cleaning team cleaning a sink area

Campus Support Services Update, February 2021

Cleaning Services

Cleaning Services are continuing to support ongoing activities in the University under the recent restrictions. The focus has been on supporting those students who are on campus through enhanced cleaning in teaching spaces, study spaces and libraries – as well as ensuring Covid compliance cleaning is being maintained in research and staff areas.

The introduction of the Lateral Flow Test Centre on campus has offered new challenges as the service has needed to provide government compliant clinical standard cleaning within the test centres. The team members who have volunteered to work in this challenging environment should be commended for their commitment, hard work and dedication which has enabled the University to deliver this important service.

The Waste and Environmental team within Cleaning Services have been on campus continuously since the beginning of the pandemic. Their role is focused on providing essential waste collections, and they have seen an increased workload collecting clinical waste from the test centres as well as delivering sanitising and cleaning supplies to the whole of the campus. Their hard work and commitment is exemplary! The nature of their role means that what they do often goes unnoticed, however, their work is vital in ensuring the campus continues to function.

Cleaning Services continues to strive to use the most effective cleaning methods, including spray sanitising machines, for additional reassurance of covid compliance across campus.

Everyone in Cleaning Services would also like to wish the best of luck to Ruth Hindmarsh, who has decided to retire from the University at the end of February after almost 40 years of exemplary service. Ruth started work at Bretton College as Housekeeper and later transferred to the University of Leeds as Senior Supervisor in Cleaning Services.

Ruth has taken a lead role in training the team with a great deal of patience, delivering a high standard of focus and consistent training across the service. Ruth has always been a driving force in Cleaning Services, her attention to detail and passion for the delivery of excellent standards mean she leads by example and has a truly committed work ethic. This has gained her a great deal of respect from her team, everyone in the service and in fact all those who know her across the University community.

Jill Roberts, Facilities Manager – Cleaning Services, said, “I would like to thank Ruth for her support, wisdom and guidance which has been very much appreciated over the last two years where change has been a constant in the service. I refer to her as my ‘Oracle’; her wealth of knowledge and experience will leave a huge gap in the Cleaning Services team. I wish Ruth very best wishes for a long, healthy and happy retirement spending time with her family and especially her twin girls.”

The whole of the Cleaning Services team is sad to see Ruth retire, however wish her all the best for the future.

Security Services

Malcolm Dawson has decided to retire from the University in March after 29 years of excellent service. Malcolm has been employed by the University of Leeds in a number of roles in Security since 1991. His service was recognised in the Queens 2015 Birthday Honours when he received the British Empire Medal (BEM) for Services to Higher Education and Students.

Malcolm has previously led the Security Services over varying periods for a total of 9 years, initially as the Acting Head of Security, and for the last four as the Head of Security. Malcolm has always been passionate in his service, particularly with regards to student wellbeing and has been responsible for the service’s successful Customer Service Excellence accreditations and receiving the Secured Environment award in 2020.

Not only active at the University, Malcolm has also played active roles in AUCSO (Association of University Chief Security Officers) and was appointed the IACLEA Regional Director in the USA and was responsible for all member countries across the globe with the exception of Canada and the USA. Malcolm held this international role with distinction for over two years, representing the University of Leeds globally.

During the last 3 years, Malcolm has re-shaped the service bringing in new colleagues, structures and working arrangements and leaves the Security Service in robust health.

Dennis Hopper said “Thank you for your huge contributions to the University for the past 29 years during which you have been a wonderful ambassador for Leeds. I wish you all the very best for retirement.”  

Mark Bownass, Deputy Head of Security, who joined the service from West Yorkshire Police in 2019 said, “I would like to thank Malcolm for his support, help and guidance, which has been priceless and allowed me to develop in my role as Deputy Head of Security. I wish him all the best and hope he has a long and happy retirement, enjoying his family time, especially with his grandchildren.”

Jo Hynes, Deputy Director of Estates & Facilities Services, said, “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Malcolm, his knowledge and commitment to the Security Services and the University has been second to none and I would like to thank him personally for the support, knowledge and expertise he has shared with me over the last 4 years. I would like to send our very best wishes for a thoroughly enjoyable retirement.”

 

Read February updates from across the Facilities Directorate:

FD Bulletin, February 2021. Foreword by Dennis Hopper

Facilities Directorate Update, February 2021

Facilities Directorate Support Services Update, February 2021

Campus Support Services Update, February 2021

Estate Services Update, February 2021

Sustainability Services Update, February 2021

Residential Services Update, February 2021

Conferencing Update, February 2021

Great Food at Leeds Update, February 2021

Sport and Physical Activity Update, February 2021