The University of Hertfordshire has handed responsibility for day-to-day campus operations to global property firm CBRE, with the contract starting on 1 August. The agreement covers an extensive suite of services intended to keep the university site running smoothly for more than 34,000 students and staff.
The partnership will see CBRE deliver an integrated facilities management programme across the university estate, which spans around 1,830,000 sq ft. Services included in the contract are technical maintenance, cleaning, horticulture, waste and pest control, supported by a central computer-aided facilities management (CAFM) and helpdesk platform. The firm says it will also deploy data-driven building management system (BMS) strategies aimed at improving energy performance and operational efficiency.
Student experience and training built into the deal
A notable element of the arrangement is its focus on the student experience and on opening practical opportunities for students to gain industry exposure. The contract establishes a dedicated on-site campus ambassador role to act as a visible point of contact for the campus community. CBRE has also pledged to provide 320 hours of work experience each year to University of Hertfordshire students. Participants will receive a formal reference and an invitation to apply for the company’s Next Generation talent scheme.
“This partnership marks an important step in how we manage and develop our estate for the benefit of our students, staff and wider community,” said Ian Grimes, Director of Estates at the University of Hertfordshire. “CBRE brings strong expertise in integrated facilities management, alongside a focus on innovation and data-led delivery, which will support us in providing a high-quality, responsive campus environment.”
The university described the move as part of a wider plan to modernise how its estate is managed, with an emphasis on responsiveness and value. CBRE will work with specialist delivery partners to carry out the range of services from ground maintenance to technical upkeep.
What the arrangement means on the ground
- Operational continuity: centralised helpdesk and CAFM system to co-ordinate maintenance and cleaning requests.
- Energy and efficiency: BMS measures intended to cut waste and improve building performance.
- Student opportunities: guaranteed work experience hours and pathways into CBRE’s graduate and early-career schemes.
For students and staff based on the Hatfield campus, the changes should be visible through a more unified approach to facilities reporting and a named ambassador on site. For the university, the arrangement is presented as a way to protect and enhance the long-term value of the estate while delivering a modern campus environment.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contract start | 1 August |
| Student population affected | Over 34,000 |
| Campus size | 1,830,000 sq ft |
| Annual student work experience | 320 hours |
University estates officers and student services will likely provide further details to the campus community about how to access the new helpdesk and what to expect from the ambassador role. For now, the deal represents a significant outsourcing of estate services to a single provider with a stated ambition to combine operational delivery with data-led improvements and student engagement.
