GJK Facility Services appoints CEO

Former Platinum FM managing director joins GJK Facility Services.

GJK Facility Services has announced the appointment of Steve Taylor as the company’s new CEO and executive chairman.

Taylor, who was appointed by GJK Facility Services in December 2017, was previously managing director of facilities management company, Platinum FM.

Prior to arriving in Australia in 1999 Taylor was a qualified chartered engineer in the UK and he entered into property and facilities management in the late 1980’s. He worked in London in various capacities with multi-national companies such as Rolls Royce and British Airways.

In 1999 he undertook a management buyout of a small consulting company before selling to Programmed Maintenance Services in 2006, where he held several leadership roles until 2016 including chief strategy and marketing officer, CEO property and infrastructure and CEO facilities management.

“My vision is to be the best soft services company in Australia. One that is recognised as a trusted partner with a brand that is well known and respected across Australia,” Taylor said.

Taylor said his focus and main efforts as CEO will be to develop GJK’s current core business and look for other opportunities and diversify into other soft services such as ground maintenance, pest control, hygiene and window cleaning for example.

“I have known GJK’s owner, George Stamas, for over 15 years. I was always impressed by the way he grew the company and I have a great deal of respect for him as an individual. Also, GJK’s vision to gear up to grow to its next phase and diversify attracted me to join, direct and lead the company forward.”

According to Taylor one of the biggest challenges in the industry is getting customers to understand the value proposition beyond price. This can be achieved through education and promotion of technology, innovation and ways to improve productivity.

Taylor believes that for too long the cleaning industry has been thought of as a low-level commodity-based service.

“We know however, that in various industry sectors cleaners are an essential part of keeping operations running effectively and efficiently. For example, if cleaners don’t clean hospitals properly then patients can get ill and even die. In the food industry, cross contamination is a major risk to unclean production areas,” he said.

“My message therefore is about raising the level of recognition and professionalism of the cleaning industry. Aspects within the industry are becoming far more sophisticated. Increasing technological advances and artificial intelligence means that the professional cleaning manager needs to understand a lot more than they did 20 years ago. Attracting future managers requires a different skill set.”

“I am motivated by building businesses that give a strong sense of purpose to its people. I like to mentor and develop young future leaders and see how they flourish and grow.”

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