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Bronze to Silver: Our Food for Life Journey Towards Healthier, Sustainable Catering

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Achieving Excellence

We are thrilled to announce that our Food for Life Served Here award at our KBR customer site has been upgraded from Bronze to Silver. This remarkable achievement was accomplished in less than a year, thanks to the tireless efforts of our dedicated on-site catering team.

The Food for Life Served Here is an independent recognition given to catering companies. This accolade signifies that our menu offerings meet certain high standards, confirming our commitment to serving fresh and honest food. Our team of trained chefs are passionate about their ingredients’ provenance and are committed to promoting healthy eating choices

I would like to congratulate OCS at KBR on their upgrade to Silver Food for Life Served Here certification. The upgrade took place within a year of gaining Bronze, a fantastic achievement. All of us at Soil Association are proud to be supporting the clear commitment to sourcing and serving food that is better for climate, nature and health.

Caron Logden

Head of Business Development, Healthy and Sustainable Diets at the Soil Association

We truly appreciate the hard work and dedication of the OCS catering team at KBR. Their commitment to providing fresh, healthy meals that respect the environment and prioritise animal welfare has been recognized with the upgrade to Silver. This recognition assures our employees that they can find excellent nutritional options right here onsite. This upgrade also takes KBR a step further to achieving its zero harm and sustainability goals. Congratulations to the catering team on this well-deserved achievement.

Duncan Knapp

Senior Manager, Facility Operations at KBR Ltd

Levelling Up

With the Bronze level, we guaranteed the welfare of animals, prepared 75% of our dishes fresh on site, and catered to a variety of cultural and dietary needs, including vegan, halal, and kosher options.

The upgrade to the Silver level means we have met even higher standards. We’ve reduced salt, used ethically sourced palm oil or eliminated it completely, and ensured our produce is sustainably sourced. Our menus now feature at least 5% organic produce, sourced from farms that prioritise the protection of natural resources such as fresh water and wildlife, and uphold high animal welfare standards. Furthermore, our food is free from genetically modified ingredients, hydrogenated fats, and most artificial additives and preservatives.

Achieving this milestone in under a year reflects our concerted efforts, diligent work, and beneficial partnerships with Leaf-certified and Red Tractor-assured suppliers. The award is another significant step in our support for our customer’s zero harm and sustainability goals in conjunction with the efforts made in this area by the wider site-based teams.

We’re thrilled to have achieved such a milestone in under a year thanks to the constant work of our chefs and team who build important partnerships with our suppliers, putting great care and consideration into our supply chain and cooking practices. This Silver upgrade indicates our continued progress towards providing healthy and sustainable catering services.
Even as we celebrate this step, we’re setting our sights on achieving gold!

Chris Ashmore

Business Director, OCS

food for life silver catering award

Find out more about OCS Catering services

A Glowing Transformation: OCS Ireland’s Cleaning Services at a Major Airport

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OCS Ireland, recently undertook a commercial cleaning project at a major international airport located in the south of the country. This airport is a vital transportation hub for millions of passengers annually and invests in its terminal buildings and facilities to ensure a welcoming environment.

OCS Ireland contributes to their mission every day. Our services range from assisting Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM) to ensuring that our cleaning teams make passengers feel safe and welcomed in the airports, lounges, and terminals we serve.

Our customer places passenger experience at the pinnacle of its priorities, which means a comprehensive cleaning service is essential to maintain high standards of cleanliness. Over the course of four nights, the project was completed without any impact on the airport’s operation. The airport floors were fully restored to their former glory, now shining and creating a clean, modern look throughout the duty-free area.

The project’s successful delivery has resulted in high levels of customer satisfaction, with airport management expressing further confidence in our abilities. This project has only continued to strengthen our partnership and our shared commitment to enhancing the overall travel experience for all passengers.

To learn more about how OCS Ireland assists in creating spaces that enhance the overall travel experience for our customers, click here.

Find out more about our OCS Cleaning services

Cultivating Community and Well-being at West London NHS Trust

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OCS is proud to introduce our innovative “Grow Gardens” project, a unique initiative focused on establishing a network of thriving community gardens within the premises of our Trust sites. This project is part of our ongoing commitment to our NHS Healthcare customers.

