Month: May 2024

OCS Partners with Love British Food to Celebrate British Produce

Posted on by stephanieamata

We are thrilled to announce that OCS is now an official partner of Love British Food, a dynamic grassroots-driven organisation dedicated to championing British produce. Our collaboration with Love British Food reflects our commitment to supporting local farmers, celebrating culinary heritage, and promoting sustainable food choices.

Why Choose British Food?

When you choose British food, you’re not only indulging in delicious flavours but also contributing to a more sustainable and resilient food system. Our partnership with Love British Food empowers us to support local farmers who play a vital role in maintaining the picturesque British countryside. When you choose British produce, you’re directly contributing to their livelihoods.

Climate-Friendly Recipes

We recognise the importance of sustainable practices. Our collaboration with Love British Food allows us to create climate-friendly recipes. By using seasonal produce, we reduce our environmental impact and promote a harmonious balance between food production and local cycles.

I’m excited to have the opportunity to champion and advocate for local produce that supports our farmers and bolsters the local economy. Love British Food is doing vital work not just protecting British suppliers but also pushing for better environmental practices in the food supply chain. I’m honoured to be a part of this.

Leigh Ashley

Contract Manager ‑ Public Sector

Meet Leigh Ashley: Our Love British Food Ambassador

Leigh Ashley, our Public Sector Contract Manager, has enthusiastically stepped forward as a Love British Food Ambassador. In this role, he represents OCS within the public sector, advocating for British food and building essential relationships with suppliers. Leigh’s passion for local produce aligns perfectly with our TRUE values.

Supporting the Local Economy

As a business headquartered in the UK, supporting the local economy is close to our hearts. Our recent participation in Great British Beef Week exemplifies our commitment. During this initiative, we shared a range of Red-Tractor-assured beef recipes, encouraging others to join us in celebrating British food.

On behalf of OCS, we are delighted to partner with Love British Food, our journey with them will see us promoting local economies, reducing carbon footprint through local supply chains and celebrating cultural heritage. We aim to improve awareness and make quality British produce available to all our customers.

Debbie Noakes

Support Director for Catering and Continuous Improvement

Empowering Leadership: The OCS Catalyst Programme

Posted on by lawrenceriches

At OCS, our high ambitions and expectations create both challenges and opportunities. To navigate this landscape effectively, we have launched the Catalyst Programme. This program is aimed at nurturing some of our most accomplished performers to lead their teams to even greater success.

Program Objectives

The Catalyst Programme is strategically designed to achieve several vital objectives for sustaining and enhancing our leadership framework. Its primary goal is to develop a cohesive leadership and management strategy for OCS UK and Ireland. By equipping our leaders with the necessary skills and confidence, we ensure they are prepared to achieve and maintain success.

Another key objective is to share and refine effective leadership and management techniques, encouraging participants to enhance their methods and skills for immediate workplace application. This approach helps participants achieve their potential and inspires their teams to reach their goals.

Intended Outcomes

The program aims to achieve several important outcomes. Participants will contribute to shaping and driving the organisation’s vision, mission, and ambitions. This will help the organisation maintain success in the face of changing circumstances and drive growth. Protecting our existing business and brand reputation, improving performance, and increasing profitability are crucial goals. Additionally, the program seeks to develop a deeper pool of leaders and managers within OCS, fostering a high-performance climate where innovation thrives, and resilience is built. Participants will be equipped to lead business improvements and identify potential acquisitions, ensuring effective integration and sustained high performance.

Through the Catalyst Programme, OCS is dedicated to empowering its leaders to promote success and innovation, ensuring our organisation remains at the forefront of the facilities management industry.

Tom Copsey

Director of Resourcing & Talent Management

The Program Structure

The Catalyst Programme comprises practical workshops on real-world application and pre- and post-development activities designed to reinforce learning. Participants will immediately apply their new skills and methods in the workplace, driving improvements in several critical areas.

