Category: News

Indigenous jerseys celebrate NAIDOC week at Wynnum Wolves

Posted on by lokeshkaushik

Wynnum Wolves Football Club is delighted to announce its second year of collaboration with OCS Australia to support the creation of a special indigenous, NAIDOC-inspired club jersey, as well as indigenous awareness programs and player scholarships.

OCS Australia General Manager, Stephen Lockley, said partnering with the club was another way OCS could contribute to celebrating the rich and diverse cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

“At OCS we walk the talk,” said Stephen. “Our values, Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment, mean exactly that – so we’re delighted to sponsor Wynnum Wolves, one of the few remaining grassroots community football clubs in Queensland, as they continue to develop local young talent.

The OCS logo and tagline on the front of this year’s NAIDOC jersey – To Be Your Best –blend beautifully with those on the back of Wynnum’s NAIDOC kit – Ngali Nananya Nagali, which translates to: We Walk Together. Both these statements sum up the values of our two organisations and our shared commitment to working in unison to highlight an important week on the Australian calendar.

Wynnum Wolves FC President, Rabieh Krayem, is looking forward to seeing the jerseys proudly worn on a number of occasions during NAIDOC Week – 7-14 July – by the club’s NPL Men and Under 23s, FQPL Women and Academy boys and girls teams.

“As a club, we’re constantly looking for ways we can support our community and we’re grateful for companies like OCS who help us to do just that.

“This year we’ve worked with talented young local Quandamooka Aboriginal artist, Ayla Costello, to design the special indigenous jersey to worn by our 1,500+ players and members”

Wynnum Wolves FC and OCS Australia respectfully acknowledge Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders as the first peoples of Australia and the Quandamooka People as the traditional owners of the land on which Carmichael Park sits.

We respect and value Australia’s First Nations peoples’ resilience, courage, determination and contribution to this country’s social and economic development, while recognising the immense cultural, spiritual and linguistic diversity that has existed in these lands for thousands of years.

We pay respect to leaders past, present and emerging.

Showing the jersey, OCS Australia

2023: A Year of Challenges and Triumphs for OCS Australia & New Zealand

Posted on by lokeshkaushik

The global economy remains unpredictable, geopolitical dynamics have shifted dramatically, and the rise of groundbreaking technologies like AI has introduced new complexities. Despite these challenges, OCS is steadfast in its mission to make people, places, and our planet the best they can be.

This week, we proudly released our sixth sustainability report, and our first OCS Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Environmental Social Governance (ESG) report, which highlights our achievements and challenges from 2023. This ESG Report aligns the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region with our global family, showcasing our commitment to sustainability.

A New Era for OCS

At the end of 2022, OCS Group International sold its facilities services division. In March 2023, the new owners acquired Atalian Global Services’ operations in the UK, Ireland, and Asia, merging them with OCS Group to form one of the world’s largest international facilities service providers.

Leadership and Vision

Gareth Marriott, OCS ANZ Managing Director, emphasises that OCS is uniquely positioned to make a significant impact globally. “By focusing on the right actions and collaborating with our colleagues, customers, suppliers, and communities, we can secure a better future for generations to come,” he asserts.

Commitment to Reducing Carbon Emissions

Reducing carbon emissions remains a critical challenge for OCS. “We have made significant progress in reducing emissions across Scope 1 and 2, but we recognise that reducing total emissions is an ongoing challenge,” Gareth explains.

Celebrating Successes in 2023

Despite the hurdles, 2023 was filled with numerous accomplishments:

  • Our Australian business won the Workplace Diversity & Inclusion Award at the WA WHS 2023 Work Health & Safety Awards and was a finalist in several other categories, reflecting our commitment to our colleagues’ health, safety and wellbeing.
  • We expanded our Midcity insurance repair and commercial building business into Victoria to meet growing customer needs.
  • Peter Lucas, our 2023 Annual OCS Star winner, exemplifies exceptional service at 72 years old. His inspirational story is featured in the social section of the report.
  • In Aotearoa New Zealand, we partnered with Māori business advisor Dr. Jim Mather to develop a cultural capability strategy, Whiria Te Tangata.
  • In Australia, we completed our draft Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) with guidance from First Nations advocate Cameron Costello.

Dedication to Sustainability

OCS’ commitment to sustainability is integral to our operations. We hold ISO 14001 and Toitū net carbonzero accreditations, underscoring our dedication to environmental stewardship.