The “Grow Gardens” project is not merely about creating green spaces; it’s about delivering dedicated practices that elevate the well-being of our colleagues and patients. We believe that by nurturing these gardens, we also foster a healthier and more positive environment for everyone involved.

Thank you to facilities and our OCS colleagues for the wonderful kitchen garden at Clayponds. The building has only been under Trust management for three and a bit months, and already we are seeing a difference! This is a great initiative.

Katherine Murray

Assistant Director of Operations, West London NHS Trust

Grow garden

Our gardens have been brought to life thanks to the active involvement of our colleagues, patients, and volunteers. Their hard work and dedication have made this initiative a success, positively influencing our catering practices. They are now able to offer a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs including strawberries, runner beans, rhubarb, and lemon thyme picked straight from their gardens. Each ingredient that we serve from our garden is a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability and care.

The benefits of these gardens extend beyond just providing fresh produce for meals. They also serve as therapeutic spaces for occupational therapy and social engagement. Their service users now find joy and fulfilment in tending to the gardens. This shared experience has helped create a positive working community where everyone feels engaged and valued.

To learn more about our initiative and how we’re transforming catering from farm to fork, click here.

Find out more about OCS Catering services in Healthcare

Celebrating International Women’s Day by Inspiring Inclusion

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This International Women’s Day, OCS takes pride in embracing the theme of “Inspiring Inclusion.”
Inclusion forms a crucial component of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,
underscoring our dedication to fostering a culture where all colleagues and partners receive
equitable treatment and access to opportunities.

At the heart of our mission to inspire inclusion lies our commitment to breaking gender barriers in
the traditionally male-dominated Facilities Management (FM) industry. Our focus extends beyond
mere inclusion; we strive to create an environment conducive to the growth and retention of
women professionals.

Woman making heart gesture for international women's day

As part of our International Women’s Day initiatives, OCS volunteers will visit two girls’ schools in Inner Birmingham and Tower Hamlets, contributing to our “Learn to Earn” apprenticeship scheme. The objective is to instil ambition in young girls preparing for their GCSEs, enlightening them about the abundant career opportunities within FM. Furthermore, our aim is to educate them on the potential for social mobility and career progression within OCS.

Both schools are situated in areas grappling with high levels of deprivation indices, unemployment, and health inequalities. We hope to make a positive impact by dismantling barriers to entry for young women in the workforce, particularly within the facilities management sector. This initiative not only illuminates a clear and actionable path for young women but also empowers them to kickstart their careers while earning productively.

As we anticipate the promising outcomes of these visits on International Women’s Day, we remain steadfast in our commitment to championing, advocating for, and inspiring inclusion within our workplace

“Inspiring Inclusion is a powerful theme to spotlight this International Women’s Day. It advocates for a sustained, deliberate, and multi-pronged approach to making women feel welcome in the workplace. OCS is proud to embrace this strategy in building lasting and impactful careers for women in the facilities management industry. Initiatives like this aim to provide empowerment and kickstart young women’s careers.”

Val Dale

Group Chief People Officer

Cultivating Leadership Excellence at OCS with The Alchemist programme

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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.

Rapid Growth Expected to Double Revenue Figures: Interview with Daniel Dickson

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Our Chief Executive Officer for the UK and Ireland, Daniel Dickson was spotlighted in the latest issue of FM Director magazine, a magazine exclusively for industry leaders in the FM sector.  

In this insightful interview, Dickson traces his career trajectory, beginning with his early days in chartered accountancy and culminating in his current position at the helm of our operations in the UK and Ireland. His journey mirrors a compelling narrative of dedication, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to excellence. 

Our ambition is to double the size of the business over the next five years, and I think we’ve got a fantastic opportunity to make that happen.

Daniel Dickson

CEO, OCS UK and Ireland

The interview delves into the pivotal merger of Atalian Servest and OCS in March 2023, a transformative event that reshaped the landscape of our organisation into the newly forged OCS brand. Subsequently, with the strategic acquisition of businesses such as Accuro and Profile Security, Dickson has demonstrated a sharp focus on leveraging mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as indispensable tools for fortifying our business.

