Welcome to our second edition of our bi-annual DMA Digest
We believe in keeping our customers and the wider industry, informed and inspired. Whether it’s sharing updates on our latest projects, celebrating team achievements, or highlighting innovations in facilities management, we’re proud to offer an update into what makes DMA tick.
A Message from Steve McGregor, Executive Chairman
What an incredible six months it’s been for us!
As a company with 222 years of history, we’ve always balanced tradition with transformation, and this latest chapter has been one of our most exciting yet. From forming our new Group Supervisory Board and welcoming key leadership appointments, to national recognition for our award-winning BiO® platform and our upcoming SaaS product launch, we’re evolving fast to meet the needs of our customers.
Our unique digital transformation has led to DMA being acclaimed as a ‘changemaker’, and one of the most innovative and disruptive M&E maintenance companies in the UK today. We’re proud of that growing reputation as we’re leading the way for our industry to become better. As a result, I’ve been proud to showcase our achievements and share our experiences at national and international conferences, workshops and innovation forums.
We’ve strengthened in-house service delivery teams, designed & installed impactful de-carbonisation projects, and received fantastic customer feedback, all of which drives us forward. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, and even more excited about what’s ahead.
All of this progress reflects our continued belief in doing things the right way, with heart, integrity, and a forward-thinking mindset. We’re committed to delivering value, embracing innovation, and being the kind of company people want to work with, and for.
Thank you to our people, our customers and our service partners for being such an important and valued part of our journey.
Organisational Update
Our New Group Supervisory Board (GSB)
We’re always evolving to better serve our customers and drive innovation. So, to strengthen our focus on excellence, we’ve established a Group Supervisory Board to oversee our three core business units: Maintenance, Projects, and Software as a Service (SaaS). Our new BiO® SaaS product is set to launch later this year.
Our GSB comprises:
Steve McGregor
Executive Chairman
Andrew Wood
Chief Executive Officer
Andy Cook
Chief Technology Officer
Valerie Miller
Chief Customer Officer
To lead each business unit, we’ve appointed dedicated Chief Operating Officers:
Wendy Bennett
Maintenance
Ian McGregor
Projects & Engineering
Rob Tate
SaaS
This strategic restructuring reflects our commitment to deliver outstanding service and innovative solutions for our existing and new customers.
New Partnerships
Welcome Sanctuary Housing – Our Newest Customer
We’re proud to welcome Sanctuary Housing as our newest customer, following a competitive tender win for the provision of Air Conditioning and Mechanical Ventilation Services across their South region.
Formed more than 50 years ago, Sanctuary Housing is one of the UK’s leading providers of housing, and care across England & Scotland and employing more than 14,000 people and managing over 125,000 units of accommodation. From general rented homes and student accommodation to supported living and care homes, their property portfolio is as diverse as it is extensive. Sanctuary’s mission to deliver secure, high-quality homes and services that support people to achieve their goals aligns closely with our own values of making buildings work better.
Under this four-year contract – with potential extensions of up to two additional years – we’ll be responsible for supporting 826 locations with a full range of services, including:
- Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) inspections of air conditioning units, mechanical ventilation systems, and kitchen air extractor hoods (non-commercial),
- 24/7 reactive callouts, ensuring rapid response and first-time fixes wherever possible,
- Regulatory compliance, including F-Gas register management and TM44 energy assessments,
- Specialist support for critical environments such as Care Home and Supported Living medication rooms.
This partnership will see us delivering a high-performing, compliant, and responsive service, while helping Sanctuary maintain safe, comfortable, and compliant environments for their residents, staff, and service users.
We look forward to working closely with Sanctuary to support their vital work and social purpose, and we’re excited to bring our technical expertise to their sites across the South of England.
Welcome into the DMA family, Sanctuary Housing!
Customer Satisfaction
Your Feedback Matters
Thank you to all our customers who provided feedback in our latest satisfaction survey. Your insights are invaluable in helping us improve our service.
We’re pleased to share that over the last 12 months, we’ve received 66 individual compliments for our team’s hard work. We’re committed to recognising and rewarding great service from our people, so every customer compliment received earns our team members a rewards voucher as a thank-you for their dedication.
