Author: advanceworx

Making a Difference: Matt Uses His Paid Volunteer Day to Support Erskine Veterans Charity

Written by advanceworx on 22 July 2026. Posted in News.

All employees can take a paid volunteer day — and Matt’s experience shows just how meaningful it can be.

Our paid volunteer day gives every employee the opportunity to support a cause they care about, while giving something back to the wider community. Recently, Matt used his volunteer day to support Erskine Veterans Charity, an organisation close to his heart.

Erskine provides care and support for veterans, and Matt’s connection to the charity is a personal one. Having spent five years in the Royal Engineers, including two operational tours in Afghanistan, he chose Erskine because of the strong sense of connection he feels with the people it supports.

A day at Harry’s Café

Matt spent the day volunteering in Harry’s Café, which is used daily by residents, their families, and staff. His role included serving customers, operating the till, restocking the drinks fridge, clearing tables, loading the dishwasher, and helping keep the café clean, tidy, and well stocked. For Matt, the experience was about more than lending a hand. He already volunteers at the café on some Saturdays and describes it as something he looks forward to — a chance to support others while spending time in an environment that feels familiar and positive. “I help them, but deep down I think they also help me,” Matt said.

Simple to arrange

Matt said accessing the paid volunteer day was straightforward. After speaking with his manager about where he wanted to volunteer, Erskine confirmed the details with Saltire, including the date and hours. From there, the process ran smoothly. His advice to anyone thinking about using their volunteer day is to choose a cause that genuinely matters to them, whether that is a veterans’ charity, an animal shelter, a children’s hospital, or another organisation doing important work in the community. Good communication also helps. Matt recommends keeping in touch with your manager, Saltire, and your chosen charity or organisation so everyone has the information they need.

One day can make a real difference

With around 350 employees across Saltire, the impact could be significant if everyone used their paid volunteer day. Together, that would add up to the equivalent of a full year of volunteering given back to communities and causes that need support.

If you have been thinking about using your paid volunteer day, Matt’s story is a great reminder to go for it. Find a cause you care about, speak with your manager, and take the opportunity to make a difference.

Thank you to Matt for sharing his experience and for using his volunteer day to support Erskine Veterans Charity.

Saltire Facilities Management apprentices flying high at industry awards

Written by advanceworx on 12 June 2024. Posted in News.

Bellshill headquartered Saltire Facilities Management, one of the largest gas central heating and electrical firms in Scotland, well-known for its successful apprenticeship programme, is celebrating after two of its current apprentices were short-listed for industry awards.

As an organisation Saltire is committed to delivering a top quality apprenticeship programme, supporting the next generation of skilled labour. Over the past five years, Saltire have recruited and supported thirty five apprentices working in all areas of the business including; gas engineering, electrical, facilities engineering and administration. The business has invested in the development of its apprenticeship programme, attracting respect throughout the industry and aims to take on a minimum of six new apprentices every year.

One of Saltire’s apprenticeship graduates, Jonathan Grabiec, now employed by the business as a Domestic & Commercial Gas Engineer has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Trades House of Glasgow Apprenticeship Awards 2024. Jonathan has completed his apprenticeship training and is now continuing to develop his skills working on different projects across the company’s wide client base.

Another of Saltire’s apprentices, Jez Duncanson has also been recognised for his efforts, winning Student of the Year at the Built Environment Awards for session 2023-24, taking place at City of Glasgow College.

Speaking of the recent award success Managing Director, Alan Murray commented; “This industry has struggled with recruitment of the next generation of workers for a long time, and our apprenticeship programme is something we focus a lot of effort on. Whilst I am delighted that our team have supported both Jez and Jonathan through their training, full credit must be given to these two young men who continue to put in the effort to learn and deliver for our clients. Watching people like Jez and Jonathan come into our industry fills me with confidence that our business will continue to thrive for generations to come.”

Saltire Facilities Management work closely with City of Glasgow College and New College Lanarkshire, supporting apprentices classroom learning with on-the-job training. The organisation is committed to developing their future workforce with many ex-apprentices now in supervisory or managerial positions within the company.

Saltire Facilities Management extends partnership with Trust Housing with another new contract

Written by advanceworx on 31 October 2023. Posted in News.

North Lanarkshire headquartered gas and central heating specialist, Saltire Facilities Management has today announced another new contract win to deliver heating installations for the social housing sector. The contract, to complete central heating system replacements for Trust Housing Association, is the latest in a string of new contract wins announced by Saltire.