The FM Director Magazine’s feature provides a rare glimpse into the mind of a visionary leader whose insights and experiences shape the trajectory of our company in the dynamic FM sector. Read the full interview from page 34.

Navigating Future Success: Exploring Career Pathways in Facilities Management

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Embarking on the journey of shaping your career path can be both exhilarating and daunting.

If you’ve ever found yourself navigating the maze of career options, and feeling the frustration of uncertainty, you’re not alone. In an ever-evolving job market, how can you fit in? Perhaps everyone around you has been asking you, “So what’s next for you?” We can help illuminate a path to your future, whether or not you have an answer to that question.

Education sector facilities management

Who are we?   

Here’s our elevator pitch: We’re a global facilities services business with over 8,000 customers and 120,000 colleagues across the UK, Europe, APAC and Middle East. Our services include cleaning, catering, pest control, security, hard services, and private and public sector facilities management. Guided by our TRUE Values, we’re on a mission to make people and places the best they can be, becoming the best facilities services business globally.   

But if you’re interested in the longer version, you can learn more about our history, from our humble beginnings in 1900 as a window cleaning company armed with only a ladder, a pail, and a pushcart.   

Now, you might be thinking: “What is facilities management?” Let’s break it down for you. Say you’ve decided to take a day trip to Richmond Park for a bit of fresh air and serenity or you’re live at Etihad Stadium watching Erling Haaland break records for Manchester City; those might seem like two different settings, but we have had a hand in both. We offer a range of services to a diverse customer base to keep their businesses running as best as they can. This can mean diligently trimming hedges at a royal park or providing your favourite footballer with an energy-fuelling meal.   

To summarise, facilities management is all the behind-the-scenes work that makes businesses and infrastructure perform at their optimum.   

Now that you have a picture of the industry and OCS, you might be wondering where you fit in. A lot of important work goes into making people and places their best which means you have many options. Here is what you can do if:   

Group of diverse young people smiling wearing OCS logo polo shirts.

You are passionate about the environment  

OCS has committed to achieving a net zero carbon target by 2040. With big commitments like this and our vast customer base, you can be part of the efforts to help many organisations improve their energy and environmental practices and make this world a greener place for generations to come. This could see you becoming an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Director, where you forge strategies and policies to make the organisation and our customers’ businesses more sustainable.   

To work your way up to that role you might first study Maths, Chemistry and Physics for A Levels then study Environmental Engineering or a similar university course, after, you might start in our Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE) department as an assistant and work your way up within the company. If you’re looking for some inspiration, you can hear from our current ESG Director, Jacky So, on his journey into the role here.  

You have a creative flair   

If you’re a natural-born storyteller, whether you’re a wordsmith blazing through your English essays or you look forward to your art classes where your imaginations come alive when pencil hits paper, OCS has a place for you in our ever-expanding Marketing and Communications department. To join this department, you might take a more traditional path and continue to explore your creative side with A Levels in Media Studies, English and Art, then study anything from Illustration to Creative Writing to a Business Administration and Marketing course at university.   

Or you can take an alternative route and build a portfolio of visual and written work and hone your skills in your chosen area. You can then find yourself working as one of our graphic designers or content writers, helping tell the story of OCS in exciting and compelling ways.  

You love to crunch numbers  

There’s a wide range of career options for you to explore with us if you love numbers. As an accountant or analyst, you can play a crucial role in helping OCS manage its cash flow and evaluate financial performance. You’d start by taking subjects like Maths, Economics and Business Studies at A Levels then go on to study Business or Accounting at university and before you know it, you’d be perched in one of our offices helping us make smart money moves.  

You’re not quite sure university is for you   

If you’re not sure higher education is the path you want to take but still want a fulfilling career, OCS has many pathways for you where you’d care for important spaces, upskill through training and apprenticeships and lead teams to success without needing a degree. For example, you could become one of our invaluable security managers – leading a team of security officers and ensuring safety standards and protocols are met or join our Talent Sourcing team and help build the OCS community.  

