Cheers to 2023: A Year of Triumph for Kendra
In the past twelve months, we’ve celebrated some major highs. Moments that’ve cemented Kendra’s place as one of the UK’s leading BEMS specialists and put us firmly on the map for 2024 and beyond. We’re not just referring to flashy awards (though they certainly help!). We’re talking about a whole host of milestones, like employee growth, renewed strategies and internal successes. Ultimately, many factors have played a role in making 2023 a year to remember. So, let us take you through some of our ‘best bits’…
Awards
‘Masters’ of our trade
This year, we became Master EcoXperts. It’s the highest level of accreditation on Schneider Electric’s prestigious EcoXpert programme. And – more impressively – we’re one of only four UK companies to achieve ‘master’ status in building controls.
This newfound title gives us a top seat at the table; a global demonstration of our industry knowhow. Find out how Kendra became a Master EcoXpert here.
Modernisation Project Award
Only eight winners were announced at the global Master EcoXpert Awards 2023 – and Kendra was one of them! Our Divisional Director, Stuart Davis, was there to collect the ‘Modernisation Project Award’ for the work we do with the Francis Crick Institute. Alongside Stuart was the Crick’s very own Senior Project Manager, Christina Murphy.
The impact we’ve had at the Crick has been extensive. Particularly from a carbon reduction standpoint. Click here to find out more.
We’re the best of the best
For the third time, we were crowned ‘Best Service and Maintenance Provider’ at the prestigious BCIA Awards. The awards ceremony, which took place in May 2023, is the biggest event in the BEMS calendar. So, just to be shortlisted for all three categories we entered was an achievement.
This award goes to the company that best demonstrates outstanding customer service. So to be singled out three times in the last eight years is a real testament to our teams. Read about it here.
Sustainability
Ramping up energy savings
Our PROActiv Energy solution is a game-changer for businesses looking to cut carbon emissions. And this year, we’ve hit a milestone! 100,000 analytical points have been installed. On top of that, we’ve saved our clients 3,635 MWh this year. That’s the equivalent of 330 homes, powered 24 hours a day for five months straight.
Going fully green
Helping clients hit their net zero targets (with help of PROActiv Energy) is something we pride ourselves on. So, this year, we put our money where our mouth is and went fully green at our HQ. We were helped by Zellar, a company that monitors and scores your sustainability progress. Now we’re managing our carbon emissions on a whole new level!
Slashing our carbon footprint
We’ve also signed up to a carbon reduction initiative called the Neutral Carbon Zone. Like Zellar, it calculates our carbon footprint to aid us in our quest for carbon neutrality. Our official Neutral Carbon Zone silver accreditation will soon be ready to share. We look forward to filling you in on the details…
Growth
Expanding #TeamKendra
In 2023, our workforce expanded by 25% compared to the previous year. In fact, we’ve witnessed a steady rise, despite a shortage of BEMS engineers across our industry. There could be many reasons, but we like to think it’s our upbeat culture – and friendly, talented people – that draw people in. That might explain our impressive staff retention rates, too. We’ll be ending on 86% this year.
Plush new office
If you haven’t checked out our swanky new Bristol office, make sure you do. With its modern look and open plan meeting spaces, it’s the perfect place for hosting clients. And it’s a good job we’ve got all that extra space. We need it to accommodate our growing team (and client-base).
Renewing major contract
We’re over the moon to have renewed our contract with the University of Bristol this year. We work closely with the university and its energy and maintenance teams. Together, we’ve worked on some novel projects. Including the creation of nearly 2,000 custom graphics, which you can read about here.
In fact, it’s thanks (in part) to our glowing testimonials from the university that we won Best Service and Maintenance Provider at the BCIA Awards. Here’s to many more years of partnership!
Winning big
2023 has been a year of significant wins. For both planned maintenance and projects. Nationwide, we’re working with clients across numerous sectors. From Scotland, where we won the prestigious National Galleries Scotland, to London, at the world-famous Natural History Museum. And our portfolio is only getting bigger – so watch this space for 2024!
Internal success
Key changes
This year, we wanted to improve internal growth by taking a ‘deep dive’ into our performance. To do this, we enlisted the help of People Puzzles – our trusted HR partners. They unearthed some crucial insights into the business, our culture and what our employees really think. From this, we improved our internal communications, are working on better integrating our regional teams and are communicating our vibrant culture externally. We’ve even modernised our recruitment and onboarding processes to attract the right people.
… and what it means for the future
With better collaboration and communication – and not to mention our refreshed mission, vision, values – we’re all set for the new year. Now, Kendra can enter 2024 with a stride in its step, armed with a clear plan of action.
Training
Boosting training days
This year, our employees spent at least 2,284 days in training. Once you remove apprentices and fast tracks (as they take up the majority), you’ve got an average of eight days training per engineer. Not bad if we may say so ourselves!
Engineering forums
We’ve hosted a number of engineering forums this year – and they’ve gone down brilliantly. Due to popular feedback, it’s safe to say the forums will be returning for 2024.
Gathering our engineers together, in any region, is no easy feat. But when it does happen, it really pays off. Nothing beats face-to-face communication. We’ve found it’s the best way to connect, engage and provide all-important low downs on the business.
A big thank you
Thank you to our customers, partners and teammates for your contributions over the year. We couldn’t have done it without you. Because of your support, 2024 looks even brighter than we could have anticipated a year ago. Here’s to another great year!
Any questions?
Reach out to your local office or email info@kendraenergy.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.
