OCS, a global leader in facilities management, is pleased to announce the acquisition of FES FM and FES Support Services from Forth Holdings Limited, one of the most established providers of Hard Services in the UK. The acquisition will double the size of OCS’s Hard Services division, creating a combined
North West-based property services firm, The Momentum Group, has proudly achieved B Corporation (B Corp) Certification, joining an exclusive global network of businesses committed to high social and environmental standards. The certification, awarded by B Lab, evaluates companies across five impact areas: governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. The Momentum
EMCOR UK has launched its new comprehensive asset management service that draws on its engineering expertise – both its heritage and its people – to deliver exceptional asset management. Asset Dynamics is a standalone, highly adaptable service developed following a rigorous process that included customer feedback and market research. Where
Rendall & Rittner has been chosen to manage the first collection of private sale homes at Brent Cross Town, the £8 billion, 180-acre park town development in north London being delivered by Related Argent, in partnership with Barnet Council. Brent Cross Town is guided by four pledges: to be London’s
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
Ipswich-based facilities management company OCS has acquired Exclusive Services Group, a leading provider of contract cleaning services across the UK and Ireland. This marks OCS’ fourth acquisition within the past year, following the acquisitions of Accuro, Abate Pest Management, and Profile Security Services. The addition of Exclusive Services Group allows
Amey has successfully secured the hard facilities management (FM) contract for HMP Lowdham Grange, a training prison located in Nottinghamshire. HMP Lowdham Grange is a Category B facility for male prisoners aged 21 and over, with sentences exceeding four years and at least 12 months remaining. The prison has a
The Nurture Group has strengthened its position in the environmental services sector with the acquisition of Hortech Limited, a leading provider of environmental solutions based in Stone, Staffordshire. This marks the group’s 49th acquisition, further enhancing its sustainability and service offerings across the UK. Founded in 1987, Hortech operates a
Lancer Scott Facilities Management has been awarded the prestigious Hard Facilities Management (FM) contract for the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol. The company’s success builds on an established partnership with the university, having previously undertaken several key projects, including the demolition and refurbishment of the Maths
Leading North West property services company, The Momentum Group, has announced the publication of its first Annual Report for Momentum Contribute and its second Annual Health, Safety and Wellbeing Report. Momentum Contribute underpins The Momentum Group’s business activities, encapsulating the company’s commitment to people, places, the planet, and professionalism. Its
OCS, a global leader in facilities management, is pleased to announce the acquisition of FES FM and FES Support Services from Forth Holdings Limited, one of the most established providers of Hard Services in the UK. The acquisition will double the size of OCS’s Hard Services division, creating a combined entity with over 4,000 engineers and annual revenues exceeding £600 million. The deal marks the fifth UK acquisition for OCS in the last 12 months, further demonstrating its commitment to strategic growth and operational excellence. Founded in Scotland in 1999, FES FM and FES Support Services have built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality services to both private and public sector customers. Headquartered in Stirling, the businesses have a national presence, extensive service delivery capability and a large team of highly-trained mobile engineers, enabling them to provide first-rate support to their large network of customers with maximum efficiency. The businesses experience in guiding its customers through their net zero journeys will considerably strengthen OCS’s existing offering, with FES Support Services being leaders in energy and decarbonisation projects. Once combined, OCS’s Hard Services division will be one of the largest Hard Services businesses in the UK with significantly increased scale, density and expertise. OCS and the acquired companies share a strong alignment in values, particularly in their commitment to investing in their people. Both believe that colleague development is foundational to their success, a commitment clearly reflected in their respective apprenticeship programmes. Together, the combined business will support a thriving programme of over 500 live apprenticeships across the UK, reflecting a shared commitment to delivering social value by fostering talent and creating opportunities for individuals to thrive. This aligns with OCS’s earlier pledge to increase its apprenticeship placements in the UK and Ireland to at least 1,000 over the next 12 months and to expand investment in its learning