The first evidence of success in Wates FM’s ambition to broaden its remit into the public sector came in September 2019, with the award of its first public sector contract, for West Midlands Police.
The contract, which initially spanned two years was extended for a further two years in 2022, involves the provision of planned mechanical and electrical engineering work, services for the fabric of the building, reactive maintenance and project works for the force’s Birmingham HQ, Lloyd House.
The 1970s city centre building was refurbished in 2018 and is now home to around 1,500 West Midlands police staff. Wates FM will use a combined team of permanent, site-based engineers and mobile engineers to service the building, and as it’s essential that the headquarters can be operational 24 hours a day, realtime tracking applications will be used to provide the client with updates about when and where work is happening, reducing disruption for officers and support staff.
Along with delivering core services, Wates FM will also focus on a programme of community investment in employment and training opportunities for local people and in local community initiatives, for example with local schools.