Testimonials

We are really proud of the projects and support we provide for the Higher Education professional services community. This page shares recent testimonials we have received.

CAFM System Review & Space Data Tool

 Autumn 2024

We have had the pleasure of working with Escentral on several projects and have always been delighted with their service. Recently, we engaged Escentral to fully review the space data in our CAFM system. Their extensive experience was invaluable in improving the strategic value of our data and ensuring it met both sector and our internal reporting requirements.

This project was particularly challenging as it involved reconfiguring elements of our space data and creating a process to capture campus-wide space changes following a recent restructure. Dave, from Escentral, understood our requirements perfectly. He used his expertise to structure the data for maximum value and clearly communicated system design decisions throughout the process.

Thanks to Escentral, we now have a bespoke tool to manage space returns from departmental leads. This tool incorporates automatic cross-checked verifications to ensure the data fits our CAFM system, resulting in a significant improvement in the quality and usefulness of our estate space data. This has greatly boosted its strategic value.

With their friendly and professional attitude, we would absolutely recommend Escentral for any consultancy needs
Sarah Peacock
Head of Space Management

Space Numbering Policy

 Spring 2024

We asked Escentral to develop a sector-leading space numbering policy that we could apply to our entire estate; this included some very complicated buildings, with zoning, mezzanine floors and external spaces.
Within a little over a month we had a highly detailed policy, refined through a workshop with key stakeholders, that included guidance on the practical application of space numbering, project considerations, and identification of the impacts of space number changes on estates activities and wayfinding for campus users.

As a bonus, Escentral even managed to mark up some of our most challenging CAD drawings in accordance to the new numbering convention, demonstrating practical application.

Escentral did a sterling job for us - we have no hesitation in recommending their space management services.
Bill Edwards
Head of Assets & Compliance

Teaching & Office Space Utilisation Survey, Analysis & Reporting

 Spring 2024

We’ve worked with Escentral on six space utilisation survey projects, and they consistently deliver fantastic results. They handled everything from start to finish, collecting data from all our teaching spaces during core and evening hours. The analysis they provided, using a comprehensive PowerBI dashboard and presentations, has been key in helping us to understand our space usage and timetabling performance better.

With their insights and recommendations, we’re now taking steps to improve our space utilisation, confident that these changes will bring about significant improvements in the future. We highly recommend Escentral to any institution looking to make the most of their teaching spaces.
Charlotte Amess
System Developer & Space Coordinator

Teaching Space Utilisation Analysis & Reporting

 Spring 2024

Collaborating with Escentral on a teaching space utilisation analysis project was a highly productive experience. They expertly analysed our survey and timetable data, providing clear insights into our timetable accuracy and space utilisation trends through a professional reporting dashboard. Their team's expertise was evident in the detailed and actionable recommendations presented.

We are now actively implementing these recommendations and are confident they will lead to significant improvements in our timetable accuracy and space utilisation. Escentral's professionalism and commitment to excellence have been invaluable, and we highly recommend their services to any educational institution aiming to optimise their resources.
Kieran Brassil
Head of Space Management and Workplace Strategy 

Space Management Policy Project

 Spring 2024

We are very satisfied with Escentral's exceptional work creating comprehensive policy documents, including the Overarching Space Management Policy and the Workspaces Space Management Policy, within the agreed timelines. They drew on their extensive space management policy experience and collaborated closely with our key university stakeholders to determine the most effective policies for our institution.

Escentral's expertise and dedication were evident throughout the project. Their proactive approach and thorough understanding of our needs ensured the development of policies that will significantly enhance our space utilisation and operational efficiency.

We highly recommend Escentral for their consultancy services and look forward to future collaborations.
Andrew Gravett
Head of Estates and Property

Teaching Space Modelling

 Spring 2024

We are delighted with Escentral's work in delivering our teaching space modelling project. Their team determined our current timetable utilisation per space type, week, capacity band, and more, plus collaboratively designed and conducted numerous scenario models with our estates and academic stakeholders. They provided tailored solutions to help us plan the relocation of a major department to a new campus, identifying the required number, type, and size of additional teaching spaces.

