Bidvest Noonan

A leading provider of Facilities Management Servicess

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Darren Kinnane is going the extra 2807 miles

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Darren Kinnane is a Bidvest Noonan Security Manager in London. This year Darren is cycling 2807 miles in aid of GAIN charity. Why 2807 miles? That is the sum total of 14 conqueror fitness challenges. We asked Darren to share what inspired him to take this challenge on.

To support GAIN charity and encourage Darren’s challenge, click here to donate.

Why did you choose to support the GAIN Charity? Tell us about its cause.

My Key Account Director Alan O’Connor deserves recognition for choosing this charity. Every year we choose a different charity to support. In October 2020 one of our colleagues’ daughter was struck down by Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which is a rare autoimmune condition affecting the peripheral nervous system, usually leading to temporary or long-term paralysis. As a team, we decided that we would help GAIN as they are the charity that raises awareness about this syndrome and they were also supporting our colleague. 

How did you come up with the idea of these virtual challenges?

The whole portfolio of our teams has been amazing doing all kinds of events to raise funds such as 100 sit-ups a day challenge. While I prefer walking, cycling, and hiking, I wanted to do my bit to help. I came across these virtual challenges and thought I can bang these out in a couple of months. I ditched my public transport card in February and bought a bicycle. It took me a month to get used to being on a bike again. 

On March 8th, I started the first of 14 virtual challenges, which you simulate and travel virtually to different routes around the world. When complete, it will total 2807 miles and I am currently 50% complete on my 5th challenge.

What motivates you to keep focused?

The fact that raising money for such a worthwhile cause in solidarity with a colleague is enough to get on the bike and keep on track, but I also get a nice sense of achievement after completing every event.

What’s been the most positive thing to come out of your challenge?

The most positive outcome from doing this challenge is that it is helping me a lot in trying to quit smoking. The trial period on the bike was very hard for me but now I see how I have progressed a lot.

What is the impact of being active on your mental health during the lockdown?

Throughout the pandemic I have been coming in to the building every day. Keeping this routine was important to me. I have a great team of ladies and gents who have been onsite during this time. I feel that as their manager it is my responsibility to be there for them especially for the days they are anxious and fed up and need a bit of levity.

Louise Bangee – Leadership lessons that helped her forge a successful career

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What are some traits you think great leaders possess? And what do women leaders bring that is unique? 

Being a great leader is about leading with integrity to deliver a vision that everyone can understand and play a part in. This vision has to be clearly communicated and delegated whilst showing empathy, courage, and respect.

I believe anyone can develop the traits needed to be a great leader. However, I think some are more prevalent in women. These include empathy, humility, and resilience. Apparently, we are also really good at multi-tasking.

Why is it so important that women have leadership positions? 

Female leaders can be amazing role models for women at all levels. They show others that success can be possible and how it can be achieved. Most importantly they show what difference a woman can make in a leadership position and that there are no barriers that cannot be overcome.

Women from different backgrounds bring different perspectives and can add multiple dimensions to the thought process and decision-making.

Which woman has inspired you the most and why? 

As a Mancunian, I think of Emmeline Pankhurst and what she did for women in such a fearless and brave manner, which reflected how passionately she felt about the right to vote and fighting for women’s rights.

More recently I have been inspired by Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand. She is a great example of success because of how she has handled the responsibilities of her role, the pandemic, and being a new mother all whilst being true to who she is – not an easy job to do in this scenario!

How have you developed your confidence as a leader? 

I once believed that I needed to know everything about everything to do my job well.

I learnt that I don’t need to know everything I just need to know who to ask and what questions to ask! I believe that was a turning point not only for my confidence as a leader but also in my style of leadership.

What advice do you have for women aiming for leadership positions? 

Decide for you what makes a great leader and what doesn’t. It will help you grow your own style.

Understand the difference between managing and leading.

Be brave to take the next steps and remember – it’s ok to make mistakes along the journey – just make new ones each time.

Janice Brannigan – Female leadership

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Janice Brannigan is the Managing Director of Facilities Solutions at Bidvest Noonan. Janice has had a transformative impact as a leader in our business. In the run-up to International Women’s Day, we asked her to share her view on the importance of female leadership.

The Education Sector in 2021

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The past year has been extraordinarily difficult for the education sector. The pandemic has caused massive disruption. Almost all schools and third-level institutes were forced to close, and there has been widespread deferral and cancellation of exams.

Amid the uncertainty, educators took brave and decisive action to keep people safe and continue doing their essential work. The pandemic upended their plans, and they needed to reimagine their operating models. As a result, we have seen the sector conduct online learning experiments on an unprecedented scale. This experiment has been a success. Internet technologies have enabled teachers to continue to teach and assess students.

Now, with multiple vaccines being rolled out, schools and universities are preparing a careful return to in-person learning. This document sets out our perspective on the important role the sector plays and provides guidelines and checklists to help achieve a safer return and to support the physical and mental wellbeing of returning students.

Download our guide

Eve Rushmer – Pushing boundaries and living life to the fullest

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Eve Rushmer is a valued and important member of our operations support team. Eve lives with a rare chromosomal disorder in which all or part of the short arm (p) of chromosome 18 is deleted. People living without this part of their Chromosome 18 have disabilities that make the world more difficult to navigate. Despite this, Eve has been very successful and has even found ways to help others.

She recently appeared on the C18 Podcast where she discussed both life and work whilst living with the disorder. She tells a remarkable story of resilience and determination to succeed at school, learn to drive, and get a good job. On top of that, Eve has completed a number of daring and demanding activities to raise money for Chromosome 18 Europe.

Eve very much lives her life by pushing herself to do the things she loves the most. Her condition doesn’t stop her from dancing, exercising, and even learning how to drive! Her story of overcoming these challenges throughout life are an inspiration to anyone facing difficulties.

“I would like to say to any parent out there (with a child that has C18 disorder) that it is okay to give your child the support they need to thrive in life. I know it is going to be hard, but you will get there. Look at me now. I drive a car, I have passed my driving test. I’ve even got a job in London and it is the best feeling”

Listen to the podcast below:

Bidvest Noonan signs deal to invest in Interact and H20 Solutions

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We are delighted to announce that we have signed an agreement that will see Interact, one of Ireland’s leading M&E Engineering services providers, and H2O solutions, Interact’s highly accredited water treatment business, join our group. This agreement, which is subject to CCPC approval, will significantly enhance our service offering and enable us to offer clients even greater value and support.

Interact is an exceptional business with a reputation for exceeding industry standards and leading best practice. The business employs 80 skilled and experienced people and operates nationwide across Ireland. It has a strong presence in many of our key sectors, including the Retail, Healthcare, Education, Commercial, and Public sectors.

In recognition of their strength, we have decided to retain the Interact and H2O Solutions brands. We will transition our own considerable M&E services business into Interact, doubling its size, and cementing its position as a market leader. Our dedicated transition team will implement a tried and tested integration plan to ensure a seamless transition. There will be no disruption to the services we deliver.

Interact’s Managing Director, Philip Murphy will lead this substantially larger business. Philip will have our full support and will be able to draw on the strength of our group to deliver exceptional service to clients.

We are thrilled to grow our mechanical and electrical engineering capability in Ireland. We do not plan to offer M&E engineering services in the UK, where our focus remains on growing our security and facilities services businesses.

Our CEO, Declan Doyle, MD of Workplace Solutions, Mary Kealy and Interact MD, Philip Murphy have recorded a brief message sharing their perspective on this exciting news.