It is our honour and privilege to support organisations that do invaluable work in our society. This month, we were glad to be able to donate 10,000 facemasks to enable The Children’s Society to continue its important work. The Children’s Society helps children to escape and recover from extremely challenging situations, giving them a new start in their lives.
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How data is reshaping the workplace
Data analytics is changing how we design, plan, manage and maintain workplaces. Data analytics provides a comprehensive and refined understanding of how workplaces are used, enabling managers and facilities teams to make better decisions.
Our report on how data is reshaping the workplace discusses:
- How working practices are changing
- Leveraging data analytics
- Data-driven service solutions
- Data enabling workplace sustainability
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Bidvest Noonan Appoints Microbiology Expert to support Life Sciences growth
Bidvest Noonan has recruited Tessa Rossi, a microbiologist with extensive research and laboratory experience, to enhance its support to its growing portfolio of life sciences clients.
Rossi previously served as Lead Research Scientist at Ophthalmica, a South African ophthalmic medical devices company, and as Quality Control Microbiology Analyst at a multi-national pharma leader.
In this newly created role, Rossi will contribute to the design of contamination control programs, procedures, and policies for
biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device manufacturing sites.
Bidvest Noonan works with life sciences companies to prevent biological, chemical or physical contamination during their manufacturing processes. The company has continuously invested in its GMP and GLP cleaning expertise to support these efforts. The appointment of Tessa Rossi bolsters the businesses expertise as it prepares to mobilise a number of new contracts in the sector.
Commenting on the appointment, Managing Director Cormac Sheils said, “I’m delighted to welcome Tessa to our team. We are proud to support companies that produce many of the world’s most important and ground-breaking medicines and biotechnologies. The work they do has never been more important. I know that Tessa will enable us to provide even greater support to them.”
Tessa Rossi said, “I’m excited to be part of the Bidvest Noonan team. I’m looking forward to working closely with my new colleagues to drive improvements for our portfolio of world-class life sciences companies. “
Lessons from three decades in our business
We are fortunate to have some incredible people in our business who are passionate about what we do. Having these people has been the key to our success. We do our utmost to keep our people happy and train them to become future leaders. One of these people is Tony Noonan.
Tony Noonan has been with Bidvest Noonan for 29 years. Tony has worked his way up through the business to become a Soft Services Manager.
Throughout his time here, Tony has not only developed his skills but has become a trailblazer. He has overseen some innovative projects that have benefited the business and our clients. Tony is a role model for those who aspire to forge a long and successful career and a perfect example of someone who lives our credo.
We recently asked Tony why he stayed, what he has learned, and what his experience brings to our business.
What has made you stay?
“The company recognised my potential from early on and gave me plenty of opportunities to progress. This was important to me. As a family man with a wife and three children, Bidvest Noonan offered me the stability and assurance to provide for my family.
Over the years I have built up strong relationships with many people across the business. A lot of these colleagues have become lifelong personal friends of mine and have contributed to my stay here.”
What have you learned along the way?
“I have learned many things since joining the business, but I believe that getting the basics right, having patience in everything you do, and building trust are the most important principles that have stuck with me.
For me, if you want to get any job done, you must first get the basics right, every time. I am a firm believer that something years in the making can fail overnight, so if you don’t get the simple things right, you’ve already lost half the battle.
I understand the importance of maintaining a professional and healthy relationship with clients. I have learned that if I want clients to believe in my way of thinking, I have to build a high level of trust with them. I never compromise on this.”
What qualities do you think you bring to the business?
I believe every person brings a unique ability to a job, but there is no real substitute for experience. It is important to apply what you have learned over time to everything you do. One of the qualities I feel I developed and can bring to any job is patience.
I spent five years overseeing a project that involved the introduction of anti-statics sealers in a client site that covered a floor space of over 280,000 sq2. There were many ups and downs but I kept patient, remained focussed, and believed in what I was doing. That mentality helped the project become a huge success. The client continues to apply these sealers on an ongoing basis.
Tony’s colleagues recently recognised his long-standing commitment to the business by celebrating his 29th work anniversary. Integrated Accounts Life Science Lead, Sarah Scanlon has said:
“I have known Tony since I joined the business over 14 years ago. Tony has always worked well with clients and staff, and he is the go-to guy to get a read of a situation. He is very loyal and extremely hard working. He was very supportive of me when I joined the business and continues to be so. He is like that with many other staff and managers within the business too. He really is an asset to this company.”
World Book Day – Recommended Reads
Today is World Book and Copyright day! We are celebrating by kicking off a new insight series. We have asked people across our business what books interest, inspire them, or have shaped their thinking.
