Bidvest Noonan

A leading provider of facilities services and solutions

Cinara

Christina McDonald’s 8 Tips for Aspiring Managers: Navigating Success in Facility Management

by

Christina McDonald is a seasoned professional with over 12 years of experience at Bidvest Noonan. Starting as a rostering helpdesk admin, she has climbed the ranks and now holds a leadership position as an Operations Manager, overseeing a team of managers across accounts from more than 20 customers. Christina’s journey to success has been marked by determination, hard work, and a commitment to continuous improvement. In this blog post, we will delve into eight valuable tips she shares for aspiring managers looking to advance their careers.

1) Believe in Yourself:


The first and foremost tip from Christina is to believe in yourself. If you aspire to climb the career ladder, you must trust your abilities and believe that you can achieve your goals. Don’t shy away from expressing your interest in promotions or taking on more responsibilities. By putting yourself forward, you demonstrate confidence and determination.

2) Find a Mentor and Set Up a Support Network:


Success is seldom achieved in isolation. Christina emphasises the importance of finding a mentor and establishing a strong support network. Seek guidance from experienced professionals who have led the way, can provide insights, advice, and encouragement as you navigate your career path. Having a support system is crucial for growth and overcoming challenges.

3) Stay Consistent at Building Relationships with Clients:


In the facilities services industry, strong customer relationships are paramount. Christina advises aspiring managers to consistently build and nurture relationships with clients. Understanding their needs and delivering exceptional service is key to success. Whenever possible, engage with clients in person to strengthen these connections.

4) Strive for Excellence:


Maintaining a commitment to excellence is vital in any managerial role. Christina recommends keeping a fresh perspective and always look for ways to improve both customer experience and team efficiency. Embrace a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.

5) Don’t Underestimate the Power of Previous Experience:


Reflect on your past experiences, no matter how junior they may seem. Christina highlights the value of identifying transferable skills gained from previous roles. This can provide an advantage in understanding systems and procedures, positioning you for success in your next role.

6) Build Trust with Your Team:


Recognising her team as the biggest asset, Christina emphasises the importance of building trust with team members. Treat them with respect and kindness and create an environment of reliability and mutual trust. Acknowledge the crucial role your team plays in delivering quality services to customers.

7) Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions:


Asking questions is a sign of curiosity and a willingness to learn. Christina encourages aspiring managers not to fear seeking help when needed. By asking questions, you demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional growth, gaining valuable insights from those with more experience.

8) Challenge Yourself and Embrace Growth:


Finally, Christina advises against complacency. Challenge yourself, step out of your comfort zone, and embrace a continuous learning mindset. Refuse to stay stagnant in one position, actively seeking opportunities for growth and advancement.

Conclusion:


Aspiring managers in Facilities Management can learn valuable lessons from Christina’s journey. By believing in yourself, seeking mentorship, building strong client relationships, striving for excellence, leveraging previous experience, fostering team trust, asking questions, and embracing growth, you can pave the way for a successful and fulfilling career in managerial roles within the industry.

A Year of Green Achievements: An Update from Environmental Manager Keerthana Sreenivasan

by

As 2023 draws to a close, we at Bidvest Noonan take pride in reflecting on our environmental accomplishments. One of our colleagues guiding our success in sustainability is our Environmental Manager, Keerthana Sreenivasan. This year, we’ve made significant strides in reducing our environmental footprint, aligning our operations with eco-friendly principles and more. Keerthana shares some updates below:


Embracing Green Energy:


“Our journey towards sustainability took a great leap forward as we transitioned our offices to green energy. They are now powered by renewable sources, mainly wind farms. Shifting to green energy is not just a utility change for us; it truly shows our commitment to being more sustainable, and going forward we can exactly pinpoint the where our green energy comes from.”


Excellence in Sustainability Reporting:


“Our efforts in transparent and responsible environmental reporting have been recognised with awards from Ecovadis and CDP. These accolades reflect our commitment to sustainable practices, especially in managing our supply chain for a greener planet. I was very proud of these achievements.”


Innovative Waste Management:


“Innovating in waste management, we’ve not only found ways to turn waste into energy but also embraced processes that significantly cut down our landfill use. I am quite excited about exploring creative recycling initiatives, like transforming old uniforms into new ones, marking a step forward in our circular economy efforts.”


Smart Water Management:


“We focussed a lot on water conservation and integrated Smart Flow technology, enabling us to monitor water usage and carbon emissions in real time. This, along with the implementation of yet another Comac InAqua machine at a customer site, has helped us manage our resources even better and supported our customers with their sustainability goals.”


Sustainable Procurement:


“Our procurement team has been pivotal in implementing a product classification system – green, amber, and red – to gauge environmental impact. This approach ensures that our operations stay environmentally conscious, striking a balance between ecological responsibility and maintaining quality and efficiency.”


Looking Ahead:


“As we look to the future, I am quite excited for what’s ahead. We are committed to science based targets and that has to be announced first by the business. Also we are actively setting new standards, pushing boundaries in innovation and continuous improvement. Our focus is clear: to lead in environmental stewardship and shape a sustainable future. 2024 is shaping up to be a year of further progress”.

Olga Mitropoulou promoted as our new Risk & Compliance Director.

by

We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Olga Mitropoulou to the role of our new Risk & Compliance Director.

Having started her career as a lawyer, Olga quickly shifted her focus to the world of Risk and Compliance. Her journey in this space has involved roles within the legal and financial sectors, including stints at Irish company Unio and globally renowned professional services and management consulting firm, AON. This invaluable experience has provided Olga with a solid foundation and all the expertise necessary for her new role.

Olga has been instrumental in helping Bidvest Noonan establish a strong and robust Risk and Compliance structure as the business continues its growth.

As Risk & Compliance Director, Olga will lead the Risk & Compliance function across the UK & Ireland to build on our effective Enterprise Risk Management Framework, compliance monitoring, and stringent data protection practices.

Olga said: “I am thrilled to lead the Risk & Compliance function at Bidvest Noonan. Our goal is to add value while effectively managing risks and protecting our assets. With a solid team and strong support from senior management, I look forward to playing an important role in our company’s continued growth and success.”

CFO Kathy McDermott added: “I am delighted that Olga has been promoted to this new role. Olga has already made a substantial contribution to our business and is a strong leader with deep expertise in Risk and Compliance. I look forward to working closely with Olga, and I am confident she will be highly successful in her new role.”

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

by

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.

by

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

by

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.