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New major works department launched

15 March 24

One of the UK’s leading facilities management firms has launched a new department and expanded its team to meet rising client demand and aid its ambitious growth plans.

Diamond Facilities Support, which is headquartered at Birmingham Business Park, has launched a Major Works Team to complement its existing Minor Works Team.

The Major Works Team, which will be led by Barry Leonard, will focus on landing and managing cross-sector Facilities Management projects worth up to £500,000.

The Minor Works team, overseen by Rebecca Harris, manages projects up to the value of £50,000.

There will be a 15-strong workforce working across both teams, where the projects will range from roofing and groundworks, through to plumbing, electrical, drainage, plastering and decorating.

It comes as Diamond Facilities Support has welcomed its next intake of ten engineers which will help the business to meet rising demand across all elements of its service provision including for project work, which is already generating more than £350,000 worth of monthly fee income for the business.

This takes Diamond Facilities Support Group’s total workforce to 190 as the business looks to beat last year’s £15m annual turnover.

Adam Atkins, chief executive at Diamond Facilities Support, said: “The consistent results from our direct labour model approach has helped us to build trust and forge longstanding relationships with some of the biggest brands in the UK – to the point where our briefs with existing clients are expanding, alongside securing referrals.

“Demand has now reached a level where we now need dedicated teams to support minor and major commercial projects alongside the regular scheduled FM work that we offer to clients.

“Whether it is upgrading utilities across an organisation’s group of sites, or re-plastering a hole in a ceiling, we now have teams dedicated to carrying out these types of works to ensure we maintain an efficient service that will enable us to continue to grow.

“As a business we are also passionate about bringing through the next generation of FM talent to work alongside experienced engineers in an environment where there is career progression for everyone, and our latest intake of engineers typifies this.”

Diamond founders complete 100% takeover

31 January 24

The founders of one of the UK’s fastest growing facilities management firms have completed the purchase of a 100 per cent shareholding in the business as it marks its 14th anniversary.

Coat Holdings Limited – which is owned by Adam Atkins and Helen Cooper – has purchased a 56 per cent stake in the Diamond Facilities Support Group from investor John Gray for an undisclosed sum.

Atkins and Cooper had initially held the other 44 per cent since forming the business – which is headquartered at Birmingham Business Park – in February 2010.

It means Diamond Facilities Support Group’s chief executive Atkins, and group managing director Cooper, will own 50 per cent each after organically growing their start-up into a £15 million turnover specialist FM group, employing around 185 staff nationwide.

Growth has been driven by the success of referrals from their direct labour model for 90 per cent of their services, as well as the creation of other subsidiary businesses that sit within the group.

These now include drainage business Jet Through, roofing firm Nationwide Roofing Repairs, cleaning business Nationwide Property Clean, fire and security company Sanctuary and FM specialist product supply brand Purcho.

All of these businesses, like Diamond, have been created from scratch and organically grown to ensure the culture of service excellence, quality and the personal touch that has made Diamond so successful is embedded from the start.

Atkins and Cooper have grown the business’s turnover year-on-year apart from during the pandemic, with growth now significantly exceeding pre-pandemic levels as the Group looks to hit £30 million of annual turnover by 2027 with more than 250 staff.

Atkins said: “This deal heralds an exciting new era for Diamond Facilities Support as we look to ramp up our expansion plans over the coming years.

“We’d like to place on record our thanks to John – as his initial financial support back in 2010 gave us the precious time needed to lay the foundations for the business to be able to serve clients and build our reputation – from renting office space through to employing staff and ordering equipment.

“Unlike many other FM businesses, around 90 per cent of the services we provide are delivered by our own staff, which has played a core role in our organic growth over the years as we have been able to maintain a high level of service, which has resulted in referrals landing around 50 per cent of our new business.”

Cooper added: “To be in this position 14 years on from starting the business with a graffitied desk we dragged up from the cellar and two mobile phones is a magnificent achievement.

“While Adam and I have been adept at spotting and capitalising on growth opportunities over the years, we would not have succeeded without the talented and hard-working team on which our reputation is built.