programmes, demonstrating its continuing dedication to nurturing skills and empowering communities. Daniel Dickson, OCS CEO – UK & Ireland, commented: “The companies exceptional track record in Hard Services, combined with longstanding customer relationships and regional strength, makes them an ideal fit for OCS as we look to expand our own Hard Services division. This acquisition not only enhances our offering but also provides us with the scale and resources needed to compete for the UK’s largest hard services and TFM contracts. We are excited to welcome the talented team to OCS and look forward to building a market-leading offering together, and importantly, it remains very much business as usual for all FES customers, ensuring a seamless transition and uninterrupted service.” Paul Lowe, CEO of Forth Holdings Limited, added: “FES FM and FES Support Services have flourished within Forth Holdings Limited and we are confident that under OCS’s leadership, the businesses will continue to grow and deliver exceptional services to its customers. We are proud of the legacy we have built with Forth and look forward to seeing its continued success as part of OCS, which is continuing to implement its ambitious growth strategy through organic growth and bolt-on acquisitions. I would like to thank my former colleagues for their dedication, loyalty and commitment over the years and wish them a successful future with OCS.” Rob Legge, OCS Group CEO, commented: “The acquisition of FES FM and FES Support Services is a significant milestone in our growth strategy, strengthening our hard services offering and doubling our footprint across the UK. It enhances our ability to deliver larger and more complex projects, positioning us to serve our customers even better, and is another step towards our vision of becoming the best facilities services provider in the world, ensuring we continue to deliver the best outcomes for our customers.” The merger of FES FM and FES Support Services into OCS’s Hard Services division will enable the group to capitalise on growth opportunities in sectors such as energy and technology, where FES Support Services expertise will be invaluable. This acquisition also opens up opportunities for OCS to cross-sell its Soft Services to the acquired companies’ extensive Hard Services customer base, further supporting the business’s growth strategy. This would also allow for OCS to further increase its existing presence in Scotland. This deal follows OCS’s recent acquisitions of Exclusive Services Group, Accuro and Abate Pest Management, Profile Security Services. Together, these strategic transactions support OCS’s broader strategy to double its UK & Ireland revenue over the next five years. As the market consolidates further, M&A will continue to feature heavily in the group’s long-term growth ambitions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
North West-based property services firm, The Momentum Group, has proudly achieved B Corporation (B Corp) Certification, joining an exclusive global network of businesses committed to high social and environmental standards. The certification, awarded by B Lab, evaluates companies across five impact areas: governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. The Momentum Group excelled in the ‘community’ category, with its philanthropic arm, the Momentum Foundation, recognised for supporting numerous charities. This milestone places the company among just 3,124 UK businesses with B Corp status—less than 0.06% of all UK firms—and one of fewer than 20 certified organisations in the Liverpool City Region. Co-founders Chris Bliss and Chris Renshaw celebrated the achievement: “Becoming B Corp Certified is a significant milestone for us. This reflects the dedication of everyone in The Momentum Group to uphold socially and environmentally responsible practices. We are immensely proud to stand alongside other pioneering businesses championing these values.” The certification crowns a transformative year for the firm, marked by strides in sustainability and employee wellbeing. In August, it published the first annual report for Momentum Contribute, its dedicated arm focusing on people, places, the planet, and professionalism. The company also hosted Liverpool City Region’s second sustainability conference, building on the success of its inaugural event. In addition to its charitable work, The Momentum Group has calculated its carbon footprint, providing a baseline for future environmental initiatives. With this B Corp status, the firm sets a benchmark for how businesses can minimise their impact while maximising their contribution to society and the planet. Chris Bliss added: “Every business has a responsibility to contribute positively to the world, and B Corp Certification ensures we are held accountable to the highest standards.” This recognition highlights The Momentum Group’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and making a lasting difference in its community. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
