FRL’s John Davis dies

16 September 2010

The sudden death of John Davis last week has been followed by FRL Receruitment being placed in administration

It was with great sadness that PFM heard of the sudden illness and death of John Davis, founder and Managing Director of FRL, one of the FM sector’s leading recruitment businesses. Our deepest sympathies are with his wife, Sandra and two sons, and the staff at FRL.
His funeral has been arranged for Thursday 23 September at Hailsham in East Sussex. Any friends and colleagues wanting to attend should contact Sarah Hodge on 07841 370 033 for details. At the request of his family, there will be no flowers at the funeral. Instead donations can be made to John's favourite charity, Marie Curie CLICK HERE

Following John’s untimely death, the company has been placed in administration following the removal of support by a financial backer last week.
John Davis founded FRL with Neil Read and Judy Greene Steward in September 1999 after he had been working in the industry for nearly 20 years. He had been supplying staff to the fledging FM industry since 1979.
John Davis was a leading figure in the FM community contributing to its knowledge and learning, supporting its institutions and media, and providing a valuable service to aspiring professionals. He was also a prodigious supporter of various charities.
Commenting on his untimely death, PFM’s publisher, Peter Middup said “John was a lovely man and a consistent advocate of all the good and innovative things in FM. The team at PFM magazine will miss John’s friendship, support, and enthusiasm. His death is a shock to us all and, at this sad time, our thoughts are with his family.”
In his most recent business venture, John Davis formed a training and development company called the Asset Faculty formed by a joint venture with The Asset Factor, FM Guru and New Generation Learning. The other highlights of FRL’s story are as follows:
2001 Office was opened in Manchester in addition to the London HQ, and an accounts office opened in Wadhurst, East Sussex. FRL launched a joint venture with Tower 42 to provide recruitment services to the customers of the tower. A major project was successfully completed for MITIE Managed Services and Sainsbury’s, for the new Holborn head office; where the entire recruitment process was provided. For this project FRL and MITIE were short-listed for the P&FM partnership award.
2002 FRL recruited more recruiting resources to cover the recruitment of Hard services personnel.
2003 A major project was undertaken for Land Securities Trillium, identifying and recruiting 131 Facilities Managers across the country for the new D.W.P contract.
FRL launched the charity five a side football tournament for the FM industry in a venture with the BIFM, held at Highbury Stadium.
2004 The Manchester office was relocated to Halifax and a Scottish office opened.
2005 FRL recruited more resources to provide services for Soft service personnel, and also training and HR development working with organisations such as Incentive FM on their Gleneagles contract.
2005 FRL secured a Recruitment Process Outsourcing agreement to manage the entire recruitment process management for EMCOR Facilities Services Limited. FRL managed the supply chain; creating recruitment management procedures, thus reducing cost and increasing efficiency.
2006 FRL sponsored Double Olympic Champion and TV presenter Ben Fogle for their Trans Atlantic rowing race, gaining high profile PR.
2007 FRL opened the Reading office.
2008 FRL signed a JV agreement with The Asset Factor, New Generation Learning and FM Guru to form a company; The Asset Faculty. This venture has a contract to assess, train and develop 2,500 staff for NbEntrust.
In September 2008, FRL secured a £3million per annum contract to manage the recruitment activities of Modus Limited, one of the fastest growing fit out and FM service companies in the UK.
2009 FRL commenced the provision of recruitment account management services to Modus Group Limited.
2010 FRL Recruitment relocated the London operation from Doyce Street to Watling Street in the City of London.