DEFENCE SERVICES
WE SUPPORT OUR ARMED FORCES ACROSS THE UK
Our Defence Services sector supports over 250 military establishments across the UK, from Cornwall to the north of Scotland - that amounts to more than 50% of the UK Defence estate.
We deliver a wide range of soft FM services to high profile Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Royal Marines establishments, as well as the Defence National Training Estate and PFIs.
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Our customers live and work on the sites where we operate, and we ensure we refuel them throughout the day and help them rest and re-energise at the end of it. If they’re celebrating something, we support with that too.
We’ve worked with the Armed Forces for over 70 years now and, in that time, we’ve got to know the varied needs and preferences of the service personnel and wider Defence communities we support.
While it’s been said that ‘an army marches on its stomach’, we know that food is only part of the picture. It’s about creating a sense of home for our military customers – whether it’s a friendly face at the mess reception, a clean, safe environment in which to relax or a tasty, nutritious meal to enjoy with friends.
SECURITY RUNS THROUGH EVERYTHING
Our clients operate in a variety of secure locations and security is at the forefront of our processes, systems and training.
Our colleagues are security cleared as standard and to enhanced levels where needed, providing assurance, service continuity and peace of mind. Our supply partners are used to working with us in sensitive sites and approach their roles with professionalism and integrity as an extension of our team.
This guarantee covers our technology too. We work closely with clients to comply with site requirements and collaborate to ensure security protocols aren’t a barrier to great service. Our Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO/IEC 27001 certifications demonstrate our commitment.
24 HOUR SUPPORT, 365 DAYS A YEAR
Our clients and customers provide critical services, day and night, to protect the nation and we are proud to support them.
From being first to market with the latest technology which guarantees 24/7 access to high quality food and drinks to delivering round-the-clock facilities management to help keep sites running, we are committed to providing a great service whenever and wherever our customers need it.
One size doesn’t fit all, so we continually seek new ways to extend the reach and impact of our services, and we have a proven track record of investing in innovation that is new to the sector.
AGILE AND ADAPTABLE
Our clients are at the frontline of any crisis or high-profile national event and their ability to respond quickly and flexibly is paramount. To provide effective support, we display the same adaptability.
We’ve proven this capability time and again, leveraging our size, scale and know-how to deliver a wide range of impactful services to the Armed Forces during ceremonial events, national celebrations, military occasions, extreme weather incidents and the pandemic.
While some activities are scheduled months in advance, others require the immediate mobilisation of our colleagues and supply chain. Whatever the circumstances, we collaborate with the necessary stakeholders at pace and work together to deliver what is needed as the requirements evolve.
FOODSERVICE THAT ENHANCES THE LIVED EXPERIENCE
An appetising and nutritious food offer is essential for creating a great workplace for service personnel. It’s not just about fuelling individuals to fulfil their daily tasks, but about fostering a sense of community too.
In the past year, we have served over 16 million meals to our Defence customers, ranging from breakfast, lunch and dinner in the mess, formal functions and celebratory events to hot and packed meals in support of operational requirements.
Whatever the occasion, we pride ourselves on providing freshly cooked, beautifully presented dishes using high quality ingredients.
RETAIL OPTIONS THAT MIRROR THE HIGH STREET
We provide cafés, bars and stores offering customers a selection of hot and cold food and drinks for now, as well as carefully selected food for later and non-food ranges.
We work independently and with well-known brands including Costa, Starbucks, Greggs and Subway. Our partnership with Change Please social enterprise coffee supports people experiencing homelessness with housing, training and support into employment.
The ways we deliver our offers to our customers is becoming ever more important. Scaling the benefits of the latest technology is now an essential part of our service, from 24/7 frictionless and self-service options to click & collect or click & deliver via the ESS app.
PARTNERING WITH CLIENTS ON A WIDE RANGE OF FM SERVICES
Across ESS, we clean over 21 million square metres every week for our clients, from secure offices and accommodation to medical centres and sports facilities.
We provide more than 100 other Soft FM services too, including administration and reception, waste management, grounds maintenance, porterage and laundry. You name it and we can do it.
Our people are multi-skilled, providing greater flexibility and efficiency.
We also work with Hard FM partners to offer TFM solutions and we’re on all the major procurement frameworks.
TECHNOLOGY THAT BENEFITS CLIENTS AND CUSTOMERS
Our clients and customers can expect to see the latest innovations in our contracts.
Whether it’s self-service infrastructure to increase service availability, click & deliver via the ESS App or the first frictionless store on the UK Defence estate, we’re committed to giving people what they need, when they need it.
Technology also makes us more sustainable and efficient, with practices such as chemical free and robotic cleaning delivering an array of benefits.
We deploy digital auditing across our estate to consistently analyse and improve our services and our clients can see all their contract data in one place via our bespoke performance dashboard.
