Bidvest Noonan

A leading provider of facilities services and solutions

Recognition

Great success for Bidvest Noonan at the IWFM Impact Awards

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Bidvest Noonan celebrated an amazing evening at the IWFM Impact Awards, the most prestigious event in the UK’s FM industry. Held at the luxurious Grosvenor House, the event saw all of the industry’s leading players vie for top honours.

In front of an audience of over 900 people, Bidvest Noonan was recognised for three incredible achievements:

  • We won the Product and Service Development Award for Dynamic Workplace. Huge congratulations to Peter Smyth.
  • We also took home the Frontline Heroes Award for our exceptional work at Kings Cross. A massive well done to Liz Cummins, Raj Pradhan, Ali Hussain, and everyone involved.
  • We were also Highly Commended for Team of the Year for our outstanding team at St. Vincent’s. 

With 95 finalists, this recognition highlights the dedication and impact of our teams.

Many congratulations to our winners!

Bidvest Noonan celebrate multiple key wins at the ICCA Awards 2024

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Bidvest Noonan celebrated great success at the 2024 ICCA Awards, with wins in several key categories.

The highlight of the evening came when our team at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre was crowned Overall Best Cleaned Site in the entire competition, the biggest prize of the event! A huge congratulations to Nick O’Connor, Louise Ryan, and the entire team. Liffey Valley also took home the award for Best Cleaned Retail Premises.

A massive well done to our team at the University of Galway (NUIG), who won Best Cleaned Site in the Education Sector. Congratulations to Lorraine Monaghan, Dzmitry Simanovich, Nerijus Gudaitis, and the whole team.

We also had tremendous individual success, with our colleagues winning several awards in their respective categories:

  • Best Operative (Education) – Alice Rocha Carmonho Border, NUIG
  • Best Supervisor (Education) – Julia Brito, NUIG
  • Best Operative (Manufacturing) – Lenka Slajerova, Alexion
  • Best Supervisor (Manufacturing) – Alex Escalante, Alexion
  • Best Supervisor (Retail) – Edit Szucs, Liffey Valley S/C

A special mention to Edit Szucs, who also took home the Overall Best Supervisor award, winning the top prize in the Supervisor category.

Well done to all our winners!

From Cleaning Operative to GMP Expert: Alexander Escalante shares his journey at Bidvest Noonan

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GMP Expert Alexander Escalante’s story at Bidvest Noonan is a powerful example of growth and professional development. Our marketing team met Alexander at a customer site, a leading pharmaceutical company, where they were warmly greeted by a colleague who showed the confidence of a true master in his field. They were keen to hear his story and discover what he believes are the fundamentals for high performance in GMP environments.

Dedication and Drive: The Pillars of Alexander’s Career

Alexander, or as his closest colleagues like to call him, Alex, began his professional journey in the recruitment sector, specifically staffing for cruise lines. This early role gave him a deep appreciation for the importance of every individual’s contribution to a larger operation. This experience subtly influenced his understanding of the significance of each task, no matter how minor, in achieving broader objectives. This insight would become a foundational aspect of his subsequent career in the Life Sciences sector.

Joining Bidvest Noonan in 2004, Alex brought this profound understanding, coupled with strong ambition and passion, to the role. This saw him seize the opportunities to train and develop in the business and he propelled through the ranks which saw him rise from the role of a cleaning operative to that of a GMP supervisor.

Hailing from the Philippines, Alex now has 20 years’ experience in the facilities industry. His role now extends beyond meeting the stringent standards of cleanliness and sanitation in the Life Sciences sector. He plays a vital role in supporting the safe production of life-saving medications, firmly believing that the work he and his team perform is crucial and far from just routine.

During our conversation with Alex, we asked him to identify five fundamentals he believes are key to high performance in GMP environments.

  1. Ensure Your Team Has the Right Tools

“It might seem obvious, but the foundation of an effective cleaning team lies in providing them with the right tools and resources,” says Alex. He emphasises the necessity of having the latest cleaning equipment, quality materials, and technology. This approach doesn’t just boost efficiency; it ensures the team meets the demanding standards required in pharmaceutical environments. “In this sector, running out of essential supplies can disrupt the creation of a clean and safe environment,” he adds.