These are only a select few routes through which you can join O.C.S. There are still so many other routes you can explore to join the world of Facilities Management, explore our careers page to see what other options might be out there for you. 

OCS’s Sustainable Makeover of Lakeview Café in Partnership with RAW

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Angel Hill, the catering arm of OCS, is pleased to have assisted Worcestershire County Council in rejuvenating one of its establishments, Lakeview Café, through a sustainable approach to refurbishment. 

With a mission to make people and places the best they can be, we continually seek innovative methods to advance sustainability and social enterprise in all our operations. Upon discovering the commendable work of RAW, we immediately recognised the tremendous value they bring. 

RAW is a compelling initiative that places dedication to sustainability and social value at the core of its operations. As a furniture-making and woodworking organisation, they identified and actively addressed the waste generated by the industry, while simultaneously empowering individuals. To date, they have generated over 50,000 hours of social impact and have collected 715.5 tonnes of reclaimed wood. Three-quarters of RAW’s workforce have come from diverse backgrounds, including individuals with histories of offending behaviour, addiction, or homelessness, demonstrating that excellence knows no bounds. .

In collaboration with RAW, we initiated a plan to refurbish the cafe’s interior using pre-used furniture. Our partnership ensured that the cafe did not compromise on quality or aesthetic branding benefits. All 80 chairs utilised in the refurbishment were from the previous cafe. Approximately half of the tables were recycled, sandblasted, and repainted, leaving no room for wastage. Additionally, the refurbishment featured tables made from recycled plastic, transforming bottles and waste plastic into functional pieces. 

The outcome is a visually appealing environment with a unified design, providing the local community with a space to connect, relax, and savour nourishing food. They can rest assured that their local council, in collaboration with OCS, is consistently working towards environmentally friendly solutions and empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds, thereby avoiding further harm to the environment. 

OCS Named as Supplier for RM6331 Healthcare Soft Facilities Management Services

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20th February 2024: Leading facilities management (FM) service provider, OCS, has been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) RM6331 Healthcare Soft Facilities Management Services agreement, strengthening its position in the public sector for its FM offering to the healthcare industry.

This supports its ambitious plans announced earlier this month; to become one of the leading forces in the FM market, bolstered by its commitment to deliver integrated, high-quality facility management solutions.

OCS services available through the Healthcare Soft FM Framework include Cleaning, Catering and Bundled Soft FM (e.g. Security Services, Portering and Logistics, Waste Services, Grounds Maintenance, Linen and Laundry, etc.). Whilst OCS already has a large footprint in the healthcare industry, the Framework helps reinforce its position, as the company will be competing for call-off contracts amongst other major FM leaders.

This means public sector buyers looking to enter into a contractual relationship with OCS can trust that they are working with a verified supplier that delivers high-quality, cost-effective service with the additional assurance that they are making actionable improvements in ESG.

Being named on the CCS Framework for RM6331 Healthcare Soft FM Services further establishes our market position in the public sector as a best-in-class facilities management solutions provider.

We look forward to building relationships with the healthcare providers that choose us as their service delivery partner, leveraging our expertise to fulfil their business needs and improve efficiencies across facilities management.

This will be achieved by combining technology, innovation, and collaboration in our approach to FM, whilst applying the most appropriate methodologies and best practices in compliance with standards outlined by NHS England and other professional associations within the industry.

Daniel Dickson

UK and Ireland Chief Executive Officer

Crown Commercial Service supports the public sector to achieve maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services. In 2022/23, CCS helped the public sector to achieve commercial benefits equal to £3.8 billion – supporting world-class public services that offer best value for taxpayers.

Services included in this story

Fore-ward Thinking: Security Swings into Support NIHE Charity Golf Day!

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When asked by our customer, Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), last summer to take part in an upcoming Charity Golf Day our security team were thrilled to support. OCS provide security services at NIHE sites across Northern Ireland and has become a trusted partner, as such, we knew we wanted to sponsor the event in aid of Age NI.

