Stuart O'Brien, Author at Facilities Management Forum | Forum Events Ltd - Page 8 of 87
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Stuart O'Brien

Manufacturer renews water partnership following continued excellent service from trusted experts Water Plus
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A manufacturer with a base in Scotland has renewed their water partnership for five years with Water Plus.

SEH Europe provides the UK, European and global semiconductor market with silicon wafer products including 150mm and 200mm Polished Wafer and Epitaxial Wafer and are based in Livingston, Scotland.

The company also tracks its water use at the site through a data logger, providing online information on water use. It also has a Combined Cooling Heating Power Plant (CCHP), generating all the energy needed in their operation at the Scotland site.

Robert Crail, Principal Engineer at manufacturer SEH Europe (Shin-Etsu Handotai Europe Ltd), said: “Water Plus is easy to deal with, responding to any queries I have in a fast and efficient manner and gives me an excellent level of service. Because of this I was more than happy to renew our contract for water services for the next 5 years. This allows me to forecast costs and work with Water Plus in the longer term, addressing any needs we might have, with regard to our water use and effluent discharge.”

Helen Murphy, Key Account Manager with Water Plus – who is based in Scotland and works with Robert and the company, said: “SEH Europe has been with Water Plus a number of years and know they get the knowledge, expertise and value through their water partnership with Water Plus, so it’s great we’re continuing our work together.”

SEH Europe is part of an alliance dedicated to corporate social responsibility in supply chains and has committed to Net Zero by 2050.

Water Plus, which has a base in Glasgow and one in Staffordshire, provides water and wastewater billing and customer service, along with a range of technical water services and information around water efficiency, for organisations of all sizes across England and Scotland. In March 2023 it’s won a UK Customer Satisfaction Award in the Sustainable Customer Service category, including for its work with organisations around their water use and awareness raising. It was also shortlisted for three Water Industry Awards in 2022, including Water Retailer of the Year and Water Efficiency Project of the Year.

Water Plus also won two National Sustainability awards in October 2022, including one for Water Reduction approaches around water efficiency work and awareness-raising – and won four Green Apple Environment Awards in November 2022, including Gold for Water Management.

To partner with Water Plus for your water and wastewater, contact hello@water-plus.co.uk.

More information – and examples – of how Water Plus is helping organisations, is available at: https://www.water-plus.co.uk/about-us and more tips to #BeWiseOnWater , increase efficiency and reducing risks to operation can be found here and here.

FM software a priority for 2023? The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is here to help!
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If you’re looking for new FM software providers for your building, venue, school or company, the FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is home to dozens of trusted partners ready to help make your project a reality!

Put simply, there’s something to suit every requirement.

Start Your Search Now

Are you an FM supplier? Get listed!

The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is the perfect platform to raise your organisation’s profile and extend your reach.

Promoted via the FM Briefing newsletter, website and our renowned meet-the-buyer facilities events – this digital FM directory offers a comprehensive list of industry solution leaders.

Click Here To Get Listed!

Or, for more information, please contact Paige Aitken on 01992 374079 or p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk

Do you specialise in Total FM? We want to hear from you!
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Each month on FM Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the facilities management market – and in April we’ll be focussing on Total FM.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help FM industry buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you specialise in Total FM and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Paige Aitken on p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our full features list:

Apr – Total FM
May – Energy Management
Jun – Security
July – Air Conditioning
Aug – Waste Management
Sep – Asset Management
Oct – FM Software
Nov – Intruder & Alarm Systems
Dec – Fire & Safety Equipment
Jan 24 – Health & Safety
Feb 24 – Building Maintenance & Refurbishment
March 24 – Cleaning

Forum Events & Media bolsters senior team for 2023 and beyond
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Forum Events & Media, home of the FM Forum, Energy Management Summit, Total Security Summit and Care Forum, continues to grow in 2023 with the launch of a new Business Development department, which will strengthen the company’s existing portfolio of events while also enabling it to branch out into new sectors.

