Leading national facilities and commercial building maintenance provider, Commercial Maintenance Services (CMS), is celebrating 25 years in business with the opening of new headquarters and a £2m investment into a state-of-the-art engineering academy in Gateshead.
Founded in the North East in 2000, CMS has grown from its regional roots into a nationwide market leader, delivering critical services including gas, heating, plumbing, air conditioning, renewables, electrical, and catering equipment installation, repair, and maintenance.
Last year, the company achieved a turnover of £32m and now employs over 300 people across the UK. As CMS marks this major milestone, its new headquarters and academy represent a significant step forward, forming the foundation from which the business aims to grow into a £100m enterprise by 2029, employing over 600 people and investing in the skills needed to drive the next phase of growth.
At the heart of this vision is the newly launched CMS Academy, located within CMS’ Gateshead headquarters. The 20,000 sq. ft. academy is three times the size of its previous location and purpose-built to train and upskill over 200 engineers annually and support over 50 apprentices each year.
The CMS Academy responds to one of the UK’s most pressing challenges: the engineering skills shortage. As demand for quality engineers increases across the country, CMS is taking decisive action to close the gap, ensuring it maintains a responsive, expert service while contributing to a more sustainable future for the sector.
Through dedicated training and development, the academy actively supports the next generation of engineers, equipping them with not only technical skills but also the values and capabilities needed to drive long-term success across the sector.
Engineers trained at the CMS Academy will carry a mark of distinction, embedding CMS’ gold-standard approach to quality, efficiency, safety and customer experience. Recognised as a ‘kitemark’ of capability, the academy’s training programme sets engineers apart in a competitive market, giving them a recognised advantage and increasing customer confidence in the calibre and expertise of the CMS team.
The academy is equipped with the latest technologies and innovations from leading original equipment manufacturers, including Baxi, Belimo, Grundfos and Schwank, enabling engineers to train on the same advanced equipment they will encounter on site.
With a nationwide footprint and deep regional ties, CMS remains a trusted partner for major businesses managing complex, multi-site property portfolios, offering a single, reliable point of contact across the UK. By combining technical excellence and a responsive service, CMS delivers a best value solution for customers, ensuring quality and efficiency without compromise.
Nic Smith, Managing Director at CMS, said:
“Marking 25 years in business is a proud milestone for everyone at CMS, and the opening of our new headquarters and academy is a powerful statement of intent for the future. This investment reflects our commitment not only to the continued growth of our business but also to the long-term sustainability of the engineering sector.
“The CMS Academy will be instrumental in developing the next generation of skilled engineers enabling us to maintain the exceptional service our customers expect while directly addressing the industry’s skills shortage. It’s a forward-thinking approach that will carry CMS confidently into the next 25 years”.
