Bidvest Noonan

A leading provider of facilities services and solutions

Recognition

26 Years of Excellence: Ray Cantwell’s Journey with Bidvest Noonan

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Ray is a very prominent figure at Bidvest Noonan, and his incredible 26 year journey is an illustration of not just success but adaptability, mentorship, and drive, that certainly shows no signs of stopping.

The Early Days

With a young family to raise and an ambitious mindset, Ray seized an opportunity to join Bidvest Noonan in 1997 as a General Operative. His passion and drive to excel were quickly noticed and he was promoted to Shift Supervisor in less than a year.

Ray’s strong work ethic has always served him well. Over the years, he climbed through various roles within the business, from Assistant Manager at a large shopping centre in Ireland to Site Manager at a prestigious pharmaceutical company.

“I’ve had the chance to grow and learn in ways I never thought possible,” he reflects, crediting much of his success to his ability to adapt when needed in his pursuit of growth.

Embracing Fresh Responsibilities

Transitioning between sectors, including manufacturing to retail, broadened Ray’s experience as he faced new and unique challenges. During his four-year tenure at Bristol-Myers Squibb, he successfully built a highly efficient and cohesive team—an accomplishment that fills him with immense pride.

But Ray has never been one to rest on his laurels. When large contracts were won, Ray never hesitated to step up, eager to forge success for new customers. He took up roles as Area Manager and then Client Service Manager for some large blue-chip customers of Bidvest Noonan.

Over time, Ray’s responsibilities expanded, which earned him a promotion to Operations Manager, a role he holds today. Throughout his time as Operations Manager, Ray has led the growth of big contracts and teams in regions like Munster and Connacht. Now the Leinster region is under his remit, where he supports customers in our Workplace Solutions Business Unit.

The Importance of Guidance

Ray’s rise at Bidvest Noonan was not without guidance. He speaks warmly of the joy he receives from mentoring others, a pleasure he’s enjoyed throughout his career. He credits those who have worked with him from both the past and the present, including Managing Director Mary Kealy, Director of Operations Romaine Nolan, as well as close colleagues Marian McGuinness and Paul Casey, for their vital roles in his development.

“I wouldn’t be here without them,” Ray acknowledges. “They guided me, helped me adapt, and showed me what I could become. Now, I take pleasure in helping others in turn.”

Building Success Through Relationships

Ray’s relationships with his colleagues, and indeed customers, form the bedrock of his success. His talent for forging connections and his sincere interest in supporting and mentoring have created a legacy transcending his title.

“It’s about people,” he emphasises. “Building relationships, being there for others, guiding them as I was guided. Supporting customers when they need it. That’s what it’s all about”

‘No Thought of Stopping’

Though some might contemplate slowing down after such a fruitful career, Ray’s ambition and energy remain determined. His eyes are on the future, always poised for the next challenge, and fuelled by a strong belief in continuous growth.

“I’m not thinking about stopping,” he declares. “There’s so much more to do, so much more to achieve. I’m ready for whatever comes next.”

‘A Legacy of Adaptation, Mentorship, and Growth’

Ray’s story stands as a testament to the power of adaptability, the significance of mentorship, and a relentless drive to evolve. From his early days to his present role, his 26-year tenure at Bidvest Noonan serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved when determination meets opportunity.

The Art of Expression: Geda Gudaviciute and her team demonstrate the power of inclusivity

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At the heart of our everyday operations, Key Account Manager, Geda Gudaviciute (pictured centre), personifies the extraordinary power of inclusion. The unassuming photo of her alongside her colleagues illustrates a sense of unity and mutual respect, embodying a key part of our credo – people first. Yet, beneath this camaraderie and routine, an extraordinary narrative exists.

This story revolves around Caroline (pictured left), a member of Geda’s team, who has lived with a unique challenge from birth – deafness. However, her spirit, determination, and ability to communicate have never been stifled by this obstacle.

Upon Caroline’s appointment to our cleaning team, Geda identified potential within her. She believed that, given the right opportunity, environment, and support, Caroline’s talents could come to light. And that’s exactly the chance Geda provided.

Initial communication between Geda and Caroline depended on written exchanges, but as Caroline grew more at ease, she began employing gestures and expressions to communicate. Observing this, Geda, and the rest of the team, adapted their modes of interaction, demonstrating their acceptance of diverse methods of communication.

Today, the effortless interaction between Geda, Caroline, and the entire team exemplifies the transformative potential of inclusive workplaces. It emphasises the value that diversity brings to organisations and underscores the importance of fostering an environment where everyone, no matter their personal circumstances, feels valued, included, and empowered.

Geda observes, “Caroline’s story underscores the profound impact of our People First philosophy. Her incredible journey inspires me every day, reinforcing our commitment to invest in our people and to continue driving positive change within our organisation.”

At our core, we believe in the strength of diverse voices and experiences. We believe in opening doors, in making space, and in acknowledging the uniqueness of each individual.”

The Day Courage Conquered Flames – Blanchardstown Centre Security Team

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The afternoon sun shone brightly on Blanchardstown Centre, warming our security officers as they conducted an orderly ballet of vehicles to open spots in the centre’s car park. Families meandered leisurely, their laughter and animated conversations stitching together the soundtrack of a peaceful Sunday. Contentment and tranquillity were in abundance, with no one suspecting the impending disaster that lay ahead.