“Even though we are only 14 years old as a business, we already have a “ten year club” to celebrate people’s long-service, which shows the great staff loyalty we have fostered, which is reflected in the consistently high service we provide to businesses across the UK.

“Our attention is now turning to expand the business even further by growing our workforce across the group to around 250 over the next three years, as well as bringing some of the minority of FM services that we currently sub-contract in-house.”

How to guard against the costliest reactive FM call-outs

25 January 24

A burst pipe or significant escape of water on average costs between £8-12k to fix – and despite many of these incidents being preventable, it continues to be a common issue for commercial and residential properties.

Last year alone, Diamond Facilities Support attended just under 3,000 reactive callouts relating to escape of water.

Luke Yates, Associate Director at Diamond Facilities Support, has more than 10 years’ experience in the plumbing industry, and has shared a checklist that FMs should follow to ensure their pipes are free flowing all year round.

  • A common cause of burst pipes is frozen water expanding pipes, resulting in cracking, with thawing leading to leaks – so there is a need to keep water temperature as stable as possible.
  • Keep all doors closed to limit fluctuations in room temperature
  • Leave your property heater or heating on if you are not in and cover any loft hatches
  • Wrap exposed pipes with insulation, insulate outdoor taps, and insulate the water heater/tanks if it’s in a cold place
  • Make sure all taps are turned off correctly
  • Seal any areas where pipes are exposed to cold air, like underneath sinks or near dryer vents
  • Make sure to check your buildings insurance to ensure that you have adequate cover for such events
  • Prevention is better than cure, so make sure your premises are subject to regular inspections to identify signs of potential issues early on – sometimes burst pipes can originate from other underlying issues

If you suspect a frozen pipe then you must look to thaw it very gradually after turning off the stop cock, a plumber may use a heat gun in small bursts but property owners could use a hair dryer or even a hot water bottle. It is, however, advisable to consult a professional to avoid any further damage.

If you do suffer a burst pipe then it is essential you do the following:

  • Make sure you know where your stopcock is and ensure it turns water off!  Test the stopcock at regular intervals to prevent water pouring through your building with no ability to turn it off
  • Call your emergency plumber immediately in order to identify the problem and get it fixed
  • Speak to your insurer as there may be significant damage if you are unfortunate

Sometimes stopcocks can seize which makes them extremely difficult to operate, especially in an emergency! The Diamond Group have years of experience in fitting Surestop.

Surestop turns off water at a flick of a switch without the need of batteries or electrics. This can be a direct replacement for a brass stop cock.

Contact us today to find out more.

Increasing demand prompts new appointments

22 November 23

Diamond Facilities Support has made six new hires to aid its ongoing expansion.

The growing facilities management firm, which is based at Birmingham Business Park, has appointed Maxine Anwar as a Reactive Service Manager, Joe Agho as Project Surveyor, and Kelly Pinaar as Facilities Administrator.

Scott Simms, Simon Ellis and Jon Lines have also joined Diamond as Electricians to further bolster the firm’s direct labour offer to clients – which is a key driver behind the firm’s year-on-year growth.

Adam Atkins is the Chief Executive of the Diamond Facilities Support Group, which has an annual turnover of £14 million, employing approximately 115 staff.

He said: “These new appointments will enable us to maintain high levels of service amid rising demand for our services right across the UK.

“We are seeing increases in our offerings across the board and in-particular the care, retail and hospitality sectors.

“We have also split our projects division into minor works and projects, and now also major projects to ensure we are geared up to meet the rising demand we are seeing.

“Our loyal workforce – backed up by regular industry-accredited training and career progression – has played a key role in our journey so far, and we look forward to growing this even further in the near future.”

Diamond lands major recognition

22 November 23

The Global 100 has named Diamond Facilities Support as Best Facilities Services Business of the Year 2024.

The Global 100 annual awards program is to recognise the achievements and expertise of firms and individuals operating to the highest standards across the globe.

Click here to find out more about how the business’ ongoing growth has landed this recognition.

Diamond on track for another year of growth

27 October 23

One of the UK’s fastest-growing facilities management firms is on track to record another year of growth after a record period of new business.

