The facilities management contractor ABM has opened a dedicated office in Belfast, and appointed a country manager tasked with growing the local Northern Ireland portfolio.
The firm says it was partly motivated by the region’s growing retail sector. ABM employs over 7,000 people and has clients including O2, Heathrow Airport and the Bullring Shopping Centre in Birmingham. It offers services including: cleaning, security, mechanical and electrical, technical, HVAC, data centre cleaning and guest services.
Kim Harris, integrated facility solutions director of ABM, said: “Northern Ireland is an exciting territory for us, and we are putting energy behind taking advantage of this fantastic market. The contract win with Bloomfield Shopping Centre & Retail Park is the latest addition to our retail portfolio, and with customer retention at the heart of our service, we expect many more in the coming months and years. We’re also delighted to welcome Kyle Russell to ABM, who has been appointed regional manager – Ireland. While Kyle will be our overall lead on the Bloomfield contract, he’ll also be tasked with identifying new business opportunities for the group. Kyle has an impressive 15-year track record in the facilities management industry, having previously been responsible for accounts, including: Ulster Bank (part of the RBS Group), EirGrid, Danske Bank, Aviva and Santander. We look forward to the wealth of experience that Kyle will bring with him to ABM.”
As a first win since opening its new office, ABM has been awarded a three-year contract with Bloomfield Shopping Centre and Retail Park, pictured, in Bangor, Northern Ireland. Around 20 of ABM’s specialist staff will supply Bloomfield with cleaning and security services. The contract’s total value over the three-year term is worth about £1.1m.
ABM reports that it has experience working in the retail sector, and provides facility management services to clients including: The Centre, Livingston in Scotland; Victoria Place Shopping Centre in London; and Grand Central Shopping Centre in Birmingham’s New Street Station.
Bloomfield Shopping Centre & Retail Park, about 13 miles north east of Belfast, was opened in 1992. Extended several times since, it is now the main retail destination in the North Down area. The 417,000-square foot shopping centre is managed by property management company, Savills, and offers its four million visitors per year 50 retailers split between a covered mall and retail warehouse units.
Jamie Bill, centre manager of Bloomfield Shopping Centre & Retail Park, said: “ABM impressed us with its experience in the UK retail sector and comprehensive knowledge of the retail landscape in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We place a profound emphasis on creating a flawless and positive shopping experience for our customers, and we believe that ABM’s cleaning and security staff will help us to continually implement this.”
About ABM
The firm employs just over 7,000 people with offices in London, Cardiff, Leeds, Glasgow, Dublin, Bristol, Bolsover, Luton and Stevenage, and customers include international banks and law firms, iconic retail and leisure venues, concert halls, public buildings, transport centres and airports. Visit www.abm.co.uk.