Then, tranquillity turned to terror. Our observant security officer, scanning the horizon, noticed a column of smoke billowing from the Falcon View apartments nearby. A fire had taken hold in the building and was rapidly spreading, escalating the serene afternoon into a nerve-racking and frightening situation.

But in the midst of chaos, our security team, the unsung heroes of the hour, rose to the occasion. Guided by their stalwart manager, Kevin Barrett, they swiftly transitioned from calm monitoring to rapid response. With a clarity of mind borne from rigorous training, they raced against the fiery spectre towards the apartments, their fear overridden by the urgency of their mission: the safety of the families within.

Kevin, demonstrating the grit and courage instilled in him through relentless training and years of experience, spearheaded the operation. As he arrived he found the fire alarm screaming through the complex, the shrill sound piercing the air. His extensive emergency training then guided him in leading the successful evacuation of the building, steering the residents away from danger and towards safety. This was supported by the security team on the outskirts of the unfolding disaster, coordinating the emergency traffic management procedures and taking the evacuated residents to safe assembly points so they could assess any injuries.

Within moments, the Dublin Fire Brigade arrived at the chaotic scene, taking over from our team to combat the fire, their collective efforts preventing any loss of life.

As the smoke dissipated and the embers dimmed, the swift decision-making of our security team stood in stark relief. Their training enabled them to take control of a terrifying situation, highlighting the crucial role they play in ensuring safety.

Reflecting on the incident, Nick O’Connor remarked, “This team, like many security teams around the globe, are unsung heroes, stepping up in times of crisis to protect others. This is why I am incredibly proud to be part of the security industry.”

“Transforming stumbling blocks into steppingstones” – a journey of exceptional leadership by Michele Hill

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Meet Michele Hill, one of our industry’s exceptional leaders, and our Contract Manager at Shannon Airport. This short article takes you on a journey through her remarkable management style, her ability to motivate her team, and the impressive trajectory of her career.

Michele has the challenging task of managing and motivating a large team of facilities professionals who work tirelessly to ensure thousands of passengers feel safe and secure every day.  Her winning formula? Clear communication, solid work ethics, constant encouragement, and above all, a generous serving of humility and empathy.


So, how does she keep herself motivated in this intense role? Michele has a unique approach – she runs. Running has helped Michele unwind and reconnect with life after a busy day in the office “I put on my running shoes. It’s a way to reset, refocus, and get back on track,” she shares.


Michele also proudly shares her personal motto, which has truly become a guiding principle in her life – “Make steppingstones out of stumbling blocks. Always remember that every ceiling you aim for through hard work and determination will become a floor you deserve to walk on.” A principle that teaches us to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and development. It’s about learning from setbacks and using these lessons to drive further development and success.


At Bidvest Noonan, we’re truly inspired by such stories of dedication and leadership and we’re privileged to have such committed and driven individuals on our team.

Our Teams in Focus – DCU Cleaning Team

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“We always prioritise the needs of our customer because we understand by doing this, we create a remarkable experience and raise their expectations. We also recognise that without a strong team, none of this can happen.”-  Amanda Gomes, our DCU cleaning team’s manager. 

This week we want to highlight the great work our cleaning team at Dublin City University (DCU) does throughout the year. ‘Teamwork and quality are the key to success’ – is the motto of this diverse team.

This group needs to be adaptable during the summer months as the demand for residences rises in that season across DCU’s 3 campuses. Although their duties vary slightly between semesters and summertime, the main duties involve housekeeping and maintaining the common areas, ensuring they are both clean and tidy. Our DCU team plays a key part in keeping the campus apartments’ public and residential areas high in standards too. 

We asked Amanda what the biggest challenges are on site, and how the team overcomes them. She commented:

“Large footfall is always a constant challenge. Covid-19, students’ parties, building/ maintenance works, adverse weather conditions, and events are also some others to name a few. But we are always prepared, and ready to support our client, delivering the best service possible for the university.”

A huge well done to Amanda and our whole DCU team for their hard work and dedication in fulfilling their daily duties to the highest standards.

Bidvest Noonan achieves great results at national cleaning awards

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Bidvest Noonan has been named as winner of several categories at the prestigious ICCA Awards 2021. The Irish Contract Cleaning Association ICCA Awards are widely regarded as the most important event in the cleaning industry in Ireland. The event recognises service excellence in the industry and celebrates the work being carried out behind the scenes on sites by contract cleaning companies and in-house cleaning teams around the country.

The awards ceremony took place on October 14th, at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Our teams delivered an excellent result:

– Bidvest Noonan Team at University College Dublin – Educational Buildings (Higher Education) category

– Bidvest Noonan team at ESB F27 – Office Buildings over 50,000+ sq. ft.

– Bidvest Noonan team at The Shannon Airport Group – COVID-19 Response

– Anthony Boylan, Bidvest Noonan Supervisor at UCD – Supervisor of the Year (Education)

– Anthony Kerrigan, Bidvest Noonan Supervisor at ESB – Supervisor of the Year (Office Buildings)

– Bidvest Noonan team at St Vincent’s University Hospital – Highly Commended Award

– Bidvest Noonan team at Milford Care Centre – Highly Commended Award

– Bidvest Noonan team at a corporate customer in Dublin 4 – Highly Commended Award

These accolades are a testament to the exceptional work that Bidvest Noonan’s cleaning teams do day in and day out to keep our clients’ environments clean, hygienic, and safe.