Pinnacle Group Acquires AM Services Group
Pinnacle Group expands facilities management expertise and acquisitional growth drive with purchase of AM Services Group
TODAY, Pinnacle Group has announced that it has acquired AM Services Group (AMSG) in a deal that extends its service capacity, technical skill set and expert knowledge across new FM sectors including retail, manufacturing, and chemical industries. This acquisition expands Pinnacle’s service footprint across the North of England and Midlands as well as bolstering its business-to-business offer.
Importantly, this acquisition also enhances Pinnacle’s ability to deliver holistic seamless services to a broader range of communities in accordance with their commitment to community stewardship.
Established in 2001, AMSG is a Lancashire-headquartered business which employs 750+ people. It has a loyal client base with an impressive 96% business retention rate.
AMSG’s Greg O’Brien, Managing Director; Ashley Kirk, Commercial Director; and Neil Cooper, Operations Director will all remain with the business to focus on continuing to deliver growth and service excellence. This senior management team will fully integrate the AMSG business with Pinnacle over the next 12 months. Current CEO and Founder Adrian Cresswell will be retiring from the company.
The acquisition provides AMSG’s existing and new clients with enhanced value through wider access to technical skills and innovative service solutions and will support Pinnacle’s existing plans to optimise new FM growth opportunities. This includes penetration of the large-scale UK catering market by building on AMSG’s recent landmark contract win with a leading Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer.
“Pinnacle prides itself on delivering the very best FM services and the acquisition of AMSG bolsters that further. Both organisations have enviable reputations for delivering consistently high levels of customer service. In tandem with shared customer-led service values, our joint track record of longstanding, trusted client relationships and recurring revenue, puts us in good stead for continuing to strengthen and grow Pinnacle.”
Peregrine Lloyd
Chief Executive of Pinnacle Group
"After 22 years heading up AM Services Group, I have decided to retire from the company. It has been an amazing privilege to run and develop this business during my tenure and given me immense pride. I would like to thank all the people that have helped me develop the business along the way, your dedication and commitment has been faultless. I am confident that Pinnacle and the AMSG management team will work well together, given that they foster the same commitment to delivering high levels of customer service and staff development. The aligning of these two companies offers many opportunities for those working within the business.”
Adrian Cresswell
CEO and Founder of AMSG
“Pinnacle’s clients and customers will benefit greatly from this acquisition. Our wider geographical spread, broader FM service scope and ability to seamlessly integrate service provision across more FM sectors will ensure that Pinnacle remains top of its game. The technical expertise that AMSG will bring will ensure that we continue to innovate in terms of our service models to better meet client and customer needs.”
Neil Fergus
Managing Director FM of Pinnacle
“Adrian has built the AMSG brand with pride and passion which I am sure he will throw into his next ventures. It is rare to find two companies that share similar people focussed values and going forward I am looking forward to working with everyone at Pinnacle, sharing best practices that will underpin our growth, benefit our clients and develop our teams.”
Greg O’Brien
Managing Director of AMSG
Earlier this month Pinnacle announced it had acquired residential and social housing specialists Orchard & Shipman, expanding its Homes business nationwide.
Rebecca McCann, Associate in the Corporate team at Forbes Solicitors advised on the deal, alongside Rachel Marsden at MHA Moore and Smalley and Charlotte Potts and Kaine Smith at Rickitt Mitchell.
Pinnacle Group acquires Orchard & Shipman
ANNOUNCED today, Pinnacle Group, one of the UK’s leading multi-tenure residential service providers, is expanding its geographical footprint and service capability nationwide through the acquisition of residential and social housing specialists Orchard & Shipman. This acquisition will integrate the whole of Orchard & Shipman within Pinnacle, including their Registered Provider (Orchard & Shipman Homes), and will continue to be led by Chris Shipman, Executive Chairman.
Orchard & Shipman brings over 30 years’ experience and expertise in the provision of the highest quality residential management services to public and private sector landlords and portfolio owners nationwide.
