Our Journey: Impact, Values, and Success

New Century is launched

OCS was born when Frederick William Goodliffe set up The New Century Window and General Cleaning Company.

Keeping it in the family

Frederick’s third son George joined the business, following in the footsteps of older brothers Gilbert and Tom, who joined in 1912 and 1920 respectively.

From Window Cleaning to Integrated FM

Office Cleaning Services (OCS) was formed, initially as a cleaning company before switfly moving into other services and intregrated solutions for customers.

Rapidly growing business

After (Founder) Frederick’s death in 1947, his sons expanded the business, moving into bigger premises and establishing a branch network.

Servicing all sectors

A series of acquisitions were made and the business diversified into new industries.

UK-wide coverage and expansion

By 1963, the OCS branch network had grown to include Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol, Rochester, Southampton, Gloucester, Dunstable, Croydon, Ilford, West Drayton, and Bournemouth.

Our journey in Aviation begins

In 1966 the OCS team were awarded their first Aviation contract with Dan-Air, based at Gatwick, London.

PCS, our Thailand-based brand is formed

PCS is the sister brand to OCS, providing similar services. Today they are one of the largest employers in Thailand with almost 40,000 colleagues.

Over 60 companies accumulated

By 1978 the family organisation had grown to cover the whole of the United Kingdom, with over 50 Branches serving all areas of the British Isles with over 60 Associated Companies mostly allied to the cleaning industry, keeping pace with ever advancing technology and varying need of their customers.

Advertising innovation

OCS produced regular newsletter and updates with a period of humourous advertising.

Expansion into Europe

The OCS Group of Companies had gone global, operating across 8 countries around the globe including, Ireland, Portugal, The Netherlands, Canada, Hong Kong and Spain, within many of the service lines that exist today, such as Cleaning, Pest Control, Security, Hard Services and Window Cleaning.

Channel Tunnel Contract Win

In 1992 OCS formed a partnership with a French operator to provide maintenance and cleaning services in support of the channel tunnel.

Maintaining the Royal Warrant

30,000 colleagues across the UK, Ireland, Europe, Canada and the Far East. The Largest property maintenance and cleaning organisation in the UK. Strong focus on environmental policies, including using biodegradable chemicals, sorting office waste for recycling, and a lead-free fleet of vehicles. Policies that helped the business maintain its Royal Warrant from Her Majesty the Queen.

Rob Legge, OCS Group CEO, first founded Ecocleen in 1997 and merged it with Executive Group in 1999 before completing a Management Buyout in 2003. Following extensive growth, organically and through acquisition, in 2018 Rob sold its UKL operations to Atalian.

Servest establishes as global player

Servest, a South African-based business established in 1997, was looking to expand into European markets. It bought the UK business operations in 2007, and Servest UK was formed with Rob Legge at the helm of the new UK company, with expansion further into Europe to follow.

Servest UK establishes a National Presence

The award of a significant national contract from Primark with 40 stores across the UK gave Servest the geographical footprint and infrastructure to build the business across the UK. The relationship with Primark has only grown since, remaining a key partner today.

Servest UK expands beyond Cleaning

May 2012 saw the acquisition of Stag Security Services by Servest UK, the company’s first expansion beyond cleaning, swiftly followed by another acquisition, this time focusing in on catering with 7 Day Catering becoming part of the group in December, giving Servest UK 3 clear service lines: Cleaning, Security and Catering.

Expansion continued for Servest UK

The business completed a triple of acquisitions in 2016, adding Catering Academy, Arthur McKay, and Accuro Catering to the growing group of companies in the UK, putting it firmly on the road to being a significant and recognised player in the UK FM market.

Sunflower Lanyard Scheme

In collaboration with Gatwick Airport, OCS launch the now globally recognised Sunflower Lanyard Scheme that gives passengers a discreet method of notifying that they need additional assistance due to restricted movement and hidden disabilities.

Automotive services acquistion drives continued growth

The acquisition of Aktrion Group gave Servest a larger footprint in the printing, automotive, food and transport sectors and an increased presence in Europe, with operations now in 10 European countries.

Rapid growth and successful sale of Servest

Following the creation of a joint venture in 2016 between Servest and Atalian, the two leading international facilities services companies have formally merged to create Atalian Servest in 2018.

OCS Foundation is launched

Formed as a charity with a focus on levelling up and delivering social value, legacy and positive impact. The foundation has enabled almost 200 individuals who may otherwise have had difficulty in gaining sustainable employment.

Security contract at Cop 26

COP26 was the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, a global summit held in 2021 to address and coordinate international efforts against climate change.

Atalian Servest and OCS Merge

A 120,000 colleague team is formed with over 8000 customers and a new vision and reaffirmed mission are shared by Group CEO, Rob legge.

TRUE Values launched

Following the merger and outlined vision and mission, the OCS TRUE Values are launched as guiding principles for a diverse, inclusive and dynamic business with a goal to make meaningful change.

Net Zero targets announced

OCS invest in Environmental, Governance and Social (ESG) initiatives alongside announcing 2040 Net Zero global targets.

OCS NEW Brand launches

OCS launches new global brand with the vision of becoming the best FM company in the business by making people and places the best they can be and deliver best experiences, productivity, practices, resiliencea and outcomes for colleagues, customers and communities.