Bidvest Noonan

A market leading provider of facilities services and solutions

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Enhancing campus experience: How Bidvest Noonan’s Tailored Solutions Address Today’s Facilities Management Challenges and Trends.

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At Bidvest Noonan, we understand the constantly evolving nature of today’s academic world. Universities are no longer just educational institutions; they have become mini-ecosystems where student well-being, technological progress, and sustainability are crucial.

Here are the key points that our experts, Jenny Jones and Lorraine Monaghan, working alongside David Everett, an expert in campus experience, have written about how facilities teams and universities can collaborate to enhance the campus experience for students, highlighting the evolving partnership between facilities services teams and universities in enhancing campus experiences, emphasizing the importance of student well-being, sustainability, and technology. It outlines the sector’s adaptation to changing student demographics and expectations, including the significant role of facilities management in creating a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. It also addresses the impact of COVID-19 on campus operations and the growing emphasis on mental health support. Furthermore, it explores technological advancements in facilities management, aiming to improve operational efficiency and sustainability. The collaboration between universities and facilities teams is pivotal in fostering an engaging and supportive campus atmosphere that aligns with students’ values and educational aspirations.

Improving Student Well-being and Sustainability: As students today expect more from their educational journey, there’s a shift towards creating environments that reflect their values, particularly regarding well-being and sustainability. Our approach to facilities management balances cost-efficiency with cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices.

Facilities Management can be a Competitive Differentiator in the higher education sector: As competition for student enrolment increases, facilities management plays a crucial role in creating a welcoming and attractive campus environment. Universities can leverage facilities management to improve the campus atmosphere and enhance the overall student experience, helping them stand out from the competition.

Diverse and Inclusive Environments for a Global Student Population: With the increase in the number of international students enrolling in educational institutions, there is a pressing need for facilities and services that are adaptable and inclusive. The goal is to ensure that each student feels welcomed and supported, promoting a sense of belonging and community. It is important to create environments that feel like a home for students from diverse backgrounds.

Adapting to Post-COVID-19 Campus Operations: The pandemic has highlighted the critical need for campuses that prioritize cleanliness and safety to safeguard physical and mental health. The adaptation of cleaning and security services to meet these new requirements is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment.

Transformation of Security Services to Enhance Student Experience: The rebranding of security services to emphasise a guardian-like role highlights the evolving approach to campus safety, focusing on student well-being. Bidvest Noonan’s security solutions align with this trend, offering a more engaged and supportive security presence.

Incorporating Technology for Improved Facilities Management: The integration of smart technologies, data analytics, and robotics represents the forefront of innovative facilities management. These technologies enhance operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability, meeting the forward-thinking expectations of universities.

Sustainability Initiatives: Aligning with universities’ sustainability goals involves adopting eco-friendly practices, such as green cleaning, water conservation, and waste reduction. These efforts contribute significantly to the creation of sustainable campus environments.
Future Trends in Facilities Services: The anticipated integration of AI, automation, and data analytics in facilities management presents opportunities for us at Bidvest Noonan to lead in efficiency, predictive maintenance, and resource optimisation, staying ahead of industry trends.

Overcoming Challenges with Innovative Solutions: Balancing the demands of new health and safety standards, alongside security, privacy, and sustainability challenges, requires innovative and adaptable solutions. The focus is on continuously evolving to meet these demands, showcasing leadership and a problem-solving mindset in the education sector.

Partnership Between Universities and Facilities Teams: The partnership between facilities management experts and educational institutions is key to developing responsive and student-focused campus environments. This collaborative approach is essential for shaping the future of the campus experience, focusing on problem-solving and meeting the specific needs of the student population.

For a more detailed exploration of these problem-solving strategies in enhancing the academic sector.

How our team at Alexion Pharmaceuticals is ‘Making a Real Difference’ – Naomi Vasilca

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To mark World FM Day 2023, we sat down with Naomi Vasilca, Strategic Account Lead here at Bidvest Noonan. Naomi oversees our team at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, a customer of ours that does very important work in the life sciences sector.