Key Areas of Focus

The Catalyst Programme empowers participants to develop capabilities in various key areas:

  • Leadership and Managment
  • Strategic Insight and Implementation
  • Creating High-Performance Climates
  • Enhancing Commercial Capabilities
  • Business Improvement and Innovation
  • Self-Management and Effective Communication

By focusing on these areas, OCS ensures its leaders are well-prepared to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, driving success and innovation in the facilities management industry.

Join us in celebrating our new cohort of ambitious leaders who are set to shape OCS’s future, making people and places the best they can be and delivering the best outcomes for colleagues, customers and communities.

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level?

Whether you’re a current employee looking to elevate your career, or a potential applicant seeking to join a dynamic organisation committed to leadership excellence, the Catalyst Programme awaits.

Revolutionising Facilities Management: A Data-Driven Approach

Posted on by stephanieamata

Data has emerged as the new currency across many industries but has become especially significant in the world of facilities management, with its continued effort to modernise and optimise building management technology. Data holds the key to unlocking efficiency and driving tangible results, with data-driven decision-making in FM practices can be transformed drastically. 

1. Harnessing Current Condition Data

Facilities are more than just physical structures; they are dynamic ecosystems. By collecting accurate asset data—details about equipment, maintenance history, and condition—we can make informed decisions about the asset, such as life remaining, maintenance interventions, and replacements.

One crucial metric is the Facility Condition Index (FCI), defined as the ratio of the current year’s required renewal cost to the current building replacement value. A facility with an FCI score above 10% is considered to be in poor condition. FCIs serve as a health check for assets, providing a holistic view that enables long-term planning and strategic asset management.

2. Decoding Energy Consumption Patterns

Energy costs form a significant portion of FM budgets. With the built environment accounting for 59% of the UK’s electricity consumption, optimising energy usage through data analytics is crucial. Consumption patterns help identify when energy-consuming equipment, such as lighting or HVAC, activate and de-activate, and highlight peaks in energy demand.

This information can guide decisions on how equipment should be controlled, timed, and operated. Additionally, anomalies can be identified and investigated to understand whether energy is being wasted due to defective equipment or faulty control settings.

The use of smart meters, historical consumption patterns, and real-time monitoring empowers FM sites to control their energy consumption effectively. The potential impact? Reduced energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint.

3. The Power of Predictive Maintenance

Waiting for equipment to fail is both costly and disruptive. Predictive maintenance models, fuelled by real-time data, allow for intervention before breakdowns occur. This approach not only optimises asset health and predicts failures, but also extends the useful life of your assets through a strategy that prioritises repairs and replacements. This could decrease costs by 12% and extend the lifespan of an aging asset by 20%.

4. Optimising Space Utilisation Metrics

Space is a precious resource. Analysing occupancy trends, peak hours, and spatial efficiency can guide flexible workspace design and enhance the employee experience. Space utilisation measures what’s actually happening in the office, providing granularity that other occupancy data sources like badge check-ins and employee surveys can’t.

By spending less on utilities in underutilised spaces and only investing in workspaces employees will actually use, costs can be cut. Better office design that aligns with work habits and work style preferences can improve the workplace experience. Furthermore, real estate portfolios can be optimised by making data-driven decisions regarding architectural design, office layout, and resizing.

Conclusion

In the dynamic world of FM, smart data utilisation is the key to unlocking efficiency and driving tangible results. By harnessing the power of data, we can revolutionise FM practices and create a more sustainable, efficient, and productive future.

Ready to harness the potential of data-driven solutions in facilities management?

Explore how our advanced technology leverages data to optimise operations and enhance performance.

 A World FM Day Celebration: Stuart Beards, Security Operations Director

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 Stuart is an OCS Operations Director for the Security Division, he ensures our operational teams are delivering the highest standards of contract delivery for our customers, whilst supporting our front-line colleagues with the resources and equipment to perform their jobs safely. This strategic position within the division supports and manages the strategy set by the MD and Business Director. 

Continuing our celebrations of World FM Day, we are focusing on Stuart’s FM career, how his security expertise integrates within the wider FM business and how he sees the FM industry shaping up in the years ahead. 