With over 4,500 colleagues across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, representing more than 90 nationalities, OCS ANZ is dedicated to making people and places the best they can be through conscious and collaborative efforts.

You can view the report here.

Collaboration with Aboriginal Artist for RAP

Posted on by lokeshkaushik

National Reconciliation Week is a special time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements while exploring how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Here at OCS, we push ourselves to continue learning and taking steps to help tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation. We’re doing this by developing and implementing our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) – a step-by-step plan that formalises our commitment to reconciliation and our desire to contribute to positive change.

This National Reconciliation Week, we partnered with Perth International Airport, to hold a series of workshops with Aboriginal artist Buffie Punch of the Noongar Nation. Buffie will be completing two separate artworks (one for each of us) representing each organisation, to have as part of our RAP and be presented during NAIDOC week in July.

“Our team really enjoyed the interactive art workshops with Buffie and appreciated the opportunity to have some meaningful conversations,” said OCS Australia General Manager, Stephen Lockley.

“Huge thanks to the Perth Airport team for hosting us at their Airport Experience Centre – we can’t wait to see the finished art pieces.”

OCS’s RAP forms a roadmap to reframe our relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and work with them to ensure ongoing diversity and inclusion in all elements of our business.

It represents the culmination of our desire and respect for reconciliation and is a natural reflection of our TRUE values of Trust, Respect, Unity and Empowerment.

Working with Buffie is another significant step in our RAP. She was raised in Perth (where OCS Australia is headquartered) and has family connections to Gnowangerup in Western Australia. Much of her work is influenced by family, cultural connections, spirituality, and relationships – which is a great alignment for OCS.

She believes art is one of the greatest tools for helping with mental and emotional issues, and of course, is a great storytelling platform. Everyone has a story to tell, and art is one of the most creative forms for sharing these stories.

We’re looking forward to witnessing our story come to life through Buffie’s work, while continuing our journey towards achieving our vision for reconciliation of an Australia where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are restored to a place of equity and respect.

Living Our TRUE Values – Harmony’s Quick Actions Saved a Life

Posted on by lokeshkaushik

When we talk about living our TRUE Values, we need look no further than Harmony Pandher, a Customer Services Manager at OCS Australia.

Travelling between customer sites on a busy Wednesday afternoon in St Kilda, she was horrified to witness a hit-and-run where a car hit an elderly woman in a wheelchair on a pedestrian crossing, knocking her to the ground.

With the traffic at a standstill, Harmony immediately moved her car to block traffic to protect the woman and raced to her aid.

“It was clear that the lady Mrs Fernandez was in urgent need of medical attention. She had blood coming from a wound in her head and was covered with scrapes and contusions,” said Harmony.

“The traffic was gridlocked, and I knew it would be a long wait for an ambulance and I knew from my first aid training that getting her to hospital quickly was paramount – and, having lost both my parents, there was no way I was going to risk this lady’s life.

“So, after consulting other bystanders, we put Mrs Fernandez into the back of my car, and I embarked on some creative (but safe) driving to get her to the Royal Melbourne Hospital as quickly as possible.”

After ensuring Mrs Fernandez was safe in the care of the medical team and providing her statement to the Police, Harmony simply got on with her day. It wasn’t until Mrs Fernandez’s son contacted OCS wanting to thank Harmony for her care in such a critical situation, that anyone knew anything about her heroic afternoon.

When asked why she hadn’t told anyone, Harmony said “I did what I believe anyone would do – treating others with compassion and humility in such situations.”

OCS AU team group photo

Alex Fernandez, Mrs Fernandez’s son, said his whole family are grateful Harmony was on the spot to help.

“Harmony’s quick actions saved my mother’s life. Thank you, Harmony, your care and kindness means so much. You went above and beyond, and we are thankful you were right there on the scene,” says Alex Fernandez.

Gareth Marriott, OCS Managing Director, said: “We are so proud of Harmony’s actions during such a critical moment. Her quick thinking saved a life – reflecting her extraordinary empathy and dedication to helping others.

“The way Harmony responded is a testament to her character and the TRUE Star she is. We are honoured to have someone of her integrity and courage on our team.”