This month we asked Fintan Connolly, Michael Kennedy, Simon Giles, Una Ni Mhurchu, Janice Knight, and Cornelia Olivier to share a book that has piqued their interest, and why.
Simon Giles, Finance Director – Freakanomics by Stephen Dubner and Steven Lewitt
“What intrigued me about this book was that the authors wanted to focus, in a fun way, on how the study of economics is understanding how incentives, or motivations, work. This book shows how irrational thinking governs our lives. The authors use lots of fun statistics to challenge assumptions around the world. The big takeaway for me that I have tried to remember and use throughout my career is that, as people, we all love to try and find reasons why something happens – to be able to explain it. However, what we must all try to avoid is confusing causation and correlation – one is really helpful, especially in the business world, one isn’t!”
Fintan Connolly, Chief Business Officer – El Diego by Diego Armando Maradona
“I could have picked lots of other titles including ‘Open by Andre Agassi’, ‘Shakespeare by Bill Bryson’, ‘Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall’ or ‘Race of a Lifetime by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin’, but decided on my most recent read, the story of the footballer Diego Maradona. Possibly the most gifted footballer ever, but an individual who didn’t have the skills or maturity to deal with the fame and adulation. This book captures it brilliantly. All the more pertinent, with his untimely passing late last year. A flawed genius!”
Una Ni Mhurchu, General Counsel – Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee
“This book is a great piece of fiction that highlights, using vivid imagery, how fear can control people. I read this a couple of years following 911 when the idea of controlling the masses through fear really felt so prevalent and damaging. I was a college student at the time and it really emphasised how independence of mind is so important. I think it would still be a great read for anyone interested in the current debates around populism and culture wars.”
Cornelia Olivier, Client Relationship Director – The Art of Possibility by Benjamin Zander and Rosamund Stone Zander
“The authors of this book bring to life how opening up yourself to ‘possibility’ can encourage creativity, confidence, and great relationships. They take you on a journey of discovery and wonder, inspiring you to constantly challenge the self-limiting beliefs we impose on ourselves and others. There is a lot of fun learning on how to unlock the ‘possibility’ in your life.”
Michael Kennedy, Chief Financial Officer – Unstoppable by Adrian Gilpin
“I saw Adrian speak at a conference years ago and it was one of those eureka moments about having the right attitude to life and casting away negativity. Some months later I read Unstoppable which charts Adrian’s personal journey to living an inspired life. His storytelling really hooked me and changed my outlook. He explains how sometimes we are our own worst enemies and let our negative thoughts get in the way of our ambitions and ability to enjoy life.”
Janice Knight, Director of HR, Workplace Solutions – Coaching for performance: Growing human potential and purpose by John Whitmore
“This book shaped the early start of my coaching career and the book I still refer to. It is one I highly recommend. What I really like about this book is how coaching is expressed as an enabler and that a coaching culture creates conditions for high performance. Whitmore sees emotional intelligence as a life skill that can be taught and claims it to be an essential skill of leaders. It also details how change comes via self-awareness and self-potential. I am a fan of the GROW model and use this frequently, it is a simple yet effective tool that helps shape a conversation but also gives structure and advancement to many situations. He says successful leaders of the future will lead in a coaching style rather than command and control.”
Bidvest Noonan acquires waste management leader, Ancove
We are delighted to announce Ancove, a highly innovative and award-winning provider of waste management solutions, is now part of Bidvest Noonan. Ancove applies waste management expertise and cutting-edge technologies to help clients cut waste disposal costs, comply with regulations and reduce their carbon footprint. The business operates throughout Ireland and supports clients in a wide range of sectors, including retail, hospitality, manufacturing and education.
Ancove offers a range of compactors, balers and waste handling accessories that enable companies to sort and decrease their overall waste volume. With Ancove’s support, clients send less waste to landfill and generate new revenues from waste materials such as cardboard and plastic.
Bidvest Noonan will retain the Ancove brand, which benefits from market leadership. Ancove’s management team, led by General Manager, Paul Nolan, will remain at the helm of the business.
Welcoming this announcement, Mary Kealy, Managing Director, Bidvest Noonan said “I am thrilled to welcome Ancove to our group. Ancove is an excellent business with a strong brand, a talented team and an exceptional portfolio of clients. I look forward to working with Paul and all of our new colleagues to realise the tremendous potential Ancove offers”.
Commenting on behalf of Ancove, General Manager, Paul Nolan said “This is excellent news for Ancove, our people and our clients. We are excited to have Bidvest Noonan’s support. I am looking forward to working with Bidvest Noonan to continue Ancove’s success and deliver even greater value to our clients.”