Operon selected for FM in Luton BSF

25 February 2009

Operon FM, in association with QED and Wates Construction, has been selected as the preferred bidder for a 25-year contract to provide facilities management services for up to 13 schools in Luton, worth in excess of £280m.

The contract, which is part of the Building Schools for The Future (BSF) programme will see Operon deliver both hard and soft FM services including building maintenance, grounds maintenance and lifecycle replacement; help desk, portering, cleaning, waste management, security, caretaking and window cleaning to the school estate.

The focus of the project will be to deliver world class educational facilities and services for the Luton schools and to integrate those facilities into the Community. As a result, the project will deliver a community library, community theatre, adult education and youth facilities and multi agency space at Lea Manor High School.

The first Luton schools to benefit from the investment starting in June 2009 are Lea Manor High School and Challney High School for Girls, as well as Luton’s two new academies: Barnfield West and Barnfield South. Operon will begin services at the first school in September.

Kevin Crompton, chief executive, Luton Borough Council said: “We are delighted to have Operon as our preferred FM partner, and look forward to developing a strong working partnership that will transform education for young people and provide exciting facilities for communities.”

John Cooper, business development director, Operon FM, said: “We are looking forward to a long and successful partnership with both Luton Borough Council and QED, and each of the schools. The programme will allow us to demonstrate the benefits of an integrated whole life approach to the maintenance of high quality educational facilities.”

Operon continues to expand its operational presence in the Education sector with charity partnerships at Aston University and Buckingham New University; and clients including Aberdeen Schools, North Yorkshire Schools, Rochdale Schools, Gateshead College, Stockport College and The Manchester College.