The new agreement will bring five existing contracts together into one joined-up model, with an initial five-year term and the option of two further one-year extensions. ISS already delivers services at Newcastle College and Newcastle Sixth Form College, and will now provide both hard and soft facilities management across all seven colleges: Newcastle College, Newcastle Sixth Form College, Carlisle College, West Lancashire College, Kidderminster College, Lewisham College and Southwark College. With colleges spanning the North East, North West, Midlands and London, the partnership will see ISS deliver a consistent, high-quality service on a national footprint.

The integrated scope spans contract management, helpdesk and CAFM, planned and reactive maintenance, cleaning, grounds and winter services, waste management, portering, pest control, minor works and specialist support, with a single helpdesk and reporting model providing consistent visibility across the estate.

The new arrangements are being introduced in phases across NCG's colleges. As part of this process, colleagues currently delivering some of these services will transfer to ISS, with the organisations working closely together to support colleagues throughout the transition.

Social value sits at the heart of the partnership, with ISS committing more than £8m monetised social value across the contract term alongside wider employment, skills and community commitments:

• six apprenticeships each year, plus opportunities for NCG students and employment support through local programmes
• the Real Living Wage as a minimum, with no zero-hours contracts
• a paid volunteering day for every ISS colleague

Martin Burholt, Chief Operating Officer for GHE at ISS UK & Ireland, said:

“ISS is delighted to be continuing and expanding our valued partnership with NCG – a strong endorsement of the power of collaboration our people, led by Alistair Dale and our Education team, have unleashed. The addition of technical services to a number of campuses across the UK, complementing our soft services delivery, allows us to welcome new colleagues and deliver lasting value for students, staff and the wider communities.”

Alistair Dale, Managing Director for Education at ISS UK & Ireland, said:

“We are proud to have been chosen by NCG to deliver facilities management across its seven colleges. Bringing every service together under one integrated model means a more consistent, responsive and joined-up experience for students and staff at every site.

“This is a genuine partnership built for the long term. We are committed to investing in the people who deliver these services every day, welcoming more than 80 new colleagues, and delivering lasting social value for the communities NCG serves.”

Scott Mulholland, Chief Information, Data and Estates Officer at NCG, said:

"Our relationship with ISS stretches back almost 20 years, so this new agreement will be an opportunity to build on a partnership that we know well and extend the benefits across the whole of NCG. Creating consistent, high-quality environments for our students and colleagues is incredibly important, but this partnership also goes beyond the services provided across our estate, by creating opportunities for our students and supporting the communities our colleges are based in.

"We look forward to continuing to work closely with ISS as the new arrangements are introduced across NCG."

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For media enquiries: Jonny Bisby | jonny.bisby@uk.issworld.com | Tel: +44 (0) 7542 269 965

About ISS: ISS is a leading workplace experience and facilities management company. With a presence in more than 30 countries worldwide, and with more than 27,000 employees across the UK and Ireland alone, ISS provides innovative workplace solutions that contribute to better business performance aimed at making life easier, more productive, and enjoyable for all — delivered to high standards by people who care. Learn more at www.uk.issworld.com.