Family Firm Helps Keep Scotland’s Buildings Running Smoothly

When you walk into a hotel, a sports centre, or a retail outlet, you probably don’t think much about what makes the heating, lighting, ventilation—or even the roof—keep working. But behind most commercial and public‑sector buildings in Scotland there’s a firm that quietly ensures everything ticks over. One such firm is Alba Facilities Services (AFS), and their journey to a trusted FM (Facilities Management) partner is another great family business story.

Origins & Early Days

Alba Facilities Services was established in 2003. The founding was in part driven by a gap in the market: at the time, a large national facilities or maintenance company withdrew from the Scottish market and Ian McCall took the opportunity to start the business that is AFS today.

The management team remained and took over some of the existing contracts and to retain employment for the workforce involved, with Ian out on the road supported by wife Lynda, a qualified accountant, working part-time in the office.

Originally, its headquarters were in Cumbernauld, before relocating in 2010 to a purpose‑built office in Glasgow.

From early on, AFS specialised in a hands‑on engineering workforce, favouring directly employed engineers working as mobile teams, combined with some static site‑based engineers. This set the tone for a service offering that is both technically solid and responsive.

The business grew by reputation, word of mouth and service delivery and today AFS operates across Scotland and parts of northern England. Their client base spans both the commercial and public sectors: banks, restaurant chains, hotel groups, office complexes, sports centres, retail outlets and more. The business is under-pinned by core family values too, something that is really important to Ian, Lynda and the broader AFS team.

Key areas of work that AFS undertake include:

• Mechanical, Electrical & HVAC works: from servicing air conditioning, chilled water systems, gas‑heating systems to delivering Building Management Systems (BMS).

• Electrical testing and maintenance, LV electrics (low voltage) & managing statutory compliance maintenance.

• Building fabric works: including routine/planned and reactive repairs in joinery, roofing, glazing, plumbing etc. Minor refurbishment projects also feature.

• Water quality treatment, fire system and security system management in many cases.

• Reactive and scheduled maintenance: they offer a 24‑hour reactive service, often with tight response times and service level agreements.

They also manage subcontractors for specialist tasks (for example UPS systems, generators, etc.), especially when the required expertise isn’t held in‑house.

Growth and Development

Over time AFS has steadily grown—not just in size but also in sophistication of its operations. They started small but now employ nearly 70 staff offering services to over 300 locations across Scotland and the north of England.

Lynda saw her role grow and with their own family took the opportunity to join the business full time. As Lynda explains, “Going from my own personal career to joining the family business full time as a big step but there are no regrets. The challenges were opportunities for me and the business, and Ian and I had to work out how to navigate being married and living together whilst both focused on driving the business forward.”

“It was great because we were in charge of our own destiny and work well together to make things happen. If often boils down to Ian having another idea which we discuss, and then I have to make it work!”

Challenges & Adaptation

As with many companies in the FM and engineering sector, Alba FS has faced and made their way through several challenges, including the recruitment of a quality workforce, managing an ever-changing supply chain and work-life balance and it was the latter that prompted an idea with Ian that has subsequently become a reality.

As Lynda explains, “We looked at overall productivity and Ian suggested that we implement a four-day week whilst not reducing salaries. As the Finance Director I was sceptical to start with but over time the new system has had a really positive impact on the business, we have been innovative in the way we work and the culture has changed which has also improved productivity within the business."

"Our team has responded really well to the changes and we are all collectively working to improve workflows and customer service and are delighted with how the changes have positively influenced all aspects of what we do."

"Not only do our people continue to enjoy personal hobbies and family time generating a better work life balance but also by fostering a culture of empowering everyone to make changes to their roles to work productively they are also much happier, less stressed and have a positive outlook whilst at work.”

Culture, Values & Future Direction

AFS is more than just machinery and engineering: their management ethos emphasises partnership, flexibility, family values, ethics, safety and customer focus. Directors and contract managers often come from within too, so there’s a strong technical grounding in leadership.

As Lynda continues, "We have also seen a significant positive shift in team empowerment and ownership. The culture shift at AFS has empowered our team to take ownership of our culture, in the knowledge that their contributions are not only valued internally but also celebrated externally."

“We want to take our mission of promoting a wellbeing-led culture to grow on the foundations already in place. We truly believe that if we look after our people in the right way then profits and success will follow.”

Impact & Where They Are Today

Today, AFS stands as a solid mid‑size player in the Scottish facilities and maintenance sector. They handle hundreds of client locations, employ over sixty staff, and offer a wide spectrum of services.

AFS may not be a household name, but in many ways it’s a model of how a medium‑sized facilities/engineering service firm should grow: quietly, steadily, investing in its people and systems, broadening its capability, while maintaining a clear focus on clients’ needs and compliance. In Scotland’s built environment, where regulation, safety, sustainability and cost pressures are all rising, firms like AFS provide essential backbone services that often go unseen—but without which things just don’t run.

This is a family business focused on the future, continually investing and driving change for good, a family that cares and is passionate about the work they do and the people that do it, which stands them in good stead for the next stages in their journey.

If you ever stay in a hotel, go to a gym, or walk through a modern office block, the chances are good that something a member of the AFS team has touched behind the scenes has helped make the experience safe, comfortable, and compliant.