 

This year Diamond Facilities Support, whose headquarters are based at Birmingham Business Park, has added 18 new clients to its books covering multiple sectors and sites across the country.

 

Powered access provider Nationwide Platforms have appointed Diamond to supply an FM helpdesk and perform a range of building compliance, reactive maintenance services and both minor and major projects.

 

Other key contracts won this year include providing building compliance work at multiple sites for waste management firm Biffa, as well as delivering reactive works to clients such as Punch Pubs, Mid Counties Co-op, Holland & Barrett, Cote and Sedgewick.

 

Other wins have been minor works and projects specific and have been struck with Solihull College and University Centre, Leicestershire County Council, WM Trains and The Arch Company.

 

This bumper period of new clients comes on top of other works secured earlier in the year with We Buy Any Car, Nando’s, British Heart Foundation, National Farmers’ Union, Keys Group, My Dentist and New World Trading Company.

 

It means the business has cemented its position as one of the UK’s leading FM and maintenance providers in 2023, demonstrating the national reach, breadth of services and customer satisfaction provided.

 

Adam Atkins is the Chief Executive and Helen Cooper the Managing Director of the Diamond Facilities Support Group, which has an annual turnover of £14 million, employing approximately 110 staff.

 

He said: “We’re really proud of the growth we have achieved since forming the business in 2010 – even through the pandemic – and that is testament to the talented and hard-working workforce and senior management team that we continue to develop.”

 

Helen added: “The growth has also been underpinned by our ability to provide a direct labour model to businesses rather than outsourcing, which ensures that we are able to provide a consistently high level of service to our customers.

 

“Offering direct labour is also a flexible asset for us as it has enabled us to branch out into a variety of sectors over the years, and we are now in a position where we understand the nuances of what each sector requires – whether it is a shop, warehouse, school, care home or office block.

 

“With our knowledge and expertise now spread across the UK, our focus is on continuing to strengthen our service proposition, backed up by our ongoing recruitment and training.”

 

For more information about Diamond Facilities Support visit www.diamond-fs.com 

 

ENDS

Photo caption: From left, Adam Atkins and Helen Cooper from Diamond Facilities Support Group

Diamond launches EV division

14 March 22

Diamond Facilities have launched their new national Division – Diamond EV Solutions.

This division has been created to specialise in both the Corporate and Residential EV Charging sectors.  Diamond have partnered with some of the leading manufacturers in both fields and with a dedicated team of engineers can not only advise on the correct solution but can also carry out any enabling works, the supply and fit of the proposed solution and any works required following the installation.

Diamonds new division will be a one-stop-shop for all of your EV Charging needs whether at your work place or at your home. 

Another diamond year of growth

20 March 19

Diamond Facilities Support Group has achieved its ninth consecutive year of growth in turnover.

 

The firm, which is based on Birmingham Business Park, generated £9.5 million of turnover in the 2018/9 financial year – a £1 million increase on the previous year.

 

It follows a year that has seen the firm launch three businesses to form the Diamond Facilities Support Group in a bid to provide more than 90 per cent of services from in-house personnel, creating 60 new jobs currently, with plans for further growth.

 

These include fire and security maintenance and compliance through Sanctuary Fire & Security Limited; commercial cleaning, pest control and grounds maintenance through Nationwide Property Clean, and specialist drainage solutions via Jet Through Limited.

 

The Group has landed more than a dozen contracts this year with high-profile names such as Ryder, Mitchell & Butlers, Yates and AFI taking the Group’s client base into the mid-30s.

 

Adam Atkins, joint managing director of the Diamond Facilities Support Group, said: “We have bold and achievable ambitions for the Group to be more than doubling its turnover by 2022, which will be expedited by the formation of the new businesses.

 

“Over the years we have built up solid foundations with Diamond Facilities Support as a single entity offering a range of facilities management services, which in turn has allowed us to identify key growth areas and set up dedicated businesses to service these markets.”

 

Helen Cooper, joint managing director of the Diamond Facilities Support Group added: “Creating an infrastructure where we can offer the majority of our services in-house with a 170+ strong workforce is vital for our long-term growth, because a consistently high level of service will increase the number of referrals that we are receiving and ensure client retention.