EMCOR UK has launched its new comprehensive asset management service that draws on its engineering expertise – both its heritage and its people – to deliver exceptional asset management. Asset Dynamics is a standalone, highly adaptable service developed following a rigorous process that included customer feedback and market research. Where other asset management systems are often integrated as part of another service, Asset Dynamics will be delivered by a dedicated team of industry experts. It will combine advanced asset data management and rigorous safety, compliance and quality assurance standards so that EMCOR UK’s expert asset management team can tailor customer strategies, maintenance and management plans to balance cost, efficiency, criticality, risk, and environmental impact. Asset Dynamics offers a modular approach to support customers wherever they are in their asset management journey. The modules are: The service has been developed to respond to market trends, including improving operational efficiency, providing greater budget and cost certainty, and demand for more sustainable practices, as well as to address customer needs such as meeting compliance standards and operating smart buildings. Asset Dynamics is part of EMCOR UK’s five key areas of customer-centric services; the others are Carbon Transformation, Insight Intelligence, Facilities Management, and Workplace Evolution. Jessica Rauf-Thomas, head of operational asset management at EMCOR UK, said: “This launch is the culmination of research and conversations with customers to understand exactly what they need from an asset management system in facilities management. Asset Dynamics will be underpinned by our engineering excellence and innovative nature, ensuring that our customers have access to the one of the industry’s most comprehensive asset management system. It will be particularly beneficial for our customers in business-critical sectors such as defence, government, utilities and life sciences, and the early feedback we’ve had has been fantastic.” For more information on EMCOR UK’s Asset Dynamics service, visit www.emcoruk.com/our-services/asset-dynamics. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Rendall & Rittner has been chosen to manage the first collection of private sale homes at Brent Cross Town, the £8 billion, 180-acre park town development in north London being delivered by Related Argent, in partnership with Barnet Council. Brent Cross Town is guided by four pledges: to be London’s home for participation in sport and play, to be a place where people can flourish, to be a net zero carbon town by 2030 and to drive physical and social connectivity. Through this appointment, Rendall & Rittner will be managing a selection of 277 private sale apartments and a wide range of amenities. Brent Cross Town, when complete, will comprise 6,700 new homes, over 50 locations for retail, food and drink, best-in-class workspaces for over 25,000 people and build a community around health and wellness with fantastic new amenities, including 50 acres of parks and playing fields. Rendall & Rittner’s role at Brent Cross Town began earlier this year with a focus on mobilisation ahead of an expected handover later this year. Once residents move in, Rendall & Rittner will be responsible for the management of a variety of on-site amenities including a residents’ gym, communal courtyard, residents’ lounge and dining room, rentable parking space, and co-working areas. Rendall & Rittner will also be providing staffing solutions for the development including a Building Manager, Concierge team, Cleaner, and Estate Operatives, together with sustainability initiatives that will complement the scheme. Richard Daver, Group CEO at Rendall & Rittner commented: “With its ambitious vision to create a new park town for London, Brent Cross Town has placed community, wellbeing and sustainability at the heart of its design. Reflecting our own commitment to enhancing the experiences of residents and the wider communities in which we operate, we are delighted to be working with Related Argent as we prepare to welcome the first residents to their new homes.” 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
Ipswich-based facilities management company OCS has acquired Exclusive Services Group, a leading provider of contract cleaning services across the UK and Ireland. This marks OCS’ fourth acquisition within the past year, following the acquisitions of Accuro, Abate Pest Management, and Profile Security Services. The addition of Exclusive Services Group allows OCS to further strengthen its cleaning division, particularly in the education, data centre, leisure, media, and retail sectors. As a specialist in data centre cleaning, a key growth area for OCS, Exclusive also brings valuable experience in the leisure sector. Daniel Dickson, CEO of OCS UK & Ireland, commented: “Exclusive has built an excellent reputation for delivering outstanding service to its clients. Their expertise in education and data centres, along with their skilled management team, will enhance our ability to provide exceptional outcomes for our customers. This acquisition is a pivotal step as we aim to double our revenue in the UK and Ireland within the next five years. We’re excited to welcome Exclusive’s team to OCS and look forward to the opportunities this partnership will create.” Jim Melvin, CEO of Exclusive Services Group and former Chairman of the British Cleaning Council, added: “Exclusive has always been committed to delivering high-quality, tailored services to meet our clients’ needs. Joining OCS enables us to tap into the Group’s vast resources and expertise, which will allow us to enhance our service offerings and support further growth. This is an exciting new chapter for Exclusive, and we’re confident it will bring significant benefits to both our customers and employees.” The acquisition strengthens OCS’ position in the FM sector, enhancing its service range and industry expertise as it continues its ambitious growth plans. