Bidvest Noonan
A leading provider of Facilities Management Services
by Cinara
At Bidvest Noonan, we’re proud to support our colleagues through every stage of life. One year ago, we launched Together Through Menopause, a community founded on openness, kindness and understanding.
In this video, Sharon Rothwell, our People Business Partner and Certified Menopause Wellness Coach, shares how this initiative is transforming our culture and helping to create a more supportive and inclusive workplace, one honest conversation at a time.
by Site Manager
Bidvest Noonan has introduced a new Domestic Violence Policy and Support Framework for its 27,000 colleagues across the UK and Ireland. The announcement comes as the UN marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, a global reminder of the impact of domestic abuse and the importance of offering understanding and support.
According to UN Women, almost one in three women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and as few as 40% seek help of any kind. Domestic abuse can affect anyone, and these figures underline the importance of clear and accessible support in the workplace.
A central element of the policy is the introduction of up to five days of paid domestic violence leave for all colleagues. This includes colleagues working in the United Kingdom, where there is currently no statutory entitlement to paid leave for domestic abuse. By providing the same level of support across all regions, the company aims to remove uncertainty and make help accessible when it is needed most.
The policy is supported by a wider framework of measures. These include flexible working arrangements, confidential changes to payment methods, time for essential appointments, 24-hour access to the company’s Employee Assistance Programme and bespoke workplace safety plans. A Domestic Violence Toolkit and manager guidance have also been developed to help teams recognise concerns and respond appropriately. The company is now preparing to roll out line manager training in partnership with Women’s Aid.
Julie Mernagh, Chief People and Culture Officer, said the framework supports colleagues during difficult circumstances. “Domestic abuse affects people in ways that are often hidden from view. We want colleagues to feel they can come forward and be met with care and confidentiality. This policy gives people support when they need it, including paid leave and other forms of support. Our focus is on making sure no one has to navigate these situations alone at work.”
CEO Declan Doyle said the new policy reflects the company’s commitment to wellbeing and safety. “Home should be a safe place, but for many people it is not. We want our workplace to be somewhere colleagues feel supported and never alone. By putting these supports in place, we are giving people time, space and understanding when they need it most. Our hope is that this policy helps colleagues feel safer and more protected.”
The Domestic Violence Policy and Support Framework are now in place across all Bidvest Noonan operations.
by Cinara
FM services provider, Bidvest Noonan, has joined Young Enterprise Northern Ireland (YENI), as an Impact Partner.
Through this partnership, Bidvest Noonan will contribute to YENI’s enterprise education programmes, which reach over 90,000 students across Northern Ireland each year. These programmes are designed to equip young people with vital skills such as creativity, commercial awareness, and entrepreneurial confidence, preparing them to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.
The collaboration reinforces Bidvest Noonan’s ongoing commitment to creating opportunities, nurturing talent, and shaping a brighter future for young people and the communities it serves.
Gillian McLean, Senior Business Development Director at Bidvest Noonan, said: “At Bidvest Noonan, we believe in investing in the future, and that means supporting the next generation of leaders and innovators. Young Enterprise NI is doing incredible work to prepare young people for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. We’re proud to stand alongside them and contribute to building a more enterprising and resilient society.”
Carol Fitzsimons MBE, CEO of Young Enterprise NI, welcomed the collaboration: “We are delighted to have Bidvest Noonan join us as an Impact Partner. Their commitment to community and innovation aligns perfectly with our mission. With their support, we can expand our reach and ensure more young people across Northern Ireland have the opportunity to develop the skills they need to succeed in life and work.”
by Cinara
Declan Doyle, Chief Executive Officer at Bidvest Noonan, Julie Mernagh, Chief People Officer at Bidvest Noonan, Elizabeth Sheehan, Country Executive at the 30% Club, and Mary Kealy, Managing Director & EDI Ambassador at Bidvest Noonan
The 30% Club has today announced Bidvest Noonan as its newest member. Bidvest Noonan, headquartered in Dublin and with a heritage spanning nearly 50 years, is Ireland’s market leader in FM services. The customer-focused services group joins 30% Club’s global campaign supported by Board Chairs and CEOs, committed to achieving better gender balance at leadership levels and throughout their organisation, for better business outcomes.
Operating across the UK and Ireland, Bidvest Noonan has doubled in size over the past five years and now employs over 27,000 people to deliver a range of services including cleaning, security, and technical maintenance. Its membership reflects a deepening commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion across its operations.
Bidvest Noonan is making significant strides in advancing its EDI agenda, with a strong focus on enhancing gender diversity in leadership. This has been a multi-year journey, and to strengthen this focus, this year the company has launched targeted talent programmes, for senior and middle management. Both are designed to strengthen the pipeline of internal female talent and increase the representation of women in leadership roles.
