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We are proud to announce that we have successfully achieved EcoVadis accreditation status, recognising our dedication and progress towards sustainable improvement.

EcoVadis is a globally renowned platform that evaluates corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability across a range of industries. This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to ethical and environmentally conscious operations.

A proactive approach to sustainability and corporate social responsibility is a key pillar of our business activities and corporate strategy. We actively pursue meaningful innovation, focused sustainability, impactful social progress, and robust governance, both internally and externally.

Throughout 2023/24, we invested significantly in developing our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Framework, consolidating our policies and values into measurable benchmarks. Our ESG Reporting tracks our progress against company objectives, ensuring that:

• We build a greener future for current and future generations.
• We provide an optimal working experience for our staff.
• We deliver the highest quality of service and add value to our clients.
• We differentiate ourselves from competitors.
• We achieve our commitments through measurable benchmarks.

“Sustainability is a personal passion of mine and I have always focused on ensuring that MAR FM operates ethically and responsibly in everything that we do. I’m fortunate to have a supportive and driven team around me, who share the motivation to drive progress within the business. Working with EcoVadis is just one part of a larger strategy to drive MAR towards our environmental, social and governance objectives and is a great way to strengthen our processes. It will also help to determine what our next steps should be to accomplish our sustainability goals, as well as opening up opportunities for new business.”

Andrew Rigg, CEO

Why we signed up

The EcoVadis process allows us to identify opportunities for improvement throughout the business and the feedback we receive is used to form part of our future ESG objectives.

By conducting impartial, third-party auditing, we can more accurately measure our progress, with improved accountability and transparent reporting, serving as a powerful tool to drive our sustainability journey.

In addition to our own goals, we can more effectively synchronise with the targets of both our clients and suppliers, recognising the importance of having partners that mirror our values and demonstrating our genuine commitment to operating ethically and sustainably.

How does it work?

EcoVadis ratings are determined through an evidence-based questionnaire, evaluated by a team of impartial experts. The questions vary according to company size and are tailored to more than 200 industry categories, across 160 countries. They cover four sustainability themes: Environment, Labour and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.

As of June 2024, we obtained a score that placed us higher or equal to 78% of all companies rated by EcoVadis, for which we received a Bronze Medal. With EcoVadis having evaluated over 100,000 companies, we are genuinely pleased with our score as an initial benchmark from which to develop.

“MAR has a proactive approach to sustainability and social responsibility, investing extensively in baselining, operational improvements and delivering change at pace. Being a successful business is about more than just commercial achievement, it’s about doing things ethically for our colleagues, clients, community and the wider environment.“

Zara Harrison, Marketing, Brand and Sustainability Manager

What Are Our Plans for the Future?

EcoVadis both guides and challenges us, reflecting our intention to improve our score year after year and our commitment to continuous improvement.

Based on our feedback from this assessment, we will be focusing on several key improvements, within the four sustainability themes:

Environment

A proactive approach to sustainability and corporate social responsibility has long underpinned MAR FM’s business activities. As a company, we continue to work purposefully in this area, promoting meaningful innovation and sustainability, impactful social progress and robust governance.

Our future environmental commitments are centred around achieving sustainable change through various initiatives. For example, in collaboration with our suppliers, we are prioritising sustainability within our supply chain by implementing eco-friendly chemicals and consumables into our soft service operations. This initiative aims to consolidate and minimise delivery frequency, achieve carbon-neutral supply and transportation, and positively impact our existing clients. We are committed to expanding this programme to as many clients as possible over the next 12 months.

We are also in the process of obtaining Planet Mark accreditation, a rigorous certification that provides a platform for measuring and reducing carbon emissions, which we expect to complete successfully by the end of August 2024.

Additionally, we will continue to procure 100% renewable energy, transition to LED lighting, offset gas usage until a suitable alternative is in place and act on feedback from our Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) audits.

MAR Facilities Management has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and net zero by 2035.

 Labour and Human Rights

 We performed well in this category, with strong policies already in place. We’ve held ISO9001 since as far back as 1998 and ISO45001 accreditations since and continue to work energetically to ensure we create an environment in which colleagues feel valued and efforts are recognised and rewarded, providing the best possible experience of working life to our colleagues. Moving forward, we will be improving our auditing for policy compliance, especially where third parties, such as suppliers, are concerned. We will also be introducing an advanced system that allows for improved internal reporting. As well as continuing to enhance our colleague remuneration packages and reward and recognition benefits.

Ethics

Capitalising on nearly 40 years of industry experience, we have developed robust processes, ensuring that best practices are followed and standards are maintained at a consistently high level, whilst optimising productivity.

Our flexible management system adheres to ISO9001 standards, delivering efficiency and allowing us to focus on continuous improvement.

