Resilience in Action: 125 Years of Facilities Evolution

As we mark World FM Day 2025, themed “Resilience in Action”, it is a fitting moment to reflect on OCS’s remarkable 125-year journey. This is story of transformation, steadfastness, and forward momentum in the facilities management (FM) sector. From our modest origins as a small window cleaning service in 1900 to becoming a global leader in integrated FM solutions, OCS’s evolution mirrors the dynamic growth and increasing strategic importance of our industry. Now, more than ever, the FM sector needs to embrace resilience as expectations on the services we provide are changing. Social value and an increased focus on sustainable practices are all impacting how we deliver our services. In addition, regulation and changing economic conditions add pressure to these changes.

OCS’s Legacy

Founded by Frederick William Goodliffe at the dawn of the 20th century, OCS began with a single ladder, mop, and bucket, serving local clients with dedication and care. Over the decades, the company expanded beyond window cleaning, rebranding as Office Cleaning Services in 1930 and steadily diversifying its offerings to meet the changing needs of customers across sectors. Key milestones include rapid UK-wide expansion by the 1960s, entry into aviation services in 1966, and international growth through acquisitions and partnerships from the 1980s onwards.

The 1992 Channel Tunnel contract underscored our commitment to operational excellence. In 2014, we launched the OCS Foundation, delivering social value, legacy and positive community impact. 2023 saw the business merge with Atalian Servest, creating one of the world’s largest FM providers. The merger reinforced our capacity to deliver integrated, high-quality services globally.

Most recently, OCS acquired FES FM and Support Services, a specialist hard services and technical FM company, transforming the capabilities of OCS in this growth area of facilities management. OCS is now one of the largest providers of hard services and technical FM in the UK. This strategic position will enable the business to provide a full range of services to customers in this highly specialised growth area.

Throughout this journey, adaptability has been our hallmark. We have responded to evolving customer demands, embraced technological advances, and expanded our service portfolio. As a result, we remain at the forefront of the FM sector. This is resilience in action – being responsive to the needs of our customers and also of our colleagues.

Resilience in Action – Honouring Our Frontline Teams

At the heart of OCS’s resilience are the 130,000 colleagues worldwide who embody dedication, professionalism, and adaptability. Our frontline teams spanning hard services, cleaning, security, catering, and more, are the backbone of our operations. Their commitment has been particularly evident during challenging periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, many of our colleagues ensured essential services remained operational and safe for communities.

From apprentices bringing fresh energy and innovation to seasoned colleagues with decades of expertise, our people consistently deliver the highest levels of attention to detail and operational excellence. Their resilience in the face of extreme weather events, public health crises, and evolving customer needs exemplifies the spirit of “Resilience in Action” celebrated this year.

Looking Ahead – The Future of FM at OCS

OCS is not only responding to change but actively shaping the future of facilities management. One of the key aspects of growth for FM is in hard services. The division has traditionally focused on the physical infrastructure and systems of a building, ensuring safety and functionality. OCS made some strategic acquisitions in 2024 to solidify our position in this area of FM. We are focused on technology in building maintenance and building management, energy, utilities, and capital works projects. Consequently, expanding on our growing offering across the broad area of hard services FM.

Our forward-thinking vision is anchored in:

• Digital transformation

  Leveraging technology and data analytics to deliver smarter, more efficient FM services. This, in turn, enhances productivity and customer experience. We have introduced cobotics in our cleaning services and launched ABi™, our building management system. We also introduced our first AI and Digital Services Director to position our business at the forefront of technological advancement.

• Sustainability

  Committed to ambitious ESG goals, including our net zero 2040 target, we integrate environmental stewardship into every aspect of our operations. Crucially, we support our customers in achieving their own sustainability objectives. We place great importance on delivering social value to all of our contracts through various global and local initiatives. Our net zero programme also provides us with important carbon-saving opportunities. We are committed to helping more people into work who would otherwise have struggled to find suitable employment.

• People-first approach

  Investing in training, wellbeing, and inclusivity to nurture a diverse and empowered workforce that drives innovation and excellence. We have developed a ‘People into Work’ programme through the OCS Foundation. It is designed to open doors to employment for those who are traditionally overlooked and marginalised in the employment market. This includes veterans, individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent and the long-term unemployed.

This holistic approach ensures OCS remains a trusted partner, delivering measurable outcomes that benefit customers, colleagues, and communities alike.

FM and OCS – Evolving Together

The evolution of OCS is intertwined with the broader development of facilities management as a strategic discipline. What began as basic cleaning and maintenance has transformed into a multifaceted profession integral to business continuity, workplace wellbeing, and sustainable operations.

Resilience is crucial to the future of the FM industry. As such, we are celebrating our own Resilience Week from 2-6 June. The week aims to bring together the main activities that drive safety, security and wellbeing across the services that we provide. These activities, which include QHSE processes, risk reporting, cyber awareness and wellbeing initiatives, all set out with the same goal of protecting people and ensuring strong, consistent operations. As we celebrate 125 years of OCS and the resilience of our people and profession, I invite clients, partners, and the wider FM community to join us on this journey.

Together, we can build a resilient, sustainable future for FM, making people and places the best they can be.