Samsic UK Internal News Winter 2022

Winter Issue 2021 Welcome to Samsic News! Keeping you up to date with the latest news within the business.

Message from your CEO Welcome to your new Samsic News newsletter from Samsic UK. Within “Samsic News” we will We have always known how Our Company values are showcase all company updates, critical and important the embedded in our DNA and have such as good news stories, Cleaning and Security a massive positive effect to the colleague recognition, internal services we deliver, day in people and communities we vacancies, CSR news, local day out, are in keeping our serve. This can only continue to charitable work and much, much Clients Business functioning be achieved through your hard more. and providing safe, secure work, loyalty and commitment. and hygienic places of work. We’re often referred to as a I would like to take this However, it is fantastic to see family company and based on opportunity to extend a huge how the importance and the challenges we have all faced personal thank you to all of you, profile of our Sector has risen – this is the time to continue to for your commitment and hugely, as Business, Media, embrace those family dedication through the Government Departments values. Please continue to be challenging times we have and the General Public have amazing at what you do, strive to experienced throughout 2020 acknowledged how vital our show the best of you every day and 2021. services have been in battling and remember, keep caring. the Pandemic and how Through all your efforts we have hugely important investing in delivered exceptional services to cleaning and security is in our many clients across the giving our Clients and their UK. Your commitment and staff confidence to return to loyalty were critical in the workplace. maintaining business continuity, in such trying times and you should all be rightly proud of your achievements and proud to be part of the wider Samsic UK family. Jonathan King Chief Executive Officer

When the going gets tough, the tough get muddy The clue is in the name: it’s very tough, and very muddy. Tough Mudder is one of the UK’s most gruelling obstacle races, but it didn’t stop a determined team from JPC from taking up the challenge for charity. Agnieszka, Andrew, Francis and Sylwia headed to the West Sussex countryside to face down all the outrageous challenges of the course: high rope climbs, monkey bars, chest-high water, oozing mud. And even the notorious ‘Everest’, a huge semi-vertical ramp that’s intimidatingly hard to climb. ‘Everest’ was the toughest challenge of them all. They had to run up the ramp and scramble up to the platform above the vertical section. Yet with a few attempts, the three of them pulled together to get everyone to the top. Even more valuable than being Tough Mudder ‘Finishers’ were the lessons they learnt about teamwork. Only with each other’s support – psychological as well as physical – could they overcome every obstacle. Sound familiar? We know that at Samsic UK, we need each other’s unique contribution to deliver our objectives. Obvious as it sounds, it’s something that really comes home to you when you experience it for yourself. Another great outcome from team JPC’s victory was that they raised cash for The Rainbow Trust, supporting families of seriously ill children. Thank you for your generous contributions. And here’s to teamwork.

Taking your career to the next level with LMS employee training Good news for Samsic UK staff (and their clients): our best ever training and career development resource has arrived. The secret is in an online training portal that’s built around each employee, and which frees up our managers to give more time to client relationships. Each team member now has a training and development package designed especially for them. It offers them the unique blend of skills they need to develop their very best performance. Our Learning Management System (LMS) is an interactive online library of training resources. Our people can learn at their own pace, anywhere, anytime. What’s more, the training hours our managers Our teams and our clients have everything to gain save now flow back to the client. They can from our Learning Management System. To spend more time focusing on keeping buildings summarise, here are 8 quickfire features that make hygienically clean, safe and secure. our LMS great: With a universal standard of training that’s • A comprehensive employee training package, trackable from one online platform, we’re from induction to specialist skills more compliant and accountable than ever. • Engaging, quality content: video/visuals/text on John Norris, our Training Manager, heads up one intuitive dashboard the program. • Learners can interact and share knowledge with “With LMS, everyone benefits: our clients, our their mentor and colleagues teams, and our managers. It delivers all the essential learning topics in an engaging and • Accessible from any device, anytime, anywhere – self-paced format. Each learners’ progress is ideal for quick guidance in the workplace simple to track and report, so we can keep on top of our compliance too.\" • Self-paced learning • Combines mandatory modules with a library of resources to suit each individual • Easy reporting, to track progress and demonstrate compliance • Ensures a universal standard of training for our teams

Battersea Power station regenerated It’s an unmistakable London icon, with its four It was in late 2016, when Raquel started working white chimneys still towering against the skyline – at BPS as a cleaning operative, that she started and the public imagination. And now Battersea work on her sculpture, using materials found Power Station has been re-invented after years of around the site. The piece is composed mainly of dereliction. concrete, on a polystyrene base. It caught the eye of BPS senior management and is now on display It’s become one of London’s highest-profile mixed- in Scott House, the concierge for the first chapter use developments, a space that combines of the redevelopment project. residential, retail, and heritage/cultural experiences. It was originally designed in 1929 by When Samsic’s own leadership team visited prominent architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, who (including UK CEO Jonathan King), they were also designed London’s classic red phone boxes. equally impressed by Raquel’s work, and offered Raquel a £200 thank you gift. Raquel is so proud to This year, JPC by Samsic were proud to take on the be part of the re-imagined Battersea Power site’s cleaning and waste services – and add to its Station, and of the unique way in which her cultural fabric too. One of our team, Raquel, personal history has become intertwined with the created a sculpture to express her experience of BPS legacy. Battersea Power Station (BPS), and now it’s on display front of house. We’re proud too, and we’re very grateful to the BPS team for their generous initiative. Raquel’s artwork was inspired first by the cover image of one of her father’s records she’d known when she was young: Pink Floyd’s ‘Animals,’ which pictures BPS with a helium balloon in the shape of a pig floating above it. When she came to the UK in 2012, she lived in the area, and the iconic structure, along with its rich contribution to London’s social history, became increasingly fascinating to her.

