A year in review

FM Consultant of the year: Mace Macro International managing director Bill Heath.
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It’s the end of another financial year and, quite fittingly, Facilities Management Middle East is about to recognise those industry players who came out on top.

This year, it's not only been about survival of the fittest, but the survival of the most innovative, the most respondent to change within the market and the most influential.

And, as celebrations commence, last year’s winners look back on their experiences over the last 12 months and explain how they have progressed since their victories this time last year.

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James Day from Smashing Cleaning Services tells us how the awards helped his company grow; Mace Macro’s Bill Heath talks about the projects his company has been involved in since it won the FM Consultant of the year award and health and safety manager Simon Horner discusses the lessons Drydocks World has learned after winning a gong last May.

Meanwhile, 2009’s Unsung Hero of the year Heide Peralta talks about her ambitions and Nehme Moujaess, managing director for Terraverde, tells us about his hopes for this year’s awards, which will be held on May 19 at the Park Hyatt, Dubai.

How has your company progressed since last year’s FmME awards?

FM Consultant of the year:
Mace Macro International managing director Bill Heath
We have progressed well and although it has been a tough year, we are close to meeting our business plan projections.

Unsung hero of the year:
Mace Macro facilities coordinator Heide Peralta
My career history to date as facilities coordinator has been both interesting and varied. I have been given numerous chances to undertake training and development and I have been encouraged to contribute to developing and improving working practices.

Also, I’m very happy though as I’m working for the best manager I’ve ever had (Phil Terzza). He’s really motivational and helpful. I want be come very good facilities manager someday.

Cleaning service provider of the year:
Smashing cleaning services general manager James Day
As a result of the awards we were able to make some very good contacts, which in turn lead to contracts for professional cleaning services so we were very pleased with the outcome of the awards, not only winning an award but also that it generated business opportunities for us.

Health, safety and security initiative award:
Drydocks World outgoing health and safety manager Simon Horner
The organisation always strives to improve in all matters relating to health, safety and environmental management.

Due to the dynamic hazardous nature of the ship repair industry and the diversity of the staff it employs, it is imperative that worksites are proactively monitored and systems developed to ensure all risks are prioritized and suitably controlled.

To support this, DDW, Dubai has invested significantly in its HSE resource, bringing in a series of new HSE professionals throughout all levels of the organisational structure.

Landscaping contractor of the year:
TerraVerde managing director Nehme Moujaess
TerraVerde will continue to progress as we always strive to find better ways to operate and achieve our continuous goal of enhancing the environment.

A recent development has been the launch of our new showroom located on Al Wasl road, where anyone can come in to ask our resident experts for advice on creating the garden they envision.

At the new garden centre clients will find a collection of ideas to inspire and brighten their interior and exterior living spaces.