Customers

Whilst many of our consulting and interim assignments are confidential in nature, here’s what some
of our customers say about their experience of working with us:

Property Director, Thames Water

“Thames Water has employed the services of GRE Ltd to great effect over the last 18 months, completely transforming the FM relationship with MITIE. Anne’s common sense and pragmatic approach linked to her commercial tenacity has been a great recipe for success for all parties concerned. Anne’s ability to operate at all levels with access to decision makers has meant red tape dispensed with and fast and effective decision making. I would have no hesitation in recommending Anne and GRE Ltd, on the basis that I would look to retain Anne’s service in which ever capacity I operate in”

Property Director, National DIY Retailer

GRE provided us with FM resources to inform and guide strategic planning and essential business on initial support. Anne’s expertise and insights has undoubtedly saved us unnecessary expense and helped set out future FM agenda.

Director of Estates, Major Supermarket Chain

Global Real Estate Limited (GRE) was retained by us in to assist in a review of the maintenance support provided to our 500 store network. The operation at the time involved a team of directly employed surveyors each managing a group of stores within a defined geographical area with an agreed well established supply chain. Two main challenges were identified within the initial review requiring a change in the way support was provided and the delivery managed.

The role of GRE involved taking us through the market options available and implementing the “best fit” solution to overcome the challenges we faced and delivered a number of key benefits to the business.

GRE acted as both consultants and project manager through a 20 week process. The added value provided by GRE was in understanding the business requirements and converting those into an FM solution. It is fair to say that the delivery post the changes have been bumpy, and GRE have continued to support the business in ironing out the teething problems. We now benefit from an improved model with the benefit of MI to enable decision making going forward. During the process GRE were very professional keeping us focused on the task but challenging us to push the boundaries to get a better result for the business. Given a similar scenario again I would not hesitate to retain GRE to support through a change the process.

Group Supply Chain and Facilities Director, Healthcare

Global Real Estate was appointed by us to support the business with the retendering of two major outsourced facilities contracts for our fitness centres and hospitals divisions. From the very beginning of the project GRE played a critical supporting role and were instrumental in the delivery of two successful new contracts.
GRE provided us with the knowledge, advice and resource we needed to effectively run each stage of the tender process, from a detailed options analysis and solution development, through tendering and the award process and a thorough implementation process. GRE were hands-on throughout, leading where required and carrying out much of the actual project work on our behalf, including full management of the tender process and significant contribution to the development of the business case. Their knowledge and experience have been invaluable, as has their direct, no-nonsense approach to getting the job done. In addition their support with stakeholder management was excellent and assisted us with managing and influencing key business and supplier stakeholders from Technical Services Staff up to Chief Executive level, significantly contributing to achieving business case approval.

Providing the right balance between guidance, support and action was critical to ensuring a successful outcome for us and GRE’s approach was highly commendable throughout. I would have no hesitation whatsoever in engaging them again in future and recommending their services to other prospective clients.

Building & Property Services, Housing Association

Working with Warren has been an extremely positive experience and his approach, flexibility and capability have ensured both projects are well on their way to delivering successful outcomes.
He has very much stood in my corner from day one and having that kind of support has been invaluable. He has a wealth of knowledge and can always be relied upon to provide a variety of options as to the way forward.

Warren has become an integral part of my project teams and is completely reliable both in terms of delivering to deadlines and attendance at meetings. He demonstrates confidence in talking to stakeholders at any level and I have always found him to be respectful and honest.

Chairman of a UK Property Agent

Global Real Estate ‘s input in support of our turnaround management programme was highly valuable. We were managing a significant FM annual spend of c.£50m in the UK and a large proportion of this was subject to re-procurement and post-award consolidation management. Anne worked as the senior member of the management team focused on the procurement and new contract management protocols and supported a highly successful business performance improvement plan which delivered in excess of investor expectations. Importantly, the team and its new supply chain also became industry leaders in customer service and winners of the BIFM Award for Excellence in Property Investor Management in 2009.

Director of Property &Asset Management, JLL

JLL appointed GRE to assist in the strategy and implementation of a re-procurement of all key services delivered to our clients’ investment property portfolios. The GRE team worked closely with all key JLL stakeholders to develop and agree the desired outcome to the project, which in the end needed to deliver consistent service delivery nationally, against stringent KPI’s, reducing risk, competitive pricing, and a strong emphasis in sustainable issues, with innovative solutions. With GRE leading the implementation, overall annual cost savings of over £6M (3-4%) were realised, the supplier base was reduced from hundreds to less than 25, all services had individual contracts, with preferred supplier frameworks in place, and service standards were improved.

This was a significant change management project, and whilst challenging, the professionalism (and patience) of the GRE team undoubtedly led to the successful transition to the new service contracts, with minimal disruption, and visible improvements from day one, a full audit trail, and a performance management process in place which allows continuous improvement to service levels. The suppliers chosen were challenged to bring innovation to everyday service delivery, and to work with JLL to regularly review and develop the relationships, across suppliers and site based staff, to truly bring a ‘one team’ approach to service delivery, again a key part of the deliverables of the project. Within the managing agent sector, GRE assisted JLL in looking to lead the market in procurement, rather than follow the somewhat traditional practices common in the sector.

• National Food Retailer
• Nelson Bakewell