With a mixed-tenure residential management portfolio of over 80,000 homes across the UK, the strategic acquisition of Orchard & Shipman further boosts Pinnacle’s already significant sector expertise and capability whilst benefitting existing as well as new customers and clients.
The deal immediately strengthens Pinnacle’s capacity to deliver step-change housing solutions. This includes delivery of the 49,000-home National Accommodation Management Services contract - secured by Pinnacle in June - on behalf of Defence Infrastructure Organisation (part of the Ministry of Defence). It also includes the £85m funding project, devised and secured by Orchard & Shipman in August in partnership with London Borough of Bromley, to provide much-needed permanent affordable homes and to manage them over a 50-year period.
“I am delighted to able to announce this strategic acquisition for Pinnacle. Both companies have a long history as trusted housing service providers and a complementary client base across public and private sectors. We have shared values and heritage and look forward to meeting our collective goals of providing even better value, more service innovation and extra customer focus as we continue to grow under the Pinnacle umbrella.”
Peregrine Lloyd
Pinnacle Group Chief Executive
“I am delighted to be joining an organisation that has the same high standards and values we have striven to deliver over our 30 years in business and very confident that our customers and employees will be in safe hands. Our businesses have many complementary skills and I look forward to helping to deliver the exciting projects we already have in the pipeline."
Chris Shipman
Executive Chairman of Orchard & Shipman
Claire Kober joins Notting Hill Genesis board
Claire Kober, Managing Director, Homes at Pinnacle Group has been appointed as a board member at Notting Hill Genesis.
In early September, Claire joined the board of Notting Hill Genesis, one of the largest housing association in London and the south east, to support their aim of providing more of the homes desperately needed in London.
Claire oversees Pinnacle Group’s housing and property management contracts and sits on Pinnacle’s Executive Committee. She works closely with local government, institutional investors and developers.
On taking on the new role, Claire said: “I believe the housing association sector has a vital role to play in providing individuals and families the security of a decent home. As one of the largest players in the sector with an impressive track record, ambitious mindset and focus on London – a city with huge housing need – I’ve long admired Notting Hill Genesis.
"I’m particularly keen to contribute to discussions on the delivery of social purpose in a modern age and play a role in driving the organisation forward at a time characterised by both great challenges and opportunities.”
Claire will serve on the Boards of Notting Hill Genesis, Notting Hill Home Ownership and SpringBoard Two Housing Association. She is a member of the housing association’s Audit and Risk Committee and chair of the Operations Committee.
Three Peaks Challenge – Raising Money for the Royal British Legion
At Pinnacle Group, we are proud to be advocates for those who protect our nation and to support the Armed Forces Community, including charities and organisations which work to support the wider Forces community.
Our Armed Forces Network is a business-wide community of colleagues which seeks to inform our strategy and direction across all parts of our business. On 18 September 2021, members of the network and the wider Pinnacle Group are taking on the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for The Royal British Legion in their centenary year.
The Challenge
Christopher Hodson, Neil Fergus, Mark Dutton, Alex Elsy and Laura Newey will be taking on the challenge to climb the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales, within 24 hours! In total they will walk 26 miles (42km) horizontal distance and 3,000m (9,843ft) of vertical ascent, scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – one after the other!
How can you support?
If you would like to support the Three Peaks team to raise money for the Royal British Legion, please visit the team's Just Giving Page. All donations are greatly appreciated.
Why your support matters
Since 1921, the Royal British Legion has been at the heart of a national network that supports the Armed Forces community. They are the country’s largest Armed Forces charity, with 180,000 members, 110,000 volunteers and they provide lifelong support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families. From providing expert advice and guidance, to recovery and rehabilitation, through to transitioning to civilian life.
Good luck to Team Pinnacle!
Pinnacle Group lands Canary Wharf Group contract
Pinnacle Group has been awarded the contract to provide housing management and resident repairs at the affordable rented homes development in Wood Wharf, the new neighbourhood in the heart of Canary Wharf, London.
The five-year contract for Canary Wharf Group will see Pinnacle looking after 143 affordable rented homes made up of one, two, three and four bed apartments.
