Recognising the Impact, Progress and Real World Contribution of Our Apprentices.
Meet Daniel Mallender
Area Manager (Transport Sector)
Daniel Mallender is an Area Manager within the busy Transport sector. He has worked on the same contract for 15 years, progressing from a frontline cleaning operative into a senior operational role. His career has developed through hands-on experience across frontline delivery, supervision, and team leadership.
He chose to complete apprenticeships to support his progression, starting with a Level 3 Team Leader and Supervisor programme and later completing a Level 5 Operations Departmental Manager apprenticeship. The structure of the programmes allowed him to apply learning directly to his role, supporting a promotion to Area Manager during the Level 5 apprenticeship.
As Daniel explains: “My aim is to pass my knowledge and skill set on to other people, to further other people’s careers as well.”
Meet Adam March
Account Director (Hard Services)
Adam March is an Account Director within Technical Services, leading facilities management delivery for the University of East Anglia and the Quadram Institute in Norwich. He manages a large on-site team and a technically complex contract, where priorities can change quickly and no two days are the same.
He chose to complete an ILM Level 5 apprenticeship in Leadership and Management to strengthen his management capability while continuing to work. The programme provided a practical framework for applying learning in real time, supporting his progression and helping him ground his experience in recognised practice.
As Adam explains: “It reinforces behaviours you already have, but grounds them in a qualification. Sometimes it’s about having that confidence that you’re doing the right thing.”
Meet Emma Dyer
HR Operations Partner (Corporate)
Emma Dyer is an HR Operations Partner in the Private FM sector team, supporting workplace and venues teams across the UK. Based in Manchester, Emma works nationally, spending time on-site to build trusted relationships and support managers with people matters.
Emma chose to complete the Level 5 HR Consultant and Partner apprenticeship after stepping into a more senior HR role. Having already achieved her Level 3 CIPD qualification earlier in her career, the apprenticeship provided a practical way to continue progressing and apply learning directly to day-to-day work, particularly in areas such as change management.
Emma explains: “Protect your learning time. You’re allowed that time, but only you can really prioritise it.”
Meet Hailey Lewis
Contract Support Manager (Security)
Hailey Lewis is a Contract Support Manager in the Security sector team. Hailey joined the business as a scheduler and, over the past three years, has progressed into a management role supporting operational teams on a major contract.
She chose to begin the Level 5 Operations Manager apprenticeship to build on her practical experience and gain a stronger academic understanding of her role. For Hailey, it offered a way to develop confidence, leadership skills and a deeper insight into how effective teams work. Speaking about her experience,
Hailey said, “A lot of it you learn from doing the job at the same time, so then it comes a bit easier.”
Meet Jack Brant
Building Services Apprentice (Hard Services)
Jack Brant is an engineering apprentice based at our customer’s pharmaceutical site in Slough, where he supports day-to-day maintenance as part of the on-site Hard Services engineering team.
Jack chose an apprenticeship route to build practical experience alongside formal training. After completing a two-year general maintenance programme, he is now progressing through a Level 3 engineering apprenticeship with a Refrigeration and HVAC pathway. Looking ahead, Jack is working towards his F-Gas qualification to strengthen his capability in refrigeration and air conditioning, supporting safe, reliable on-site service delivery and contributing to greater technical resilience across the wider team.
As Jack explains, “There’s been lots of support from the people around me, and the managers have put a lot of effort into helping apprentices through the course.”
Meet Lucy Osgerby
Relief Chef Manager (Catering)
Lucy Osgerby has spent the past four years with the business as a Relief Chef Manager, travelling between sites each day to support teams and ensure consistent service delivery in the catering sector. She began her career as a Unit Manager and progressed to her current role through hands-on operational experience and structured development.
Lucy chose an apprenticeship route to gain qualifications she could apply directly to her day-to-day work. After completing a Level 3 Team Leader apprenticeship, Lucy progressed to Level 5 in Operations Management, supporting her ambition to move into more senior operational roles.
“I wanted to gain real hands-on experience and then put the qualifications into daily life and within my role,” she says.
Meet Maria Rivera-Loaiza
Front of House (Public Sector)
Maria Rivera-Loaiza has worked with OCS for over two years and is part of the soft services team in a secure public sector environment. She brings previous experience from the catering sector, where she took on management responsibilities and developed practical leadership skills through day-to-day work.
She chose to complete a Level 3 Team Leader apprenticeship to deepen her knowledge and gain formal recognition for her experience. The apprenticeship has encouraged her to continue developing, and she is currently considering progressing to a Level 5 programme.
As Maria explains: “Sometimes workplaces don’t offer you the opportunity, so when I was offered it, I took it.”
Meet Mary Nkrumah
Housekeeping Operative (Private Sector)
Mary Nkrumah is a housekeeping colleague based at the Manchester Arndale Centre, where she has worked with OCS for several years. Her role involves maintaining day-to-day standards on site and working closely with colleagues as part of a wider team.
Mary chose to complete a Level 2 housekeeping apprenticeship alongside her role. She saw it as an opportunity to continue learning while working, develop her skills, and build confidence through practical experience. The apprenticeship enabled her to apply her learning directly in the workplace.
Reflecting on the experience, she says: “You need to stay committed and manage your time well. If you don’t understand something, you have to ask questions and be open to learning.”
