Sara Bean
Verified
Freelance Journalist & Editor - interested in workplace wellbeing, including built environment, employee/employer relations, H&S and green issues
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Articles by Sara Bean
One in five employees are less supported in the office reveals latest Leesman report
Leesman latest report, ‘Big Questions’ has found that the one in five employees with a disability, long-term health condition, mental health difficulty or neurodivergence are less well supported, with only 50 per cent saying the office lets them work productively, against 67 per cent of colleagues.
IWFM announces largest cohort yet of recipients of the Deborah Rowland Scholarship
The recipients of the 2026 Deborah Rowland Scholarship were announced at a ceremony held at Sodexo’s London head office on 30 September, marking the largest cohort since the programme launched. Now in its third year, the scholarship provides fully funded IWFM-regulated qualifications at Levels 2, 3, 4 and 5, supporting emerging talent into the facilities management profession.
Latest Exhibitor Insights
Our exhibitors are busy getting ready for the show. In this latest update we reveal their latest plans, with links to the stands for more information on each of the exhibitors listed. The Office Management Group STAND D23 Come and meet The Office Management Group and get a live look at OMOS – the Office Management Operating System.
Amey’s careers opportunities increase for next generation of infrastructure talent
Amey has welcomed more than 180 graduates, apprentices, degree apprentices and placement students as part of its continued investment in developing the next generation of infrastructure talent. The intake reflects the continued growth of Amey’s Early Careers programme, with increased opportunities across a range of disciplines and a particular rise in technical roles such as engineering. The new starters join a wider Early Careers community of more than 550 colleagues across the business.
Pinnacle Group appointed to Government Commercial Agency’s FM framework
Pinnacle Group has been appointed to the Government Commercial Agency’s (GCA) Facilities Management and Security Services Framework, strengthening its position as a trusted partner delivering facilities management, housing and neighbourhood services nationwide. The framework provides public sector organisations with a compliant route to procure a broad range of facilities management services to vital community infrastructure across the UK.
ISS extends North American partnership with key account customer
ISS has extended and expanded its partnership with a key account customer in North America. The expanded scope of the agreement has an annual value of approximately DKK 150 million. With the expansion, ISS will provide a broader range of integrated facility services across the customer’s sites, including selected technical services.
Rentokil has been named Pest Business of the Year at the National Pest Awards 2026
Rentokil Pest Control has been named Pest Business of the Year at the 2026 National Pest Awards, the highest accolade awarded at an event that celebrates the people and businesses driving excellence across the UK pest control industry. The National Pest Awards are the centrepiece of the pest industry calendar and recognise those who have excelled in pest control across the UK.
Untapped solar deployment could increase UK renewable energy production and power the UK to net zero
The UK’s untapped commercial rooftops could become a major new source of solar energy generation with enough output to match that of 20 Hinkley Point C nuclear power stations. This is according to a new report, commissioned by Real Estate:UK, in partnership with Forsters and Push Power Ltd, and authored by Cushman & Wakefield, which reveals that less than 10 per cent of suitable commercial building roof space has been utilised for solar generation to date, providing just 3-5GW of solar capacity.
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust announces redevelopment partnership with One Retail
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has partnered with One Retail, the retail sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland, as part of a major redevelopment programme at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E), Wonford. The hospital is the largest within the Trust, where acute clinical services are based, including an Emergency Department and a number of highly acclaimed specialist units and centres.
TfL unveils fresh plan to make the capital’s transport services more resilient, reliable and sustainable
Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled its updated Corporate Environment Plan, which aims to make the capital’s transport services more resilient, reliable and sustainable. The plan sets out how TfL will take action to improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions, adapt to climate change, enhance biodiversity, and use resources more sustainably across one of the world’s largest integrated transport networks.
Inter County Service Group announced as Northampton Saints’ official cleaning service partner
Northampton Saints has announced a new partnership with Inter County Service Group, who join the Club as its official cleaning service partner ahead of the 2026/27 season. Inter County delivers contract cleaning, waste management, washroom hygiene services and janitorial supplies to offices, schools, warehouses, healthcare sites and retail spaces across Northamptonshire and beyond.
Westminster City Council and Connect Property in a new integrated property management partnership
Westminster City Council has appointed Connect Property to deliver its Temporary Accommodation Property Management, Repairs & Maintenance and Compliance Services Contract, on a contract of 2 + 1 + 1 years. The appointment follows a competitive procurement process under the Procurement Act 2023 and forms part of the council’s ongoing work to ensure residents in temporary accommodation receive safe, reliable and well-managed services.
