Facilities Management News

 

January 2012

Read Network With BIFM's interview with Ashleigh Brown

How do you see the FM recruitment market at the moment?

Ashleigh Brown, Dovetail FM Recruitment: "FM Recruitment was really tough in 2010, but I am definitely seeing a slight recovery and hope that this continues through 2011 and gets stronger and stronger. It is tough for a lot of people at the moment with so many candidates looking for a new role and jobs are often attracting over 100 applicants. Many candidates are failing to impress with badly written CV's and a lack of attention to the role they are applying for. Companies are being ... Read More

November 2010

Dovetail FM in FMX Magazine

For an interesting read, see Ashleigh Brown's article regarding who's hiring in FM at the moment and what it takes to find the right job http://www.fmxmagazine.co.uk/story

 

July 2010

Local Recruitment Agency Parties Down The Thames….

Dovetail Human Resource Services celebrated a milestone birthday in the summer by inviting clients on a cruise down the Thames River in London.

21 years of offering an unrivalled recruitment solution, was definitely cause for champagne and dancing on board the Mercedes Party Boat. The cruise set off from Festival Pier before winding down the Thames passing many landmarks and buildings occupied by some of their clients, many of whom who had joined the Dovetail team onboard for the occasion.

After a delicious BBQ dinner, numerous rounds of drinks watching the sunset and then a beautiful backdrop of London by night, John O’Brien, Managing Director of Dovetail HRS and Mike Smith, FM Division Director, made speeches and toasted to a further 21 years of success. They thanked clients and staff for helping to make Dovetail the successful agency it is. Over recent years they have had the opportunity to enter new sectors (the new environmental division) and new markets (USA, Europe, the Middle and Far East). This has brought them wider recognition and cemented long standing relationships with some of their large corporate clients.

Having started out in 1989 as a small, local generalist agency based in Newbury, Dovetail has grown over the years and now specialises in fields including Facilities Management, Secretarial and Admin, Accounting and Finance, Sales and Marketing, IT, Industrial, Hospitality and Transport, Engineering, Environmental and Sustainability. From local clients including the Newbury Weekly News, Arena Seating and Jokers Masquerade to large corporates based in London such as EC Harris, Turner and Townsend, Cushman & Wakefield and Mapeley Estates, Dovetail has managed to cement their place as the leading independent recruitment agency in Newbury.

Following the wonderful festivities on the Thames, John O’Brien and Mike Smith commented on how the event truly was a celebration of clients, staff and 21 years of “dovetailing” the right candidates with some excellent companies. As the cruise meandered down the Thames amid London’s illuminations – The London Eye, O2 arena, Parliament buildings, Big Ben and the Thames Barrier, the partygoers danced, networked and enjoyed the opportunity to get to know each other outside the office environment.

The Dovetail Group are full members of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and BIFM, and have also achieved 10 years as an Investor in People - ensuring all their staff are fully trained to offer the highest level of service. Amongst their 13 staff, they are pleased to have recruited and retained a number of individuals that have been on board for a substantial period of time, a fact that is welcomed by their returning clients as well as candidates who count on Dovetail to assist them with their recruitment.

 

March 2010

Dovetailing with the BIFM

Ashleigh Brown, our Senior FM Account Manager, has been elected to Chair the BIFM Home Counties Region. The committee represents and supports the Home Counties membership of the BIFM and are also there to bring you some super opportunities for personal growth and career development. They run a programme of local events throughout the year and have an exciting and educational line up of CPD events and tours for you to attend. If you have any queries or wish to comment on any regional BIFM matter, or would like to join the BIFM, Ash would be happy to hear from you.

 

February 2010

Dovetail debuts on Workplace TV

Dovetail FM Recruitment has entered into a strategic alliance with Workplace TV www.workplacetv.com As part of the contract Mike Smith, Director Dovetail FM Recruitment will make periodic appearances on this rapidly expanding and progressive Internet Television Channel. Mike Smith advised, “We hope to be able to share FM and Real Estate recruitment best practice, advising both client and potential employees of current and future resourcing trends in the Workplace environment. The first broadcast is likely to take place in April 2010.

What's Workplace TV all about?
Imagine being able to have the world’s leading business experts alongside you at your desk every day, giving you their insights, knowledge and guidance when you want them. That's Workplace TV. Imagine being able to keep one step ahead of the latest technologies, techniques and trends by having complex concepts simplified by leading experts. That's Workplace TV Imagine being able to keep up to date by tuning into your very own TV Channel. That's Workplace TV. In short Workplace TV brings the best business brains to your desktop

How does Workplace TV works
Workplace TV has a number of Channels, each of which is devoted to a different subject. The Workplace TV team seeks out and captures stimulating video interviews, programmes and high profile events involving leading business figures. All footage is painstakingly reviewed and edited into consumable chunks of video which we carefully catalogue so that you can find them when you need them. Every so often we release new clips on each of our channels. When we do this we'll send you a short email to let you know, with links to take you straight to the clips you are interested in. After a time, clips go into the clip library for their channel where they remain for a minimum of 2 years. During this time they can be found using our sophisticated search categories. To find out more and for free registration please go to www.workplacetv.com

