Facilities Management specialist Workplace Management is flying high after achieving top honours for its work at Inverness Airport.

The partnership between Workplace Management and HIAL scooped two highly-contested awards at the 2004 Premises & Facilities Management Awards, taking first place in the Private Finance Initiative/Public Private Partnership category before receiving the accolade of overall winner.

It is the first time a winner of the PFI/PPP category, introduced two years ago, has been named overall winner.

Judges commented: “There is evident passion in this partnership as they strive for unity in delivery of facilities. The contribution of Workplace Management to this partnership has been key to the success of the airport and the service provision. There is no visible gap between the partners and working relationships work well.

“Workplace Management and its suppliers were fully integrated into the decision making process and are involved in both strategic and operational matters, leaving the Highlands and Islands Airport to run the airport operation. The partners all demonstrated a pride in the airport building and its function as a gateway to the Highlands region.”

Facilities Manager Ryan Manson said: “Inverness Airport has grown exponentially over the last four years, with increased passenger numbers year on year, providing a significant boost to the Highland economy. Inverness also leads the way across the UK as the only airport to date to receive Hospitality Assured accreditation, the only standard that focuses on customer experience. It is a great honour to have played such a visible role in the airport’s overall success and productivity.”

Workplace Management supplies a range of core services to the airport, from flight information provision and cleaning, through to M&E and building fabric maintenance.

The new terminal building opened to the public on 23 May 1999 and was the first passenger airport terminal in the UK to be funded by PFI.

ENDS