- “The work was well-planned, completed on schedule, and to a high standard.”
- “Your team is experienced, helpful, and efficient.”
- “The company was very good when I managed the contract—responsive and professional.”
We recognise there is always room for improvement and customers highlighted opportunities to enhance communication, planning, and speed of response. We are actively addressing these and will continue to make improvements to ensure a better experience.
Recent Events
Can AI Tolerate the Complexities of FM? – DMA at Workplace Futures 2025
This year’s Workplace Futures Conference, hosted by i-FM.net in London, centred on one of the most talked-about topics in technology today: Artificial Intelligence. Under the banner “FM & AI: Everything You Need to Know”, the 2025 event brought together industry leaders to explore what AI really means for the future of FM.
Sessions throughout the day tackled the opportunities and challenges AI presents – from its growing role in smart buildings, helpdesks, and tendering, to the risks of system bias, poor-quality data, and lack of sector-specific expertise. The conference made one thing clear: while AI is already reshaping FM, the industry is still fragmented in its readiness, and more needs to be done to fully unlock its potential.
DMA’s own Steve McGregor, took to the stage with a compelling presentation titled “Can AI Tolerate the Complexities of Facilities Management?”
Steve’s talk highlighted how FM, despite its operational complexity and strategic value, lags behind when it comes to digital maturity. With many service providers and Facilities Managers still relying on spreadsheets or limited legacy CAFM systems, AI can’t be expected to deliver transformational outcomes without the right foundations in place. Simply bolting on cloud-based AI tools won’t cut it and there’s no quick fix.
Instead, Steve called for a return to basics: building strong, standardised digital processes and capturing live, end-to-end data. He warned that while the FM sector is complex, it’s no more so than other AI-enabled fields like healthcare or air traffic control. The real question isn’t whether AI can handle FM – it’s whether FM is ready to handle AI.
The presentation also touched on the wider economic and demographic backdrop. With a shrinking global workforce, increasing complexity and a productivity crisis in the UK, the efficiencies from AI and automation aren’t a nice-to-have, they’re a necessity. Yet our own industry survey (see below) revealed a mixed picture: many FM companies are interested in AI but remain cautious, citing budget constraints, lack of skills, and uncertainty around ROI as major barriers.
Steve’s message to the industry was clear: “Fortune will favour the brave.”
AI will level the playing field between FM providers. Smaller, more agile businesses that invest early in digital transformation may well leap ahead of larger, slower-moving competitors. But to get there, FM leaders must understand their operations deeply, define the problems they want to solve, and commit to structured, strategic change.
If you’d like to watch Steve’s presentation, you can view it on YouTube by clicking the button below.
AI in FM Research Survey
We recently conducted a survey across the FM industry to understand how AI is being adopted, the barriers organisations face, and where the biggest opportunities lie. The survey painted a mixed and cautious picture. Budgeting for AI is a growing trend, with applications already being used in more admin related activities rather than more transformational outcomes. Adoption is not without challenges, with expertise gaps and unclear returns causing hesitation. Investment is primarily focused publicly available cloud-based resources, showing optimism for AI’s transformative potential. You can read more about the findings of our survey here.
Supporting Future Talent at Leigh Academies Trust
As part of our ongoing engagement and commitment to our customer, Leigh Academies Trust, we recently hosted a student workshop on how to prepare for, conduct, and close interviews.
The session covered key techniques and coaching for effective interviews, including how to make a strong first impression, structured responses, and conclude professionally. The students were engaged throughout, asking thoughtful questions and taking part in mock interviews.
Following the session, several students asked for follow-up 1-to-1 interview practice, which we’re more than happy to support. We’re proud to play a small part in helping these young people get ready for the next step in their careers.
Customer Workshops
We believe the best solutions are built with our customers, not just for them.
We’ve been running a series of interactive workshops with our customers as part of the ongoing development of BiO®, our industry-leading and multi-award-winning service management platform.