The unit is headed up by long-time Forum Events & Media employee Charlotte Russell (pictured), who will work alongside Managing Director Sarah Beall and Sales Director Carly Walker as the company nurtures its next generation of both events and talent.

Forum Events & Media’s hybrid events comprise highly-focused pre-agreed meetings powered by bespoke matchmaking software that brings professionals together one-to-one, in addition to offering interactive seminars and valuable networking opportunities.

With a 25-year track record that is second to none, the company is also endeavouring to empower those who are just beginning their career journeys, through its new and innovative Forum Apprentice initiative.

As part of the initiative members of staff are encouraged to suggest new event ideas and, if selected, will be mentored through the development process right through to launch.

Forum Apprentice is part of the company’s wider training and development programme, which sees senior members of staff to share their knowledge, helping others to understand the challenges and opportunities of the wider events industry, as well as the strategy and goals of the Forum Experience.

Sarah Beall, Managing Director at Forum Events & Media, said: “Moving into 2023 the business is focused on growth, so I’m delighted to have Charlotte driving us forward into new territory. Developing our staff is also a key priority. We are proud that we have many employees who have been with us for a decade or more, but we are also a ‘young’ company with many ‘early careers’ individuals joining our teams as we continue to grow. We want to ensure that all new starters see a career path within Forum Events and the wider events industry.”

Start Fresh campaign to encourage hiring of ex-offenders into FM roles
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One in three (30%) UK businesses in the private sector do not currently employ any ex-offenders, despite the majority (62%) saying they are struggling to fill positions and 43% finding it difficult to fill in excess of ten current vacancies.

That’s according to a new study commissioned by Sodexo, the food services and facilities management business which runs six UK prisons on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and Scottish Prison Service.

The study sought to understand the extent to which prison-leavers and ex-offenders who have not served custodial sentences have the same employment opportunities as other job seekers.

Launching the campaign ‘Starting Fresh’ today, the organisation is collaborating with partners including New Futures Network, The Oswin Project, Clean Sheet and Novus Works to help remove the perceived barriers associated with the employment of ex-offenders, which hold back the reintegration of people into communities.

Sodexo, which itself is a Ban the Box employer, commissioned research of 1,000 owners and senior leaders with hiring responsibilities across British businesses, finding nearly two thirds (61%) will be hiring ex-offenders in 2023, while 21%2  say they will not.

When asked about their greatest concerns, one quarter (25%) agreed they were worried employees would re-offend, and the same proportion agreed they feared for the safety of the rest of their workforce (25%). More than one in five (23%) agreed that they wouldn’t trust them to behave appropriately at work.

More positively, as the UK grapples with a talent shortage, many businesses this year said they are investing in training for their HR teams to ensure ex-offenders are supported in the company (40%). Almost half (46%) said that supporting their wider community was important during this time, and one of the reasons why they’d be hiring people with criminal records.

The research found a cross sample of industry leaders believed ex-offenders could help to fill shortages in specific areas such as food pickers and delivery drivers in farming (62%), and talent shortages in hospitality (57%).

When respondents were asked what might encourage them to hire ex-offenders, 22% suggested there should be a government initiative which incentivises businesses. A fifth (20%) suggested an initiative giving businesses a target for hiring ex-offenders, and 20% said a need to fill crucial skills gaps would force them to look at individuals with criminal records.

According to the UK government, though the proportion of prison-leavers who were employed at six months from their release rose by almost two thirds between April 2021 and March 2022 to 23% , this must improve.

Sodexo is itself committed to filling 5% of appropriate job opportunities with ex-offenders. During 2021 and 2022, the business had 162 DBS applications return as positive, 133 (82%) of these went on to gain employment.

The facilities management and food services company, which employs more than 30,000 people in the UK and Ireland, knows both from its own experience looking after a prison population of over 6,000 people across six prisons, with a commitment to rehabilitation, and as a proactive employer of ex-offenders, how critically important it is for both the individual and the wider community to support those with a criminal history.