JPC by Samsic Winning Streak The team at JPC, Samsic UK’s premium brand in JPC have also been awarded more business in the London, is delighted to report more prestigious portfolio of real estate company Pontegadea. As cleaning contract wins in the past few months. well as the Grade II listed Adelphi Building, overlooking the Thames, they can add Chiswick Park offers high-end corporate tenants a Pontegadea’s offices in Devonshire House in unique experience of work and play, and JPC Piccadilly, with its majestic 18th-century already have a significant cleaning and waste architecture. management presence there. Also, the Post Building, a former mail sorting Now they’ve mobilised two new contracts: the UK office in London’s West End, featuring cutting- HQ of Pladis, the snack giant that’s home to edge architectural design and a roof garden with brands such as McVities, and the offices of the breathtaking views of the capital. Pokemon media franchise. JPC continue their longstanding reputation as the go-to cleaning provider for high-end private clubs in London. They now offer a full cleaning and housekeeping service to the Lansdowne Club in Mayfair. The club was ahead of its time when it opened in 1935 in that it offered men and women equal membership status. Samsic and JPC’s relationships with property managing agents continue to flourish. JPC reports corporate office cleaning wins through CBRE at 30 Lombard Street, home to St James Wealth Management, and 10 Finsbury Square, through Knight Frank. Congratulations to Adam Black, Business Development Director in London, the Sales team and JPC for their combined efforts towards these prestigious business gains.

Mind over matter: world mental health day 2021 10th October was World Mental Health Day, and Other options - There’s a range of organisations that this year’s theme was ‘Mental Health in an can offer support, regardless of language and unequal world.’ culture. Or Samsic staff can ask their line manager to put them in touch with our Mental Health First Inequality comes in many forms, especially if Aider, who will be happy to help. you’re an immigrant to the UK, e.g. an asylum seeker or refugee. These can affect mental health, USEFUL ORGANISATIONS TO CONTACT FOR which in turn can make inequalities worse. We FURTHER HELP: identified some of these effects and possible P​ lease do not refrain from searching for the help pathways out. required to better understand your feelings and symptoms. There are many charities who welcome Language differences - Communication is vital people from all communities and can assist you in when tackling mental health difficulties. How do whichever language you prefer. those whose first language isn’t English obtain the support they require? Some of the UK’s top As open discussion is not Mental Health Support groups don’t have present withinsome provisions for non-English speakers. communities, the individual might not Culture differences - In some communities, mental recognise that what they health isn’t discussed openly and can be seen as are suffering from is shameful or embarrassing. The first step is to metal ill-health. understand the difficulties that refugees and asylum seekers face, so we can offer them Not feeling listened to effective support. or understood by healthcare professionals Economic/financial differences - Starting a new and some healthcare life in the UK can lead to struggles with professionals not unemployment, resulting in poverty and even understanding their homelessness. Lengthy waiting lists for NHS experiences of being counsellors may push those in need to seek private treated differently to advice they can’t afford. others. BAATN SHOUT Portuguese Community Centre www.baatn.org.uk www.gi veusashout.org www.p o rtu gu eseco mmunityce ntre.u k Black Minds Matter SUPPORTLINE Roma Support Group www.blackmindsmatteruk.com www.s upportline.org.uk www.romasupportgroup.org.uk Comhar Taraki The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network www.baatn.org.uk www.fa cebook.com/comhargroups www.ta raki.co.uk The What Centre Diversity and Ability Happy Homes Project www.th e whatcen tre.co.uk www.di versityandability.com www.happyhomesproject.com Voades Sharing Voices Polish Family Support Centre www.voa des.org.uk www.s haringvoices.net www.pfsc.co.uk

What makes a great contract manager The secret of a successful facilities contract? With almost ten years in Operations at Samsic UK, Albert Semba can tell you the answer: total dedication to your team and the customer. In 2012, Brooklands College in Weybridge was disillusioned with our service at the time and was on the brink of terminating the contract. Three months after Albert came on board as the new Contract Manager, the client decided to renew the contract instead – for another 3 years. What made the difference was Albert’s engagement with his team. He invested time in assessing their strengths and weaknesses and delivering a training program that would draw out their best performance as individuals. Albert achieved something similar when a management vacancy arose at the London site of Oracle, a high-end IT client. As Site Manager, Albert was able to provide much-needed guidance and support from the inside, and a visible point of contact for the client. Within 6 months, the customer’s confidence in Albert and his team was such that the contract was successfully renewed. Later, Albert was promoted to Contract Manager, and from there to his present role as Senior Contract Manager. Our clients have always placed a high value on great leadership in a contract, because it offers a strong relationship of accountability and trust, and provides the support our teams need to be the best they can be. Albert’s career with Samsic UK demonstrates that when we train and nurture our managers, the benefits flow directly to our teams and our clients.

