looks good and highly professional is another benefit. “As part of our business, we offer a consultancy service for companies and FMs which have their own in-house cleaning facilities, and we are quick to recommend the use of Truvox machines,” says Manu Sareen. “Green FM has been active in the cleaning industry for many years, so we know from experience which machines deliver the best results. We like technology and work with tech-savvy suppliers, and will only recommend the best. We only want to use the most innovative equipment, and I often say: ‘We dirty our hands every day, so we know how to clean’.” https://www.truvox.com/our-products/scrubber-dryers Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The award-winning asbestos and abatement company, Amianto Services, is celebrating its five-year anniversary having provided vital services across the UK. Amianto Services, part of The Sovini Group, offers an award-winning asbestos and abatement removal service, in addition to their recent expansion of services to provide passive fire protection (FIRAS). Since 2017, Amianto Services have worked on large and complex projects across both the public and private sectors; from NHS trusts and higher education providers to the housing sector and established commercial businesses. During this time, the firm has also successfully passed all its six external industry-standard audits, including ACAD (Asbestos Control & Abatement Division), ARCA (Asbestos Removal Contractor Association and SafeContractor, to name a few. In 2022, Amianto Services proudly scooped the ARCA Gold Standard accolade, a prestigious industry award. In 2022 alone, Amianto Services have also provided additional meaningful employment opportunities, for both trainee and highly skilled operatives. Tony Loughran, Managing Director of Amianto Services, said: “We established in 2017 to provide asbestos abatement services for our parent company, The Sovini Group. Since then and gaining a wealth of experience in the housing sector, we’ve expanded our service offer and delved into various industries and sectors. Throughout our journey we’ve been recognised by leading industry bodies for our excellence. Furthermore, we’ve continued to provide new and unique employment opportunities across the North West and beyond.”To find out more about Amianto Services click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