OCS Donates 20 Wheelchairs to Wheelchairs For Kids

Posted on by lokeshkaushik

In early May, our OCS team in Western Australia donated 20 wheelchairs to the Wheelchairs for Kids headquarters in Wangara WA. These wheelchairs are now on their way to Zambia, ready to transform the lives of children in need.

After completing a Passengers with Restricted Mobility contract (PRM), our team found themselves left with several wheelchairs needing to find new homes. Thanks to our valuable connections at the Wanneroo Business Association, we were able to ensure these wheelchairs would reach children who needed them most.

Wheelchairs for Kids is a volunteer-driven not-for-profit organisation dedicated to bringing the transformative gift of mobility to children in impoverished and under-resourced communities both in Australia and around the globe.

Wheelchairs don’t just provide mobility – they provide lifelong empowerment. With improved access to education, better health outcomes, and enriched social connections, wheelchairs lay the foundation for a fulfilling life—privileges many of us take for granted. Wheelchairs for Kids has delivered this life-changing gift to over 50,000 children across 90 countries, restoring dignity, hope, and independence to the world’s most vulnerable.

Children living with a disability are among the most marginalised groups in the world. Without adequate medical care and equipment, they face an even greater burden. However, numerous studies have highlighted the positive and long-lasting benefits of providing wheelchairs, including:

  • Increased life expectancy
  • Easier access to healthcare, food and water
  • Broadened employment opportunities
  • Empowering parents to work and contribute to family and village income
  • Improved social integration and overall life satisfaction
  • Improved respiration and digestion, slowing the progression of deformities

Since 1998, Wheelchairs for Kids has tirelessly worked to deliver the life-changing gift of mobility to the world’s most underprivileged regions. In Zambia alone, they have donated 1,003 wheelchairs, with an additional 20 from OCS about to make their journey, continuing this incredible mission!

Since then, we are delighted to share that an additional 18 wheelchairs have been donated – making it a total of 38 chairs!

Cultivating Leadership Excellence at OCS with The Alchemist Programme

Posted on by lokeshkaushik

A selected cohort of our global senior leadership team has been chosen to participate in a year-long leadership training programme, facilitated in collaboration with the University of Cape Town Graduate Business School.

The Alchemist programme, with over a decade of proven success, is dedicated to cultivating leadership skills within the OCS business. It focuses on empowering emerging leaders with the necessary tools to future-proof themselves and, consequently, enhance the overall resilience of our organisation. Championed by the executive committee, notably Group CEO Rob Legge, OCS is fully committed to ensuring the continued success of the organisation for both our colleagues and customers. Initiatives like The Alchemist contribute to elevating the value proposition of our business by fostering a culture of skilful and thoughtful management, ultimately influencing the performance of our personnel across all levels.

Cultivating Leadership Excellence at OCS with The Alchemist Programme
Since its inception, The Alchemist programme has played a pivotal role in nurturing professionals who have ascended to leadership positions within and beyond our business. Noteworthy alumni, including Daniel Dickson, CEO UK and Ireland, Sean Fisher, CEO of Cleaning, and Steven Moore, Managing Director for Security, underscore the programme’s profound impact on leadership development.

The latest cohort of The Alchemist programme includes senior leaders from across the global business such as Yohanes Jeffry Johary, Managing Director of OCS Group Indonesia, Bruce McDonnell, Managing Director of Private Sector FM, OCS Group UK, Aine Mulcahy, Managing Director of OCS Group Ireland and Ann Rogers-Bell, Managing Director at PCS Thailand. The programme commenced last week with two introductory sessions held at our London office, featuring faculty members from the University of Cape Town.

Over the next 11 months, participants will engage in a diverse range of classroom sessions, one-to-one coaching, and virtual sessions. The programme will culminate in a final presentation to business leaders on an assigned topic, with successful completion leading to the conferral of a certificate of completion.

We extend our congratulations to our colleagues embarking on this significant journey, applauding their initiative in becoming even more effective leaders within our organisation.

Unity: Arthur McKay to operate under OCS banner

Posted on by ameliaroberts

The OCS TRUE values – Trust, Respect, Unity and Empowerment – have been the driving force for us as we have transformed as a business following the merger of OCS and Atalian Servest.

Arthur McKay, a leading building support service organisation, was an Atalian Servest company that provided smart and integrated services to over 1,000 client sites around the UK. As part of the consolidation of our operations and unification of our purpose and vision, Arthur McKay will no longer existing as a separate entity and is instead operating under the OCS banner.