These programmes broaden access to development opportunities and help the organisation attract, retain and advance diverse talent. In addition, Bidvest Noonan is driving accountability across all leadership teams and has set long-term goals to improve representation across all levels of the organisation.
Joining the 30% Club enables Bidvest Noonan to collaborate with a robust network of CEOs, board chairs, policymakers, investors and educators who are committed to driving meaningful change. The company will benefit from access to development programmes, sectoral working groups, research, events, mentoring, board ready programmes and senior women in leadership programmes.
Declan Doyle, CEO of Bidvest Noonan, commented: “Joining the 30% Club marks a significant milestone in our journey toward greater inclusion. We believe that a diverse and inclusive culture is essential to delivering long-term value for our customers, our people, and the communities we serve. While we’ve made strong progress, we recognise there is always more to do. We’re excited to learn from and contribute to the 30% Club as we continue to build a balanced and innovative leadership structure.”
Elizabeth Sheehan, Country Executive at the 30% Club, added: “We are delighted to welcome Bidvest Noonan to our growing network of supporters across Ireland. As a major employer in the UK and Ireland, their influence and actions have the potential to
drive meaningful change not only within their own organisation but across the wider industry. We look forward to collaborating with Bidvest Noonan as they continue to champion diversity and empower women in leadership.”
Julie Mernagh, Chief People & Culture Officer at Bidvest Noonan, said: “We are both proud and excited to be joining the 30% Club and to stand alongside its mission to drive meaningful progress in gender equality. At Bidvest Noonan, we are investing in programmes that empower women, foster inclusive cultures, and create pathways to leadership. Joining the 30% Club is a powerful step forward in our journey, and we’re excited to collaborate, learn, and lead as part of this impactful network.”
Further benefits of the 30% Club membership include enhanced employee engagement, consumer trust, and access to cross-company mentoring, scholarships, and industry-specific networking events.
Bidvest Noonan recently retained its Diversity Mark accreditation, in recognition of the company’s sustained progress in building a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
by Cinara
Todd Engman, Head of Business Development at Diversity Mark, Julie Mernagh, Chief People Officer at Bidvest Noonan, and Chandrika Deshpande, Director of Organisational Development at Bidvest Noonan
Bidvest Noonan, a leading FM services provider across the UK and Ireland, today announced it has retained its Diversity Mark Accreditation, reaffirming its commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I). At a time when a growing number of companies are scaling back their diversity and inclusion efforts, Bidvest Noonan continues to place ED&I at the heart of its business strategy.
This achievement recognises the company’s sustained progress in building a more diverse and inclusive workplace. The accreditation is awarded following an independent assessment process that verifies an organisation’s commitment to advancing ED&I. By retaining this status, Bidvest Noonan demonstrates that it has built a strong and enduring foundation for inclusion, one that reflects its values and deep commitment to its people.
Bidvest Noonan has accelerated its ED&I journey with the launch of its ED&I strategy focused on three key priorities: Enabling Experiences, Belonging, and Inclusive Society. Guided by a vision of a workplace where inclusion is at the core of everything the company does, diversity is celebrated, and every voice is heard, the company has implemented a wide range of impactful initiatives.
These include the establishment of a new ED&I Council to steer its strategy and ensure accountability at the highest level, as well as the launch of multiple colleague-led communities focused on Gender Balance, Accessibility, Race & Ethnicity, and Wellbeing. The business has also introduced inclusive leadership development, inclusive recruitment and talent practices, wellbeing programmes, and a series of social value initiatives that extend its impact beyond the workplace and into the communities it serves.
Julie Mernagh, Chief People Officer at Bidvest Noonan, commented:
“Our people are our greatest strength, and creating an inclusive culture for them is important to our success. Retaining the Diversity Mark accreditation shows the commitment and hard work of our teams to make diversity and inclusion part of our DNA. We are incredibly proud of this achievement, and it energises us to continue building on this momentum.”
Chandrika Deshpande, Director of Organisational Development at Bidvest Noonan, said:
“This achievement marks an important milestone in Bidvest Noonan’s ED&I journey. Over the past year, we launched an ambitious ED&I strategy with clear goals to embed inclusion at every level of our organisation. It’s an exciting time inside our business and incredibly rewarding to see our efforts recognised in this way.”
Lesley Miller, Strategic Project Lead at Diversity Mark, said:
“Congratulations to Bidvest Noonan for retaining their Diversity Mark Accreditation. This is a significant milestone that demonstrates their commitment to ED&I in challenging times. Diversity Mark applauds Bidvest Noonan for their focus on Culture, ERGs, Recruitment and Leadership Development as well as providing an example of what can be achieved in their industry.”