Meet Mohammed Arif
Court & Tribunal Security Supervisor (Public Sector)
Mohammed Arif is a security supervisor working in the Manchester region, where he has supported a range of sites over several years. After starting as a security officer, he progressed to supervisory roles and now leads a larger team in a complex counterterrorism environment.
Mohammed chose to complete apprenticeships to develop his skills alongside his work and take on new challenges. He completed a Level 2 customer service apprenticeship, followed by a Level 3 first-line management programme, using the learning to strengthen his leadership, communication and decision-making in his role. Mohammed is now pursuing a third apprenticeship.
Mohammed says: “Everything I was learning in the apprenticeship, I was actually doing, which makes it so much easier.”
Meet Nathan Mackey
Security Site Lead (Public Sector)
Nathan Mackey serves as a Security site lead, supporting daily operations and acting as the main point of contact for customers and colleagues. With several years’ experience in security roles, he plays an active role in coordinating on-site activity and maintaining clear communication across the team.
Nathan chose to begin an apprenticeship as a way to build skills and gain a recognised qualification alongside his role. After completing the Level 2 Security Operative apprenticeship, he progressed to the Security First Line Manager Level 3 apprenticeship to develop his leadership capability and deepen his understanding of operational management.
Nathan explains: “When the assessor came on site, I just did my normal duties. It felt like someone was simply there observing while I worked, and I didn’t feel any pressure.”
Meet Robert Cullen
Projects & Operations Lead (Hard Services)
Robert Cullen is a Project Manager on the Worcestershire County Council contract, supporting facilities management projects from early planning through delivery and close-out. He joined OCS in 2023 and brings experience from both trade and project environments.
Having begun his career with a plumbing apprenticeship, Robert chose to continue learning later in his career by completing the Level 4 Associate Project Manager apprenticeship.
Reflecting on that decision, he says: “An apprenticeship set my career path. If I hadn’t taken one when I did, I wouldn’t be where I am now.” The programme helped him formalise his experience, deepen his understanding of project delivery across sectors, and apply structured learning directly to his role.
Meet Ryan Billing
Chef (Public Sector)
Ryan Billing is a chef based at The Harbour Hospital in Blackpool, where he supports the hospital’s busy day-to-day food services for patients. Ryan’s interest in hospitality began at an early age, when he helped his parents run a bed and breakfast, which later influenced his decision to pursue a career in catering.
Ryan chose to complete a Level 2 Production Chef apprenticeship to develop his skills through hands-on learning. Balancing study with the demands of a busy kitchen was challenging, but he stayed committed and applied what he learned day to day. Ryan enjoys making patients happy and creating dishes that help them feel more at home by bringing comfort.
Ryan explains: “The biggest thing for me was confidence. My anxiety levels went down, and I felt more comfortable in the kitchen.”
Meet Ryan Thorburn
Cleaning Supervisor (Private Sector)
Ryan Thorburn is a Cleaning Supervisor at the George Yard Shopping Centre, where he has worked for over 16 years. He oversees on-site cleaning operations and supports colleagues in delivering consistent standards in a demanding retail environment.
Ryan chose to undertake the Level 3 Team Leader and Supervisor apprenticeship after OCS introduced development pathways for colleagues looking to progress. The programme has helped him build confidence, strengthen his leadership approach, and develop practical skills that support his day-to-day role.
Ryan commented, “This apprenticeship has put me through functional skills, team leading, and coaching models, and it’s helped me progress within my role.”
Meet Samuel Smith
Security Officer (Security)
Samuel Smith works in the events and hospitality sector, supporting concierge security and welcoming senior politicians and VIP guests. With more than ten years’ experience across a range of supervisory roles in construction-led environments, including major infrastructure projects, he brings a strong understanding of service delivery, teamwork, and site operations to his role.
Returning to work after a period of illness, Sam chose to undertake the Security First Line Manager Level 3 apprenticeship. He saw the programme as a way to rebuild his confidence, deepen his understanding of the business, and continue developing practical leadership skills alongside his day-to-day responsibilities. Sam is focused on progressing his career further.
In Sam’s own words, “Coming back to work was about rebuilding my confidence and understanding the business. The apprenticeship has been a real positive experience.”
Meet Sulayman Zaman
Court Security Supervisor (Public Sector)
Sulayman Zaman is a Court Security Supervisor within the Crown Courts, where he has supported the site for several years. Known for his positive, can-do attitude and committed to long-term career progression, he chose the apprenticeship route to learn whilst working. He began with a Security First Line Manager Level 3 apprenticeship and is now furthering his development through a Level 5 programme.
Balancing his apprenticeship alongside becoming a new parent required discipline, organisation, and resilience, but he remained focused and made full use of the support available to him.
Sulayman says: “Everything now revolves around my daughter. Becoming a parent has given me a renewed drive to succeed, because I want to create a better future for her.”
Meet William Ford
Apprentice Electrician (Hard Services)
William Ford is an electrical apprentice who joined the business two and a half years ago. His role provides hands-on experience across a range of electrical tasks, alongside college-based learning to support his technical development.
William chose an apprenticeship as a practical route into the trade, influenced by family experience and a preference for learning on the job. He joined OCS on the Property Maintenance Operative Level 2 apprenticeship, before progressing to the Electrical Installation and Maintenance Level 3 programme. Learning through challenge has been a consistent part of William’s journey. With support from colleagues, he has developed confidence by asking questions, working across different sites, and applying new knowledge in real working environments.
William commented: “I liked the idea of getting hands-on experience rather than sitting in university lectures all the time.”