Pinnacle will provide maintenance and communal area cleaning and oversee management of issues and tenancies, including successions and void periods for two blocks that are part of the first phase of Wood Wharf, part of the sustainable community at Canary Wharf.
It is also managing the letting process with Tower Hamlets Council, which includes vetting applicants conducting both virtual and in-person viewings and arranging the tenancies.
“Pinnacle is delighted to have been awarded this contract from Canary Wharf Group and we have been working hard to fill the apartments as quickly as we can. At the moment it is taking only ten days from tenant referral to sign up, and we have signed up nearly 100 residents.”
Pratik Popat
Pinnacle Group Regional Manager
Pinnacle will employ at least 25% of its workforce at Wood Wharf from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Later this year, Pinnacle will also start its programme of courses to help residents improve their employability with job seeking advice and training.
When completed, Wood Wharf will have up to 3,600 homes, retail, office, an NHS medical centre and primary school, waterside and cycle paths with parks and gardens.
Grain Connect secures funding for next phase of its fibre rollout
- £75m equity funding package
- Plan to serve 300,000 premises with hyperfast broadband services
- Creating over 200 new jobs and supporting a further 200 jobs in the wider stakeholder and supply chain
- Founding shareholder, Pinnacle Group, will be retaining a significant proportion of its interest in Grain Connect
Grain Connect, a leading provider of fibre-optic internet access services to new-build and existing homes across the UK, today announced a £75million equity investment from Equitix, one of Europe’s leading infrastructure investors, alongside Albion Capital, its existing institutional backer.
In addition to this equity funding, Grain has begun discussions with lenders in preparation for a £100m debt funding process. The combined funding will support Grain’s plans to extend its footprint to cover an initial 300,000 homes and businesses across Great Britain, with a focus on both new-build housing developments and existing urban housing.
Grain is well known in the new-build housing sector as a partner to many of the country’s largest housebuilders, providing outstanding quality and service in bringing fibre-optic internet access to their developments. Grain works with developers in well over 100 locations across the UK.
As well as bringing excellent fibre internet access to customers, Grain’s growth will generate substantial employment in both Carlisle and the regions where their network is deployed. Covid-19 has accentuated the demand for high-speed broadband and highlighted the importance of providing excellent connectivity for society as a whole. Grain is delighted to be playing its part in achieving this goal.
Peregrine Lloyd, Chief Executive, Pinnacle Group, said of the investment: “At Pinnacle we are committed to working with communities across the UK to deliver the highest quality of service through understanding the needs of residents and adapting to new technologies. This major investment in Grain Connect underlines our commitment to supporting the digital transformation of communities, enabling them to benefit from full fibre hyperfast broadband technology.
"As founding shareholders, we are delighted to see Grain Connect go from strength to strength and we cannot wait to see the company achieve their ambitious growth targets.”
Grain’s Chairman, Sean Williams, said: “We are delighted to have secured such an excellent funding partner in Equitix, a leading investor in European infrastructure with a long-term investment strategy and clear vision for our business. The Grain team are already accelerating the build programme and are hugely excited about the opportunity to scale up the excellent national platform that we have already established.”
Hugh Crossley, Chief Investment Officer, Equitix, added: “We are delighted to have agreed this investment into Grain Connect. Over the past year, the Covid-19 pandemic has emphasised the importance of data connectivity in which Grain is a leading provider. We fully support the management team’s initiatives to improve the scale and quality of their operations by investing in services and personnel, to ensure that they continue to provide best-in-class services to their customers and the local communities they serve.”
David Gudgin from Albion Capital said: “Albion has built up extensive broadband experience across a number of fibre investments, and we think the Grain team is one of the best in the sector. We fully support the plan to grow Grain into a significant nationwide fibre provider over the next five years. Grain’s ability to provide fibre to greenfield developments and existing housing makes its business model unique amongst the new fibre providers.”
For further information please visits Grain Connect.
Pinnacle Group awarded Gold in Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme
Pinnacle Group has been awarded Gold on the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme, acknowledging the organisation’s outstanding support towards the Armed Forces community.