Statistically, ex-offenders who get a job are less likely to re-offend, while 81% of consumers believe businesses employing ex-offenders are making a positive contribution to society.

Commenting on the findings and launch of Starting Fresh Tony Simpson, Justice Operations Director at Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “While not all ex-offenders are prison-leavers, an important aspect of this campaign is to help employers understand the quality of learning which takes place in prison. Nearly 50,000 people leave prison every year, many emerging with formal qualifications they didn’t have before.

“Prisoners at the sites we manage are prepared to be job-ready for the opportunities in the outside world, whether that be in IT support, cleaning, catering, hospitality or hairdressing and beauty.

“It can be a win-win situation because there is a huge skills shortage in many UK sectors, and we believe ex-offenders could absolutely help to plug some of these gaps, while providing a more stable and secure income, and a better future, for the individual.

“It’s positive to see the majority of businesses suggesting that they will employ from this largely untapped talent pool in 2023.

Starting Fresh is not just about helping employers understand the valued contribution ex-offenders can make to their business, but to also encourage them to proactively engage with our prisons and our partners to start the hiring process with prison-leavers.

“We have more to do, and we want to start new conversations about how we share our experience and learn from others as part of this campaign.”

Kate Nicholls OBE, CEO UK Hospitality added: “Most hospitality businesses cannot currently operate at full capacity due to ongoing labour shortages. Collectively, the industry is turning away £25 billion of potential revenue a year, with huge consequences for the Treasury. As such, hospitality employers cannot afford to turn their back on any talent pipeline that could provide vital resource. The issue is that employers don’t know how to access at scale the volume of recruits – prison leavers and other ex-offenders – potentially available to them. It’s great, therefore, to see Sodexo launch Starting Fresh which will really help demystify the process.”

To help businesses with the employment of ex-offenders, Sodexo has launched Starting Fresh, an online hub with resources for employers seeking to discover the underutilised community of people with criminal backgrounds and support them in the workplace, as well as case studies of what impact this has had on the companies and individuals involved.

Sodexo is also using this campaign to let employers know they are welcome to visit their prisons if they are interested in offering opportunities on release. Organisations with multiple job opportunities can even run employer days in the prisons.

FM Forum: Two days with the industry’s leading suppliers
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There’s a complimentary ticket waiting for you to attend the FM Forum, which takes place on 3rd-4th July – and here’s what you event itinerary could look like…

The Forum takes place over a day and a half & consists of 1-2-1 meetings with innovative suppliers to help with your upcoming plans, insightful seminar sessions and numerous opportunities to network with peers. Accommodation and all meals are also included.

“It was my first event like this and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was plenty of time allowance for networking and the allocated times for meeting each company was enough to keep things clear and precise” – Astrum MAT

Click here to confirm your attendance (booking form takes less than two minutes to complete).

AGENDA:

Day One
08:00 – 08:45: Registration
08:45 – 09:30: Opening Presentation
09:45 – 10:30: Seminar
10:40 – 13:15: Face to Face Meetings
13:15 – 14:15: Networking Buffet Lunch
14:15 – 16:50: Face to Face Meetings
17:00 – 17:45: Seminar
19:30 – 20:00: Pre-dinner drinks
20:00 – 23:30: Networking Dinner with entertainment

Day Two
07:00 – 08:30: Breakfast
09:00 – 09:45: Seminar
09:55 – 13:00: Face to Face Meetings
13:00 -14:00: Networking Buffet Lunch

To secure your complimentary place, please book here. Once booked, we will keep you updated monthly as the seminar content and supplier list develop.

Sustainability to Psychedelics: Science and technology trends in 2023
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What’s in store for research and development around the world? From super-apps, through psychedelic medicines, to metaverse and sustainable technology, 2023 has something for everyone. Here, tax incentive and innovation management advisers, ABGi take a look…

Super-apps

Super-app is a mobile or web application that allows for integration of multiple online services within one digital ecosystem. The term super-app was first used to describe WeChat, the hugely popular Chinese all-encompassing mobile application. Think of it as a Swiss knife with a range of built in smaller tools (mini-apps) that you can use and customise for different tasks.