After leaving the Royal Marines in 2017, Stuart started his journey in security and FM as a security officer and over the following four years continued to progress, becoming the duty security manager of the largest nuclear construction project in Europe. But Stuart’s progression wasn’t limited to his security career, he also pushed himself academically, achieving qualifications like NEBOSH, an honours BSc Degree in Risk and Security Management, and PRINCE 2 project management among others. 

Stuart’s passion for security and protection continued to drive his progress, leading him to London as a security risk manager and then to Atalian Servest as a regional security operations manager. Shortly after joining Atalian, Stuart’s academic qualifications were crucial in supporting his team’s planning and successful delivery of two major events G7 and COP 26, which led him into a regional director position. More recently, following the merger of OCS and Atalian Servest and the subsequent acquisition of Profile Security, Stuart took on a new position within the business as the security operations director for South UK.

Stuart’s continued inspiration comes from a thirst for knowledge of all things security but he is also driven by the daily challenges that our industry presents, and helping customers find the right answers. “Our customers are coming to us for a solution, and I get to be part of the team that finds the right solution” 

The FM industry is about people, and Stuart is very much a people person which is important in a team-based environment. ”I enjoy visiting customers across various sectors as I get to see some amazing projects, buildings and people. The most inspiration that I take from the FM industry is the people who work within it. We are very much a people-led business”

“OCS has given me everything I need and more to ensure that I succeed. I have been fully supported by my line manager and was very lucky to be officially mentored by our UK and Ireland CEO, Daniel Dickson, whose insight and feedback were instrumental to my success”

While his drive and passion for learning have been the primary factors in his academic achievements, Stuart is quick to acknowledge the impact of having a supportive team that mentors its members and the vital role an organisation plays in its people’s personal development.

So for those considering a career within FM, how can Stuart’s lived experiences offer insight? Having started on the front line as a Security Officer, it was Stuart’s hunger to succeed that kept driving him forward, to continue learning and developing. He firmly believes that hard work pays off, and that attitude is often more important than ability. “It’s so important to have passion for what you do, that hunger to succeed is more important than ability if they lack that drive. You do need to work hard, learning and development should be continuous, and take all you can from the mentorship offered by your management team. No one knows everything, so build relationships with those who can support and guide you.”

For Stuart, the FM industry is heading towards an exciting future, where technology and automation will play a huge part in advancing and impacting the industry. In security, E-Guarding is the new exciting space being implemented, a blend of technological solutions and people to provide the best outcome for our customers, driven by data and insights. People will always be central within the FM industry, however, the more advanced technology becomes, the more we can tailor our services based on data, providing cost savings to our customers and improving site security through AI-detected threats. 

OCS Facilities Services

British Airways Extends 25-Year-Long Relationship with OCS 

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British Airways, the flagship airline of the United Kingdom, boasts the country’s second-largest fleet and passenger base. Since 2013, OCS has been entrusted by this aviation industry leader to handle its soft service needs, while providing laundry services to them for over 25 years. The soft services partnership originated when British Airways opted to discontinue a total facilities management service provided by their previous vendor, aiming to enhance their services. 

Following a competitive tender process, OCS secured the contract to deliver soft services such as porterage and front desk support to British Airways sites across the UK. Over the past decade, OCS has consistently been the chosen service provider, receiving multiple contract extensions. 

We have felt and seen the impact of OCS’s commitment to openness and transparency in their operations with us, resulting in consistent services across all our sites and creating good working environments for our teams. We look forward to continuing this nearly three-decade-old partnership and working with OCS to achieve greater heights in our responsibility to the environment and our people.

British Airways Spokesperson

The most recent extension reflects the success of the enduring relationship between OCS account holders and the British Airways team. OCS’s commitment to effective communication involves ensuring that every serviced site has a designated key stakeholder, facilitating unhindered interaction between teams and colleagues at British Airways. Collaborative efforts have been pivotal in achieving the best outcomes for both OCS and British Airways, maintaining the health of the relationship. By attentively listening to the needs of the British Airways team and implementing additional measures where feasible, OCS has delivered cost-conscious and compliant services. 

