OCS has been awarded a five-year contract to provide integrated facilities management services for Premier League football club Everton Football Club at its new stadium, set to open before the 2025-26 season. This move marks a significant step for Everton FC as it transitions to its new home at Bramley Moore Dock on the banks of the River Mersey, as part of the comprehensive regeneration of Liverpool's North Docks.
The new stadium, which will have the capacity to hold 52,888 spectators, isn't just about football; it's also poised to become a venue for music concerts, conferences, and other events. Under the contract, OCS will tailor its services to create solutions using advanced technologies intended to improve safety and streamline efficiencies. Notable innovations will include a new search and screen process along with enhanced cleaning operations facilitated by cleaning robots.
Bruce McDonnell, Managing Director of Private Sector UK at OCS, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We are delighted to partner with Everton F.C. We have seamless operations in some of the most iconic football stadiums in the UK and we have a proven track record... We want to build something exceptional together, where innovation, community, and operational excellence converge.”
Everton's move from Goodison Park is not only about modernizing facilities but also involves the regeneration of the surrounding area, which is earmarked for new affordable housing. This redevelopment reflects Everton’s commitment not just to the sport but to making meaningful contributions to the local community.
Meanwhile, OCS will be deploying up to 200 staff members for match-day operations and core services, ensuring top-notch management and service delivery. Jonny Young, OCS's sector managing director for Venues, underlined their community focus, saying: "Everton in the Community is at the forefront of Football Club Social Value within the English football leagues. We are committed to recruiting locally, providing opportunities for all.”
This commitment extends beyond just employment; OCS aims to create ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) champion roles to hold themselves accountable for social value commitments. This move will directly benefit local communities by ensuring recruitment, training, and development opportunities are readily available to residents, particularly targeting vulnerable individuals.
Richard Kenyon, Chief Commercial and Communications Officer at Everton FC, praised OCS’s proactive approach to community engagement. He noted, “From our very early meetings, it was clear they are not only committed to the highest of standards but were also very interested in making significant impacts within our community.”
OCS’s partnership involves working closely with Everton on its ESG strategies, conducting comprehensive carbon impact assessments, and integrating sustainable practices within the operations of the new stadium. With the growing emphasis on sustainability, OCS is aligning its efforts with Everton's broader goals of reducing its carbon footprint.
Looking to the future, both OCS and Everton see this partnership as pivotal not only for transforming the facilities management experience at the new stadium but also for nurturing community connections and driving economic opportunities locally. The collaboration aims to create about 200 positions focused on sustainable long-term employment and skill development and focus on community recruitment events aimed at job seekers.
The facilities management sector has increasingly been adopting cutting-edge technologies to provide safe and efficient services. OCS's contract with Everton is expected to set new standards of quality and community engagement within the industry.
With big plans on the horizon, both OCS and Everton FC are on track to reshape not just the sports venue experience but also the fabric of the local community, ensuring the new stadium becomes more than just another football ground—it is set to become a cornerstone of local pride and opportunity as part of Liverpool’s urban revival.