2023 will see an increased interest in super-app solutions among developers and end users. This is expected in particular in the ‘west’, where there’s still no equivalent to the Chinese pioneering app. Walmart is reportedly developing a super-app for its workforce in order to create a single, streamlined experience for its employees and managers by replacing multiple vendor-supplier applications. For better or worse, Elon Musk has recently announced plans for his own super-app. It is likely that “‘X’, the everything app”, will have something to do with his acquisition of Twitter.

Psychedelic Medicines

Mental health issues are increasingly prevalent in contemporary societies and conventional medicine appear to have reached its limits in addressing them. The coming year could see a revolution in pharmaceutical industry through engagement with drugs long associated with hippy and party cultures. MDMA, Ketamine and Magic Mushrooms are currently in final stages of testing trials to treat various mental health conditions.

It is hoped that MDMA could be used in treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Ketamine is being tested to treat addiction related illnesses such as alcoholism. Finally, an active component of Magic Mushrooms – psilocybin – could be used for treatment-resistant cases of depression. Many researchers are hoping that 2023 will see first psychedelic-assisted therapies approved by regulatory bodies in the USA and the UK. It is likely that in the near future currently illegal substances might be prescribed to you by a doctor.

Metaverse

While it might have been recently popularised by Mark Zuckerberg, metaverse is much more than Facebook’s attempt to remain relevant. In a nutshell, metaverse allows people to replicate or even enhance their physical activities in a virtual reality world facilitated by headsets and smart glasses. The technology has been simmering under the global tech surface for a while but many industry specialists predict this year will be pivotal for both the users and developers. As the technology is increasingly becoming part of the public consciousness, we will be seeing more people joining in the fun with big brands hoping to start capitalising on their initial investments in various metaverses. 2023 will also see many smaller and mid-size businesses flocking to the virtual world to start new ventures and services.

Sustainable Technology

Driven by climate emergency and the war in Ukraine, the shift towards green and renewable solutions will only accelerate in 2023. Sustainable technology is a framework for digital solutions that can enable environmental, social and governance outcomes for businesses and customers. The framework adheres to circular economy principles by considering the environmental impacts throughout the entire life span of each product. It is expected that sustainable technology will not only incorporate well-established products but also create new avenues for tech development. In doing so the framework will also provide products and services that enable customers to meet their own sustainability goals.

Forum Events & Media receives B2B events accolade
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Forum Events & Media, home of the FM Forum, Energy Management Summit, Total Security Summit, the Occupational Health & Safety Forum and the Care Forum, has been named as the leading provider of Business Networking Events – UK for 2022 at the Business Concept B2B Awards.

The Business Concept launched the B2B Events Awards in 2021 to champion those involved in the B2B Event Management Sector who expedite Business to Business relationships in the UK and all over the world.

The Awards especially seek to recognise excellence in an industry that adapted so quickly in difficult circumstances during the pandemic, highlighting that “those involved in the B2B Sector are pioneers and delighted to embrace change”.

The B2B Events Awards cover all types of online and in person events and recognise those with the highest standards. To see the full list of winners and more information about the awards, visit https://www.thebusinessconcept.com/issues/b2b-event-awards-2022/.

Awards Co-Ordinator Laura O’Carroll, said: “I am proud to present our brand new B2B Event Awards programme this year. This arena is absolutely critical for business development, brand awareness, and the forging of strong relationships around the globe. I am also excited to see where our winners go to next within their careers. Congratulations!”

Sarah Beall, Managing Director at Forum Events & Media, said: “I’m so proud of our team and the for running such successful high-end events for their industry sectors, which cover everthing from Facilities Management and Security to eCommerce and Payments technology. To be awarded for the high standards of our face-to-face events is an amazing achievement and we are humbled to be recognised by our peers.”