In line with this year’s theme of “Making a Real Difference”, we wanted to learn from Naomi about herself and her team’s experiences and hear about the ways they’re making a positive impact for our client and the environment.

In your opinion, what does it mean to “make a real difference” in the facilities services industry?

In our industry, making a real difference means more than just the basics. To me, it’s about truly understanding your clients and going above and beyond to address their unique needs and challenges. This can take many forms, such as anticipating issues before they arise and collaborating with your clients towards shared goals. It’s also about providing a service that actively contributes to the success of your client’s operations. Our team here at Alexion deliver on all of this.

How has your team made a real difference in the past year, and what impact did it have on the customer?

Over the past year, my team has focused on safety and making sure our staff are well-trained and aware of potential hazards. While this may seem standard practice, the level at which we do this has resulted in our team at Alexion College Park, Dublin, achieving over 500,000 Lost Time Accident (LTA) free hours.

Not only has this earned us the trust of our client, but it has meant our efforts have enabled the smooth functioning of their operations. They can rely on our service, which is extremely important when developing life-saving medication in the pharmaceutical space.

Can you share an example of a challenge your team faced and how they overcame it to make a positive impact?

In the life-sciences sector, there are always challenges to face. But that’s why we’re continuously training and staying up-to-date with the latest regulations. We’re determined to overcome any obstacle that comes our way!

Recently, our client began expanding and building a brand new plant on-site. Our colleagues are working on different projects to help with their expansion plans. The new buildings will house work that’ll have a positive impact on people all over the world. And you know what? Our team is right there, every step of the way, supporting our customer.

How do you motivate your team to continually strive for excellence and make a real difference?

I like to say I lead by example. I understand that today’s world is more complex than it was 20 years ago. To motivate my team, I try to see and understand each of them as individuals with their own unique issues and challenges. I believe that by showing them respect, compassion, and kindness, I can create a positive work environment where they feel supported and motivated to do their best.

Additionally, I work hard to provide them with the necessary tools and resources to succeed and encourage them to take ownership of their work. Ultimately, I believe that when I am working alongside them and modelling the behaviour I expect, they will be inspired to push themselves to achieve amazing things.

Can you share a success story of a project or initiative your team undertook to make a real difference for the environment?

There isn’t just one success story from the team at Alexion, there have been many initiatives we have undertaken to make a real difference for our environment.

I recently developed a report that highlighted the benefits we achieved by using water-saving technology. One of which is the Tersano system we installed, which purifies water without the use of chemicals, resulting in a significant drop in CO2 emissions as fewer delivery vans are required

We have also made moves to electric equipment such as electric lawn mowers, and electric vehicles across our Athlone and College Park sites. We are also looking into installing beehives in Athlone as part of our commitment to promoting biodiversity

We believe that these initiatives not only make a positive impact on the environment but also help our clients achieve their sustainability goals.

Looking ahead, what are some goals that your team has for making a real difference in the coming year?

While we have already achieved so much and made a real positive impact for our customer, I am a firm believer that there is always room to improve.

In the coming year, we plan to continue focusing on safety and improving operational efficiency. We also want to explore new technologies and solutions to provide better services and deepen our understanding of our clients’ needs.

I am excited at some of the new innovations we have coming too, including the Comac InAqua system that will further improve our water-saving efforts across Alexion.

Bidvest Noonan Appoints Rajiv Gupta as Chief Financial Officer for Great Britain Operations

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We are delighted to announce the appointment of Rajiv Gupta as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for our business in Great Britain. Rajiv brings over a decade of senior finance leadership experience to our company.

Rajiv has an impressive track record in finance, having held various senior roles across multiple industries. Most recently, he held the position of Finance Director at JLL for almost four years contributing significantly to the growth and stability of his division. Before his tenure at JLL, Rajiv was the Head of Finance for Interserve for more than three and half years, during which time he played a key role in the company’s financial planning and strategy.