Embracing British Airways’ goal to achieve carbon net zero by 2050, OCS has strategically incorporated measures in its soft service provisions to minimise environmental impact. Its comprehensive approach ensures that all facets of its mission are addressed, demonstrating their dedication to sustaining a positive and eco-conscious partnership. 

For the laundry service provision, while the contract did go to market, in the end, it was the relationship built over two decades that stood the test of time, with OCS coming out as the best option in terms of quality and commitment to British Airways. OCS has also made significant improvements to its laundry servicing site, which serves three other airlines, to boost its sustainability and provide environmentally friendly options for processing laundry. For example, OCS installed a banding machine on their site which has facilitated a 50% reduction in plastic usage on BA’s headphones. Furthermore, OCS has taken measures to provide an electric fleet and recover all the energy spent on heating the water used in the facility contributing to BA’s net zero targets.  

We are proud of the partnership we have built with British Airways over the years and this latest extension is just further proof of the success of our active listening and stakeholder management. We look forward to continuing the good work with British Airways over these next five years as we continue to take on the mantle of upholding their exceptional services.

Raffaella Mauro

OCS Operations Director ‑ Aviation & Gateways

A World FM Day Celebration: Carl Gage, Regional Director, Hard Services

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Carl is one of the Regional Directors within Technical Services that sits within the overall OCS Hard Services Business, responsible and accountable for six key customers across a number of services.

As part of our World FM Day celebrations, we are doing a deep dive into Carl’s FM career, to provide insight into the industry and inspire the next generation of FM professionals.

Carl’s entry into FM was varied, from catering in the military to becoming a Health and Safety Advisor, following his father’s footsteps. Eventually, Carl quickly moved into operations, which he has worked in for 8 years of his 12-year career in FM. “I have been extremely fortunate in my career to date and have been given some fantastic opportunities which I have grasped with both hands”. 

The world of FM is different every single day, but the main benefits are that you get to work with talented and like-minded colleagues and customers. What inspires Carl to work in FM is that many people bring so many different skills and experience which makes for a great team. “Every day is a learning experience which enables us to work smarter for our customers ultimately making the experience for their end users better each day”.

OCS gave Carl opportunities to grow by giving him autonomy and the ability to influence change, two crucial factors in facilitating career growth. 

“OCS is a fast-paced business and is growing all the time, which means the opportunities to grow come thick and fast which I will always take and run with”.

Carl’s key advice for anyone looking to get into FM would be to be open-minded, take nothing for granted and grasp all the opportunities that come your way. A career in FM has endless possibilities and many different paths that can be taken.

In Carl’s opinion, the future innovations in FM will vary from automation, data analytics, and many more, which will all impact our customers positively, but ultimately one thing to remember is that what makes FM so unique are the people that deliver the service to our customers. “Our people ultimately are the ones that make our customer experience greater daily. That is one of the reasons I’m passionate about OCS’s TRUE Values”. 

OCS Facilities Services

Virgin Atlantic Advances Decade-Long Partnership with OCS

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We are thrilled to announce that we have won a contract to continue providing laundry services to the aviation industry giant, Virgin Atlantic. This contract is an extension of a decade-long partnership between the OCS and Virgin Atlantic. The contract serves Virgin Atlantic’s locations primarily in Heathrow and Manchester and extends to support its Scotland site during the busy summer period.  

The extension is a testament to the strong partnership between OCS and Virgin and the quality of services delivered by the OCS team, with particular recognition for how agile and prolific our team is when it comes to problem-solving.  

We provide laundry services to four aviation industry leaders in our 60,000 sqm site where we support our aviation customers in achieving their sustainability goals. We have made significant improvements to our laundry servicing site to boost sustainability and provide environmentally friendly options for processing laundry.  

For example, we installed a banding machine on site which has facilitated a 50% reduction in plastic usage in headphones. Furthermore, we have taken extensive measures to provide an electric fleet and recover all the energy spent on heating the water used in the facility contributing to net-zero targets. 