NHS Property Services supports delivery of new Battersea Health Centre
A new purpose-built health centre has opened in London’s Sleaford Street, providing modern NHS estate for GP and community healthcare services for people living in Nine Elms, Battersea and the surrounding area. NHS Property Services worked with NHS South West London, Wandsworth Council, Battersea Power Station, Peabody and Battersea Fields Practice to deliver the health centre.
B2B technology marketing leader Clarinda Dobbelaar appointed Planon Chief Marketing Officer
Planon has announced the appointment of Clarinda Dobbelaar as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) to lead Planon’s global marketing organisation and contribute to advancing the company’s growth strategy and market leadership position. Clarinda Dobbelaar brings more than 20 years of experience in B2B technology marketing, sales and portfolio management.
Cleanology celebrates becoming a B Corp and gaining an EcoVadis silver medal
Cleanology has become what is thought to be the first UK commercial cleaning company to become a B Corporation and holder of an EcoVadis silver medal. Verified by B Lab, the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement, the achievement demonstrates that Cleanology meets high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability alongside a commitment to goals beyond shareholder value.
G4S to provide FM services at new Sizewell C nuclear power station
G4S has been awarded a major contract to provide facilities management at Sizewell C, the new 3.2GW nuclear power station under construction on the Suffolk coast. The 10-year agreement, which includes an option to extend for a further two years, is currently in its mobilisation phase and will go live later this year with an initial team of around 150 employees. At peak construction activity, G4S will scale its dedicated facilities management workforce up to 400 professionals.
Polyteck appointed one of the key contractors on £725m ‘Procurement for Housing’ repairs framework
Polyteck has strengthened its position in the social housing sector after being appointed to five lots on Procurement for Housing’s (PfH) Responsive Repairs, Disrepair Works and Void Services Framework. The framework has an estimated total value of £725 million across 11 lots and provides housing associations, local authorities and other organisations managing social housing portfolios with an established and compliant route to procure repairs, void property and disrepair services.
Cleaning, hygiene and catering distributor Sybron announces B Corp status
Sybron, a leading supplier to some of the largest names in UK hospitality has announced its certification as a B Corporation (B Corp™), making the company the UK’s largest B Corp certified. Certification as a B Corp sees Sybron join a growing movement of companies that are reinventing business for the benefit of all people and our shared planet.
GMI Construction Group builds public sector portfolio with four places on Crescent Construction Framework
GMI Construction Group has secured places on all four lots it bid for under the new Crescent Construction framework, strengthening its ability to deliver public-sector projects across the Midlands and North of England. The appointments cover two NEC4 contract routes in each region, NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract with Professional Services Contract and NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract with Design and Build.
The O2 appoints Recorra to help maximise recycling across the entertainment venue
Commercial waste and recycling company Recorra has been appointed as the waste and recycling partner for The O2, one of the world’s most iconic entertainment venues. The contract commenced on 2 July 2026 and sees Recorra delivering a comprehensive range of waste and recycling services across The O2’s AEG-managed areas. A key focus of the partnership will be maximising the value recovered from The O2’s recyclable materials, including dry mixed recycling, food waste, plastics, and compostables.
University heat pump project delivers £2m in decarbonisation savings
Birmingham City University has replaced the gas heating in its School of Health Sciences with heat pumps, as part of a wider £3.3 million decarbonisation programme across the university’s estate. Delivered by principal contractor SHEco Renewable Systems in collaboration with wholesaler, Kooltech and heat pump manufacturer, Mitsubishi Electric, a two-month value-engineering process identified £2 million of savings for the university, while fully meeting the building’s requirements.
GPA announces crucial step forward in delivering a new Civil Service office space in Darlington
The Government Property Agency (GPA) has taken an important step forward in delivering a new Civil Service office space in Darlington. Approximately 800 tonnes of steel are now being installed at the site of the Brunswick Street Government Hub, which will become the permanent home of the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC). The steel structure will form the frame of the building, with installation set to be completed in October this year.
BESA awards 2026 puts special emphasis on youth education
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has announced its Industry Awards shortlist which places a special emphasis on youth education this year. The awards, which comprise 21 categories, reward individuals, teams, and companies responsible for delivering projects, products, innovations, and initiatives that demonstrate excellence in all aspects of building services engineering.
G4S Secure Solutions UK has won back a comprehensive security services contract with Coventry University. The multi-site agreement combines student mental health support, full parking management, and eco-friendly technology across Coventry and satellite campuses. The five-year partnership will see a team of approximately 100 protection colleagues deliver services ranging from mental health first-aid to managing car parking at the leading educational institution.