Every two years, the NIHE’s fundraising committee selects a chosen charity to support through fundraising events within the organisation, and for 2023/24 and 2024/25 their chosen charity is Age NI – a leading charity in Northern Ireland dedicated to improving the quality of life for older citizens, fostering a society where we can all thrive as we age.

In attendance from the OCS team were Vincent Galvin, Key Account Manager and Alan Kelly, Security Operations Manager who managed to dig out the clubs from the back of the shed and dust them off. They certainly looked the part and helped raise much-needed funds for Age NI, but the less said about their performance, the better.

We thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this event and supporting our partner NIHE.  Collectively we managed to raise a total of £8,260 for Age NI through the event.

It is truly gratifying to be able to support our customers in their efforts to boost social and charitable initiatives within their local communities. Events like these are integral to our own commitments to social value and community empowerment

We are delighted to be able to support Age NI and all of the important work that they do across Northern Ireland.

I would like to thank everyone who donated and got involved in our fundraising, and also the fundraising committee and the colleagues who were involved in organising these fundraising activities.

Grainia Long

Chief Executive

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be. This means supporting our customers by delivering the best services possible but also helping them achieve their wider Environmental, Social and Governance goals.

Age NI is a fantastic charity that is essential for the older community in NI and OCS was privileged to support this event.

Aine Mulcahy

Managing Director OCS Ireland

Promoting Social Mobility at Clarence House with People into Work Scheme

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In an esteemed visit to the Clarence House, hosted by Her Majesty Queen Camilla, in celebration of The Poppy Factory’s centenary, OCS was invited to join The Queen in celebrating the brilliant work of the Poppy Factory. Reflecting our collaborative efforts with the charity, we were granted two places—an exceptional gesture, considering most organisations receive only one. Present at the event were Toni-Marie Vaughan, Head of Social Mobility, and Tony Crilly, People Director for the UK & Ireland. 

The Poppy Factory, a prominent employment charity, focuses on reintegrating veterans into the workforce after their military service. The veterans they assist often face formidable challenges within the Armed Forces community, contending with complex mental and physical health conditions compounded by issues such as homelessness and addiction. 

Toni Marie in conversation with HRH Camilla

OCS takes immense pride in its partnership with this significant organisation through the ‘People into Work’ program. Launched in 2019, this initiative has evolved through insights gathered from our operational teams, strategic partners, and candidates, allowing us to maximise our social value impact. 

Since its inception, the People into Work program has facilitated the employment of 176 individuals. By actively hiring people with various barriers to employment, the program empowers them and contributes to our work culture by promoting diverse experiences, fostering inclusivity, and championing diversity. 

Tony Crilly in conversation with HRH Camilla

We are profoundly honoured to have received an invitation to such a pivotal and momentous occasion. Our commitment to supporting The Poppy Factory’s work aligns with our dedication to advancing social mobility in the UK for our former servicemen. 

Kickstarting Electrical and Hard Services Careers With OCS Modern Apprenticeships

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Mike Stark, Director of Data and Networks, sat down to discuss the benefits of completing an OCS Hard Service Modern Apprenticeship on the SELECT-Trade Association for Electrical Contracting Industry Scotland Podcast.

Our apprentices expand their knowledge through their learning and are supported to start a rewarding career in a variety of specialisms. The apprenticeships encompass a wide range of skill development such as: Electrical, Heating and Ventilation, Data Cabling, Service and Maintenance, and Plumbing, gaining hands on skills in and outside the classroom.

It’s the career, it’s the opportunities it can give you in life. After going through the last 4 years, I can honestly say I enjoy it.

Josh

Hard Service Apprentice

In the podcast, Josh share his journeys of completing the four year Electrical Apprenticeship course and explains how he has overcome challenges and ended up enjoying the career path he is on. Mike emphasised our commitment to supporting and nurturing the apprentices careers and how important it is to not discount yourself from a successful career in Hard Services.

Our industry needs electricians. We’re here to support. We want them to be successful. It’s about encouraging them and ensuring they learn.

Mike Stark

Director of Data and Networks

Find out more or apply