Best management of facilities

For the firm that has derived measurable business benefit from the use of its premises.

2005 WINNER

Stephen Waud of OCS with Andy Steward, Jackie Edwards and Pat Berry of Clifford Chance

A bold move aimed at delivering a world class facility to reflect the corporate ethos. The entry encapsulated most of the ingredients the judges felt were needed to demonstrate excellence in this category – a clear corporate intent aimed at transforming not just facilities, the building per se, but a desire to use this move to reposition the firm culturally – both internally and externally. High use of the new facility for external profile purposes, notably the linkages with the 2012 London Olympic bid.

The entry is high in innovation and whilst there was a corporate objective to improve work/life balance it is difficult to see why staff would ever need to leave the facilities, perhaps they don’t! From health clubs to hairdressers, the needs of staff look to have been at the heart of the project.

If anyone was looking for a showcase that links people, brand, business and buildings, this entry would take some beating.

RUNNER UP

Wedlake Bell was clearly aiming to position themselves in a different league. Again, it was pleasing to see from this entry the clear fit with business strategy and facilities. The judges liked the clarity of objectives and the analysis of subsequent results. The fit out looks impressive, but the judges did not see evidence of significant innovation or differentiation from the entry and compared to other entrants it would seem that less external profile has been gained. A high degree of staff consultation looks to have had a real positive effect in terms of staff benefit. Clients have clearly started to notice the shift in corporate ethos.

3RD PLACE

Mills & Reeve need to be congratulated on a very clever marketing campaign that projected their move to new premises with a central campaign theme of "New Kids on the Row". Whilst Mills & Reeve have come third in this category, the judges believe this entry is a good example of how a facilities move can be utilised for external image promotion. Had the entry better demonstrated a clearer fit with corporate objectives, measurable outcomes and facilities innovation, it would have challenged for a higher overall position.

2005 FINALISTS

Runner up

Third place

2005 SPONSOR

With a turnover in access of £500 million and increasing expansion throughout the UK and across its international operations, OCS is one of the market leaders in the provision of property support services. Offering one complete solution from a single point of contact, its six divisions encompass technical, security, catering, transport, cleaning, hygiene, laundry and environmental support services.