Facilities management provider Wates FM emerges buoyantly out of lockdown to celebrate its first anniversary with expanding portfolio, exemplary safety performance and by setting the bar for a safe return to work.
The Wates Group’s facilities management division, Wates FM, is celebrating its successful first year as part of Wates Property Services, with seven new contract wins and six extensions secured in the 12 months to July 2020.
The business has also defied disruptions arising from the pandemic to maintain high levels of productivity and provide a market-leading example of how to return to work safely after lockdown. Its deep cleaning services have been cited as exemplar best practice by the Cabinet Office.
Currently maintaining a total of circa 350 buildings nationwide for 52 customers across 16 sectors, Wates FM has established itself as a leading presence in the UK facilities management sector, providing self-delivered, mechanical, electrical and total FM services.
New clients include Wates FM’s first public sector contract with West Midlands Police which will see the management of facilities for more than 1,500 police and civilians in Birmingham. New private sector contracts include a major deal to deliver mechanical and electrical facility support for law firm Clyde and Co and an FM and compliance services contract across the nationwide estate of investment management firm, Brooks Macdonald.
Wates FM has also extended service agreements with six current clients including consultancy, Mott Macdonald; mass media company, Discovery Communications; and most recently a five-year contract extension with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Meanwhile, major CSR achievements include receiving Recognised Service Provider status with the Living Wage Foundation (LWF), having pledged to proactively promote the Living Wage across the FM sector.
James Gregg, Managing Director of Wates FM, commented: “Since launching Wates FM 12 months ago, we have secured seven new customers and have extended service agreements with six of our key clients. This is a huge testament to our position as a high quality and trusted FM partner.
“I am particularly proud of the impeccable standards we have maintained in our health and safety over the last 12 months; it has been over 1,200 days since our last reportable injury and both our Accident Frequency Rate and Lost Time Injury rates are at zero. A further highlight during the year has been our Recognised Service Provider certification from the Living Wage Foundation. We work really hard to ensure fair payment to our employees and our supply chain partners and the Living Wage status is acknowledgement of this long-standing commitment.
“With a busy pipeline of new contracts, I am looking forward to building on the success of Wates FM’s inaugural year.”
David Morgan, Managing Director of Wates Property Services, commented: “Our Wates FM business has defied high expectations with its consistent growth trajectory, much of which has been against a backdrop of strict lockdown measures and a global pandemic. The response to COVID-19 has been nothing less than impressive and it was a moment of enormous pride to have our services cited as best practice by the government leading us through the crisis.
“Together with our exemplary health and safety performance and 100% client retention, we can lay claim to a very successful first year and we are now looking ahead to an even stronger future.”
