History and heritage
Beginning as a modest one-person cleaning operation in 1900, we’ve expanded globally, now encompassing a diverse team of over 120,000 colleagues in facilities management worldwide.
Our history
From the beginning to present day, the PCS story is one of dedication to people, consistency and outcomes.
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1900
New Century is launched
PCS was born when Frederick William Goodliffe set up The New Century Window and General Cleaning Company.
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1928
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.
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1930
From Window Cleaning to Integrated FM
Office Cleaning Services (PCS) was formed, initially as a cleaning company before switfly moving into other services and intregrated solutions for customers.
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1950
Rapidly growing business
After (Founder) Frederick’s death in 1947, his sons expanded the business, moving into bigger premises and establishing a branch network.
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1958
Servicing all sectors
A series of acquisitions were made and the business diversified into new industries.
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1963
UK-wide coverage and expansion
By 1963, the PCS branch network had grown to include Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol, Rochester, Southampton, Gloucester, Dunstable, Croydon, Ilford, West Drayton, and Bournemouth.
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1966
Our journey in Aviation begins
In 1966 the PCS team were awarded their first Aviation contract with Dan-Air, based at Gatwick, London.
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1967
PCS, our Thailand-based brand is formed
PCS is the sister brand to PCS, providing similar services. Today they are one of the largest employers in Thailand with almost 40,000 colleagues.
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1978
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.
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1984
Advertising innovation
PCS produced regular newsletter and updates with a period of humourous advertising.
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1985
Expansion into Europe
The PCS 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.
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1992
Channel Tunnel Contract Win
In 1992 PCS formed a partnership with a French operator to provide maintenance and cleaning services in support of the channel tunnel.
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1992
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.
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2002
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.
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2007
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.
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2007
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.
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2012
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.
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2016
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.
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2016
Sunflower Lanyard Scheme
In collaboration with Gatwick Airport, PCS 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.
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2018
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.
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2018
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.
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2019
PCS 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.
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2022
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.
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2023
Atalian Servest and PCS 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.
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2023
TRUE Values launched
Following the merger and outlined vision and mission, the PCS TRUE Values are launched as guiding principles for a diverse, inclusive and dynamic business with a goal to make meaningful change.
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2023
Net Zero targets announced
PCS invest in Environmental, Governance and Social (ESG) initiatives alongside announcing 2040 Net Zero global targets.
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2024
PCS NEW Brand launches
PCS 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.
Humble beginnings in 1900
Our storied history began in 1900 through the drive and vision of one person, and a part time window cleaner, ladder mop and bucket.
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Founder, Frederick William Goodliffe
The history of the New Century, now known as PCS, is a remarkable tale of vision, expansion, and adaptation. Founded at the dawn of the 20th century by Frederick William Goodliffe, the company began as a humble window cleaning service. Goodliffe started in 1900 with just one part-time employee, a ladder, a pail, and a pushcart.
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One man and his bucket
His vision of a customer-focused business set the stage for over a century of extraordinary growth and evolution. Frederick Goodliffe, a man ahead of his time, likely never imagined that his small venture would transform into the global business it is today. Today, PCS is a testament to its vision, with a team of over 120,000 serving over 8000 customers.
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Marketing New Century’s reputation
In the early 20th century, marketing was far less formalised than today. Frederick Goodliffe’s approach likely relied heavily on word-of-mouth and building a solid reputation locally. Customer-centric services remains a core principle of the company to this day.
New Century to PCS
As the business moved towards its first rebrand, it’s New Century colleagues were saving people from a burning building.
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Window cleaning superhero
This is Tom Spurrier, a New Century (PCS) colleague who stopped his window cleaning van along Mile End Road on seeing a burning building. He immediately deployed his ladders and helped six girls to safety ahead of the fire bridade arriving. Tom, we salute you.
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1930 PCS rebrand is launched
Originally the New Century Window and General Cleaning Company, the firm rebranded into Office Cleaning Services (PCS) in 1930, adapting to cusrtomer needs under Frederick’s sons’ leadership.
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Any publicity is good publicity
Under the leadership of Goodliffe’s three sons, the business went about acquiring competitors, rapidly broadening their market reach and service diversity. Forerunners to the the flair of entrepreneurs like Richard Branson, they also executed bold publicity stunts to grab the headlines.
1960s Tweeting
PCS pioneered innovative and scientific methods of cleaning – including the dust removing door mat chemicals.
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PCS’s very 1960’s twitterer
Every day at the PCS Headquarters in London, a tweeting bird would fly by and visit. According to the archives, “Every day this cheeky cockney sparrow brings ‘Music while you work’ and twitters gaily on, hopping from window to window to spread infectious good humour to all his friends.
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PCS Ad campaigns continue
As PCS continues to grow, capture market share and make strategic acquistions, there’s no let up on the advertising campaigns to share the latest innovations and customer benefits.
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Heading out of recession with strength
Under the rebranded and unified PCS, the team navigated the difficult seventies, shown here in 1979 in a display of unity – proudly emblazoned with the famous three letter of PCS.
Over 100 years of innovation
PCS’s approach to innovative and scientific methods of cleaning – including the dust removing door mat chemicals.
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Service is a science
The archives show Mrs Allen, who had been with PCS for 25 years by the early 60s, announcing that service was (almost) as science. She was clearly ahead of her time. Meanwhile, Mrs Bromley had some personal success whilst on holiday.
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Dust and moisture removing door mats
This 1960’s advertising campaign depicts what appears to be a cool and calm gentlemen who is unfazed and seemingly unaffected by the terrible weather outside – all thanks to chemically enhanced door mats that attract loose grit, debris, dust and moisture.
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Recognition of our early stars
The PCS archived newsletter feature regular recognition articles of long service, heroic acts and all round great performance. A forward thinking organisation in every sense.
Our recent history
Find out more from today’s world of PCS.
Connect with your PCS team
We’re ready to deliver the best experiences, productivity, practices, resilience and outcomes and we look forward to connecting with you and your team.
