Key partnership facts
Key partnership facts
Overview
Since 2019, Equans has delivered Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM), reactive maintenance and minor works services across Manchester City Council’s diverse 258 public buildings estate. The portfolio spans complex civic and heritage buildings, administrative offices and critical frontline facilities, each with distinct operational, safety and compliance requirements.
The partnership was established at a pivotal moment, as Manchester City Council transitioned to a Corporate Landlord Model. This shift brought previously fragmented service arrangements into a single, standardised approach. Working in close collaboration with the council, Equans supported this transformation by introducing consistent processes, improved governance and enhanced transparency across the estate, while maintaining service continuity for building users and essential services.
Our work
A data-led resilient FM service
Equans delivers both reactive repairs and planned preventative maintenance across the estate, with all maintenance regimes aligned to SFG20 standards. This is underpinned by comprehensive asset verification and condition surveys, ensuring a robust, risk-based framework for statutory compliance, asset care and lifecycle planning.
All maintenance activity and compliance data is managed through Equans’ CAFM system and integrated with Manchester City Council’s own systems, providing real-time performance visibility and shared assurance.
Key elements of the service include:
- Planned Preventative Maintenance and responsive repairs
- Minor works delivery across the estate
- Risk-based maintenance strategies to improve resilience and service continuity
- Increased self-delivery supported by a consolidated, local supply chain
- Dynamic scheduling and mobile technology to improve productivity and first-time fix rates
- Support for lifecycle planning, heat decarbonisation and the council’s net zero ambitions
By rebalancing planned and reactive activity and tailoring delivery to asset condition and criticality, Equans has reduced service failures, improved performance and provided long-term cost certainty through a fixed-fee delivery model.
Having been recognised by the council as first in class for service delivery of these services, the original contract has been extended multiple times, building on shared successes and evolving into a robust long‑term partnership.
Impact
A resilient, compliant and high-performing public estate
Operating for over five years, the contract is recognised by Manchester City Council as highly effective, consistently delivering value for money, resilience and performance across a complex public estate.
Key outcomes include:
- 100% statutory compliance maintained across the estate
- Overall KPI performance consistently exceeding 96%
- Over 13,000 planned maintenance tasks completed in 2024/25 with 99%+ on-time delivery
- More than 9,500 responsive jobs completed on time in 2024/25, achieving 97%+ performance
- Zero financial penalties incurred throughout the contract term
- 84% local supply chain, supporting regional economic growth
- Strong health, safety and workforce engagement performance
Equans also supports the development of Heat Decarbonisation and Lifecycle Plans across the majority of the estate. This has enabled Manchester City Council to optimise capital investment and maximise central government funding opportunities, supporting the city’s long-term net zero objectives.
As a result, the partnership has established a robust, scalable and future-ready maintenance model, ensuring public buildings remain safe, compliant and operational for the communities they serve.
Social value & community impact
Alongside operational delivery, the partnership places strong emphasis on social value and community benefit. Between January 2020 and April 2026, the contract has generated more than £9.4 million in proxy social value, aligned to Manchester City Council’s priorities around jobs, growth, social wellbeing, sustainability and innovation
Social value initiatives delivered include:
- Apprenticeships, work placements and employability support
- Volunteering and fundraising for local causes
- Digital, financial and energy awareness workshops
- Community care and support projects
- Donations and practical support for community organisations
These activities ensure the benefits of the partnership extend beyond buildings, directly supporting local people, skills development and inclusive economic growth across Manchester.
Testimonials
“This has been a highly successful process and transition to a consolidated maintenance service, delivering tangible value for money, excellent KPI results, and full statutory compliance on behalf of the Council. Equans have always worked collaboratively and in partnership with the Council.”
Steve Southern, Head of Facilities Management, Manchester City Council
Our expertise
Equans supports businesses, communities and the public sector by mobilising its expertise to provide low-carbon energy solutions, offer cutting-edge technical and FM services and transformative regeneration across the UK & Ireland.
