Bidvest Noonan

A leading provider of Facilities Management Services

Latest News

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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.

“Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can”

by

Pat Byrne is an Area Supervisor at Bidvest Noonan, and an experienced one too! Pat took the long route to get where he is today and is something he is very much proud of. We want to share his unique perspective on life and how it helped forge his career.

“A colleague recently approached me who was struggling with his self-worth and questioned whether he had the ability to progress his career. He felt since he left secondary school, he was constantly being overlooked because did not have a college degree. I was able to empathise with him as I experienced a similar situation too. I wasn’t fortunate enough to attend college, but it never stopped my appetite to forge a career and get to where I am today.

I told him he wasn’t alone with his worries, and there are many others who often struggle to see a clear career path. I shared with him how my outlook changed when I changed my mindset. I firmly agree with the great Arthur Ashe. He says you should “start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can”. I focussed on my strengths, my abilities, and making people see the type of person I am. I believe that as long as you are putting in the graft, you will be noticed. “What’s for you won’t pass you by“.

I have seen first-hand how someone can go all the way to the top in a company by going down the long road. I believe inspiration is all around us, so do not let one person or job define you. Work hard enough and one day you will reap the rewards. Think positive, stay motivated, and above all else, back yourself.”

Editor’s Note:

Subsequent to writing this piece for us, Pat was invited to attend a Train the Trainer course helping him to take the next step on his journey.