To improve in this area, we will be reviewing our internal documentation to identify new materials that might be beneficial to publish and introducing additional risk assessments, such as anti-corruption, especially where third parties are concerned. Additionally, we will explore if and where it may be necessary to expand our reporting around labour and human rights policies.

Sustainable Procurement

This is an important area of focus for us moving forward. We are in the process of updating our sustainable procurement and supply policies, enhancing our existing vetting process, introducing regular auditing and only working with like-minded suppliers, ensuring sustainability is a key consideration in all procurement decisions.

Find out more about our environmental, social and governance objectives, in our latest ESG Report. To further your sustainability journey, visit the EcoVadis website. Alternatively, contact our team for more information about our culture, values and services, and discover if we are a good fit for a partnership.

A Strategic Imperative for Sustaining the Talent Pipeline

Executive Summary:

The Facilities Management (FM) industry stands at a critical juncture, facing the challenge of attracting and retaining the next generation of talent. Generation Z, defined as those born between 1996 and 2012, is entering the workforce with a unique set of values and expectations. This white paper explores the importance of apprenticeship schemes, mentoring programs, and innovative engagement strategies to ensure that the FM industry remains vibrant and capable of meeting future demands.

Introduction:

As the FM industry evolves, it is imperative to address the looming and serious talent gap exacerbated by the retirement of Baby Boomers and the shifting priorities of Millennials. Generation Z represents a significant portion of the potential future workforce, and their engagement is crucial for the continuity and growth of the FM sector.

White Paper Overview:

• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• Understanding and engaging with Generation Z
• Apprenticeship Schemes
• Mentoring & Development
• Engagement Strategies
• As a Gen Z writer, my take on it is as follows
• Conclusion
• Recommendations

Engaging Generation Z in Facilities Management

Download White Paper:

Those passing our Binfield head office may be surprised to find our garden looking wilder than usual.

As part of our commitment to support and safeguard the environment, we are participating in ‘No Mow May’ for the third consecutive year, leaving our lawn to grow naturally.

‘No Mow May’ is a movement that encourages individuals and organisations to let their gardens grow freely throughout May and reduce mowing throughout the summer months.

Choosing not to mow part or all of your garden allows flowers and grasses to grow, providing an essential food source for bees, butterflies and other pollinators, during Spring.

This simple change supports bio-diversity and local ecosystems, creating a network of wildlife-friendly green spaces.

Reasons to take part in ‘No Mow May’:

Biodiversity boost: Allowing grass and plants to grow freely encourages a diverse range of flora and fauna to thrive. This means more wildflowers, insects, and birds making our outdoor spaces their home. By nurturing biodiversity, we contribute to a healthier ecosystem.

Pollinator paradise: Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are crucial for food production and ecosystem health. By providing them with a natural habitat filled with nectar-rich flowers, we support their populations and help ensure the pollination of crops and wild plants alike.

Carbon footprint reduction: Lawn mowing may seem like a mundane chore, but it has environmental consequences. Gas-powered lawnmowers emit greenhouse gases and contribute to air pollution. By reducing our mowing frequency, we’re cutting down on carbon emissions and doing our part to combat climate change.

Cost and time savings: Letting the grass grow during May means less time and resources spent on lawn maintenance. For companies that require grounds maintenance services, this translates to cost savings, allowing them to allocate resources to other impactful sustainability initiatives.

Employee Engagement: Participating in ‘No Mow May’ isn’t just about environmental stewardship; it’s also an opportunity to engage employees in meaningful activities outside the office.

Getting involved in tending to green spaces fosters teamwork, well-being, and a sense of pride in our collective efforts to make a difference.

‘No Mow May’ forms a small part of our sustainability initiatives, as we transition towards environmentally friendly practices.

Through our sustainable landscaping and grounds maintenance services, we can support clients with the restoration of green spaces, the introduction of living walls and plants into their built environments and the inclusion of urban farms in their office spaces.

How MAR FM safeguards colleague wellbeing

At MAR FM, we are passionate about creating a culture of support, where our colleagues feel comfortable discussing their concerns and resources are in place to help mitigate stress triggers, from both the workplace and their personal lives.

As an employer, it’s our responsibility to provide a supportive and nurturing environment, free from discrimination, that encourages growth and safeguards wellbeing. We actively encourage our team members to have open, honest, and transparent conversations about their needs and to always reach out for support when it’s required, never suffering in silence.