A World FM Day Celebration: Tony Parkinson, Sector Director, Hard Services

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 Tony is responsible for directing the Technical Services division within OCS, which has 1,000 team members delivering planned and reactive maintenance across a range of contracts and buildings throughout the UK.

As part of our World FM Day celebrations, we are doing a deep dive into Tony’s FM career and journey, to provide insight into the industry and inspire the next generation of FM professionals.

From a young age, Tony had taken a keen interest in physical elements and how things worked. This led him to start his career as an electrical engineer, he then worked his way into management in his early 20s. Naturally, Tony’s career progressed into the FM industry to lead large and diverse teams for over 25 years. Tony’s most recent experience has been supporting growth strategies including the evaluation and mobilisation of new opportunities in the UK and our global regions.

“Our customers are committed to ensuring they have safe, efficient, and pleasurable buildings for their end customers and employees. This drives the FM industry to be an innovative market and suits my desire for advancement and making a difference in the environment”. Tony has been fortunate to work with inspirational teams who make a huge difference to our customers’ buildings and enforce the moves towards a more sustainable and ethical future.

“OCS has a positive people culture and has empowered me to manage my business and ultimately our customer requirements and promises”.

Tony saw OCS as an innovator, pushing high-quality service delivery at our customer sites, and overall OCS has the scale and drive to reach ambitious growth targets.

FM is a wide and diverse arena, and future FM professionals should spend time considering what elements excite them the most and aim for the vocational and academic path that suits their needs.  “My advice would be to start with a specialist area to focus on and gain the FM experience whether soft or hard services or wider support functions such as commercial, financial or procurement”.

OCS Facilities Services

Tony sees three key innovations as part of the future of FM; Automation, data analytics and building intelligence. “We have strong targets to help the government and customers meet their strategic carbon reduction commitments. These commitments need a solid understanding of data to support the investment into smarter, more efficient buildings. In turn, this will also ensure space is managed effectively and aligns with core requirements of FM”

A World FM Day Celebration: Razvan Paun, FM Contracts Manager, An FM Career Ignited

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 Razvan is an FM Contracts Manager within Ireland’s Leinster region, ensuring customers are delivered with a full suite of hard and soft services, overseeing planned and reactive maintenance and delivering operational requirements in line with contractual KPIs and SLAs.

As part of our World FM Day celebrations, we’re doing a deep dive into Razvan’s FM career and journey, to provide insight into the industry and inspire the next generation of FM professionals. 

 Razvan’s journey, like many others within the industry, started as a frontline operative within cleaning. It wasn’t long before his consistently high standards were noticed, and his career progression started. After a few months, Razvan became a supervisor, then an industrial cleaning manager, an area manager and then a regional manager. It was at this point he joined OCS, as a cleaning contracts manager.

“My contracts were both standalone cleaning services and part of wider TFM contracts”. It was at OCS that opportunities opened up for career progression. As a global FM provider, the size of the OCS business provided the opportunity to work alongside different disciplines within the same organisation, allowing Razvan greater collaboration and learning.

“I worked closely with my colleagues from the FM team, and began to learn more about the FM operations”. FM operations might have been a new area for Razvan, but he quickly knew that it interested him and was something he wanted to explore. As his interests and experience grew, Razvan jumped at the opportunity to become an FM contracts manager last year, “It was the use of innovative systems and the technology supporting a customer’s entire building that appealed to me”

Razvan’s continued inspiration comes from the collaboration between other business units, contractors, and the customer, and being the individual responsible for overseeing the whole contract and ensuring the best outcome for the customer. 

“FM is a very attractive industry, you will learn something new and unexpected everyday. You’re always connecting with new people, and the sense of achievement you get from the job is what I love the most. You will never regret choosing a career in FM, it was the best professional decision I made.”

The transition in any role can be challenging, having the necessary support structures in place is vital for development and progression. Razvan is grateful for the support he received and attributes his success not just to the training and development provided by OCS, but also to the close mentorship individuals provided in the early stages of his new role. 