Less than a month since Pinnacle was awarded a 7-year contract to manage 49,000 Service family homes on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, the company has been recognised for the continued support it provides to the military community.
Pinnacle has proactively demonstrated its forces-friendly credentials as part of its recruitment processes. It also actively ensures that its workforce is aware of its positive policies towards the Service Personnel community as well as advocating support to partner organisations, suppliers and customers.
Pinnacle has an established Armed Forces Network, made up of a mix of veterans, reservists, Cadet Force Adult volunteers and families of Serving Personnel or veterans. This Network supports and promotes the company’s commitment to the Armed Forces community, which includes an additional two weeks of paid leave per year to Reservists to enable them to attend annual camp, and also actively supports military charities such as SSAFA and the Royal British Legion.
"I would like to thank all the organisations who have proven their support for the Defence community during such unprecedented and challenging times. The vast range of those recognised this year demonstrates how employing the Armed Forces community makes a truly positive and beneficial impact for all employers, regardless of size, sector or location.”
Leo Docherty
Minister for Defence People and Veterans
"As a business it is important for us to be advocates for those who protect our nation, and we are deeply proud of all our colleagues who are a part of the British Armed Forces community.
"We realise the responsibility we have to provide this community with an effective path into meaningful employment and to ensure a supportive environment which is reinforced by colleagues who genuinely care about their welfare and realise the value of their skillset. We are on a mission to make a difference and the honour of being awarded Gold in the Employer Recognition Scheme demonstrates that we are on the right path.”
Peregrine Lloyd
Pinnacle Group Chief Executive
Build to Rent: Creating Successful Communities Through Values-led Services
It is not an exaggeration to say that the past year has changed everything - how we live, work and interact with others have all shifted. The vast majority of people will have spent more time in their homes than ever before and being able to enjoy a sense of community has become more important than ever.
For many years, Pinnacle Group has been managing Build to Rent (BtR) properties on behalf of institutional investors across the UK. Pinnacle understands that residential developments are not simply a series of assets, but rather communities that need to be nurtured and require long-term stewardship to be successful. A successful place is one where people choose to live and work long after construction is complete. Much has been written and said over the years about the importance of placemaking and rightly so. At Pinnacle we also recognise the importance of institutional-grade placekeeping.
BtR as a living sector is booming. Despite the COVID-19 disruption the UK property market has experienced, investment into the BtR asset class has seen record highs. During 2020, almost £3.5bn was deployed into the sector and construction of BtR schemes in London has increased by 30% (Savills, 2020).
Where the pandemic saw the rental market shift significantly, with many traditional high street letting agents closing their doors during the first lockdown, Pinnacle found that demand for apartments remained strong throughout and, in response, quickly developed and mobilised a virtual end-to-end letting service.
Undoubtedly the past 18-months has accelerated the requirement on people to embrace technological advances. But while technology plays a vital part of the infrastructure in building a first-class service, Pinnacle believes that it is the core management values and behaviours that shape how a community can thrive.
In over two decades in business, Pinnacle Group has learnt that while getting service delivery right is crucial, it is the relationship with the end user – the customer – that transforms a “fit for purpose” experience into something that enriches the quality of someone’s life.
Pinnacle’s business philosophy rests on three guiding principles:
Firstly, is that one size fits all approaches do not work – each customer community requires its own bespoke service solution tailored to respond to local characteristics, issues and priorities.
Secondly, is that a community stewardship approach is critical. This means seeing contractual responsibilities in the context of a bigger picture. In practical terms it’s about being actively engaged in addressing customers’ day to day concerns and priorities while understanding how those concerns fit into people’s lives. Working in this way, we make an important contribution to the creation of sustainable communities.
Finally, is that the lifeblood of any community is the people – customer satisfaction must be the priority outcome.
Pinnacle delivers these three principles by being a values-based business that recognises that its workforce is its most important asset – management teams have autonomy within their communities and can determine how services are best delivered locally by engaging with stakeholders and responding to customer demands. This is achieved by employing likeminded, conscientious people who can problem solve and embrace Pinnacle’s community-facing, people-first values. Colleagues are often from the local community, including apprentices, further adding the local legacy of the development.