These sessions are focused on understanding how our customers want to capture, update, and report on asset and service data in a way that directly supports their estate strategy. We’ve explored how BiO® can help inform smarter, quicker data-driven decisions; whether it’s understanding the condition of an asset, linking that data to planned and reactive maintenance, or reporting on the whole-life cost of assets across their portfolio.
We’ve also been discussing how BiO® can better support day-to-day operations, helping their organisations manage their own direct labour force, streamline work allocation, and gain a real-time view of performance. On a strategic level, our discussions have centred around how to maximise BiO®’s reporting capabilities to deliver actionable insights to senior leaders and stakeholders.
The feedback has been invaluable, and it’s helping to shape BiO® into a smarter, more powerful tool that genuinely supports customer needs.
Want to be part of the journey?
If you’re a customer and would like to participate in one of our upcoming workshops, we’d love to hear from you. Even if you’re not a current customer, but you’re struggling with legacy systems, juggling multiple contractors, or simply looking for a better way to manage your assets and estate operations, we’d love to hear your perspective.
Please get in touch with Valerie Miller at valerie.miller@dma-group.co.uk to arrange a session.
Awards Update
IWFM Impact Award for Best SME Led Innovation 2024
Back in October 2024, our BiO® service management platform took home the Best SME Led Innovation award at the Institute of Workplace & Facilities Management Impact Awards. We’ve always believed that technology should make life easier, and BiO® is doing exactly that—helping our customers manage their buildings more efficiently and transparently. Winning this award is a fantastic nod to the hard work of our team!
Highly Commended: I-FM Technology in FM Award
In February, our commitment to digital transformation was recognised when BiO® received Highly Commended in the i-FM Technology in FM Awards. We were proud to attend the Workplace Futures Event, where the award was presented, alongside our customers Terry Longhurst and Anthony Carr from MTVH, and Richard Cottam and Sam Thomas from Leigh Academies Trust.
Facilities management is evolving fast, and we’re leading the charge, developing tech that simplifies processes, boosts efficiency, and makes real-time data more accessible. BiO® is at the heart of this transformation, helping organisations embrace smarter ways of working.
Recognised as an Outstanding Contractor of the Year, Three Years in a Row by Housing21!
We’re proud to announce that we have been named as an Outstanding Contractor of the Year again this year by our customer Housing21, making this our third consecutive win.
This recognition, awarded based on nominations from residents across multiple Housing21 courts, highlights the consistent quality, care, and professionalism our teams deliver year after year. From routine maintenance and repairs to specialist electrical, plumbing, and handyperson services, our engineers bring commitment and expertise to every job.
Our customers and residents consistently praise the quality of our work, as well as the friendliness, reliability, and professionalism of the team. This ongoing recognition is a direct reflection of that feedback, and a credit to the incredible people who deliver for our customers every day.
Here’s just a few of the great comments our engineers received:
“Dev is very pleasant and well-mannered. Nothing is too much trouble. A great all-rounder!”
“Mick is a good laugh with a positive attitude. Always polite, communicates well, and does his best to resolve issues efficiently.”
“All engineers are friendly, helpful, know what they’re doing, and always clean up after their work.”
Press
DMA Group to be Featured in Business Reporter’s 2025 Best of British Campaign
We have been invited to participate in the Business Reporter’s Best of British Business campaign for 2025 in partnership with The Independent. This is an exclusive, invitation-only recognition celebrating a select group of British SMEs demonstrating growth, innovation, and excellence. We are particularly proud to be the only Facilities Management company featured!
The high-profile campaign aims to showcase companies that are driving the UK economy forward through enterprise and expertise. Beyond The Independent, our feature will also reach global audiences through The Economist, Reuters, Forbes, and Bloomberg, as well as targeted promotion to 178,000 business leaders in the Business Reporter community and 50,000 more across these platforms.
As part of this recognition, DMA Group will receive the Best of British Business accolade and benefit from a professionally produced short film documentary and a 1,200-word feature, positioning us as a leader and changemaker in the Facilities Management, Buildings, and Property Services sector.
The content will launch in mid-June, aligning perfectly with our strategic goals—stay tuned!