Zehnder Group UK appoints Neil Atkins as Framework and Distribution National Sales Manager
Indoor climate specialist Zehnder Group UK has announced the appointment of Neil Atkins as its new Framework & Distribution National Sales Manager. In his new role, Atkins will be responsible for leading Zehnder’s Framework & Distribution sales strategy, strengthening relationships with key customers, designers, developers, and partners, while supporting growth across the business.
Vert Projects appointed as main contractor for transformation of art deco landmark
The £22 million transformation of the rebranded Carreras building, an art deco landmark at London’s Mornington Crescent has begun with the appointment of main contractor Vert Projects. The building, previously known as Greater London House, takes its new name from its original use as the Carreras ‘Black Cat’ factory from 1928 to 1958.
CHAS Elite Accreditation for Core Maintenance Services
Core Maintenance Services, the specialist provider of mechanical and electrical maintenance services, has achieved CHAS Elite accreditation, the highest level available through the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme. The accreditation provides clients with independent assurance of the company’s health and safety, compliance and risk management standards, while reducing the prequalification burden for new contract opportunities.
New platform delivers faster more responsive housing repairs to Southampton City Council
Southampton City Council has selected Totalmobile’s Field First platform to modernise its housing repairs service, bringing repairs management, workforce scheduling and operational performance together to support a faster, more accountable service for residents. The investment comes as housing providers face increasing expectations around service quality, transparency and accountability.
AI-empowered screening deployed by Bidvest Noonan at The Lookout
Bidvest Noonan has introduced AI-empowered screening at The Lookout, a public viewing gallery located within one of the UK’s most advanced buildings in the City of London. The deployment, delivered in partnership with Xonar, features Xonar’s TruePort AI-powered walk-through weapons detection system, the first deployment of its kind in a publicly accessible space in the UK. TruePort has been integrated into Bidvest Noonan’s security operation at the venue.
Construction demand remains resilient, but projects are slow to progress to site
Demand remains healthy across the construction sector, but lengthy approval processes, affordability pressures and commercial uncertainty are slowing the delivery of projects to site.
IWSA launches new industry awards to celebrate excellence across the washroom sector
The Independent Washroom Services Association (IWSA) is launching its inaugural industry awards in partnership with the prestigious Loo of the Year Awards, recognising excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement of its members across the UK’s washroom sector. The six new IWSA Awards will be presented for the first time during the next annual Loo of the Year Awards ceremony, which takes place on Wednesday January 13 2027 at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham.
VIVO completes military accommodation retrofit project at RAF St Mawgan
A pioneering decarbonisation retrofit by VIVO Defence Services has been completed – demonstrating that ageing military accommodation can be modernised in less than half the time and at around a third of the cost of a comparable new-build project. In 2024, RAF St Mawgan faced a shortage of single living accommodation (SLA), and the 50-year-old Baker Block no longer met the performance standards needed to support the government’s energy efficiency ambitions.
ISS reports strong financial results for first half of this year
ISS has reported positive financial results for the first half of 2026, aided by a continued strategic focus on extension of customer contracts up for renewal which resulted in a retention rate of 95 per cent. Organic growth was 8.9 per cent in the second quarter of this year mainly driven by contract wins, project work and volume growth with existing customers.
Cybersecurity expert KnowBe4 celebrates anniversary with sustainability initiatives
Digital workforce security provider KnowBe4 will be sponsoring 16 families of coral and adopting 16 beehives to celebrate the organisation’s 16th anniversary. Continuing its broader commitment to support and care for the environment, Knowbe4 will celebrate its anniversary by sponsoring 16 distinct taxonomic families of highly diverse and ecologically important reef-building coral.
University of Brighton awards three-year waste contract to Grundon
Waste specialist Grundon has been awarded a three-year waste management contract with the University of Brighton. A drive to promote a zero-waste culture saw the university, which boasts a community of around 17,000 students and over 2,000 staff across three campuses, put its waste contract out to tender earlier this year. Ella Pearce, Client Engagement & Strategy Manager at Grundon, says a combination of innovative ideas and understanding the university’s waste data helped win the contract.
VINCI Group UK reports positive results despite challenges in Building and Facilities
VINCI Construction Holding Limited, UK division of VINCI Construction, which encompasses Eurovia, Ringway, Taylor Woodrow, VINCI Building, VINCI Facilities and FM Conway have posted positive results for the year 2025, with a group pretax profit of £96.7 million, +51.1 on the 2024 pretax of £63.9 million.
AI companies one of the fastest growing prime office occupiers
Savills H1 ‘Market Makers’ report reveals that AI companies are emerging as one of the fastest-growing occupier groups in the prime global office market. AI companies accounted for 17 per cent of all prime technology sector deals in H1 2026, up from 3 per cent just two years ago in H1 2024. Savills says that every single deal by an AI business in H1 2026 was expansionary, reflecting the sector’s rapid growth, significant capital investment and the accelerating demand for talent.