To build a strong community, communication is paramount. Technological advances demand that customer communication is digitally enabled to respond to more flexible, time-constrained lifestyles and 24/7 expectations. Across Pinnacle, an omni-channel approach is taken with no less than eight different communication methods including SMS, Email, Live Web Chat, Social Media and Chat Bots being utilised, while also ensuring that customers have the ability to speak to someone face to face, or call one of our customer service teams if they prefer.
Delivering a service which is technically enabled, personalised and exceeds expectations, transforms how customers feels about their service interaction and “journey”. By taking care of the customer as a person, not a service ticket or simply a tenant, we can guarantee a positive customer experience.Building safety compliance and looking after the bricks and mortar is an absolute given. What sets Pinnacle apart is recognising the human component of our service. Successful BtR management is fundamentally about people and customer relationships. It is focussed on remembering what makes a community, by connecting and bringing people together who are investing into an exciting BtR lifestyle.
Ollie Miller, PRS Director, Pinnacle Group
This article was originally featured in the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Business Matters Magazine.
Claire Kober joins British Property Federation’s new Affordable Housing Committee
The British Property Federation (BPF) has launched a new Affordable Housing Committee to provide leadership for the UK’s real estate industry.
The committee, chaired by Rob Beiley, partner at Trowers & Hamlins, with vice-chair Simon Century, director – Build-to-rent & Affordable Homes, Legal & General, will champion investment in high-quality and sustainable affordable homes.
It will lead the industry’s representations to government and act as interlocutor between the industry and key stakeholders including Homes England, the GLA and Regulator of Social Housing.
Claire Kober, Managing Director, Homes, oversees Pinnacle Group’s housing and property management contracts and sits on Pinnacle’s Executive Committee. In addition to sitting on the BPF’s Affordable Housing Committee, Claire is also an Independent Director and Chair of House by Urban Splash.
Other committee members include:
- Rob Beiley, Trowers & Hamlins (Chair)
- Simon Century, Legal & General (Vice-Chair)
- Catherin Webster, Quintain
- Charles Cleal, JLL
- Charles Crowe, PGIM Real Estate
- Chris Jeffs, M&G Real Estate
- Debi Marriott-Lavery, Places for People
- Julia Bevan, Grainger
- Kush Rawal, Metropolitan Thames Valley
- Matthew Chillingworth, Federated Hermes
- Natalia Kolotneva, LaSalle Investment Management
- Olivia Harris, Dolphin Living
- Peter Quinn, Watkin Jones
- Shamez Alibhai, Man GPM
- Thomas Mudd, CBRE
- Tom Paul, Optivo
“I am delighted to join BPF’s Affordable Housing Committee and, working with colleagues from across the real estate industry, look forward to maximising opportunities for investment in affordable housing to support communities and social wellbeing.”
Claire Kober
Managing Director, Homes
Pinnacle Group invests in ESG and launches strategy
Pinnacle Group bolsters its investment in ESG. This forms part of our ambitious growth strategy and builds upon decades of the company delivering added value for clients, customers and communities.
We have appointed a Pinnacle ESG Lead, as the Group integrates ESG across its services portfolio, which includes housing and facilities management services, as well as businesses Pinnacle Power and Grain.
The ESG Lead at Pinnacle will drive the delivery of the ESG Framework launched today. This sets out our approach to Environment, Social and Governance. The ESG framework we have developed is structured around four pillars:
To bring rigour to the measurement and reporting of ESG we are aligning to the TOMS framework and progress will be reviewed regularly by a ESG steering group, as well as the Executive team conducting an in-depth business wide review each quarter.
“Our vision to be ESG leaders is an important part of our company strategy and we are incredibly proud to be launching our ESG Framework today. Our investment in an ESG team and developing our company-wide commitments naturally evolve what we have been delivering as a company for decades. It is the next logical step for us.