“OCS provided me with a comprehensive training plan including online, onsite manager training courses and external training identified by management. My biggest support though, was the mentoring and coaching I received from my manager. They put the time in to ensure I understood every aspect of the role, from the operations, financial and business development side. This gave me the confidence I needed to make decisions and use my initiative, knowing my manager was there to support and advise me.”

This year’s World FM Day is themed heavily around inspiration, and driving people towards a career in FM, and Razvan was keen to highlight the benefits of an FM career. Although he admits it’s a little cliché, Razvan points out that no two days are the same and that satisfaction continues to inspire him every day. “FM is a very attractive industry, you will learn something new and unexpected every day. You’re always connecting with new people, and the sense of achievement you get from the job is what I love the most. You will never regret choosing a career in FM, it was the best professional decision I made.”

OCS Facilities Services

The future is bright for Razvan, and in his opinion the FM Industry too, with an increased focus on carbon reduction and sustainability, he believes this will continue to drive innovations within FM. ”Everything needs to be considered, the most minor aspects, reducing paper usage, greener lighting, energy usage, travel reduction, waste collections, the list goes on. But this is what makes FM such an exciting space to be involved in right now and into the future.”

OCS’s Goodness Initiative Shortlisted for Prestigious Cateys Award 

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The Cateys, the most prestigious awards in the hospitality industry, have announced their shortlist for this year’s awards. The awards, held in collaboration with P&O Cruises, acknowledge outstanding performers, inspiring brands, and top achievers within the sector, as determined by industry professionals. 

Among those shortlisted is OCS, a leading global facilities management business. Their catering brand, Angel Hill’s Goodness initiative, has been nominated in the Health and Nutrition Award category. 

The Goodness initiative was born from a need to communicate the value of proper nutrition, debunk food fads, and reintroduce fun into healthy eating. Their team of chefs and nutritionists passionately crafted pathways to bring diverse, nutrient-dense meals to teams. In 2023, they bolstered the initiative with customised and cost-conscious approaches in both the public and private sectors. Through strategic investments, they empowered on-site catering managers with resources to provide nutritious meals to teams nationwide. 

I am proud of the work Goodness has done and the people we have reached and impacted. This nomination serves as a signifier of the importance of properly and accessibly communicating the benefits of healthy eating. We look forward to doing more with Goodness. Thank you to the Cateys for this recognition, and good luck to our fellow nominees.

Iona Hudson

Nutritionist

The initiative comprises various forms of activation material and events aimed at introducing “more of the good stuff” into eating. The team carried out local pop-ups on customer sites, including schools and hospitals, where they engaged in complimentary ‘Goodness Lessons’ for students. These lessons communicated how foods can aid students in their learning and processing. In hospitals, the team engaged in complimentary ‘Coffee & Chat Sessions’, taking the familiar format of a coffee chat to create an engaging, conversational setting for healthcare residents. This provided insight into evidence-based information to empower residents on the benefits of proper nutrition. 

Apart from the events and pop-ups carried out by the teams, their Goodness initiative also aimed to tackle a more climate-conscious food service delivery by providing “reduced-carbon recipes”. These recipes, where possible, use 20% less meat, substituting with lentils and pulses instead. This approach does not entirely isolate the large percentage of the population that still eats meat, but slightly alters the recipe to use less of it. 

The winners will be announced on the 2nd of July at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London. Congratulations to all the nominees! 

Southbank Centre Appoints OCS as Part Of A Multi-million FM Investment Programme

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Southbank Centre has awarded OCS a contract to supply total facilities management services to their sites. The services include cleaning, technical services (mechanical & engineering and projects), and event support. The core multi-million-pound contract will be carried out over 5 years, with potential for extension, along with additional yearly projects of added value, to enhance the facilities at Southbank Centre. This adds to OCS’s growing presence in the private sector.

The victory in securing this prestigious contract is attributed to the strong and sustained engagement between the teams at OCS and Southbank Centre. The foundations of a strong working relationship have fostered outstanding collaborative engagement throughout the tender process. The contract will go live on the 1st of April, with a transfer of over 100 front-line colleagues from the incumbent service provider to OCS.