HSE to help deliver regulatory clarity for cobots in the workplace
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) are working together, along with government and industry, to support the safe and responsible adoption of robotics in the workplace. The project, launched today during London Tech Week, has been co-designed with industry to give companies clarity on regulatory requirements, and support businesses to increase the use of robotics.
Thermatic to provide critical support for Bradford Hospitals
Facilities management company, Thermatic, is to play a critical role in maintaining healthcare ventilation systems in Bradford’s hospitals. The contract with Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust sees Thermatic delivering planned preventative maintenance and reactive support across the Trust’s three hospitals to minimise downtime across its theatres and ensure systems across the board meet vital compliance standards.
Compass ‘Classroom to Careers’ programme aims to help young people into meaningful work
Compass Group UK & Ireland has launched its Classroom to Careers programme to help young people develop the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to progress into sustainable and meaningful employment. This is part of its social mobility strategy – Our Social Promise, which is striving to positively impact one million lives by 2030.
Adler & Allan acquire environmental land remediation specialists Vertase
Adler & Allan, the leading UK provider of integrated environmental risk reduction services backed by Goldman Sachs, has acquired market-leading contaminated land remediation and enabling specialists, Vertase. The acquisition significantly strengthens Adler & Allan’s contaminated land remediation capabilities, enhancing the service delivered to existing clients while expanding its reach into new sectors and customer bases.
BCIA warns non-domestic buildings risk being overlooked in decarbonisation drive
Commercial and public buildings risk being left behind in the UK’s transition to net zero despite more than £40bn of funding, investment and policy support being directed towards building decarbonisation, according to the latest Policy Pulse report from the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA). The new report highlights a wave of fresh funding commitments, regulatory reforms and performance standards designed to improve building efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Nathalie Kenning promoted to Associate at Jasper Sanders + Partners & new designer Josie Robertson joins
Jasper Sanders + Partners has announced the promotion of Nathalie Kenning, formerly Lead Interior Designer, to Company Associate, as well as the appointment of a new team member, Junior Designer Josie Robertson. Nathalie Kenning has been with the company since 2021, joining directly after graduation from Leeds Beckett University. Since then, she has become an integral member of the studio, recognised for both her design talent and her calm, thoughtful approach to projects and the wider business.
BM Caterers awarded a prestigious Silver Medal by EcoVadis
BM Caterers has been recognised amongst the top 10 per cent of companies by EcoVadis in recognition of its continued commitment to sustainability, ethical business practices and responsible operations. The independent assessment saw BM Caterers achieve a score of 75 points, marking an improvement on last year’s performance and placing the business in the top 10% of companies assessed globally over the past 12 months.
UK plastics capacity falls while councils are being asked to recycle more
Britain risks collecting more plastic for recycling than it can process domestically unless urgent action is taken to rebuild UK recycling infrastructure, according to a new independent report published by resource recovery and recycling specialist Viridor.
Amey to support defence housing reform with energy‑saving technology pilot
Amey has launched a pilot of smart energy optimisation technology across military housing, to support the UK Government’s wider Defence Housing Strategy and its ambition to modernise accommodation, improve living standards and deliver better long-term value across the estate.
14forty secures five-year integrated FM contract with Valeo Foods
Integrated facilities management provider 14forty has secured a five-year contract with leading international food manufacturer Valeo Foods, supporting the business in enhancing employee experience and operational performance through improved workplace services and facilities management. The partnership will see 14forty deliver a full range of soft FM services across three Valeo Foods’ manufacturing and office sites in the UK and Ireland.
Poor data quality and fragmented record is impacting compliance across lift and escalator assets
A lack of reliable data and inconsistent record keeping across lift and escalator assets could be hindering sustainability progress and safety compliance, new research suggests. The research, commissioned by PEW Electrical, found that nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of facilities managers believe carbon data relating to lifts and escalators to be limited or unreliable.
UK data centre demand is coming up against a limited pool of capacity, warns Savills
The UK’s data centre vacancy rate has compressed sharply in the last decade, from 27 per cent in 2016 to 8 per cent in Q1 2026, with London’s vacancy rate currently even lower at just 7 per cent according to Savills. A record amount of capacity – 217MW – took space across the country in 2025, up from 212MW in 2024, with 96MW taken in the final quarter of 2025 alone.
BCC initiative invites primary schools to take part in targeted hygiene pilot project
Primary schools and trusts across the UK are being invited to express interest in potentially taking part in a pilot project starting in the Autumn term which aims to reduce absence rates using targeted hygiene.
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