  1. Invest in Comprehensive Training and Mentoring

Training is more than just imparting knowledge; it’s about shaping understanding and commitment. Alex advocates for a robust training program that guides team members to understand the ‘why’ behind their tasks. “This method results in a team that’s not just technically skilled but also deeply committed to the significance of their roles,” he notes. “In environments like these, there’s no room for lapses in training, so it’s of the utmost importance.”

Bidvest Noonan has some exciting new plans for our people in the life sciences sector. These plans are set to enhance how we train our colleagues particularly in GMP environments, ensuring even higher standards and expertise.

  1. Create a High-Standards Mindset

Encourage your team to appreciate the impact of their work. Alex suggests, “Help your team understand their crucial role in the broader context of the site you work at. For instance, some of our teams at Bidvest Noonan work with customers who produce life-saving medication.” Realising this often elevates daily tasks to a mission, where there is a collective focus on its success. This creates a strong culture of excellence and meticulous attention to detail.

  1. Strict Adherence to SOPs

“Each Life Sciences site has its specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and adhering to these is paramount,” Alex points out. Following these SOPs rigorously is vital to maintain the integrity of cleaning processes and uphold the necessary standards for safe pharmaceutical production. “We want our customer to rest assured knowing that the service we deliver will never interrupt their operations, only support it”.

  1. Promote Open Communication and Safety

Creating an environment where team members can express concerns and observations freely is essential. “A culture that prioritises safety and proactive problem-solving can significantly improve performance,” Alex explains. Encouraging a setting where every issue, big or small, is addressed can lead to a reduction in lost-time accidents at customer sites.

In our ongoing 60-second interview series, we recently had the pleasure of talking with Marina Goncalves, our EHSQ Executive and EDI Ambassador.

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Marina started her career 10 years ago as an environmental graduate in the construction industry in Brazil. Since moving to Ireland over six years ago, she has become increasingly involved in health and safety. This transition was natural to her, and although her background was in environmental and sustainability, she also fell in love with health and safety. At Bidvest Noonan, she has been able to experience different environments, ranging from hospitals to pharmaceutical manufacturers to corporate offices. Each workplace is unique, which is what makes health and safety so special.
For Marina, health and safety extends beyond just a job; it is about caring for and protecting our people from hazards they sometimes don’t realize exist. She said, “I don’t personally protect them, but my job is to provide them with the tools to protect themselves and their colleagues.” At Bidvest Noonan, we prioritize our people, which is why health and safety are at the heart of everything we do.


Find out more about Marina, her role, and her experiences in her 60-second interview below:


How would you define what you do at Bidvest Noonan?
My primary role is Health and Safety for Integrated Solutions. As part of this job, I support our operations teams in identifying risks relating to the day-to-day activities, and together, we come up with control measures to reduce the likelihood of injury for our workforce.
I also have 2 other jobs, which I am very proud of, the EDI Council and the ESG Board for Ireland. The EDI Council Ireland’s role is to help the business become an employer of choice, where everyone feels included. The ESG board is responsible for ensuring the business is on track to achieving its carbon reduction targets.

What has been your best day at Bidvest Noonan?
It is hard to point out one specific day, especially after a very special last couple of years. Last year was full of milestones for me, I was nominated for the “outstanding contribution” category of the Bidvest Noonan awards, I saw the EDI council receive 2 external awards, and I took over the Environmental pillar of the ESG Board. So many great things have happened!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
When I started in the business just over 4 years ago, Cormac Sheils told me that the job was hard, but I could count on the people. And over the years, this has been proven to be right over and over. So, anytime I am stuck, I know there are people who will go the extra mile to support me.

How do you motivate yourself?
What truly motivates me is knowing that my work contributes to our people going home safely after their day of work.


Who or what has inspired you the most?
I am very fortunate to work closely with countless inspiring individuals in operations. But there are 2 superstars in the Health and Safety Team that truly set the standards high: Helen Emerson and Declan Ryan. I am inspired by them everyday.

If you had a motto, what would it be?
I would probably say if you don’t know an answer to something, don’t be afraid to ask the question.

In our latest 60-second interview, Jordan Berry, Regional Manager in the Isle of Man, shares his inspirational 10-year journey with our company.

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Jordan’s career began as an Aviation Security Officer, where his primary responsibility was processing passengers and luggage at the airport. He was later offered a part-time position on a newly acquired prison escort contract, which he initially approached with some trepidation. However, he successfully completed the necessary courses and eventually transitioned to a full-time Custody Detention Officer role in 2016. Within two years, Jordan progressed from Senior Custody Officer to Custody Supervisor and then to Custody Contract Manager as the company expanded into cleaning services.

