Bidvest Noonan
A leading provider of Facilities Management Servicess
“We are devastated by the passing of our colleague, Bruna Fonseca. Bruna, who passed away in tragic circumstances during the weekend, worked as part of our team at Mercy University Hospital Cork. She was a valued member of our team and a friend to all who worked with her.
Bruna will be sadly missed. On behalf of all at Bidvest Noonan, I want to express my deepest condolences to Bruna’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Cormac Sheils, CEO, Bidvest Noonan Ireland
As the holiday season approaches, Decland Doyle, Group CEO took a moment to express his deepest gratitude for our teams and customers.
“As another year comes to a close, I’d like to take this opportunity to express my utmost appreciation for our incredible people and customers. Although it has been an extraordinary and challenging twelve months, we have met every obstacle head-on and come out stronger than ever. – thanks in no small part to all your support! From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Thank you for everything you do for our business and on behalf of the entire Bidvest Noonan family, I want to wish you a peaceful Christmas and all the very best for the new year”.
We are delighted to share that as a result of a recent fundraising event, we have donated just over €7,000 to our charity partner, Enable Ireland.
Bidvest Noonan’s ESG Director, John King, and colleagues in our Irish business organised a Golf Fundraising Event recently for Enable Ireland. The event saw people from around our business, suppliers, and customers, come together to raise funds in support of a great cause.
These funds will support the essential services Enable Ireland provides for children and young people with disabilities in Ireland. This is the first of a series of fundraising initiatives planned to support Enable Ireland by Bidvest Noonan
ESG Director, John King, has said:
“I want to thank our business, colleagues, suppliers, and customers for their generosity. We believe that Enable Ireland’s work is vital, and raising funds through these events goes a long way in supporting them to create a better future for children with disabilities, and ensuring they reach their full potential.”
National Fundraising Manager for Enable Ireland, Donal Kitt, said:
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Bidvest Noonan for their efforts on our behalf. Funds raised are going towards Enable Ireland’s Galway Services refurbishment to support 700 children and young people in Galway City and County.”
This year saw Bidvest Noonan announce Enable Ireland as its charity partner for its Irish business. This partnership will see Bidvest Noonan commit to using its resources to support Enable Ireland’s services for children and young people with disabilities.
Angela OBrien, Operations Manager for the Healthcare sector in Ireland, joined us for our 60-Second interview series, sharing some insights below.
How would you define what you do at Bidvest Noonan?
I am an Operations Manager and look after a number of sites in the healthcare division. My role is to work with the clients and managers to deliver the best standards, making sure Bidvest Noonan is always the partner of choice for facilities solutions on site.
What has been your best day at Bidvest Noonan?
This September marks 25 years for me at Bidvest Noonan. There have been a lot of good days over the years so it is hard to pin down exactly one. I do remember the first time I was asked to take on the assistant manager role for a site in Leixlip. This was a flagship site for the client, with very high standards, so to be entrusted and given the support to succeed here was a great achievement for me.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
1: Remember you can do what you do because of the team you have working with you.
2: There is always something new to learn, so the day you think you know it all is the day you should give up.
How do you motivate yourself?
When you look at the incredible work the staff on site do day in and day out, it makes you want to get up and go and feel part of a collective team. I also do a lot of work with flowers, so this also gives me a different release outside of work.
Who or what has inspired you the most?
My mum was a very strong person and even though I didn’t get the education I desired, I have always worked hard. This is how I got to where I am today. With the support of my family, different people within the company, and very good friends.
If you had a motto, what would it be?
You only have one life so always remember where you come from and the people who have helped you on the way. They help shape you into the person you are today, and you only have one life to live, so cherish those connections.
Sarah Cork, Director of Operations at Bidvest Noonan, held senior security roles at a number of retailers and has broad experience including cyber, physical security, operational, intelligence, and investigations. She is an associate member of the ICA and holds diplomas in financial crime and anti-money laundering.
Sarah was nominated as a finalist for the Women in Security Awards 2021 and told us about what has helped her to forge a successful career.
What does being a finalist in ‘Women in Security Awards’ mean to you?
Just being nominated has meant the world and made me feel very valued within the industry and I am grateful for all the coaching and mentoring I have had over the last 25 years from my colleagues, peers, friends, and family. It has been very rewarding to receive recognition for my career to date and I am immensely proud to be a finalist in 2021.
Tell us about how your broad experience has contributed to your nomination.
The experiences operating in senior roles have allowed me to gain knowledge and an understanding of how security operates in different sectors and now that I am offering the service back to clients, it allows us to enhance our service offering and deliver more than client’s expectations.
The security industry is becoming more and more diverse and inclusive. However more work has to be done. Do you have any tips for women in the security industry?
Businesses should allow you to be your “whole self”, no matter your gender, and believe in your own ability whilst identifying your own personal goals and objectives to deliver what you want from your career.
My knowledge, skill, and capability have seen me as an equal in the security industry and fortunately, I have had many coaches and mentors who have supported me in my journey.
Each one of us personally brings something unique and we need to challenge ourselves to be better the next day. My advice for all women is ‘take the seat at the table and ensure they know your worth’.
In your opinion, how does diversity impact the business?
I like working with a diverse team as this brings the best for the company ethos and bottom-line profits. I would like to see the gender gap reduced in all industries and empower all women to take their own seat at the table.
I personally enjoy wearing many different hats and juggling a home and work-life balance. However, this comes with great organisation and many to-do lists to achieve being a Mum, Wife and enjoying my career.
What lessons and experiences can you share as a leader?
Accept when you make a mistake and be honest whilst learning and ensuring it is never repeated. It is what makes you a credible professional.
Make yourself available to listen to people’s views, network, and take learnings from others.
Strive to be better every day and be innovative in your thinking whilst creating business strategy, tactical plans, and most of all, execution of strategy.
What advice do you have for people aiming for leadership positions in the security industry?
Be passionate, work hard and be determined to chase your next career role. Set yourself short-term goals and celebrate your achievements along the way. Build strong relationships internally and externally and network with security professionals that allow you to learn whilst growing your knowledge and skill.