At British Land, we hugely value the contribution that our suppliers make to the success of our business. To maintain our collaborative ways of working and showcase best practice, we launched our Supplier Excellence Awards.
Suppliers are critical to both our operational and strategic delivery. These new awards celebrate excellence in our supply chain and provide an extra opportunity for us to learn from each other.
Each award category recognised an area important to our business. We received more than 70 entries from a broad mix of goods and services, each one backed by a British Land endorsee. This reflects the essential role that suppliers play across our business and how much their contribution is valued by colleagues. The judging panel was made up of a diverse team of leadership and subject matter experts.
The winners stood out for how they delivered on our key objectives, often bringing us fresh ideas and approaches. They included strategic suppliers providing critical services and smaller enterprises working with us on specific projects.
Taking part in the judging panels, I was struck by the passion of the finalists and their boldness in trying something different and pushing barriers. The extensive network of suppliers we work with adds diversity to our business and, increasingly, we are engendering a positive culture where suppliers challenge our thinking.
In their presentation, the joint winners of the Supplier of the Year award, KpH Deconstruction and Globechain, the largest ESG reuse marketplace worldwide, told us about how they had retrained individuals to meticulously take things apart, carefully label them and put them onto different pallets, so they could go to local charities for reuse. This was a step change for those individuals whose job had been to strip out items for removal as quickly as possible, and a step forward for the sector. It created environmental and social benefits, demonstrating great awareness of our objectives and shared accountability for the legacy we leave in the communities around our places.
Suppliers are often the face of British Land for our customers, so it’s vital that they share our values. Our awards provide us with a new way to articulate what excellence looks like to us. By working in partnership, we can share problems and opportunities, developing creative solutions together. We want our suppliers to share in our success.
I am excited about continuing to encourage suppliers to bring innovation to British Land. This ensures we are always learning as a business and improving our collective expertise. A huge thank you and well done to the winners and runners-up of our inaugural Supplier Excellence Awards!
Feedback from suppliers
“This is the only ‘client driven’ supplier award I’ve been aware of, and the model is excellent and very rewarding for us as a team! It supports and encourages our partnership with British Land.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to enter the awards. We are always grateful for the chance to speak, with passion, about the work that we do.”
“It means an awful lot to our business and our valued site and staff members who work so hard every day to put our ideas and innovations into practice.”
Winners
Supplier of the Year Award 2022: KpH Deconstruction and Globechain
When we launched these awards, we were unsure what we would look for in our overall Supplier of the Year. We hoped that there would be one outstanding entry that had a bit of every category and demonstrated a step change in supplier partnering. We were not disappointed.
Working collaboratively, KpH and Globechain distributed over 130 tonnes of strip-out materials from Exchange House to local charities for reuse, including carpets, floor tiles, lights, kitchen units, blinds, doors and telecoms equipment. Along with substantial carbon savings, this has improved community spaces and facilities for local people. Together, KpH and Globechain have challenged traditional deconstruction methods, investing time and training to grow environmental and social benefits.
KpH and Globechain commented: “It is important for us to work with like-minded businesses who recognise that to achieve their aspirations, it may not be the easiest route, it may not be the quickest nor the cheapest, but it will definitely be the most rewarding and the right thing to do, setting the standard for others to make similar socially responsible decisions.”
Customer Orientation Award 2022: Incentive FM
Incentive FM provides cleaning and security services at multiple retail sites. Their mystery shopper results consistently exceed 94% – even reaching 100% – and customer feedback frequently highlights how their team goes above and beyond to create memorable, positive experiences for visitors, supported by training that includes sign-along courses and mental health first aid.
Runner-up: Mallcomm
Right Places Award 2022: Plant Designs
Plant Designs’ expertise in interior landscaping and biophilic design has created a peaceful green oasis for people visiting our award-winning 100 Liverpool Street. Many customers use these communal spaces daily to meet, collaborate and recharge. The Plant Design team shows passion, enthusiasm, and pride in their work.
Runner-up: Stace
Expert People Award 2022: CIS Security
CIS provides security services at Regent’s Place. They have a real drive to give their people the best experience in the security industry and are championing diversity and inclusion. This includes improving shift patterns, moving away from the traditional long, out-of-hours shifts to better support parents and carers.
Runner-up: Merlango
Capital Efficiency Award 2022: Principle Cleaning Services
Principle came to us with a solution that saved 30% on staff time while maintaining outstanding cleaning standards at Broadgate and Paddington Central. This included introducing 3D modelling and sensor technology to monitor cleanliness and shifting to a hybrid staffing model, combining traditional site teams with visiting support.
Runner-up: Amodal
Responsible Business Award 2022: Davies Maguire
Davies Maguire introduced an innovative, cement-free alternative to conventional concrete to dramatically reduce embodied carbon in the refurbishment of the amphitheatre at Paddington Central. Thought to be the largest use of cement-free concrete in the northern hemisphere, this showcases our responsible business credentials in a very public space.
Runner-up: KpH Deconstruction and Globechain
Inclusive Business Award 2022: FTI Consulting
FTI is our public relations partner. They fully understand our diversity, equality and inclusion agenda and have created a powerful platform for us to share our thoughts and work, helping us influence change more widely. We can call on them at any hour and on any topic. It’s no exaggeration to say that we couldn’t do what we do, without them.
Runner-up: Wilson James