Prior to joining Interserve, Rajiv served at Virgin Media, honing his financial expertise and leadership capabilities. His extensive industry experience and proven track record of success make him an invaluable addition to Bidvest Noonan’s executive team.

As CFO of our business in Great Britain, Rajiv will be responsible for overseeing our company’s financial performance. He will play an important role in driving Bidvest Noonan’s continued growth and maintaining our market-leading position for services such as cleaning and security.

“I am delighted to welcome Rajiv to our executive team,” said Jeff Flanagan, CEO of Bidvest Noonan. “His wealth of experience in finance and proven leadership skills make him the ideal candidate to help us maintain our strong position in the market and drive our continued growth.”

“I am honoured and excited to join Bidvest Noonan as the Chief Financial Officer for its business in Great Britain.” said Rajiv Gupta. “I look forward to working with Jeff and all my new colleagues. I know we can achieve so much together”. 

Going the extra mile for innovation: Eddie Ingram, Jon Moore, Peter Smyth

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At Bidvest Noonan, our vision is to be so important to our customers, so valuable to their business, and provide experiences so good, we are always their partner of choice. To achieve this vision, we need to stay at the forefront of our industry, leveraging technology and innovation to deliver better service and more value to our customers.

This dedication to uncovering innovation drives so many senior figures from across our business to make time in their busy diaries to visit conferences, meet our suppliers, participate in round table discussions, and conduct research to improve the services we offer.

We asked Chief Services Officer, Eddie Ingram, Technology and Innovation Director, Peter Smyth, and Director of Operations Support and Risk, Jonathan Moore, why innovation is so important to our business and what role industry events play in helping us uncover new ideas and progress our innovation agenda.

Eddie Ingram, who recently attended the IFSEC International exhibition, an event that attracts over 30,000 visitors and brings together industry professionals from far and wide, said:

“Innovation is critical to our success. Our ability to challenge conventions, find better ways of working, and create greater value for clients sets us apart from our competition. Investing the time to go meet suppliers and hear from thought leaders in our industry and adjacent industries is very worthwhile. Attending industry events gives us the opportunity to meet new suppliers and catch up with existing ones too.

We recently attended the IFSEC International exhibition and had some interesting discussions around the increased use and spread of CCTV across the UK and how it might lead to a new British Standard around AI and facial recognition.

Some of the innovation happening in the security industry today is truly remarkable, and we are harnessing many of these advances for the benefit of our clients.”

Peter Smyth, who recently visited the Netherlands to attend the high-profile 2022 Interclean Amsterdam event added:

“Innovation really matters to us. We want to lead the way in our industry and use the latest innovations to help reinvent and improve solutions for our clients.

Attending some of the largest FM trade shows in the world gives us a great opportunity to see the latest products on offer from existing customers, but also allows us to meet new suppliers that are disrupting the industry with a new generation of robotics, machinery, and equipment.

The 2022 Interclean Amsterdam event gave the team and I an incredible insight into the work being done to improve how we manage waste, consume energy, and use water. I look forward to adopting the very best of these to improve the service we provide to our clients.”

Jonathan Moore, Director of Operations Support and Risk, commenting on his attendance at the IFSEC event said:

 “We met with suppliers to talk about their upcoming innovations, exploring ways in which we can work together to deploy these new products. It was refreshing to see a blend of technology, physical security, and a healthy number of organisations offering professional development routes.

At Bidvest Noonan, we aim to stay ahead of the curve, continuously finding new ways to improve the service we provide to our customers. Attending industry events and networking with thought leaders and innovators informs and inspires our own innovation research”.

A career to be proud of: Cheryl Kelly’s journey in Security

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Ahead of International Women’s Day, we asked Cheryl Kelly, Security Supervisor, to share lessons from her career in the security industry. Cheryl tells us why she is so passionate about her role and what advice she would give to other women looking to pursue a career in security.

How did you begin your career in security?

