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1. I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
AME Update 2
Marsh
Environmental
2
Acorn Electrical 3
AIS BMS 4
Keeping Hydrated 5
Charity Events 6
Employee Benefit
Scheme
7
Christmas Festivities 8
I would first like to welcome all new starters and wish them rewarding
and stimulating careers at Acorn.
I am delighted to report a productive September and October, with
the highest new sales intake so far this year.
We have won a new site with Evergreen Shipping and another large
office building, Witan Gate House along with several other smaller
but nonetheless important contracts. I am also very pleased to have
won the Travelodge South East portfolio, another high profile
customer for Acorn.
During the general meetings I have said that our current contract base plus the contracts
that we have won but have not yet started is higher than at any other time in our 30 year
history. It is a fantastic achievement to backfill the gap left by JLL so quickly and clearly
demonstrates our ability to grow. Well done to the whole sales & estimating team and
everyone in operations who has been involved.
The last two months of 2015 are going to see a real push forward for Acorn. We are
working on a new suite of websites. We will hold the first of regular AME engineers
meetings and contract manager workshops. AME will launch its brand identity, a set of
core values and a client promise. We will begin the important development of our
helpdesk and we will be working hard to really reduce manager workload. These latter
points are critically important to enable extra time for thinking, planning and providing
support to engineers, each other and clients alike.
Finally, our Group Christmas Party is all booked for Saturday 12th December and I look
forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.
Acorn Update
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5
On Thursday 22nd
October, our
mechanical and
engineering,
reactive and
planned
maintenance services contract for
Travelodge started. Worth approximately
£75,000 per annum and for three years,
the contract includes tier one supplier for
the South East where we will be carrying
out planned preventative maintenance,
reactive and project work across a total of
44 sites.
The contract also includes tier two supplier
for Central London, London East and
London West where we will provide back-
up services to the tier one supplier.
Travelodge is the UK’s largest
independent hotel chain so we are very
excited to be able to help them provide
their customers with the room availability
and the high standards of quality
expected.
Contract Manager, Darren Wills and his
admin assistant Susan Maddison have
been working extremely hard during the
mobilisation phase to ensure we were
ready for the start date.
New engineers have been recruited to
help carry out this contract which covers
sites from Maidenhead to Isle of Wight and
across from Hastings to Bournemouth.
Congratulations and thank you to all who
have been involved in the mobilisation
period and for all your hard work to get the
contract off to a flying start.
H O T T O P I C S
 Travelodge contract
starts
 General meeting
overview
 Acorns Biggest
Coffee Morning
 Acorn in the Pink!
 Free water bottle for
all employees

2. A warm welcome to the
following colleagues who
have recently joined
Acorn:
Tony Coverdale
Jessica Gunn
Andrew Temperley
Jeff Alden
Daniel Porter
Rachel Denison
Joseph McAvoy
Wishing the following
colleagues every success
in the future:
Marco Giovannini
Steve Rawson
George Morriss
Hannah Perkins
Darren Lindfield
Acorn Update
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5
Marsh ended the third quarter in a strong position but the next few months will be
challenging so there is no time for relaxation or taking it easy.
However, October is on track with a strong team performance and Shamik settling in to
his role and the “Marsh” way of working.
We are now starting to work on some of the recent AME wins which have been very
welcome is sustaining our performance so thanks to all involved with those.
The Legionella Control Association (LCA) application and our “Statement of
Compliance” has been approved for
processing and the auditors will be with us
during the 1st week of December.
We are now looking forward to achieving and
celebrating a “Splendid 2015” at the Acorn
Christmas party.
We have had some
fantastic significant
wins in the last
couple of months,
including the single
best weekly award
total for Acorn ever
of £258k. These
wins amount to
approximately
£400k and include
Witan Gate in
Milton Keynes
which is £114k per
annum and Evergreen in Euston Road
which is £99k per annum. Other wins
include Gilsten Road, Home Park Road,
Travelodge Hotels (South East), Richmond
House, Sloane Street, Ashby House and
Walden Court.
We have an improving pipeline of
opportunities and proposals on the table
with clients, which indicate a strong end to
the year. The sales team are actively
working on new tender opportunities with
some key target jobs/clients.
The new proposal documents, developed to
make our submissions more attract and
easier for clients to follow are now in full use
and feedback so far has been positive.
We are working closely with marketing to
create a suite of literature that we can use to
advertise the services we offer to not only
new clients but also existing. We are also
looking at revamping our website for the
new year which will be more concise,
clearer, easier to use and be a great
platform to load all of our marketing material
on for users to peruse.
The future pipeline and knowledge has also
been strengthened in the last year and a
new CRM (customer
relationship
management)
database is
being
investigated
and
developed.