November 2009
Dovetail goes green

Dovetail understands how important social responsibility is in the age of climate change and fragile ecosystems.With that in mind and to meet the growing demand for CRC, CSR and environmental jobs, Dovetail has launched an Environmental Division, offering green collar jobs and candidates including:-

- Environmental Management
- Corporate Social Responsibility Management (CSR)
- Health, Safety and Environment Management (HSE)
- Utilities
- Energy
- Waste
- Conservation
- Project Management

Celebrating 20 years in the recruitment industry this year, Dovetail has already established an invaluable list of clients ranging from blue-chip FTSE100 companies to smaller, niche players. The new division will be supported by existing clients turning to CSR in order to meet the demands of the general public and government alike as well as to new clients who specialise in the energy, utilities and sustainability sectors.Dovetail has called upon a self certified eco warrior to manage the new green division – Hayley Smith. Having come from the organic industry and being involved in sustainable, eco friendly working practices in the past, Hayley is delighted to have the opportunity to help like minded green collar candidates to find their ideal jobs in a sector she feels passionate about.

 

October 2009

Dovetail successfully places Global Account Manager (Nokia) at Cushman and Wakefield UK

The team would like to congratulate Simon Wilson on his appointment to this challenging role. Prior to his new appointment, Simon spent ten years at McKinsey and Company and contracted to Johnson Controls International.

 

July 2009

Dovetail FM hits America!

Dovetail was tasked with resourcing three senior managers for Mace Macro (USA) in Atlanta, Georgia and Houston, Texas. It was the companies first opportunity to work on senior level appointments in the USA and we are pleased to report that Jim McMullion, Cheryl Weybright and Sheri Knesek were successfully placed to look after the Invesco USA Account for Mace Macro.

Jim McMullion was appointed as Invesco Account Manager (Atlanta)

Cheryl Weybright was appointed as Facilities Manager (Atlanta)

Sheri Knesek was appointed as Senior Facilities Manager (Houston)

 

July 2009

Dovetail host race day in celebration of 20 years

To celebrate our 20th year in existence, Dovetail recently hosted an event at Newbury races for staff and clients, some of whom managed to pick winners! Thank you to all who spent this wonderful evening with us, and we look forward to another 20 years in business!

June 2009

Dovetail involved in National Temp Week

As part of National Temporary Workers Week, which took place from June 1st-5th and celebrates the contribution made by the UK's 1.2 million temporary, contract and interim workers who go out on assignment each week, the Dovetail office was visited by MP Richard Benyon.

Dovetail staff were pleased to get the chance to talk with Mr Benyon and make him aware of issues currently affecting their industry - such as proposed regulations which will affect the supply of temporary workers. In particular, Mr Benyon heard about the EU’s Agency Workers Directive which the Government has just put out to public consultation, which will give agency staff equal treatment as permanent staff 12 weeks into an assignment. Dovetail Managing Director John O’Brien said: “The importance of temporary, contract and interim work from the perspective of both job-seekers and employers means it is crucial that forthcoming regulations, in particular the UK implementation of the EU Agency Workers Directive, do not limit flexible work opportunities at a time when we need them the most.

“The challenge is to ensure that measures to grant temporary workers equal treatment to permanent employees do not create the kind of uncertainty and bureaucracy that would act as a disincentive for employers to take on temporary staff.

“I am extremely worried that over zealous implementation of this legislation could have a devastating effect on local businesses. So I hope by our raising this issue with Mr Benyon, he will have a better understanding of the challenge it could present if it is not implemented properly in that it will add even more bureaucracy to our ever-burgeoning workloads.”

During Mr Benyon's visit he also had a chance to meet some of the company’s agency workers to hear from them the benefits of working flexibly so that their work commitments fit in with their lifestyles.

June 2009

Dovetail Golf Day

Dovetail FM Recruitment recently took part in the BIFM Home Counties and Southern Region Golf Day Qualifier at Donnington Grove Golf Club, an event which was largely organised by FM Account Manager Ashleigh Brown. Dovetail sponsored the nearest to the hole, with a team consisting of Managing Director John O'Brien, FM Recruitment Director Mike Smith, Tony Alan and Doug John. The day consisted of a 9 hole texas scramble and an 18 hole individual competition in the afternoon. The Dovetail team were mentioned during the prizegiving for achievements during the day - congratulations to all!

 

June 2009

FM Account Manager a finalist in BIFM Recognition Awards

FM Account Manager Ashleigh Brown was recently congratulated on becoming a finalist for the BIFM Regional Committee Member of the year in the BIFM Recognition Awards - a huge honour. Ashleigh was presented with her certificate at Goodenough College in London on the BIFM AGM and Members' Day on 25th June. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ashleigh on all her hard work!

 

January 2009

Dovetail celebrates 20 years

2009 marks Dovetails 20th year in existence. We have grown vastly over the years and now house a strong team of consultants who are helping to shape the future for Dovetail. We are busy organising a big celebratory bash for the summer, details will follow shortly...