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Amey has successfully secured the hard facilities management (FM) contract for HMP Lowdham Grange, a training prison located in Nottinghamshire. HMP Lowdham Grange is a Category B facility for male prisoners aged 21 and over, with sentences exceeding four years and at least 12 months remaining. The prison has a capacity of 888 inmates. Previously managed by Sodexo, the prison was brought back under public sector control in May 2024. The facility garnered media attention in July 2024 after the Independent Monitoring Board reported concerns over safety, citing a shortage of prison officers and six deaths in custody between March 2023 and February 2024. Amey has retained the existing maintenance team through the TUPE process when the contract commenced in August, with plans to fill additional vacancies in the near future. Pete Mathieson, Justice Business Director at Amey, commented: “Having been a key partner to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for several years, we have a deep understanding of the unique requirements for delivering FM services at these complex sites. HMP Lowdham Grange presents its own set of challenges, and we will work closely with the current personnel and prison team to bring the site back to a stable condition.” Amey delivers essential FM services across the justice sector, including at 64 high-profile prisons. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Nurture Group has strengthened its position in the environmental services sector with the acquisition of Hortech Limited, a leading provider of environmental solutions based in Stone, Staffordshire. This marks the group’s 49th acquisition, further enhancing its sustainability and service offerings across the UK. Founded in 1987, Hortech operates a network of regional depots throughout England, Wales, and Scotland. The company boasts an £8.5 million turnover and employs over 100 staff, delivering bespoke services such as grounds maintenance, invasive weed control, arboriculture, and pest control to a wide range of clients in sectors including utilities, telecoms, industrial, and facilities management. Peter Fane, Executive Chairman and Founder of the Nurture Group, hailed the acquisition as a significant step in bolstering the group’s environmental credentials. He commented: “As a carbon-neutral business, proud to comply with the global PAS 2060 standard, this acquisition is the perfect fit as we continue to strengthen our environmental service offerings across the UK.” This deal follows closely on the heels of Nurture Group’s acquisition of Spacecare Ltd in July. Fane added: “We are delighted to welcome Hortech Limited to the Nurture Group family. Their arboricultural expertise aligns seamlessly with our recent acquisition of Gristwood & Toms, expanding our reach in northern England and Scotland. Hortech’s diverse range of services, including invasive weed control, complements and enhances our current offerings.” “Hortech’s renowned ‘can-do’ attitude, strong commitment to health and safety, and dedication to staff training further solidify Nurture Group’s reputation as the leading consolidator and acquirer of choice in the market,” Fane continued. “This acquisition allows us to continue building a national presence across all our core services.” Hortech Director Duncan Jones expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying: “At Hortech, we pride ourselves on providing tailored solutions and outstanding service, drawing on our deep industry expertise. We share Nurture Group’s passion for delivering excellence, and our portfolio aligns perfectly with theirs, particularly in the northern regions where Nurture’s operations have recently grown.” “Both companies share common values of teamwork, respect, and integrity, making this partnership a natural fit for us,” Jones added. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lancer Scott Facilities Management has been awarded the prestigious Hard Facilities Management (FM) contract for the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol. The company’s success builds on an established partnership with the university, having previously undertaken several key projects, including the demolition and refurbishment of the Maths block. Chris Abbott, Director of Estates and Facilities at UWE Bristol, praised Lancer Scott’s performance, stating: “Lancer Scott has consistently demonstrated a strong alignment with our values and a deep understanding of our operations through the successful delivery of major projects. They embody a culture of authentic partnership, which is crucial to us as we aim to build a relationship based on trust and collaboration. We see them playing an integral role in our Estates vision and overall success as a university in the coming years.” Dan Knight, Managing Director of Facilities Management at Lancer Scott, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, commenting: “This contract award from UWE Bristol further solidifies our position as a leading provider of Hard FM services within the Higher Education sector. We were able to showcase value through our deep understanding of UWE’s needs, combined with our people, systems, and processes. Our local presence and commitment to high performance, along with our strong sense of purpose, made for a compelling delivery solution. We look forward to enhancing our collaborative relationship with UWE Bristol throughout the contract term and beyond.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading North West property services company, The Momentum Group, has announced the publication of its first Annual Report for Momentum Contribute and its second Annual Health, Safety and Wellbeing Report. Momentum Contribute underpins The Momentum Group’s business activities, encapsulating the company’s commitment to people, places, the planet, and professionalism. Its maiden annual report provides an assessment of the company’s progress since launching the responsible business strand 12 months ago. Highlights include: Establishing processes to capture The Momentum Group’s baseline emissions leading to the first carbon footprint calculation for the whole business; Achieving ISO 14001 and 45001 standards to prove the Group’s successful environmental and health and safety management systems; Taking a leading role in the Liverpool City Region to open the debate around how the property sector can become more sustainable, most notably delivering Liverpool’s first Sustainable Property Conference in support of the UN’s Global Sustainable Development Goals Week. The conference brought together over 80 attendees and speakers from across the property sector; And establishing the Momentum Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the group, as a force for good in the Liverpool City Region by holding its first open grants panel, providing funding to five local charities. Chris Bliss, Co-founder and Director of The Momentum Group, commented: “The Momentum Group is committed to maximising our positive contribution and minimising our negative impact. The creation of Momentum Contribute was a key step in achieving this, but the publication of our first annual report assessing its activities takes us even further on our journey to be a responsible, sustainable business. We recognise we have more to do and are committed to fulfilling our objectives in the years ahead, whilst encouraging other businesses to behave in a more socially and environmentally responsible way.” Marking The Momentum Group’s ongoing commitment to the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing, the company’s second Annual Health, Safety and Wellbeing Report offers a transparent look into Momentum’s practices for clients, supply chain partners, and its own team. Sitting at the core of the business, ‘Safe First’ underpins everything that Momentum does. The report reveals: In over 195,000 hours of activity, the team had only one significant reportable incident, and zero dangerous occurrences, with The Momentum Group continuing to set very high standards and ensuring its team and supply chain partners adhere to processes and procedures; Momentum facilitates several regular meetings across the business to keep an open line of conversation to discuss health and safety issues and concerns. These include the Steering Group, chaired by the company’s external safety advisors alongside the Co-Founder Directors and each of the division heads. The Co-Founder Directors also undertake Monthly Safety Tours on various sites across the business; Mental wellbeing is another key aspect of Momentum’s health, safety and wellbeing considerations, with the management team implementing a range of initiatives to aid the mental health of the team, including all line managers being trained as Mental Health First Aiders; During the 12-month period, The Momentum Group employees took part in over 8,600 hours of training, including courses on Fire Safety, First Aid, and various construction related courses. Chris Renshaw, Co-founder and Director of The Momentum Group, added: “Our health and safety performance continues to be strong, and we will ensure we maintain our high standards, reviewing, adapting, and challenging ourselves to be even better in the year ahead. “More broadly, both reports are a testament to the commitment, hard work and support from our team, clients and partners, and extend our gratitude to them all for the key roles they have played in all that we have achieved so far.” Read the full Annual Report for Momentum Contribute here and the Annual Health, Safety and Wellbeing Report here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
