Lancaster University was awarded for it ‘exceptional’ facilities at the inaugural Higher Education Estates and Facilities Awards. At the prestigious national awards the University won the award naming it Facilities/Estates Team of the Year.
The inaugural Higher Education Estates and Facilities Awards highlight and celebrate the exceptional achievements of universities and those who work in them.
The Lancaster team have this year set out to ensure satisfaction and efficiency. The key areas the team have prioritised included: a culture that focuses on values and behaviour, creating an environment that fosters success and pride with the desire to make things happen by team working; getting closer to their customers, understanding their priorities and challenges, developing and nurturing relationships for better collaboration and increased satisfaction; improving communications and accessibility, simplifying their systems and processes.
As well as this, a new training scheme was introduced to reach out to all levels of staff. A bespoke training programme developed by the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM), delivered by Anne Lennox-Martin, was rolled out to all managers, supervisors and customer service champions.
The Awards judges commented that the Lancaster team has “a very comprehensive approach doing lots of things well, a focus on student experience, values and behaviour. The Making a Difference (MAD) scheme is an exemplar that is now being rolled out across Professional Services.”
Facilities have received numerous other awards awards this year, including the Green Gown Carbon Reduction award for the 2nd year running, the Green Flag award for campus grounds for the 3rd year running, Best Halls for the 5th year running and two Gold Food for Life awards.