New faces at Samsic UK With 15 new starters joining the NAME REGION JOB TITLE Samsic and JPC teams in the last quarter, we can be sure that our James Hertfordshire Regional Manager business just keeps on Whelan growing. Though the pandemic Midlands Contracts Manager and Brexit have rocked the FM Matthew sector, we’re adapting fast by Thompson Sales & BDM - Scotland making our clients’ sites safe Marketing places to work again. Ian Head of Marketing Sneddon Sales & We have new faces in almost Marketing Head of Bids and every region and department, as Alyona Proposals Samsic UK takes on the post- Zakharchenko Sales & pandemic world. With our Marketing Mobilisation Manager Employee Portal and the new Emma for Heinz Learning Management System Bulter North (LMS), the induction process is Regional Administrator fully interactive and flexible, Tony South along with the training resources Lyle Site Manager P&G our new colleagues need. So South Brooklands they’ll be up and running even Deborah sooner, with access to new skills Mitchell SHEQ SHEQ Manager and career development options. Simon Hertfordshire Contract Manager North BDM - Midlands Here’s to all our new starters, Sales & Contracts Administrator and to greater things for Samsic Katrina Marketing Contracts Manager UK. Sanna Head Office - Finance Gracinda (Cindy) Martins Burgess North Shash (Sash) Wales & South West Contract Manager Salhan Carolann Burchnall Daniel Hornung Leigh Fricker

Thank your cleaner day: why it’s a year- round mindset for winning cleaning teams If you have a vested interest in making hygienically clean workspaces a daily reality, you’ll know that there’s a strong and direct link between how much a cleaning team is shown appreciation and encouragement from their colleagues, and how well they perform, both as individuals and as a team. This should be obvious to everyone, but it’s often overlooked, because of the low status too often given to the cleaning industry in our society. The smartest cleaning managers – and customers too – understand that a truly great cleaning team has a shared sense of purpose because they are valued for what they do and who they are. Messalina and the Messalina’s love of a good It’s real evidence that when power of motivation challenge, along with the cleaning operatives are empowerment she felt in her affirmed by their team, they Messalina Manita joined JPC’s new role, meant that she found strive for even greater Here East team in 2019 as a herself going beyond the limits achievement. this positive cleaning operative, shortly after of her schedule, taking the mindset directly benefits their she arrived in the UK from initiative to tackle necessary colleagues and customers. And Angola in Central Africa, where tasks without having to be so the upward cycle continues. she’d been working as a asked. For example, helping to teacher. One of the first things maintain stock levels of Continue Reading about thank your she noticed at JPC and Here cleaning supplies, to avoid any cleaner day… East was a positive mindset she dip in service levels at Here hadn’t encountered in previous East. cleaning environments. “In other cleaning roles I’ve Although Messalina was not in done, it was seen as ‘just a a supervisory role at that point, job’,” says Messalina. “But at colleagues would sometimes JPC and Here East, it’s more like approach her for direction or a family atmosphere.” help. Her commitment to the team was rewarded with a promotion to Cleaning Supervisor, and now she’s developing her career in the industry further.

Thank your Winning at former London Olympics site cleaner day: why it’s a year-round JPC, Samsic’s premium London brand, know how to affirm and mindset for encourage each other in one of the toughest, most under- winning cleaning appreciated jobs out there. teams At Here East, the high-end business park on London’s former Olympic site, team JPC celebrated the October 20 Thank Your Cleaner Day with a team breakfast in grand style. The team celebrate each other year-round. It’s customary for someone to bake a cake each time one of them has a birthday. The team also have a very supportive client in Here East, who embrace the team at JPC as their own. All this makes for an environment, where everyone’s contribution is valued, motivating them to even higher performance and to develop more skills not only in themselves but in their colleagues too. This creates a win-win situation for cleaning teams and customers alike. Contrast that with so many workplaces where the cleaning operatives are viewed with disdain, mistrust, or are effectively ‘invisible’. This lack of recognition can often lead cleaning operatives to deliver the minimum standard or worse. That leads to a higher staff turnover & disrupting service levels. That’s why at the Samsic group, we aim to break that downward spiral and create an upward cycle of praise for a job well-done motivating our people towards even greater achievement. Beyond Thank Your Cleaner Day Affirmation isn’t just something we do on Thank Your Cleaner Day. When it’s embedded in our working culture, we’ll want to thank our cleaners on any given day. What’s Messalina’s advice to cleaning operatives (and those responsible for them) who are looking to develop their careers? “Don’t get stuck doing only the tasks you’re supposed to do. Don’t wait to be asked to do something useful, but look for opportunities to show your colleagues that you have the motivation to do more for them, and learn more, and be more.” At the Samsic group, we build teams whose achievements are highly visible and highly valued – and we’ll do it for your organisation too. Ask the Board! We want to hear from you – Get Involved – Shape the Future