We will continue to provide the same services and solutions – mechanical and electrical, fire protection, building fabric and data networks, to name just a few. Our 1,500 colleagues from Arthur McKay will continue to utilise their specialist knowledge and skills to ensure that customers benefit from a solution tailored to their specific needs, but now have the additional benefit of the backing and support of the OCS business.

The unification of Arthur McKay and our Hard Services division is an exciting change and one in which we hope will take us one step closer to achieving our mission of making people and places the best they can be.

“Bringing Arthur McKay and the rest of the M&E and Hard Services businesses together as a single OCS division will provide a far greater depth of capability and capacity. This will ensure that our customers receive the very best service and enable the drive for innovation.”

Nick Maggs

Managing Director – Hard Services

The Power of Listening: Why our colleague engagement survey is essential

Posted on by ameliaroberts

Embracing global perspectives

Every one of our OCS colleagues is valued, and as the Group Chief People Officer at OCS, in a company as diverse as ours and spread across numerous countries and embracing many languages and cultures, it’s imperative to truly listen to our colleagues. This understanding forms the bedrock of our strategy to become the world’s leading facilities service company.

The significance of every voice

In an organisation as vast as OCS, the insights and experiences of our colleagues, particularly those on the front lines, are invaluable. These team members are the eyes and ears of our operations, interacting directly with our customers and experiencing first-hand the daily challenges and triumphs. We must not only hear their voices but actively listen and engage with them.

Beyond the survey: A commitment to action

Conducting a colleague engagement survey is vital in this engagement process. However, the true essence of these surveys lies in what we do with the information we gather. It’s about turning feedback into action, ensuring every suggestion and insight raised is addressed, not just acknowledged. This approach isn’t just about improving our operational efficiency; it’s about fostering a culture where every colleague feels respected, valued, and heard.

Creating a stronger, unified OCS

Our ambition to be the best in the world is deeply intertwined with our internal culture. Engaging our colleagues through these surveys is more than just gathering data; it’s about empowering them to shape the future of OCS. Their insights are pivotal in crafting policies and practices that resonate with our diverse workforce, driving us towards a cohesive and inclusive organisational culture.

Conclusion: Cultivating a culture of continuous improvement

In our journey towards making people and places the best they can be, the engagement and satisfaction of our colleagues remains a top priority. Through our engagement surveys, we’re not just collecting opinions but inviting our colleagues to participate actively in our journey towards excellence. By listening and responding to them, we are enhancing their experience at OCS and reinforcing our position as a global leader. Together, we are building an exemplary OCS in service, colleague satisfaction, and engagement.

OCS Launches Sunflower Lanyard Scheme in partnership with Gatwick Airport

Posted on by danbarber

Now Globally Recognised: Sunflower Lanyard Scheme

The Sunflower Lanyard Scheme, initially launched at Gatwick Airport by OCS Group to assist passengers with hidden disabilities, has been successfully adopted in airports globally. This innovative initiative, which began as a trial over the summer, has significantly enhanced the travel experience for thousands of passengers and their families worldwide with hidden disabilities such as dementia, autism, or hearing loss.

Discreet recognition

Introducing these distinctive lanyards lets travellers discreetly inform airport teams of their need for tailored assistance. The lanyard ensures they receive the proper support throughout their journey, such as extra time for processing information or preparing belongings before security screening. Gatwick’s assistance teams and those at other airports globally have undergone specialised training to recognise and appropriately respond to these lanyards.

This scheme is part of a broader initiative by OCS Group, which provides assistance services at multiple airports, including Gatwick and multiple airports UK & Ireland and Global airports. The initiative was informed by the “Challenging for Change” report, which captured the experiences of passengers with disabilities and suggested improvements. Follow-up workshops facilitated dialogue and idea exchange among airlines, airport operators, baggage handlers, disability groups, and support service providers.

Charity Partnership & Collaboration

Key UK charities like the Alzheimer’s Society, The National Autistic Society, and Action on Hearing Loss have collaborated with Gatwick Airport and OCS Group in this endeavour. At launch, Nikki Barton, Head of Terminals and Passenger Assistance at Gatwick, highlighted the scheme’s role in reducing travel stress for passengers with hidden disabilities and the importance of training for frontline teams in enhancing passenger experiences.

