Bidvest Noonan

A leading provider of Facilities Management Servicess

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Zuzanna Kotlarz, our Contract Manager, discusses how technology and data are driving smarter, more sustainable plant performance for clients.

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The world of technical services is changing quickly. For Zuzanna Kotlarz, Contract Manager at Bidvest Noonan, the biggest shift ahead is how much technology and data are now shaping the industry. Everything is becoming smarter and more connected, giving teams the ability to see what might go wrong before it happens. Predictive systems and smart monitoring are helping businesses move from reacting to problems to preventing them altogether.

Zuzanna believes this transformation is opening new opportunities to deliver better value for clients. Today, clients want greater transparency and insight. They want to understand what is happening in their facilities in real time and see how services contribute to performance and efficiency. For her, technology plays a vital role in achieving that. Digital reporting systems and smart data tools now allow teams to provide live updates, detailed reports and predictive insights. These tools improve efficiency for engineers and managers while also strengthening client relationships by building visibility and trust.

Another major focus, she explains, is sustainability. Clients increasingly expect their service partners to help them achieve environmental goals. Sustainability is no longer a separate priority; it is central to everything we do, Zuzanna says. Through energy-efficient systems, smarter maintenance strategies and continuous monitoring, Bidvest Noonan’s technical services teams help clients run their plants more efficiently, reduce energy waste and extend the lifespan of equipment. This proactive approach makes operations greener, helps clients reduce costs, plan ahead and avoid unnecessary disruption.

Zuzanna’s career began at Bidvest Noonan’s Service Desk, where she first learned the value of clear communication and teamwork. Early on, she was fortunate to have supportive managers who believed in her and guided her development. Their mentorship helped her recognise her strengths and gave her the confidence to grow. That experience shaped her leadership style today and reinforced her belief in structured mentoring and career development for young professionals. When people are new, they often do not know what opportunities exist, she explains. Having someone to talk to and learn from can make all the difference.

Becoming a Helpdesk Manager at a young age proved to be a defining moment for Zuzanna. The role came with high expectations and constant pressure, but it taught her how to stay calm, make decisions quickly and trust her team. It also deepened her understanding of what true leadership means. She learned that empathy, communication and consistency are key to leading effectively in a fast-paced environment. Our teams in the field and behind the scenes are the ones who keep everything running, she says. My role is to make sure they feel supported, appreciated and empowered to do their best work.

Zuzanna believes that strong performance comes from reliability and consistency. Clients notice when a team communicates well, delivers on time and follows through. Doing the basics right every day builds trust, and that trust leads to long-term partnerships and new opportunities.

She encourages anyone pursuing a career in operations to embrace every opportunity for growth. Saying yes to new challenges, she says, is how you learn and build confidence. Each experience, even the difficult ones, teaches something valuable.

Continuous learning is also central to her own development. Zuzanna often visits sites and plant rooms, talking to engineers and observing how systems operate. She believes that real understanding comes from asking questions and learning directly from experienced colleagues. You learn so much from conversations and hands-on experience, she says. That curiosity helps you keep up in such a fast-moving field.

For Zuzanna, technical services are ultimately about progress and partnership. They are about combining innovation with sustainability, technology with integrity and leadership with care. By focusing on the performance of each client’s plant and the long-term value of their facilities, she believes service providers can deliver more than maintenance. They can create smarter, more sustainable spaces for the future.

Bidvest Noonan Launches Counter-Terror Training Programme Aligned with UK Protective Security Guidance

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As the United Kingdom prepares for the introduction of Martyn’s Law, Bidvest Noonan has launched a new Protective Security Training Programme designed to enhance preparedness for terror-related incidents and promote safer public spaces.


The initiative began with comprehensive training for control room operators, trauma-trained medics, and security officers, focused on rapid decision-making and coordination during major incidents. This was followed by a live, scenario-based counter-terror exercise at White City Place in London, home to a range of high-profile tenants and offering a realistic urban environment for the simulation.


The exercise recreated the “Platinum 10 Minutes,” the critical window immediately following a major incident when decisive action can save lives. The scenario simulated a Vehicle as a Weapon (VAW) attack and was supported by Turret Training, St John Ambulance, and specialists from St Barts Hospital.

Authorities, including the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) and ProtectUK, warn that Marauding Terrorist Attacks (MTAs) and vehicle-based assaults remain among the most likely forms of attack. Such incidents can unfold without warning, and most casualties occur before emergency services arrive. Recent attacks, from Westminster Bridge and London Bridge in 2017 to the Liverpool vehicle incident in May 2025, underscore the ongoing need for rapid, informed on-site response.


Bidvest Noonan’s new programme delivers realistic, site-specific training that translates national counter-terror guidance into practical capability for private-sector security teams.


“Incidents like these unfold in seconds, not minutes. Our goal is to ensure that when the worst happens, our teams are ready to act decisively and protect lives. By simulating real threats in real environments, we’re giving our people the skills and confidence to respond under pressure,” said Greg Beech, Director of Operations, Bidvest Noonan.


“It was an intense but valuable experience. The realism of the exercise helped us understand how crucial communication and quick thinking are in those first moments,” said a participant.