When I was 9 years old, I started Karate and really enjoyed it. I was unsure what path I wanted to take when I left school. My karate instructor owned a security company and I covered some shifts for him when I was 21 years of age.

I found my love for security when I went to my first security training. I was shown how to put out fires, how to be a store detective, and how to protect people. There was a lot of thinking involved and so much to learn. A day in security can be fun, frustrating, interesting, and most of all a constant learning curve. I have been working with Bidvest Noonan for over 15 years. I have been blessed with the company and have learned so much and still have so much to learn. Each day in security is very different from the last, but I have gained many life skills throughout my career, and continue to learn and be challenged every day.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I have a store detective contract. When I am asked what I do people always find it of interest. I never have any two days the same. I love the fact that I am involved in training and improvement of the running of the store. I really try to be fair and approachable by developing a good relationship with clients.

Nothing makes me happier than solving a problem or making someone’s day easier.

How has Bidvest Noonan helped your career in the security industry?

Since I started working for Bidvest Noonan my knowledge of the security industry has significantly increased. The most valuable part of being part of such a big company has been meeting great people from different sectors.

When we were in lockdown, I had the opportunity to work in the Healthcare sector. I was so grateful for the opportunity of learning so much from my colleagues while supporting this essential sector during the pandemic. I have made many friends and it is a time in my lifetime I will never forget and forever appreciate. I don’t believe I would have got this within any other company. 

Cheryl, what has been the proudest moment in your career?

There have been many great moments in my career but being nominated for the ISIA security officer of the year was memorable. But the single moment that stands with me is when I and a colleague saved the life of a child in a very difficult situation.

I am also very proud of helping people along the way and seeing them excelling in their roles.

What advice would you give to other women looking to begin a career in security?

GO FOR IT!!

In the past, the security industry was mostly dominated by men but fortunately, now there are great women working in security. Women bring unique strengths and perspectives to security. We can inspire others and create a more equitable industry for all.

A Day in the Life of a Security Supervisor with Renata Baszynski

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To mark International Women’s Day, we spoke to some of the incredible women who do an outstanding job protecting people and our communities every day. Renata Baszynski, Security Supervisor at one of the busiest shopping centres in Dublin, shares her thoughts on what makes a good security professional, what it takes to become a leader, and advice to other aspiring women in the security field.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy every part of it even though the job can be tough sometimes. I love being able to multitask. When you work with security, beyond protecting people and premises, you also provide customer service, you are a first aider, fire warden, detective, and many more. It is also great to have contact with people from different backgrounds.

In your opinion, what makes a good security officer/professional?

Experience helps but psychological skills are essential, like the ability to read people’s body language, especially in the retail security industry. I believe it is also definitely important to have a high level of customer service skills.  

What do you think it takes to become a strong leader in security? What makes a strong security team?

To become a strong leader in security you need to be able to work well with people. As a strong leader, you need to make sure that each person on your team is fully trained and well-supported. Strong security teams are formed when there is trust and you know that you can count on each other in difficult situations.

How has Bidvest Noonan helped your career in the security industry?

Bidvest Noonan has helped me a lot to develop my career. For many years, I’ve gained experience as a security officer and a store detective. Bidvest Noonan gave me a great opportunity in a big retail store as a junior supervisor. Throughout my time here, I’ve gained experience in different sites while working with many wonderful people. One of the sites was a very well-known and busy shopping centre. I was offered a supervisor position, which I happily took. 

What has been the proudest moment (or best day) in your career?

There are many great days and proud moments in my career. I think the best moments are the ones when people appreciate my work and come back to thank me. It is very rewarding to know how well we support our clients and the general public.

What advice would you give to other women looking to begin a career in security?

The security industry for many years had very little gender equality. However, I believe women now have a great opportunity to be a part of the security industry. It is an outstanding opportunity to build up self-confidence, customer service skills, and develop a strong career. I am delighted to see more women joining the Bidvest Noonan security division every day.