New position to help schools manage buildings

Property services expert Ian Williams is piloting a new service designed to help schools properly maintain their buildings.

Since 1999, individual schools have had a responsibility to ensure their buildings are safe, managing things like fire alarm systems, servicing boilers and checking electrical safety - but recent research showed many were still not confident in doing this.

Ian Williams has now appointed Andy Waite to the new position of Account Manager - Education, to draw up a comprehensive package that can include a complete audit of a school's asset management, and then shoulder the burden of ensuring everything is kept legal and up-to-date.

A pilot scheme involving four schools in the South West began in December.

If it proves to be successful, it could be rolled out across the rest of the country during 2008.

"It is basically a planned management programme to ensure compliance with all the statutory requirements schools now have to look after their buildings," explained Andy.

"We can carry out an audit of a school's current state and then, for a set rate per pupil, take on the headache of managing the buildings and ensuring they are up to standard.

"This includes liaising with their existing contractors for, say, fire alarm maintenance, making sure checks are carried out on time and work is up to the required standard.

"This allows the school to get on with what it does best - teaching young people.

"We have already had some good feedback from schools we have spoken to about this.

They have asked some good questions and helped us shape the service.

We are hoping it will become an important service we can offer to clients".

Originally from Edinburgh, Andy, aged 42, moved down to join the Plymouth office of Ian Williams fresh from managing a GBP100 million, 30-year PFI schools contract in East Lothian, covering six secondary schools.

He also recently managed a team of 160 electricians on the GBP150 million project to build new BBC studios in Glasgow.

Andy trained as an electrician, working as a sub-contractor on sites before moving to the maintenance sector where he has spent most of the last eight years, firstly as a project manager on refurbishment and new build school projects, and latterly as operations manager providing full facilities management services.

"A lot of hard work had already been put into this pilot by Ian Williams even before I joined," added Andy.

"It is an exciting time and I am looking forward to being able to launch this service and help shape it as it grows".

Recent research into the subject of schools' asset management was carried out by the University of the West of England (UWE), backed by Ian Williams.

It showed many bursars and other school personnel are spending an increasing amount of time looking after building maintenance - but are often not sure of their responsibilities.

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