Forum Events & Media continues to grow in 2023 with the launch of a new Dusiness Development department, which will look to strengthen the existing portfolio of events and also branch out into new sectors. All the company’s hybrid events comprise highly-focused pre-agreed meetings powered by bespoke matchmaking software that brings professionals together one-to-one, in addition to offering interactive seminars and valuable networking opportunities.

The format over one or two full working days ensures delegates will meet with credible solution providers who will be able to talk through requirements, concerns and obstacles, offering the best advice as well cost saving products.

For more information visit www.forumevents.co.uk.

SEA: ‘Technology agnostic’ approach required to achieve Net Zero buildings
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The Sustainable Energy Association (SEA) and Partners’ latest report details the benefits of a technology-agnostic approach to decarbonising buildings.

The SEA and Partners welcome the Government’s drive towards low-carbon heating systems in buildings as part of the Net-Zero agenda. The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement reinforced these commitments through the announcement of the Energy Efficiency Taskforce, delivering overdue reductions in energy demand, and an ambition to reduce energy consumption by 15% by 2030.

The recently released ‘Mission Zero: Independent Review of Net-Zero’, by former Energy Minister, Chris Skidmore MP, also provided a clear assessment of how Net-Zero policy needs to go further and faster.

The SEA states it has long advocated for a ‘fabric-first’, holistic approach to decarbonising buildings. The report brings together expertise from across the industry to explain why incorporating a diverse range of low-carbon technologies into heat and buildings policy is crucial to delivering Net Zero.

It says Government policy should be shaped to deploy the best technologies, in the right circumstances, for the best results—an evidence-led, data-driven, bottom-up and technology-agnostic route to Net Zero. Conversely, it also assesses how the Government’s current approach could be improved, drawing on existing examples from the UK, and from international policies, to drive a more agnostic approach.

The report explores the following primary benefits:

• Accelerated Route to Net-Zero Buildings: How technology agnosticism will target and channel investments into a variety of low-carbon technologies for decarbonising buildings at an accelerated rate, whilst maximising the benefits of healthy and cost-effective buildings.
• Flexible and Smart Building Energy Systems: How a technology-agnostic approach puts more emphasis on the installation of smart and flexible technologies to reduce the costs associated with operating buildings and transitioning to Net Zero.
• Effective Consumer Education and Engagement: How an outcomes-based approach to heat decarbonisation is more appropriate to what, where, and how low-carbon technologies are put forward and installed in buildings, marrying up consumer desires with effective solutions.
• High Quality Skills and Clear Local and National Planning: How a more agnostic approach benefits the transition by deploying tailored solutions using
the most relevant skills at a local level; primarily driven by bottom-up, evidence-based, building-level decision making that target outcomes over a one-size-fits-all approach.
• Stimulating Manufacturing, Supply Chains and Innovation: How this approach will help to stimulate the market and grow capacity for transitioning to Net Zero. As the investment landscape takes on a more concrete form, with clear pathways for industry to supply demand, manufacturing capabilities, product investment, and supply chain diversity and resilience will grow, benefitting the UK’s low-carbon economy.

The SEA’s ask is that if the Government is truly driven to capitalise on the best outcomes from the transition to Net Zero and deliver solutions for the country that match these desires, then policies covering the built environment need to be more data driven, evidence led, outcomes focused and technology agnostic.

Bim Afolami, MP, said: “The Sustainable Energy Association’s latest report emphasises the need for flexible, low carbon and smart technologies to be at the centre of home heat solutions. Our built environment is historically complex and diverse, so a range of interventions are needed across the domestic heat market. This report sets out the need for a variety of data-driven, market-led and bottom-up approaches to decarbonise construction, diversify supply, promote cost-efficiency and support delivery. The contributors to this report have done the legwork to demonstrate how this can be achieved in line with our mission to reach Net Zero by 2050.“

Jade Lewis, Chief Executive of the SEA, said: “The SEA is steadfast in its commitments to deliver living and working space fit for future generations. To help us realise this vision, government policy for heat and buildings needs to be long term and joined-up, taking a fabric-first, holistic and technology-agnostic approach. This report lays the foundations as to why these policies should take into consideration a wider range of technologies, so that we can provide homes and buildings with the best solutions for Net Zero.”