3. Our Group General Meetings were held
over the last two weeks and we hope you
all had an opportunity to attend and find
out more about what is going on in the
business.
Jon Coiley hosted the sessions and began
by giving an update on what has been
happening in the company since the
March meeting. Business is going well,
the large gap that was left by JLL has now
been filled and the company is on an up
with our contract value the highest in
Acorn history!
There is a lot of work going on in the
background at the moment to support not
only our Contract Managers but also our
engineers and the rest of the company.
The next couple of months are going to be
busy putting these actions into place
including engineers round tables, well
being calendar and better
communications.
Mark Lye, Business Development Director
then took us
through the last six
months overview
for the Sales team.
It has been a
challenging six
months since the loss of JLL but areas of
improvement can be seen from the
development of investment in sales. There
has also been a lot of investment in
marketing activities which has resulted in
improved processes, tools and marketing
material.
Mike Witchell finished the sessions with
his overview
on the AIS
BMS
business.
Since
launching the
AIS BMS
business
vision and
new branding
at the
engineer’s conference in July, the
business is going from strength to
strength. All the new literature, forms and
business stationery is in use and the new
branding is gaining strength in the market.
There has been a lot happening this year
and will continue to be in the run up to
Christmas. If you were unable to attend
one of these meetings then please contact
Leanne Lamerton for a copy of the
presentation.
Acorn Update
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5
The Acorn Electrical team are working in collaboration with AIS BMS on several
projects including Holburn Gate, Ealing Cross, Turner House, Dashwood House and
Cedar Court. We are carrying out various roles working as a sub-contractor for AIS to
assist installing all of the control and network cables along with any low voltage
electrical requirements.
The partnership is going very well and is looking like it will be a long term relationship
between the Electrical team and AIS BMS.
We welcome Joseph McAvoy to the team and hope that he settles in well as there is a
lot of work to do!
We have also just received a large variation order from
ASOS for electrical installation condition report which
will be keeping half the team busy up until the
Christmas break.
After recently reviewing our
fleet insurance policy, we
discovered we are one of
the best managed fleets
that our insurers, Allianz,
work with.
We would like to remain in
this category so here are
some safe driving tips to
ensure we all arrive to and
home from work safely
during the winter months.
Before travelling in wintery
conditions consider:
 Is your journey essential?
 Allowing extra time to
prepare your vehicle
 Making sure all windows
and mirrors are clean and
clear from frost, ice or
snow
 Carrying an ice scraper
and de-icer
 Checking the weather
forecast
 Checking your wipers and
lights are working and that
you have screen wash
 Is it useful to take a torch,
blanket, food, wellingtons,
mobile phone, warm
clothing and a spade
 Remember that stopping
distances can be
significantly increased in
icy conditions

4. We have been working well
with our new next day
reporting – clients have
given us superb feedback
on how fast we get
information to them and
how critical it is that we do
so. The entire AIS BMS
team deserves a big pat on
the back for the sustained
effort in hitting this goal.
Our clients have truly had
their expectations
exceeded and now we have
set the bar higher, we need
to keep it there and look for
ways to delight our clients
further still.
Our new structure will lead
to more accountability and
responsibility in AIS BMS,
two qualities that make a
significant impact of the
ability of a business, team
or individual to deliver. We
all want to strive to do a
good job and we are thrilled
with how much positive
feedback we are receiving.
We will always look to do
things better where we can,
so when we go wrong, we
welcome the feedback so
we can look to improve the
next time.
Being recognised for the
excellent services we
provide is a key result
area in this initiative. Our
clients are providing
strong feedback that tells
us our service is better
than they have had from
our competitors, so that’s
great, but better still is
that our name is being
talked about by our
competitors too. They see
AIS BMS as the emerging
threat in the energy,
building performance and
ppm of BEMS. If we are
causing such
consternation to our
competitors then we are
clearly doing the right
things and creating strong
loyalty in our client base.
Our well-read blog series
“The Holy Grail Of
Building Performance”
gets its 4th instalment this
month and we have the
series planned right out
until the end of the year,
promoting AIS BMS is a
key area of activity for us
and the support we
receive from the Group
Marketing manager,
Leanne, is fantastic.
Challenges will continue
to emerge day to day in
business. Our competition
will now be looking to
work harder to try to beat
us, but we are stronger
than ever before – well
organised, accountable
and ready for the fight –
bring it on.
Acorn Update
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5
I reported in the last
newsletter how we are
working with NG Bailey and
Land Securities on the “Big
6” project and things seem
to go from strength to
strength here for AIS BMS.
The client is so pleased
with our performance that
they have been selling our
capabilities internally within
NG Bailey. This has directly
led to us now being invited
by them to tender for
another portfolio of
buildings (Capita). We used
to look after these 18
months ago but lost it as we
didn’t have an “energy”
offering. As we now have a
very real, practical and
capable ability in that area
we are back in the driving
seat. The new contract – all
being well – could start as
early as January 2016.
Add to this our largest PPM
quotations pipeline all year
and you can see how things
are shaping up well.
Collaboration with AME is
at an all-time high and our
new BDM is working hard
to improve that relationship
further still.
Projects are looking good
too, with over £480k in the
quotes pipeline and project
orders from sites such as
Ealing Cross (AME) we
couldn’t be positioned
better.
Our team continues to
shape around our 3 year
strategy; it is vitally
important not to lose sight
of this longer term
objective, and setting up
our business in a way
which makes it scalable
and efficient is essential.
Our new business structure
has been announced as
effective from 5th October
and has been
communicated to the whole
company during the recent
AGM’s. Now we have the
right roles, with people in
them that know what they
are required to do, this
means we can drive our
entire business forward and
hit our 3 year objective.
We also continue to
develop our team through
technical and functional
training. A number of our
engineers will benefit from
formal product training in
the last quarter of 2015,
driving deeper knowledge
and understanding will
result in even better
performance for our clients
on site.