Escentral delivered this project successfully, meeting specified deadlines and maintaining high-quality standards. The investment in their service is expected to pay for itself many times over through the space efficiencies we will realise. Their expertise and proactive problem-solving have been invaluable. We highly recommend Escentral for their consultancy services.
Riccardo Bongiovi
Space Manager

Teaching & Office Space Utilisation Survey, Analysis & Reporting

 Spring 2024

Escentral were pivotal in our recent audit of both teaching and office footprint through most of the estate. Both Ben and his team remained professional, efficient and knowledgeable in their approach during the survey period whilst also providing excellent after care support above and beyond the initial brief. I’d have no hesitation in highly recommending Escentral for all of your space auditing requirements.
Andy Blount
Space and Property Manager

Teaching & Office Space Modelling

 Spring 2023

We are delighted with Escentral's work on our teaching and office space modelling project.
The project determined the number, type, and size spaces required for our new Citadels campus to accommodate the planned relocation of numerous academic schools. To do so, their team successfully collaborated with these academic schools to forecast the impact of changes in teaching pedagogy, delivery and demand over the next 5 and 15 academic years.

Additionally, the Escentral team identified opportunities to improve space efficiency and reduce space requirements by addressing practice inefficiencies. The results from this project have been utilised to inform the design, ensuring our new campus provides an efficient and effective range of teaching and office spaces.

Their expertise and collaborative approach were invaluable in achieving our goals. We highly recommend Escentral for their consultancy services.
Andrew Gravett
Head of Estates and Property

Teaching Space Utilisation Survey, Analysis & Reporting

 Spring 2023

The organisation, management and delivery of the service was professional and flexible from initial enquiry through to the execution of the survey. Nothing was too much trouble and the on site team were well managed and courteous. The results will enable us to determine how we can make better use of space and deliver a more cost effective timetable.
Steve Mayson CMIWFM
CMIWFM - Group Services and Contracts Manager

Scheduling Support

Autumn 2022

At the beginning of the 2022/23 academic year, due to an increase in student numbers and the subsequent need to redevelop parts of Cardiff Metropolitan University’s estate, we faced challenges in our ability to schedule teaching for one of our academic Schools. We approached Escentral for assistance as we were in the fortunate position of having successfully worked with Ben Moreland (Escentral’s Director) in the past. We were very lucky that at very short notice, and despite all his other commitments, Ben immediately made himself available to help us. He worked collaboratively with our timetabling team to plan a sequence of actions and carried out the scheduling in just three days when it might otherwise have taken weeks.

As well as his technical expertise, Ben puts his clients first. He constantly kept us up to date, enabling the timetabling team to regularly communicate the progress being made to the academic School. He provided advice and support to the timetabling and School staff and constantly sought to find innovative solutions to complex problems. Ben has also offered to help us to review our processes going forward. We have really valued and learnt from Ben’s expertise and approach.
Tracey Horton
Head of Student Lifecycle 

Space Utilisation Survey, Analysis & Reporting

Autumn 2022

The Escentral team were brilliant at planning and undertaking a comprehensive week-long survey across our office as well as teaching and study spaces. The team were expertly lead by Jody throughout the week so minimised any impact or issues that required the involvement of LBS staff.

The final report summarising findings and recommendations was similarly of a very high standard and together with a written report an accompanying video report was also included. The detail of the report has enabled The School to make informed decisions regarding optimising our space use during quieter periods and driving energy cost savings as well as assisting us in understanding our space use when planning future capital projects. 
Rodney Ardé
Head of Space Management and Development

Space Utilisation Survey, Analysis & Reporting

Autumn 2022 & Spring 2023

The level of service Escentral provide is nothing short of impeccable.

In the run up to and throughout the project, Escentral were organised, helpful and knowledgeable on delivering the project. It made things incredibly easy for me to have a light touch as the whole thing ran like clockwork.

The quality of results, the incredibly detailed reporting and analysis is a fantastic tool for the University to make use of as we navigate what our teaching footprint looks like post pandemic. 
Caitlin Stevenson
Property Assets and Space Coordinator 

Ongoing Support

Autumn 2022

Escentral regularly works with Cardiff Metropolitan University and has assisted us with several specific projects. Their continuous support, expertise, patience and good humour is what makes a huge difference. Knowing that they have our back and will jump in quickly if we need them is great.
This giving back charity initiative is also very welcome.
Flo Lavit
Senior Timetabling Officer
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