We support the wellbeing of our colleagues in a number of ways:

Reward and Recognition

Our I.C.O.N.I.C values guide the way we operate and the expectations we have of our staff. Centred around these values, our rewards and recognition programme helps to guide us in creating a team-oriented workplace culture where each employee is supported and encouraged to drive the business forward, with a primary incentive of ensuring our colleagues feel valued and recognised.​

Colleague Benefits

We strive to provide our team members with meaningful benefits that offer the best possible experience of working life and encourage long-term careers. Benefits such as; hybrid working, life insurance, private health care or coupons for meals and experiences. By ensuring that our colleagues feel valued and supported, MAR can retain talent, in turn allowing us to offer the best possible service to our clients.

Through our online benefits platform, we provide our colleagues with a variety of resources, perks and discounts to support them with everything from doctor’s appointments and prescriptions to money off their weekly shopping.

Real Living Wage

MAR FM has been a recognised real Living Wage service provider for more than 8 years. This means that in addition to paying our direct employees an increased wage, we discuss the benefits of the programme with both our existing and potential new clients. Should they choose to adopt the real Living Wage, we work in close consultation with them, holding transparent annual reviews, encouraging open dialogue and allowing for a flexible and straightforward adjustment process.

Training and Development

MAR believe that continuous development and dynamic leadership are fundamental to achieving an environment in which colleagues can thrive and enjoy a rewarding career.

Our comprehensive induction and ongoing training programmes ensure everyone can perform confidently and safely in their role and create a strong baseline of colleague satisfaction. An enhanced upskilling scheme enables our managers and supervisors to lead with purpose, creating a fair and supportive environment and, ensuring progression is attainable to all, biannual performance reviews provide meaningful and measurable occupational stepping stones to allow our people to realise their potential.

In addition, MAR offers access to further education, advanced training and certificates and recently launched an apprenticeship programme, bringing fresh talent into the industry and nurturing those looking to grow in a new and promising occupation.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We understand that education and experience are an important part of achieving equality and promoting progressive mindsets in the workplace.

MAR include both education, through a variety of EDI courses, and experience via our EDI event calendar to all our colleagues, increasing knowledge and providing perspective.

Talkback Surveys

MAR’s culture is built on trust, respect, integrity and equality, a set of values and principles that run deep through the DNA of the company. Key to this is a progressive and open-minded outlook that remains objective and flexible, encourages collaboration and rejects discrimination.

The success of our approach is measured by listening to our colleagues. Our ‘Talkback’ surveys provide detailed feedback and opportunities to improve, empowering our employees to influence policy and allowing MAR to deliver a continuously improving environment.

Mental Health First Aiders

We aim to create an environment where employees feel safe discussing their mental health concerns. Our ‘Mental Health First Aider’ programme has been recently introduced to encourage conversations about mental health, break down stigmas, and create a healthier, more supportive environment for everyone. These specialised first aiders provide a judgement-free ear and the knowledge and tools to support any of their peers who may be struggling with mental health concerns.

More information about MAR’s social initiatives and commitments can be found in our ESG Report:

Insights by MAR Facilities Management

In the current landscape influenced by a cost-of-living crisis, prolonged industrial action, energy supply challenges in the UK, and global political uncertainties, the facilities management industry stands at a critical juncture.

The ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have not gone away completely further accentuated the importance of efficient facility and building services, which constitute a significant portion of operational costs for numerous organisations.

Industry Growth & Challenges
Notably, while growth appears promising, cost pressures driven by inflation and factors driven by global uncertainties are still a growing concern for clients and providers alike.

Emerging Trends in 2024
Drawing insights from industry experts, several key trends are expected to shape the facilities management landscape in the UK for the remainder of 2024 and beyond.

White Paper Overview:

Emerging Trends in 2024

• Economic Downturn Influences Decision Making
• Focus on Operational Efficiency
• Sustainability at the Forefront
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Balancing Priorities

Optimising Workplace Strategies

• Physical Workplace Trends
• Human Trends
• Digital Trends

The Future of Facilities Management

Download White Paper:

Redefining MAR Facilities Management’s Approach to Cleaning Chemicals by offering choice.

In response to the pressing need for environmental sustainability and our own green agenda, MAR Facilities Management is committed to reducing our reliance on single-use plastics and promoting eco-friendly alternatives in our operations.

This white paper outlines three sustainable options that our organisation is increasingly implementing as part of our ongoing efforts to our clients: Super concentrated labelled paper pouches, Bio hygiene enzyme plant-based chemicals, and water-based cleaning solutions such as Clean Zero from 2San.

By adopting these alternatives, we aim to minimise carbon footprint, enhance storage efficiency, and promote cleaner and healthier environments for our clients.

White Paper Overview:

01. Introduction

02. Super Concentrated chemical in Labelled Paper Pouches

03. Bio Hygiene -Enzyme Plant-Based Chemicals

04. Water-Based Cleaning Solutions: Clean Zero from 2San

05. Conclusion

Download White Paper: