ESS wins contract with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

ESS, part of Compass Group UK and Ireland, has won a four-year soft services contract with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

It will start from 1 November and see the company provide foodservice, cleaning, waste management and pest control services to all the DVLA's sites in Swansea, which operate 24 hours a day.

The value of the contract was not disclosed but around 6,000 DVLA staff are based at the Swansea offices.

ESS will run multiple catering outlets across the site, with restaurants serving dishes from its Global Kitchen brand as well as sandwiches, salads, and breakfasts. A micro market will give staff access to food 24 hours a day and a click and collect service for employees will be available through the ESS app.

ESS will also deliver hospitality services for meetings and events at the company and a number of employees will transfer to its workforce as part of the new contract.

"We're delighted to have been awarded the DVLA soft services contract to add to the Government departments we already work with and build on our footprint in South Wales," said Ronnie Kelman, Managing Director – ESS Energy, Government and Infrastructure.

"Our team are working hard to mobilise the various services in preparation for the contract start on 1 November.

"We're looking forward to working collaboratively with the DVLA throughout the contract term to deliver what its people need to succeed in their roles."

The contract will be delivered by ESS Government Services, which supports clients including the Ministry of Defence, Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health and Social Care, Llywodraeth Cymru (Welsh Government), Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament), Thames Valley Police and the Metropolitan Police.

In July, Compass Group reported a strong third quarter with worldwide organic revenue growth of 15%. The foodservice giant said it had a 96.7% client retention rate, new business growth of 5% and volume growth of 9%.