 

October 2008

BIFM Home Counties Charity Golf Day

It all started with an email from Ann Inman (BIFM HC Chairman) encouraging Home County BIFM members to take a look at the Chairman’s Charity home page…
It continued with a bit of brainstorming and chatting to People and sponsors and…
It ended in a Charity Golf day played in glorious sunshine in October of all months!!!!

23 very Keen golfers teed off on Friday the 3rd October to play Golf and raise funds for Iain Murray’s chosen Charities – Macmillan Cancer Support and Dogs for the Disabled. The day was beautiful and the golfers were enthusiastic in their love of the game (if not completely sure of their ability to perfect said game!!) Most people went away from the day with a prize and we managed to raise £524 towards the charities. - with an additional

The generous prizes on the day totalled over £900 and I cannot thank everyone enough for their support. I do believe that everyone had fun on the day, even if some were too embarrassed to turn in their golf scores!!!!

Watch out for the next BIFM Home Counties Charity Golf day and we look forward to seeing you there!!

I would like to take this opportunity to properly thank all of the sponsors for this event.

Business Moves Group (BMG) - A Corporate relocation company offering office relocation services, Relocation Consultants and Business Relocation Services as well as storage, IT and recycling solutions

Mesh-4-Safety – A provider of both IOSH and NEBOSH certificated courses, at great prices - a NEBOSH Gen Cert will remain at £1,375 and a 4 day IOSH managing safely at under £600, even in London!

Dovetail FM Recruitment – A specialist FM Recruitment consultancy offering permanent and contract recruitment solutions to the FM / Property market place

Regency Cleaning - A major supplier of cleaning to private and public sector accounts in the commercial, leisure, healthcare and educational sectors - 8 UK locations and BICS and CSSA registered.

G Brown Specialist Carpentry – Specialist in 18thCentury and Modern Panelling and high level renovations.

Buck and Hickman - A leading supplier of Maintenance, Cleaning, Health & Safety products and tools to the industry.

 

August 2008

Dovetail sponsorship for climbers in favour of MacMillian Cancer Support

Dovetail FM recently sponsored 4 climbers who successfully challenged the three highest peaks in Britain in a day, for the charity which provided vital support for one of the climbers ill wife.

Recent Newbury Weekly News article reads.

James Sugden, from Kennet Way, has been training hard for the challenge along with friends Andy Butler, Allan Comins and Russell Slann (pictured above).

They are raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which helped James’ wife Martine when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer 18 months ago.

Mr Sugden, aged 38, said doing the challenge for the charity had been a good motivation during the eight months of training.

He said: "The challenge itself is something I have been interested in doing for 25 years.

"My dad did it in his teens, and when I was a kid, it was always something I wanted to do."

Mrs Sugden, aged 37, said suffering from bowel cancer had been a very traumatic time.

"The charity helped me greatly to come to terms with the disease," she said. "It gave me great mental support. The charity is not just there for the patient but also for friends and family."

The team climbed Scafell Pike in the Lake District last Friday as part of their training, and have also been going for regular hikes on Beacon Hill, south of Highclere.

Mr Comins is also a Hungerford resident, while Mr Slann is from Kingsclere and Mr Butler from Overton.

They will start their challenge with 1,344 metre-high Ben Nevis in Scotland, before climbing Scafell Pike, which is 978 meters high, and Snowdon in Wales, at 1,085 meters, all in 24 hours.

They will have a support team on the ground to cook, drive and organise the group.

"It will be hard work for the support team as well," said Mr Sugden. "There will be about 10 hours’ driving, which will give us a chance to sleep. Martine has been helping us out, organising things and helping out with sponsorship. It is getting close now, and there is a bit of a buzz in the group."

The group successfully completed their climb x 3 on Friday, August 15

 

July 2008

Dovetail FM Recruitment enjoys a swinging day out….

Tuesday the 17th June was the perfect day for golf! Dovetail FM Recruitment sponsored the longest drive and nearest the pin at the regional BIFM Home Counties Golf Day at Windlesham Golf Club.

The weather was kind and the golf was great for some, but hit and miss for others. Lee Trevino once said, “I'm in the woods so much I can tell you which plants are edible.” The same could be said for a few players on the day – with one becoming so familiar with the local fauna that an unsuspecting rabbit family was seen to scatter when the golfer’s ball entered the woods.

The day started with a Texas Scramble over 9 holes, followed by lunch and a putting competition won by Brian May. Barry Marsham (Albany Facilities) was the winner of the afternoon’s Individual Stableford.

The Dovetail FM Recruitment prizes were won by Matt Dunk for the “Nearest the Pin” on the 14th Hole, winning a Callaway Golf Kit bag and Jonathan King (Mailsource) was the very lucky winner of the Longest Drive on the 5th Hole and became the proud owner of an impressive Callaway FT-i Driver.

Mike Smith, Director of Dovetail FM Recruitment said, “Despite spending most of my day in the rough, we all enjoyed the day out and the great networking opportunity it offered. Many thanks to the organisers, we look forward to next year’s event.”