“At ABC, since 2019, we’ve been all about energy systems integration, whether that be in new build, retrofit, social housing to business parks. What is clear is that there is no one size fits all. To achieve better outcomes, we have learnt that it is vital there is an evidence-based approach to policy, regulation, and funding, and this report highlights this need too.”

Dan Cook, Chief Executive Officer, Active Building Centre, said: “The REA is delighted to support this report and a technology-agnostic approach to heat and buildings policy. The adoption of the most appropriate and effective low-carbon technologies will be accelerated by a technology-agnostic strategy, which will also produce the best results for building occupants without stifling innovation.”

Dr Nina Skorupska CBE FEI, Chief Executive Officer, Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technologies, said: “With 2050 fast approaching, the UK must use every tool and technology in its armoury to bring down our emissions. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ and a technologically agnostic approach will enable a wider, more suitably skilled, and better-qualified workforce to deliver the solutions we urgently need for decarbonisation.”

BPF calls for data-sharing to accelerate the decarbonisation of property industry
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The British Property Federation (BPF), in partnership with JLL, has released a report that identifies the key challenges the property sector faces as it decarbonises and provides a series of policy recommendations.

Access to data is a major challenge the research identifies, with property owners and occupiers referencing it as one of the top three challenges to decarbonising. A lack of quality data makes it difficult to calculate accurate operational carbon and set realistic carbon reduction targets.

Policy and regulatory uncertainty and a lack of financial incentives to support the retrofitting of buildings are hindering progress. Transitioning to net zero comes at considerable cost, and without robust evidence of a return on investment, many property owners lack the confidence to invest in major energy efficiency upgrades.

The report reveals that 9 in 10 senior leaders surveyed by the BPF and JLL do not believe current Government policy will deliver a net zero property sector by 2050.

To ensure the property sector can meet net zero targets the BPF has set out several essential policies. These include:

  1. Mandate the sharing of energy consumption data between property owners and occupiers of large commercial buildings, and set up a Task Force to explore the particular data challenges faced by owners of residential buildings
  2. Confirm urgently the detail of the planned changes to the MEES regulations for both the domestic and non-domestic private rented sectors, and the details of the proposed new performance-based energy rating system
  3. Zero rate VAT on residential repairs and maintenance and reform capital allowances to incentivise investment to decarbonise
  4. Move towards the mandatory installation of PV and/or green roofs on large residential, commercial and public buildings
  5. Strengthen the criteria for a green tariff label
  6. Allow Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to invest in off-site renewables
  7. Align, and resource, the planning system to enable the net zero transition
  8. Mandate the use and disclosure of Life Cycle Assessments, and set embodied carbon reduction targets

Melanie Leech, Chief Executive, British Property Federation, said:” “The property sector is fully committed to decarbonisation but there are huge barriers and costs to overcome. We need clear long-term policies, regulation and incentives to support the industry’s efforts.  We urge the Government to adopt the policy recommendations in this report and to work with us to make sure we can deliver a net zero built environment by 2050.”

Guy Grainger, President of BPF and Global Head of Sustainability Services & ESG at JLL, added: “There is no denying that the real estate industry is committed to net zero, with pledges being made at a global, national and local level, but these pledges need to be turned into credible action. Without clear incentives and regulation from Government we will continue to fall short of targets. The report highlights the insight we can garner when we collaborate and this collaboration, along with Government support is critical.”

The British Property Federation launched its Net Zero Pledge, an industry-wide initiative to cut carbon emissions across the whole of the property sector, last year. The BPF pledge is designed to complement and support wider sector and industry net zero initiatives. Members can sign-up to the pledge here.