Service Offering Update
We are committed to delivering more integrated, efficient, and expert-led solutions for our customers. That’s why we are bringing more services in-house—enhancing our knowledge and control, improving compliance, and ensuring faster, more reliable service delivery. By reducing reliance on third parties, we can provide a more cost-effective, seamless, and proactive service.
Fire & Security Services
With our new Fire & Security Technical Lead, we have successfully brought Fire & Security services in-house. This means we can now directly advise, maintain and manage:
- Fire alarm systems – installation, maintenance, and compliance
- Emergency lighting – regular testing and servicing
- Access control – secure entry systems and management
- CCTV systems – monitoring, maintenance, and upgrades
- Intruder alarms – installation, servicing, and rapid response
Water Quality Services
We are also in the process of internalising water quality services, including Legionella risk assessments, water hygiene monitoring, system flushing, and tank inspections—critical for maintaining safe and efficient water systems.
- Greater control and consistency in service delivery
- Faster response times and improved compliance
- A cost-effective, expert-led approach to water safety
BSIA Membership: Strengthening Our Commitment to Fire & Security Excellence
We’re pleased to share our Principal Membership in the Security Systems Section of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), the UK’s leading trade body for the professional security industry, now underpins the delivery of our fire and security services.
This recognition goes beyond a mark of quality; it reflects a deep-rooted commitment to service excellence, ethical practice, and ongoing innovation in areas such as fire detection, intruder protection, access control, and regulatory compliance. It also offers customers added assurance in the capability to protect people, property, and infrastructure.
This development further supports a fully integrated approach to facilities services, where safety and compliance are central to every solution provided.
We Are Now on Fusion21’s £700m Workplace & Facilities Management Framework
We are proud to announce our appointment to Fusion21’s Workplace and Facilities Management Framework, securing a position on Lot 4 – Building Engineering Services. This national framework, valued at up to £700 million over the next four years, provides an essential procurement solution for organisations seeking expert management of non-domestic buildings, from individual sites to extensive property portfolio.
Fusion21’s purpose-driven procurement approach ensures that every project delivers measurable social value, from creating jobs and apprenticeships to supporting sustainability and community development. Having generated over £200 million in social impact and facilitated 13,550 employment outcomes, Fusion21 is committed to going beyond compliance to drive meaningful change in the public sector.
A Strategic Opportunity in Education
One of the most significant aspects of this appointment is the opportunity to further support the education sector—a key focus area for DMA Group. Many Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) and education institutions rely on Fusion21 for their procurement needs. With our proven expertise in managing school estates, we are well-positioned to help these organisations streamline facilities management, improve sustainability, and reduce operational costs.
Integrated Managed Services (IMS)
Our now proven IMS offer has enabled us to leverage our BiO® service management platform to provide a nationwide solution to customers with a dispersed estate whereby we provide a supply-chain management solution. They can now view the services provided by a range of local suppliers through a single lens, rather than disparate reporting and operational methodologies. As a result, BiO® gives the customers a one-stop view of everything from statutory compliance, upcoming attendance, recommendations, billing management and payments.
Powered by BiO® we are simplifying and streamlining an otherwise difficult manual management process and providing tech-enabled performance management. Whether you’re a new or existing customer and would like to explore this, please contact Valerie Miller on valerie.miller@dma-group.co.uk. Alternatively, you can use the contact form at the bottom of this page.
Technology Update
Over the last six months, more and more of our customers have been logging into BiO®, not just to raise jobs or approve quotes—but to get a better grasp of everything happening across their buildings. It’s clear that it wasn’t just a tool anymore; it was becoming part of their daily routine.
Since then, the numbers have told a clear story:
- 50% more customers are now using BiO® regularly
- Within those organisations, the number of users has increased by 160%
- And overall usage has grown sevenfold
Why the surge? We’ve been working closely with our customers to help them get the most out of BiO®. Through training sessions and hands-on support, we’ve been making sure teams feel confident using the system and fully understand how to access the information they need, when they need it.