5. Acorn Update
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5
This month sees the launch of our Well Being calendar. Our most
valuable asset is, and will always be, our dedicated staff whom
devote themselves to delivering the work of our business. That’s why
we need you to remain healthy and fit to carry out your work tasks to
the best of your ability.
Every other month we shall be focusing on a different subject to
encourage a healthy lifestyle and this month we are focussing on
staying hydrated.
There are heaps of benefits to drinking water and below we highlight
a few:
Increases Energy & Relieves Fatigue – Since your brain is mostly water, drinking it
helps you think, focus and concentrate better and be more alert
Flushes Out Toxins – Gets rid of waste through sweat and urination
Boosts Immune System – Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu, cancer and
other ailments like heart attacks
Natural Headache Remedy – Helps relieve and prevent headaches (migraines & back
pains too!) which are commonly caused by dehydration
Prevents Cramps & Sprains - Proper hydration helps keep joints lubricated and
muscles more elastic so joint pain is less likely
Puts You in a Good Mood – When the body is functioning at its best, you will feel great
and be happy!
Look out in our next edition when the Well Being focus will be on Keeping Fit.
Back in our August edition of the Acorn Update we launched our
fundraising policy where every employee is entitled to a £25
sponsorship from the company for any sponsored event they are
taking place in (one per calendar year).
I am pleased to say that we have had our first employee take on
the money! At the beginning of September, Hannah Perkins took
part in the Pretty Mudder 5K run in
Windsor on Saturday 5th September
2015 with some family members
fundraising for Cancer Research UK.
They all completed the course and
raised over £1,550 which is a fantastic amount for such a
great cause.
So, do you have a sponsored event coming up soon? If so,
why not get an extra £25 donated by Acorn? If you would
like to apply for this, please contact Leanne Lamerton.
As part of the launch
of our Well Being
campaign and
remaining focussed on
staying hydrated, we
have provided all
employees with a free
water bottle.
These were available
for collection from the
General Meetings.
If you were unable to
attend or forgot to
collect yours and
would like
one,
please let
your Line
Manager
know and
we will
arrange
for one to
be
delivered.

6. Acorn Update
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5
Acorn House was a sea of PINK on Friday 16th
October, all in aid of Breast Cancer Care— the
only UK-wide specialist breast cancer support
charity . Everyone was requested to wear
something PINK and some members went to a
huge effort!
The Sales team all donned their pink wigs and
sunglasses whilst Sophie was head to toe in a
pink leopard print onesie!! We also had an
assortment of pink
treats to dive into
in the kitchen and hosted a
‘Big Pink Bake Off’!
Congratulations to Sharon
Hamane and Leanne
Lamerton who were the joint
winners!
In total, we managed to raise
a grand amount of £88.39
which will be donated to
Breast Cancer Care, thank
you to all who contributed to
this great cause.
On Friday 2nd October, we hosted a coffee
morning at Acorn House to raise funds for
MacMillan Cancer Support.
The kitchen was jam
packed full of
yummy treats
including some very
tasty home-baked
goodies, thank you
to everyone who
managed to bake
these delicious delights!
We also ran a Spot the Cake competition where you had to
guess how many spots were on the cake. Congratulations
to Carol Byers who guessed nearest to the 576 spots!
Thanks to all of you who contributed, we managed to raise
an excellent total of £71.49.
Did you know that if
you recommend a
candidate to the
business and they are
successfully employed
and pass their
probationary period
you will be rewarded
with £1,000.00 as a
thank you?
Did you also know that
there is also an
engineers commission
scheme within Acorn?
Each lead that is
provided by an
engineer and
converted into a sales
leave will attract a
financial award.