Southbank Centre sought a contractor capable of addressing the unique needs of its dynamic business, including three main properties –Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Hayward Gallery–and other satellite locations. As a hub for the arts community, the spaces within Southbank Centre are constantly evolving spaces, to accommodate a busy calendar of events. The OCS team has committed to a service delivery with exceptional agility in supporting their building-repurposing initiatives.

We are excited about the collaboration with OCS and their dedication to delivering our specific requirements. Their commitment to building a strong and cooperative relationship has been clear throughout the process. We believe that their expertise will play a vital role in preserving our status as a hub for the arts community and improving our facilities. We anticipate a successful and mutually rewarding partnership.

Hilton Wells

Head of Facilities, Southbank Centre

OCS’s technological offerings, particularly its smart building technology, ABi, caught the attention of Southbank Centre. Post-mobilisation, they plan to implement ABi to assist in reaching and monitoring sustainability goals and fostering best practices for efficiency gains across operations.

In addition to shared commitments to greener practices, OCS and Southbank Centre share a dedication to empowering the local community in London. To ensure a positive impact, OCS commits to hiring from within the local community for outsourced services and further employment. Additionally, OCS is committed to providing apprenticeships during the contract tenure and contributing to social mobility within the community.

This successful tender marks the commencement of a promising partnership. Together, OCS and Southbank Centre are focused on future-proofing and decarbonising the estate, while simultaneously empowering local communities. OCS takes pride in this achievement and looks forward to the collaborative journey ahead.

We’re looking forward to building a strong relationship with Southbank Centre. Our commitment is to support them in maintaining their role as a hub for the South London community, creating welcoming spaces for both locals and visitors. Additionally, we are enthusiastic about implementing intelligent solutions to enhance their facilities and foster sustainable practices.

Claire Rumsey

OCS Sector Managing Director – Private FM, Destinations

No Mow May: Cultivating Biodiversity in Our Green Spaces 

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Wildlife plays a critical role in maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystem. This May, our business and various customer sites are joining the ‘No Mow May’ campaign—a concerted effort to reintroduce wildlife to our green spaces. Our customers participating in this important cause include Cambridgeshire County Council, M&G, GKN and more with grounds covering a total of 3190sqm.

Objective: Wildflower Growth and Bee Nectar 

The primary goal of this campaign is to allow wildflowers to flourish, it is approximated that since the 1930s 97% of British flower-rich meadows have been lost. By doing so, we create a vital source of nectar for bees and other insects. Throughout May, our green spaces will remain largely untouched, encouraging pollinators to visit and enhancing their chances of survival. With many bumblebee species facing decline and extinction risk in the UK, this initiative becomes even more crucial. 

Previous participants in No Mow May have witnessed remarkable visitors. The Red-tailed Bumblebee, a social bee essential for pollination, has made appearances. Additionally, critically endangered Hoverflies—a vital pollinator species—have been observed. These sightings underscore the positive impact of allowing natural growth in our outdoor areas. 

May occupies a pivotal position in nature’s cycle. As spring reaches its peak, it becomes the optimal time for flowers to thrive. Their pollen travels farther during this season, significantly contributing to the diversification of our wildlife. By safeguarding these pollinators, we continue our mission to protect and empower the Earth’s natural processes. 

Cambridgeshire County Council is delighted to participate in No Mow May, a remarkable initiative that champions British wildlife and fosters biodiversity. Throughout this month, we look forward to welcoming a variety of wildflowers and pollinators to our grounds. We extend our gratitude to our partners at OCS, who will be supporting us with this commendable effort.

Richard Panter

Cambridgeshire County Council – Facilities Manager

Changing Mowing Habits: A Win for Bees 

By adjusting our mowing routines and allowing plants to flower, we can create an abundance of nectar—enough to support ten times more bees and other pollinators. Additionally, you’ll notice a greater variety of flowers blooming in your garden. 

At the end of the month, we’ll participate in Plantlife’s ‘Every Flower Counts’ survey. The number of flowers grown and nurtured directly correlates with the bees we’ve helped. Together, we contribute to a healthier, more vibrant ecosystem.