We value the impact we can have and setting out our approach within an ESG Framework gives our 3,000 strong team clear direction on how as a company we are working towards our purpose of transforming communities, changing lives. It helps us build a business for the future and crucially benefits society and we are honoured to be able to make a difference.”
Perry Lloyd
Group Chief Executive
For more information on our commitment to ESG visit here and read our Framework:
Pinnacle Kickstarts work experience placements
Pinnacle Group has launched its government-backed Kickstart work scheme, aimed at 16-to-24-year-olds who are receiving Universal Credit and are at risk of long-term unemployment.
Introduced by the government to create high-quality six-month work placements, Pinnacle is in the process of recruiting 30+ people to its Kickstart Scheme that will start in June.
Successful applicants will be placed in different areas of the business to gain valuable work experience by learning on the job and will receive a programme of support to ensure they are able to make the most of their time with Pinnacle.
Each person will have a dedicated Kickstart Coach, who will be a mentor, and undertake regular reviews and provide feedback.
In addition, the Kickstarters will attend Group Employability Workshops which will cover induction and expectations of their role within Pinnacle; building their capabilities and managing change to help participants become more self-aware and improve confidence. Young people on the Kickstart Scheme will also be supported to upskill in the writing of covering letters, completion of application forms; development of a best-in-class CV, job searching; and interview techniques.
"Pinnacle has always given back to the community and the Kickstart Scheme is the ideal opportunity to help young people gain experience of the workplace with lifelong skills for finding and keeping future employment.
We look forward to welcoming the Kickstarters to the Pinnacle team.”
Jane Baxter
Managing Director, Pinnacle People
Each Kickstarter will be paid weekly over the six-month programme and receive 12.5 days of annual leave as well as time off for Bank Holidays.
Pinnacle sponsor the British Army’s team to race across the Atlantic Ocean in aid of the Royal British Legion
At Pinnacle Group we are proud to be advocates for those who protect our nation and to support the wider Armed Forces Community. We are pleased to demonstrate our loyalty to the British Army and the Royal British Legion (RBL) by sponsoring a team to row across the Atlantic Ocean in the 2021 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
Billed as the “World’s toughest row”, the crew made up of four members of the British Army’s prestigious Royal Army Physical Training Corps will be rowing 3,000 miles for six weeks in a 8.5m long rowing boat.
During the gruelling challenge the team face the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance. Rowing for 12-hours a day in two hours shifts, day and night, the team will be faced with an onslaught of waves, sleep deprivation and salt sores. What will spur them on is their dedication to raise money for the RBL, during their centurion year.
“As proud supporters of the of
the Armed Forces community, we are delighted to announce our sponsorship of the
Force Atlantic team. We are looking
forward to cheering the team on and raising money for such a worthy charity.”
Perry Lloyd
Chief Executive and Armed Forces Network Chair at Pinnacle Group
“After serving in the
3rd Battalion The Queen’s Regiment and now being a Sergeant Instructor at the
Kent Army Cadet Force, I am passionate about supporting the good work RBL does
for the Armed Forces community. This
challenge isn’t just a rowing race – it demonstrates what it means to be a part
of the British Armed Forces, it’s more than just physical and mental strength, it
shows leadership, discipline, teamwork and adventure.”
Paul Driver
Business Manager and founding Armed Forces Network member at Pinnacle Group
“Force Atlantic are proud to have Pinnacle Group
supporting us as a gold sponsor. Their support in providing opportunities for
veterans is superb and as an organisation, they are intrinsically aligned to
our campaign. Pinnacle Group recognise the value of military life and the
experience contained within. Our veterans boast some of the best transferable
skills around and through Pinnacle Groups’ Armed Forces Network, they offer a
future for our community. With the
support of Pinnacle Group, the team and I feel in a great place to achieve our
goals whilst raising money for their chosen charity, the Royal British Legion.”
Captain Scott Pollock
Captain Scott Pollock and the team captain of Force Atlantic 21
Pinnacle will be running a series of events throughout the summer to raise money for the Royal British Legion.
Good luck to the Force Atlantic 21 team.