7. Acorn Update
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5
Did you know about Acorn Savings?
Acorn Savings is an employee benefits scheme run by the
company to offer you, our employees, heaps of benefits from
childcare vouchers to beach holidays, from ASDA discounts to
money off your next visit to Pizza Express.
Save money on your childcare costs
As a parent juggling the demands of work and home, you’ll know how important it is to
be able to find affordable, reliable childcare. Childcare vouchers help you pay for quality
childcare to suit the needs of your family – and, because you don’t pay tax or National
Insurance on childcare vouchers, you can save around £1,000 per year.
Car or home insurance due for renewal?
Enjoy an exclusive discount of up to 10% when you get a quote with AXA.
AXA car insurance and home insurance include many features and benefits
to give you extra piece of mind.
Discounted Shopping Cards and Vouchers
We have access to over 150 well-known brands including supermarkets
and high street stores to give you discounts on face value of shopping
vouchers and shopping cards. Most of the shopping cards are
reloadable so you can just keep topping up at the discounted rate to
help you save on your everyday shopping.
Enjoy discounted days out this Christmas break
You can get up to a huge 50% off admission prices for lots of
different venues around the UK including Thorpe Park,
Legoland, Madame Tussauds and heaps more. Log in and search ‘days out’ for
exclusive discount codes.
Booking your 2016 holiday?
Look no further, through our
employee benefits scheme
you can save up to 50% off
your next summer break.
Discounts can be found
through Thomas Cook,
Disneyland, Cottages4You and lots more so caters for any type of
holiday!
Every employee has access to these amazing discounts so log in today to see what
tickles your fancy!
Click on this link, your username is 1st letter of your 1st name in capitals followed by
your surname in lower case (e.g Jcoiley) and the password which is ‘savings’.

8. Friday 2nd October was Acorn’s big
night out!
The night’s celebrations started at
the Earl of Cornwall with a good turn
out popping in for a few drinks.
But only the hard-core endured the
whole of the night and half a dozen
carried on into the late hours of the
night to Studio 15 in Windsor. I We
guess there were a few sore heads
the next morning!
Acorn Update
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5
Acorn Birthday
Celebrations
November
Robyn Winser
Mark Fitzgerald
Jon Coiley
Jason Curtis
Martin Chylik
December
Kenny Hogg
Sharon Hamane
Andre van Rensburg
Ryan Aliphon
Cameron Arthur
Kyle Bowen
Victoria Palmer
On behalf of everyone at
Acorn, we wish you all a
very Happy Birthday.
Congratulations to the following
employees who have recently
received a Recognition Award.
Alan Beardow
Shamik Krynicki
Lorraine Fraser
Nadeem Ahmed
Najeeb Ahmed
If you think one of our colleagues
has exceeded expectations, why
don’t you nominate them?
If you would like to nominate a
colleague then refer to the Reward
Scheme policy to find out how.
Thank you for everyone’s contribution to this months Acorn Update. We hope you enjoy
reading the newsletter and we look forward to bringing you next month’s edition.
If you have any contributions, suggestions or feedback for next month’s issue, please email
leanne_lamerton@acornlimited.co.uk.
Acorn Christmas Party
This year’s Christmas party is
taking place on Saturday 12th
December at Sunningdale Park,
Ascot. We have Mike Fab Gere
and the Permissive Society
booked to rock the night away.
We also have some great
comedians lined up too! Get
your gladrags ready for the best
party ever!
Secret Santa
If you have opted to be part of the Secret Santa, then
don’t forget to get your presents under the tree by
Friday 18th December! Secret Santa day will be
hosted on Tuesday 22nd December with a special
guest to hand out everyone’s pressies!
Christmas Jumper Day
We shall also be hosting our National Christmas
Jumper Day on Tuesday 22nd December to raise
funds for Save the Children. Dust off your best
Christmas Jumper/Onesie to be in for a chance to
Pod Competition
Don’t forget to get decorating your pods again this year, judging will take place on Secret
Santa day so get your creative juices flowing to be the winners!