Today, Jordan is the Regional Manager for the Isle of Man, overseeing all of Bidvest Noonan’s contracts, including Prison Custody Services, Aviation, and Port Security.

In one sentence, how would you define what you do at Bidvest Noonan?

Regional Manager for Bidvest Noonan on the Isle of Man, managing a variety of contracts with circa 110 staff members across our IOM business.

What has been your best day at Bidvest Noonan?

I have had many great days with Bidvest Noonan, it’s difficult to pick out one event, however, having reached the milestone of a decade with the business stands out. I have watched the business develop, expand, and improve drastically over the course of 10 years; I have been very fortunate to be a part of this journey.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Life is a river! A beginning, an end, and a million different ways in between. No matter what life throws at you, how difficult things may appear to be, or whatever course you take, the river (life) always moves forward.

How do you motivate yourself (and your team)?

It’s easy to take life for granted, but I make an effort to reflect on the opportunities I have and the fantastic group I work with every day. Without my team we would not be where we are today, it’s important we all continue to develop and expand on our knowledge and experiences.

Who or what has inspired you the most?

A close friend of mine possesses a lot of knowledge, whether it’s wiring a light switch or performing a full engine rebuild, he does it with perfection. The knowledge and passion he has shared with me over the years inspire me to do better in all that I do.

If you had a motto, what would it be?

Take the opportunity – A boat in the harbour is safe, but eventually it’s hull will rot out!

Welcome Juan Guardado – Our Infection Prevention & Control Specialist

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Welcome Juan Guardado – Our Infection Prevention & Control Specialist
Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming Juan, our newest Infection Prevention and Control Specialist, to the team. Eager to get to know him better, we sat down with Juan to find out more about him, his role, and his experiences since joining us.

Tell us about your background?


I am from Spain, but I have lived in Ireland for the last 6 years. While relocating to a different country always comes with its set of challenges, the warmth and openness of the Irish people made the transition smoother. They welcomed me with open arms, making me feel like a friend rather than a stranger. The support I received reassured me that I made the right choice in moving here.

What has your professional journey been like here?


I began as a qualified nurse, initially working on a dialysis ward at University Hospital Limerick. Subsequently, I moved to the paediatric and then neonatal unit. The Covid-19 pandemic sparked an interest in infection prevention control. This made me pursue a postgraduate degree in the subject to further my expertise.

Tell me more about your role at Bidvest Noonan?


My role covers a wide range of responsibilities spanning healthcare sites across the nation. Despite its vast scope, I’m very passionate about it. Every day, I collaborate with a very dedicated team to make crucial decisions. This includes partnering with healthcare professionals like nurses, doctors, and the hospital IPC team.
Together, we work on innovative solutions to maintaining high cleanliness and sanitisation standards. It may not seem like it, but it is something that has the potential to save lives. Our shared goal is to design, implement, and train others in effective infection control procedures, ensuring safety for all at the hospital.

Can you provide a deeper insight into infection control?


Preventing the spread of infections, in general, is a lot more complex than one may think. In the realm of ICP, there’s a constant learning curve. The key is to be proactive, staying on top of the latest medical and scientific discoveries.
At Bidvest Noonan, I liaise with numerous hospitals. Each has its unique needs based on factors like demographics, services, and location. My role starts with understanding these specific needs, followed by crafting bespoke solutions in collaboration with my team. Effective communication with the hospital’s prevention control unit and microbiologists is essential for finding the right strategies.

Since you have joined, can you share a highlight from your time at Bidvest Noonan?
So far, being part of Bidvest Noonan has been a very rewarding experience. A standout moment was when I was part of the team reviewing healthcare award nominations, and it felt great to be part of this process.
Engaging in discussions about our healthcare sites has strengthened my bond with the team and my role here. Being able to contribute to those important decisions was very motivating for me.

Who or what has been your greatest inspiration?


Without a doubt, healthcare professionals. Being one myself, I’ve witnessed the dedication and commitment they show in ensuring the best for their patients.

Lastly, do you have a motto that guides you?


“Prevention is protection.” By embracing basic preventive measures, like hand hygiene and proper etiquette, we can reduce numerous infections and ease the burden on the hospitals and the healthcare system.