This approach is starting to make a real difference. More customers are using BiO® day-to-day, and many are now seeing how valuable it is for staying informed and in control of their maintenance operations. From upcoming engineer visits and job progress to asset compliance and financial data, instead of chasing updates, our customers can simply log in and see it all in real time.
If you think your team would benefit from a refresher session or some extra guidance, we’d be happy to help! Just get in touch with your account manager to arrange it. If you’re not currently using BiO® and would like to learn more, we’d be happy to arrange a short demo.
And soon, BiO® will be available as a Software as a Service (SaaS) product. That means even organisations who manage their own internal teams or work with third-party contractors can use BiO® as their go-to system for organising, tracking, and improving their building maintenance.
At a time when many are being asked to do more with less, having a clear, accessible view of what’s happening across your buildings can make all the difference. So, watch this space!
Projects Update
We’re proud to be helping our customers decarbonise, modernise, and future-proof their buildings. Here’s a look at three of our many standout projects currently underway, each delivered in live environments where the stakes – and the foot traffic – are high.
Decarbonising a Campus Landmark: G.E. Fogg Building, Queen Mary University of London
In the heart of Queen Mary’s Mile End campus, our team is delivering a critical upgrade to the G.E. Fogg Building – a central hub for biosciences and psychology students. This Design & Build decarbonisation project involves connecting the building to the district heating infrastructure and replacing outdated plant works, all while the university remains fully operational.
The 24-week programme includes a focused 6-week design period (to RIBA Stages 4 & 5) and is a prime example of how we blend technical precision with minimal disruption in live academic environments.
Bringing Sustainability to Larkfield Leisure Centre, Kent
Serving around 500,000 visitors annually, Larkfield Leisure Centre is a vital part of community life in Kent. Originally built in the early 1980s, the centre is now undergoing a major sustainability-focused transformation.
Commissioned by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, this 54-week Design & Build project includes the installation of a new substation and state-of-the-art air source heat pumps. Our team is delivering the works in a live leisure environment, carefully phased to maintain public access throughout. A 14-week design period (to RIBA Stages 4 & 5) kicked off the project, ensuring a smooth path to a low-carbon future.
Modern Living, Upgraded: Pioneer Point, Ilford
Towering above Ilford, East London, the twin structures of Pioneer Point comprise 294 apartments and home to hundreds of residents and a mix of commercial spaces. As part of a phased infrastructure upgrade, we’ve been appointed to improve and upgrade both heating and electrical systems across this busy residential development.
Phase 1 focused on the removal of three existing gas boilers and the installation of a temporary external boiler, all completed within an 8-week programme that included two weeks of design (from RIBA Stages 3 to 5).
Phase 2 sees us working our way through 33 floors of the North Tower, home to 180 apartments, installing new electrical submain cables and distribution systems while safely removing existing infrastructure. This 12-week programme includes a 1-week Stage 5 design phase and is being delivered while the building remains fully occupied.
Energy Services Update
Five Villages Home Association on track for 100% self-powered summer as solar PV nears one-year anniversary
We are proud to be supporting sustainable living at Five Villages Home Association in Icklesham, East Sussex, an independent living community offering safe, affordable housing for people aged 60 and over. With a strong emphasis on quality of life, the association sought to reduce energy consumption in its communal areas to not only improve environmental performance but also pass financial savings directly back to residents through reduced service fees.
To support this goal, DMA designed and delivered an innovative energy solution, led by our Energy Services Director Kevin McGuane. Following an in-depth analysis of energy consumption patterns, the final scheme included the installation of 87 high-performance solar PV panels and two Tesla Powerwall batteries with a combined storage capacity of 81kWh. The system was rolled out in phases across two buildings.
Since the PV system was first commissioned on 13th March 2024, it has generated an impressive 34.5MWh of solar energy, with 16.1MWh exported back to the grid. This has led to a significant reduction in carbon emissions—25 tonnes of CO₂ saved, the equivalent of planting 412 trees. The battery system, added in October 2024, has already contributed an additional 1MWh of exportable energy and is helping to achieve incredibly low grid dependency days—even as little as 15% during the winter months.