 

“The three new businesses are approaching nearly £1million each to the Group’s overall annual turnover which is really encouraging as we look to grow these three brands across the UK over the next year alongside Diamond Facilities Support.”

Leading industry figure spearheading Jet Through Limited’s growth

17 January 19

The founder of two drainage businesses with multi-million pound turnovers has joined one of the industry’s newest firms, Jet Through Limited, to drive forward the company’s ambitious growth plans.

 

Greg Beech, who founded and grew UKDN Waterflow into a business achieving £50 million of annual sales before departing in 2014, has joined drainage and cleaning company Jet Through as a corporate development advisor and will be shaping its expansion.

 

This includes taking the firm’s existing £1 million turnover to around £3 million in the next 18 months with a workforce of ten specialist drainage engineers working across sectors such as retail, care, hotel and leisure, education and commercial property.

 

Jet Through is part of the Diamond Facilities Support Group of companies, which is also made up of facilities management firm Diamond Facilities Support, Nationwide Property Clean and fire and security maintenance firm Sanctuary – collectively the Group of companies has an annual turnover of £9.5 million.

 

Jet Through was launched by Adam Atkins and Helen Cooper, the co-managing directors of the Diamond Facilities Support Group of companies, in spring 2018 as part of their vision to have more than 90 per cent of all of the Group’s services delivered by an in-house workforce.

 

Beech, who also set up and managed a multi-million pound drainage utility business called Direct Drains between 1992 and 2003, said: “The consistent, fast-paced growth of Diamond Facilities Support meant this opportunity was just too good to turn down.

 

“There is more than £1 billion worth of business to be had in the UK drainage market, and delivering a consistent level of high service in-house will stand Jet Through in good stead.

 

“Jet Through already has access to a broad range of clients via Diamond Facilities Support’s existing client base, and through using my existing network of contacts and knowledge of growing businesses, I am looking forward to the challenge of helping to take Jet Through to the next level.”

 

Beech also recently spent two-and-a-half years at Preston-based Service Solutions Group as CEO, and is founder of Surface Medic.

 

Adam Atkins, joint managing director at the Diamond Facilities Support Group of companies, believes the appointment of Beech is a coup for Jet Through.

 

He added: “Greg is an experienced professional who knows the drainage industry inside out, so he will be a key asset for Jet Through and the wider group in the future.”

 

Helen Cooper, joint managing director at the Diamond Facilities Support Group of companies, commented: “Greg’s business accomplishments are also second to none, and he is the perfect candidate to guide Jet Through on its journey of growth, to help drive forward Diamond Facilities Support Group’s ultimate ambition of achieving £25 million turnover by 2025.”

Quick-thinking engineer delivers diamond customer service

08 November 18

Sometimes a job is not straightforward and where vulnerable people are concerned it can mean a bit of quick thinking and sensitivity to other people’s reactions.

 

Diamond Facilities Support engineer, Bobby Clarke, discovered this while on a call-out for Hft, a charity supporting people with learning disabilities for whom Diamond provides maintenance services.

 

It was a Monday night and the staff on duty had called Bobby out to fix a problem. As he was trying to isolate a distribution board, it caused the lights to go out for five seconds. For many people this would be nothing but a quick inconvenience, but for people with learning disabilities it can be unsettling.

 

Bobby noticed that one of the tenants was particularly distressed by the lights going out, so he took it upon himself to soothe him. Spotting an opportunity to encourage the supported person to get involved, he asked if he would like to be his partner in crime. The tenant immediately said yes and became visibly calmer.

 

Bobby asked the person if he could count, to which he proudly said that yes, he could count to 2000! So, Bobby encouraged him to count to five while the lights went out, and when he reached five, they would magically reappear!

 

By this time a number of other tenants had come over to see what was going on, which made the young man feel proud of himself for helping with the job.

 

Bobby said: “That made me feel I had done a great deed for the day and made sure he felt safe at all times.”

 

This is a great example of a Diamond engineer stepping in to turn a potentially difficult situation into an opportunity to involve people and make them feel safe. And of course, a member of Hft staff will always be there to advise the best course of action.