Aligned with Home Office and NPSA frameworks, the programme anticipates the forthcoming Protect Duty (Martyn’s Law), which will require public-facing organisations to enhance their counter-terrorism measures. Future training modules will expand to cover bladed-weapon attacks, hostile intruder events, and suspicious-package protocols, providing a comprehensive approach to threat readiness.

Bidvest Noonan Strengthens its Leadership in the Higher Education Sector by Extending its Partnership with UCD

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Bidvest Noonan has extended its long-term partnership with University College Dublin (UCD), one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities and home to Ireland’s largest university campus. With over 38,000 students, UCD is a world-class academic institution, and Bidvest Noonan will continue to ensure the campus remains clean, safe, and sustainable under a new multi-year contract.

The company will continue to provide core cleaning and outdoor grounds cleaning services, supported by innovative technologies such as robotic cleaning machines and sustainable water-saving systems.

With extensive experience in the higher education sector, Bidvest Noonan has a strong track record of delivering exceptional results across large and complex academic environments. Its highly skilled team supports UCD’s Belfield campus, a 330-hectare estate that combines academic buildings, advanced research facilities, expansive green spaces, and cultural areas. This work ensures the smooth operation of teaching environments, specialised laboratories such as the National Virus Reference Laboratory, and major events including graduation ceremonies and conferences.

David Barker, Chief Growth Officer at Bidvest Noonan, said: “I am delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with UCD. This university is the largest of its kind in the country and is a leading academic institution with a fantastic reputation for excellence. We look forward to continuing our support for UCD’s mission to deliver a world-class campus experience while exceeding its sustainability objectives.”

Lorraine Monaghan, Director of Operations, Education, at Bidvest Noonan, added: “Continuing our partnership with UCD makes us incredibly proud. It reflects the trust we’ve built together and the remarkable contribution of our team. With innovation and sustainability at the heart of our work, we’ll keep raising the bar to provide the best possible campus experience for students, staff and visitors.”

Bidvest Noonan partners with YENI to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs

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FM services provider, Bidvest Noonan, has joined Young Enterprise Northern Ireland (YENI), as an Impact Partner.

Through this partnership, Bidvest Noonan will contribute to YENI’s enterprise education programmes, which reach over 90,000 students across Northern Ireland each year. These programmes are designed to equip young people with vital skills such as creativity, commercial awareness, and entrepreneurial confidence, preparing them to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.

The collaboration reinforces Bidvest Noonan’s ongoing commitment to creating opportunities, nurturing talent, and shaping a brighter future for young people and the communities it serves.

Gillian McLean, Senior Business Development Director at Bidvest Noonan, said: “At Bidvest Noonan, we believe in investing in the future, and that means supporting the next generation of leaders and innovators. Young Enterprise NI is doing incredible work to prepare young people for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. We’re proud to stand alongside them and contribute to building a more enterprising and resilient society.”

Carol Fitzsimons MBE, CEO of Young Enterprise NI, welcomed the collaboration: “We are delighted to have Bidvest Noonan join us as an Impact Partner. Their commitment to community and innovation aligns perfectly with our mission. With their support, we can expand our reach and ensure more young people across Northern Ireland have the opportunity to develop the skills they need to succeed in life and work.”

Bidvest Noonan Expands Partnership with Cardiff University

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Bidvest Noonan has expanded its partnership with Cardiff University, significantly increasing the scope of cleaning services delivered across the institution’s estate. The new agreement doubles the number of university buildings supported, creating cleaner, healthier spaces for thousands of students and staff every day.

Cardiff University is one of the UK’s largest higher education institutions, educating more than 33,000 students and employing more than 7,500 staff. Renowned for its research excellence and vibrant campus life, the University operates one of the country’s most complex estates.

As a market leader in facilities services with a strong portfolio in the education sector across the UK and Ireland, Bidvest Noonan brings deep expertise in supporting world-class learning environments. Under the expanded contract, almost 100 new colleagues will join Bidvest Noonan’s dedicated Cardiff team, further strengthening its ability to deliver consistent, high-quality services at scale.

With this agreement, Bidvest Noonan now provides cleaning services across both Cardiff University’s North and South campuses. Through this expansion, Bidvest Noonan has strengthened its presence, further cementing its position as a trusted partner to the higher education sector.

David Barker, Chief Growth Officer at Bidvest Noonan, said: “We are delighted to expand our partnership with Cardiff University after such a strong first year. Our team is proud to now support both North and South campuses, ensuring high standards of cleanliness across the University’s world-class estate.”

David Manfield, Deputy Director of Estates & Campus Facilities, added:

“Since the start of our relationship with Bidvest Noonan in August 2024, we’ve developed a quality, innovative and customer centric partnership ensuring university buildings are well-presented and conducive to a high-quality learning, research, and staff / student / visitor experience. We are delighted to be able to extend this partnership across the rest of our campus and look forward to further innovation”.