Now, as the solar PV system nears its one-year anniversary, the results speak for themselves. On 4th March 2025, the Phase 1 building achieved 99% self-powered status, while Phase 2 reached 87%, putting Five Villages in a strong position to enjoy consistent 100% self-powered days throughout the summer.
Rye Leisure Centre solar PV installation reduces grid energy import by 40% during winter months
We successfully completed a rooftop solar PV project at Rye Leisure Centre, significantly improving their energy performance. Even during the challenging winter months, the system has reduced the centre’s reliance on grid electricity by 40%. This demonstrates the effectiveness of well-designed renewables, even in lower sunlight conditions, and marks a meaningful step in reducing operational costs and carbon emissions for the facility.
New air source heat pump project secured for a leisure centre, accelerating their journey to net zero
DMA Group has secured a new project to install an energy-efficient air source heat pump at a major leisure centre. This low-carbon heating solution will replace older, fossil fuel-dependent systems, substantially lowering the centre’s carbon footprint. The project forms part of a wider decarbonisation strategy, enabling the centre to improve energy efficiency, reduce heating costs, and move closer to achieving its net zero targets.
Appointments
We are thrilled to announce some recent appointments to our DMA family, which significantly enhance the services we offer to our customers. With the addition of experienced professionals in key roles, we are poised to elevate our operational excellence and customer-centric approach. Their diverse expertise will ensure we continue delivering innovative solutions tailored to our customers’ needs.
Carl is our highly experienced Fire & Security Technical Lead with over 30 years in the industry. Specialising in the installation, maintenance, and management of fire detection, intruder alarms, access control, and CCTV systems, Carl will ensure the highest standards of security and compliance across a variety of sectors, including commercial, healthcare, and government sites. With a strong technical background and leadership experience, he plays a crucial role in developing service strategies, troubleshooting complex systems, and mentoring engineering teams to deliver top-tier fire and security solutions.
As one of DMA’s Customer Account Managers, Kris leverages over 15 years of senior management experience in the facilities management sector, providing exceptional service delivery and customer support. With a strong technical background in M&E systems, compliance, and contract management, he will be helping to ensure seamless service transitions, optimised maintenance strategies, and operational efficiency for our customers. His expertise in stakeholder engagement, contractor performance management, and CAFM implementation allows him to build strong relationships while driving continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
Joe is a seasoned Technical Services Manager with extensive expertise in M&E, compliance, and project management. With a track record of successfully overseeing large-scale maintenance and capital projects, he is responsible for ensuring the efficient delivery of technical services, statutory compliance, and asset management across multiple sites. His leadership in implementing CAFM systems, managing service teams, and optimising operational workflows will enable him to deliver high-quality, cost-effective solutions while maintaining strong customer and stakeholder relationships.
Tony Dawes is our newly appointed and highly experienced Project Manager with a diverse background in fabric, engineering, construction, and property management. With extensive experience in PFI contracts, compliance management, and lifecycle project execution, he has successfully led teams to deliver high-quality maintenance, project works, and strategic facilities solutions.
Throughout his career, Anthony has demonstrated expertise in budget and financial management, health & safety compliance, and contract development. His leadership in M&E, fabric maintenance, and building lifecycle planning has enabled him to manage complex portfolios, ensuring operational excellence and regulatory adherence.
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LinkedIn Network
Staying informed about the latest developments at DMA has never been easier! Our company LinkedIn page is your go-to source for news updates, announcements, and valuable industry insights. By following us, you can effortlessly keep track of everything happening within our organisation, ensuring you get all the important information. We are committed to delivering relevant content that adds value to your experience with us, allowing you to stay connected and engaged with our progress and innovations.
Inside DMA on YouTube
We’re now on YouTube! Here, we bring you exclusive interviews with the talented makers and shakers behind DMA. Our channel is designed to provide an insider’s perspective on our team’s creativity, passion, and dedication to innovation. We feature key individuals who shape our organisation, exploring their insights, experiences, and the driving forces behind our projects. It’s the collaborative spirit that fuels our success!
