Key partnership facts
Key partnership facts
Overview
QWEST is a joint venture between Cheshire West and Chester Council and Equans, established in 2015. Created to combine the best of public and private sector expertise, the QWEST framework was designed to develop innovative, efficient solutions to meet the challenges of public service delivery.
QWEST are a a facilities and outsourcing business with extensive experience within private and public sectors. Through dynamic partnerships, Qwest Services enhances cost efficiency, raises service delivery standards, and generates social value. Core services include:
• Building Maintenance
• Cleaning & Facilities Management
• Property & Project Services
• Customer Services & Business Processes
QWEST delivers transformative innovations at pace, bringing wide‑reaching value to Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Our work
Transformation at impressive pace
With a flexible management style and a team focused on continuous improvement, QWEST has achieved significant progress across its service areas, including:
- Innovating the customer journey and exceeding the channel shift target by over 15%, increasing use of digital self‑service
- Implementing a chatbot that serves as a gateway to council services, resolving many enquiries directly and freeing phone lines for complex cases
- Digitising the way residents report damaged or overflowing bins using QR codes linked to officer workflows
- Introducing payment integrations to reduce manual cash handling by council staff
- Transforming cleaning processes with environmentally friendly solutions for disinfection across council buildings.
From covid to carbon
QWEST’s agility has positioned the joint venture to respond effectively to both immediate and emerging global agendas.
During the Covid‑19 pandemic, QWEST played a fundamental role in the council’s response. Activities included:
- Mobilising test and trace functions
- Distributing emergency food and welfare packages
- Implementing a digital Covid AI Chatbox and request forms
- Facilitating pop‑up testing and vaccination clinics at the local bus interchange to encourage commuters to get tested and vaccinated.
Looking to the future and the response to the climate emergency energy and carbon reduction team has:
- Developed a Carbon Management Plan for the council, targeting net zero by 2030
- Secured millions in funding to support delivery and make this vision a reality
- Provided expertise across energy purchasing, building efficiency, low‑carbon transport, domestic energy efficiency solutions, and land use for energy generation.
A multi-award winning provider
QWEST has been recognised repeatedly for excellence, achieving finalist status in 13 business awards over its course. Their achievements span service delivery, community impact, and even lifesaving initiatives - reflecting an ethos that underpins the contract of pushing boundaries, doing the right thing, and doing it well.
Impact
Key achievements include:
- Customer satisfaction: 91%
- Over £850,000 invested in social value for the community
- Achieved Disability Confident Leadership status
- Winners of 4 business awards and finalists in 13
- Significant digital innovations used to transform the way residents interact with the council, making it easier to access services and make requests across a wide range of services
- Eco-upgrades saving 86.8 tonnes of carbon annually through PSDS-funded technologies across buildings, leisure centres and schools
- Integral role in the area’s Covid response and the introduction of welfare provision for vulnerable residents.
Testimonials
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.