Saltire, who have delivered domestic gas servicing and maintenance works in properties managed by the social housing provider under an existing contract since 2017, will continue their partnership under the new contract to deliver works in their properties across five sites in; Blackridge, Kilmarnock, High Blantyre, Dingwall and Giffnock.

Saltire Facilities Management, which operates out of a head office in Bellshill, Glasgow, is a leading partner to the social housing market currently contracted to deliver a range of services to dozens of housing associations and local authorities, serving over 70,000 homes annually.

Trust Housing Association a social landlord with offices in Edinburgh, Wishaw and Glasgow, is one of Scotland’s largest housing, care and support providers, with over 3,600 homes across the length and breadth of the country.

Saltire Managing Director, Alan Murray commented; “Recently we’ve invested heavily in our business development team, and it is starting to pay off as we continue to win more new contracts across Scotland. I am delighted to have secured more work from our long-standing client, Trust, and look forward to continuing to work closely with their team.”

Bellshill-headquartered Saltire Facilities Management currently provide central heating, electrical, and renewable heating services to dozens of local authorities and social landlords across Scotland and in the Midlands region of England, serving over 70,000 homes.

Saltire to ensure warm homes for Angus Housing Association tenants with boiler replacement contract

Written by advanceworx on 25 October 2023. Posted in News.

One of Scotland’s leading central heating and electrical companies, Saltire Facilities Management has announced another contract has been awarded to them from one of their long-standing clients, Angus Housing Association.

The contract, which will see Saltire replace gas boilers in tenanted properties across Forfar in Angus, will start immediately ensuring warm homes for the Winter months. The contract, awarded by Angus Housing Association is part of the social landlords energy efficiency and warm homes commitment.

Angus Housing Association is a registered social landlord that provides affordable homes to rent across the Dundee and Angus region of Scotland, and currently manages over 2,000 properties, providing factoring services to a further 700.

Saltire Facilities Managing Director, Alan Murray commented; “We are delighted to extend our working relationship with Angus Housing Association, ensuring their tenants homes remain warm, and safe throughout the Winter months.”

Saltire Facilities Management wins boiler installation contract with Kingdom Housing Association

Written by advanceworx on 18 October 2023. Posted in News.

Top central heating and electrical company, Saltire Facilities Management has announced the award of another new contract, continuing a period of continued growth. Following a competitive tender process, Kingdom Housing Association award the boiler installation contract to Saltire.

As part of the contract, Saltire will install new gas boiler systems in over 150 properties across the social landlord’s estate. The new boiler systems will replace old, inefficient systems including storage and oil heating systems.

Kingdom Housing Association, a Fife-based registered social landlord, that has grown over the years to now manage over 7500 affordable homes, the majority being for social rent, however Kingdom also provide Mid-Market rent, affordable housing for sale and factoring services.

Saltire Facilities Managing Director, Alan Murray added; “Replacing old, inefficient heating systems on behalf of social landlords is our bread and butter, our teams are highly experienced hence our clients, and their tenants enjoy an outstanding level of service. I am proud of our installation, customer service and business development teams for winning another great contract.”

Saltire continues relationship with Viewpoint Housing Association with three-year contract extension

Written by advanceworx on 20 September 2023. Posted in News.

Top Scottish central heating and electrical company, Saltire Facilities Management has announced the successful awarding of a three-year extension to their current central heating servicing and maintenance contract with Edinburgh-based Viewpoint Housing Association.

Having originally started working together in 2017, when Saltire were awarded an initial three-year contract to deliver domestic and commercial gas servicing and reactive repair works, following a competitive tender process, the latest contract extension is testament to the strong and successful working relationship between the two organisations.

Viewpoint Housing Association, originally founded in 1947, led by a committee formed of 8-likeminded women who sought to address the housing shortage across the Capitol. Today, the organisation has built a stock of over 1,400 properties across Edinburgh, East Lothian, Fife, and Midlothian. To meet the different needs of residents Viewpoint offers a range of accommodation from flats to sheltered complexes, and from fully independent living to 24-hour supported accommodation and care.

Saltire Facilities Managing Director, Alan Murray commented; “We are delighted to extend our contract and relationship with Viewpoint Housing Association, our servicing, repair, and maintenance teams deliver a fantastic service, supported by our colleagues in our customer service department. As an organisation, we are proud of the work we deliver for Viewpoint and look forward to working together long into the future.”

Saltire Facilities Management lends its support to Gas Safety Week 2023

Written by advanceworx on 11 September 2023. Posted in News.

One of the leading central heating companies in Scotland, Saltire Facilities Management has yet again pledged its support for Gas Safety Week, an industry led initiative to educate the public on safe practices around gas appliances, which will this year take place between 11th and 17th September.

Gas Safety Week is here to remind the public how to keep themselves gas safe, and organisations across the nation are working together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

This year, Gas Safety Week focuses on celebrating the breadth and diversity of gas engineers and the essential role they play in keeping the nation gas safe. As well as reminding the public, about gas safety and tips to ensure they stay safe, including not attempting DIY on gas appliances and being aware of the warning signs of unsafe appliances.

Saltire, who install, maintain, and repair gas central heating systems in over 70,000 homes on behalf of dozens of social landlords and local authorities across Scotland and the midlands of England, understand the dangers of a poorly maintained heating system, and are happy to support this initiative.

Saltire Managing Director, Alan Murray commented; “We are proud to continue supporting Gas Safety Week and understand the importance of such initiatives. Our highly experienced and fully qualified engineers work to raise the standards of maintenance and repairs across the industry, and education of tenants and homeowners is integral to that.”

Jonathan Samuel, Chief Executive Officer for Gas Safe Register, added: “We’re delighted to see so much support for Gas Safety Week 2023 – now in its thirteenth year. This year we are celebrating the breadth and diversity of gas engineers, their skills, and experiences, which help to keep the nation gas safe all year round. And we’re reminding the public of the importance of always using a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer to fix, fit or service gas appliances”.

Saltire wins place on Cassiltoun Housing Association maintenance framework contract

Written by advanceworx on 31 August 2023. Posted in News.

North Lanarkshire headquartered central heating and electrical company, Saltire Facilities Management has welcomed another housing association to its’ growing roster of social landlords as it announces its successful tender for a position on the maintenance framework contract of Cassiltoun Housing Association.

Saltire will now commence work with the Glasgow-based housing association, delivering gas and electrical services for properties owned or management by the organisation. Cassiltoun Housing Association (originally Castlemilk East Housing Co-op) is the oldest community ownership Housing Co-operative in Glasgow, being registered with the Industrial and Provident Society in December 1984. The association currently owned over 1,000 properties in the Castlemilk area of the City of Glasgow.

The contract, which operates as a framework style, with works priced on an on-going basis has already commenced, with Saltire having been awarded a lighting replacement contract at Castlemilk Stables, with work due to start in the coming weeks.

Speaking of the Cassiltoun Housing Association contract award Saltire Managing Director, Alan Murray commented; “The social housing sector is our bread and butter, and it is great to add another housing association to our growing roster of clients in the market. As always, thanks go to our dedicated business development team, and our trades and customer service teams who continue to enhance our reputation as one of the most diligent operators in the marketplace”

Saltire extends relationship with Fife Housing Group with year-long installations contract award

Written by advanceworx on 17 August 2023. Posted in News.

Top UK central heating and electrical company, Saltire Facilities Management is set to continue its working partnership with Fife-based housing association, Fife Housing Group following the award of a year-long boiler installation contract.

Dunfermline-based Fife Housing Group has grown to over 2,500 properties under management, spread across the Kingdom of Fife and Perth. The association develops and builds sustainable communities, supporting its tenants through their tenancy.

Speaking of the Fife Housing Group contract award Saltire Managing Director, Alan Murray commented; “We are delighted to continue working with Fife Housing Group, our teams work exceptionally well together, aligning on our shared vision to build sustainable communities. Our installations team have a strong reputation in the sector and I am proud of the team for continuing to provide a first class service.”

Forth and Rural Stirling Housing Associations partner to award gas servicing contract to Saltire

Written by advanceworx on 10 August 2023. Posted in News.

Leading central heating and electrical business, Saltire Facilities Management has continued to expand its footprint across Scotland with the successful bid to secure a 4-year gas servicing and maintenance contract, jointly procured by Forth Housing Association and Rural Stirling Housing Association.

Forth Housing Association and Rural Stirling Housing Association both own and manage low-cost housing across the Stirling region of Scotland, with more than 1500 properties under management between them. The contract, to service and maintain gas central heating systems in 1250 of their properties was jointly procured by the associations and is expected to be worth in the region of £150,000 per annum.

Speaking of the new contract award Saltire Managing Director, Alan Murray commented; “It is great to add another new contract to the roster, we look forward to continue working with the teams at Forth and Rural Stirling. I want to congratulate our maintenance teams who continue to deliver a great service and build our reputation further. I also wish to recognise our bid writing and business development team for their efforts in securing this work.”