Smart, Sustainable, Human: The Working Future of Facilities Management

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Kristina Koshmanova, Senior Technology & Innovation Manager, Martina Donohoe, Sustainability and Safety Director, and Katie Sneath, Director of People Business Partners

A packed hall at Queen’s University Belfast set the stage for a forward-looking discussion on the workplace of tomorrow. On 28th August 2025, leaders, innovators, and industry professionals gathered to explore how to design future workplaces around three urgent priorities: making them smart, ensuring they are sustainable, and keeping them profoundly human. 

The event, designed and delivered in partnership by Bidvest Noonan and the NI Chamber, opened with a powerful reminder from futurist Arthur C. Clarke. His 1964 vision that “only if what you describe appears absolutely unbelievable, do you have any chance of visualising the future as it really will be” felt as relevant today as ever. 

The morning keynote was delivered by Kristina Koshmanova, Senior Technology and Innovation Manager at Bidvest Noonan, who captured the imagination of the audience with Clarke’s words before grounding them in the very real technological shifts already shaping facilities management. 

She demonstrated how innovations such as smart headsets, digital twins, smart sensors, and robotics are transforming the workplace. These are not futuristic concepts, she argued, but present realities: today, an engineer can work on a building hundreds of miles away through a smart headset; robots are already working alongside people to keep buildings clean; digital platforms allow us to explore, train, and test in virtual replicas of our facilities; and connected systems show us how buildings are being used and where they can be made more efficient. Kristina’s central message was that “the future is already here, just not evenly distributed.” She highlighted that many of the technologies set to define tomorrow’s workplace are already within our reach today. The challenge, and the opportunity, lies in acting strategically now to unlock their benefits before they become pervasive. 

New technology is not here to replace jobs,” she reminded attendees. “Like the internet, it will eliminate some tasks, but it will create new ones too. Our role is to prepare people for that shift.” 

The panel discussion that followed, featuring industry leaders, reinforced these points. Panellists proposed that smart technology succeeds when it solves real problems. Safe environments for experimentation, clear problem statements, and, above all, listening to frontline staff were highlighted as the bedrock of successful adoption. One panellist captured it perfectly: “Start where people are struggling, if tech doesn’t solve their real issues, it won’t stick.” 

The takeaway was clear. In FM, digital transformation isn’t about adopting technology, it’s about solving frontline problems first. The examples (headsets, digital twins, robots) matter less as technologies and more as illustrations of a principle: innovation sticks only if it removes pain points. 

Sustainable: From Obligation to Advantage 

The second keynote, delivered by Martina Donohoe, Bidvest Noonan’s Sustainability and Safety Director, shifted the focus to sustainability and the powerful opportunities it presents for forward-looking organisations. Her message was uncompromising: Sustainability is no longer just an aspiration, it’s now a very real obligation, and with that shift comes extraordinary opportunity. 

She outlined the fast-changing regulatory landscape, from the UK’s forthcoming mandatory climate transition plans to new anti-greenwashing rules and procurement standards requiring organisations to consider social, economic, and environmental impacts. In this climate, she argued, businesses that adopt standards early, and integrate sustainability systemically will thrive. 

Martina shared that by 2030, over 70% of the workforce will be millennials and Gen Z. The first Gen Alphas will enter the workforce and this generation, raised in an era of climate activism, hold employers and brands to account for sustainability. “The future marketplace is telling us exactly where to focus,” she explained, noting that nearly two-thirds of these groups are willing to pay more for sustainable products and services. 

The panel brought theory to life with powerful case studies of transformation in action, highlighting real-world examples from across industries. Together, they showed how organisations across sectors are rethinking their operations to achieve ambitious sustainability goals while strengthening their communities. 

Human: Skills, Purpose, and Care 

Closing the day, Katie Sneath, Director of People Business Partners at Bidvest Noonan, brought the conversation back to what ultimately matters most: people. Her keynote centred on skills, purpose, and care as the foundations of thriving workplaces. 

Katie reminded the audience that while external factors like technology and regulation can drive change, the success of most transformation programmes depend on human engagement. She spoke about equipping colleagues with the right capabilities, from technical knowledge to core skills such as adaptability and collaboration. She highlighted Bidvest Noonan’s own initiatives, including new learning pathways and a multilingual learning management system designed to support every colleague. 

But it was her emphasis on purpose that left the greatest mark. Sharing the story of Marilyn, a frontline colleague who saved a life through her training and quick thinking, Katie showed how purpose is lived out in real moments, not corporate slogans. “Purpose is not a slogan,” she said. “It’s about connecting people’s daily tasks to something bigger.” 

Finally, she underlined the importance of care: wellbeing, inclusion, and psychological safety as essentials, not extras. From launching new colleague networks on accessibility, gender balance, menopause, and men’s health, to achieving Diversity Mark reaccreditation, Katie’s examples underscored that culture is built through daily investment in people. 

A panel of Northern Ireland business leaders reinforced these themes, highlighting the pivotal role FM professionals play in shaping everything from flexible workspaces to inclusive cultures. Their shared conviction was that without skilled, motivated, and cared-for people, neither smart technologies nor sustainability strategies will succeed. 

As one speaker put it: “Today is about moving from words to action. The future is already arriving. The question is whether we are ready to deliver it.”