OCS Group has 60 years of expertise in the aviation sector and their commitment to excellence for passengers needing additional assistance. The lanyard scheme, born from extensive consultations with disability groups, aims to minimise misinterpretations of the specific needs associated with hidden disabilities.

Specialist Colleague Training

OCS has provided persons with reduced mobility (PRM) services at Gatwick since November 2010. The lanyard scheme’s rollout was supported by comprehensive training, with NVQ Level 2 training in dementia care now standard for OCS teams in the departure lounges. Numerous Dementia Friends Champions have been trained across the airports to further the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme.

Sue Rennie, Alzheimer’s Society Services Manager for West Sussex North, said, “People with dementia and their family carers often find travelling daunting when faced with unfamiliar and busy airports. The lanyard scheme for passengers with hidden disabilities introduced at Gatwick offers reassurance to those who use it. It also helps airport teams know that they may require additional support, which can improve the passengers’ travel experience at the airport.”

 

Unity: Arthur McKay to operate under the OCS banner

Posted on by ameliaroberts

The OCS TRUE values – Trust, Respect, Unity and Empowerment – have been the driving force for us as we have transformed as a business following the merger of OCS and Atalian Servest.

Arthur McKay, a leading building support service organisation, was an Atalian Servest company that provided smart and integrated services to over 1,000 client sites around the UK. As part of the consolidation of our operations and unifications of our purpose and vision, Arthur McKay is no longer existing as a separate entity and is instead operating under the OCS banner.

We will continue to provide the same services and solutions – mechanical and electrical solutions, fire protection services, networks and FM services, to name just a few. Our 1,500 colleagues from Arthur McKay will continue to utilise their specialist knowledge and skills to ensure that customers benefit from a solution tailored to their specific needs.

The unification of Arthur McKay and our Hard Services division is an exciting change and one in which we hope will take us one step closer to achieving our mission of making people and places the best they can be.

Interested in Hard Services?

Contact our team today to talk through your maintenance, minor works or capital projects requirements.

Merger completes between Atalian Servest’s and OCS’s UK, Ireland and Asia operations.

Posted on by danbarber

Atalian UK, Ireland and Asia operations to merge with OCS Group to create new, leading international FM provider

Following the recent acquisition of OCS Group by Clayton Dubilier & Rice, Atalian confirms the sale of its operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Asia to the private investment firm

In a move that will create one of the world’s largest international facilities service providers, Atalian Global Services has confirmed the sale of its UK, Ireland and Asia operations, along with its specialist automotive division Aktrion, to Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CD&R), the private investment firm that recently acquired OCS Group, with the intention that the businesses be merged over the next twelve months, opening a new chapter for the two firms.

Atalian’s Group CEO Rob Legge will become Group CEO of the newly merged businesses.

Further communication on this exciting news, including the company’s ambition and vision will be shared in the coming weeks ahead.

 

 

Groundhouse Giveback Scheme raises £10,000 for farmers in need

Posted on by emmacook

Giving back to local communities

We have been working with the Capucas (COCAFCAL) Co-operative and donating £2 from every case of coffee we purchase, which then pays into a revolving fund that helps improve the living standards for the smaller coffee bean producers.

The needs of the farming community changes regularly, so the Giveback Programme allows the money to be invested in funds where it matters and is needed the most. The fund has been developed as support to small producers’ specific needs such as improvement of housing, shelters and production infrastructure – which will benefit both the producers and their families, with the aim of increasing the economic and productive income for the farmers of the Capucas.

From courses on growing vegetables to reduce food costs and improve health, to providing tools they need to harvest, as well as basic housing and infrastructure improvements, the fund helps with whatever the community needs.

This year our Groundhouse Give Back Programme has hit an amazing total of £10,000!

This money will positively impact improving living standards in the farming communities, from where we source some of our Blend 7 coffee. We are incredibly proud of our teams, they have been working extremely hard to promote our Groundhouse Coffee brand and have been serving nothing less than the best coffee.

“We decided to start a field school for the implementation of vegetables where more than 30+ Households have participated, including young people between 17 to 25 years and adults. This will benefit small producers, who lack suitable conditions to live in dignity and offer better spaces to their coffee in each harvest. It’s also being used for inputs, equipment, and first-hand tools such as mowers, pumps, inputs, etc. Thankyou Groundhouse, this money will change lives!”

avatar

Capucas café