New collaboration combines local expertise with building and infrastructure management to enhance services across Oxfordshire.
A new collaboration between Oxford Direct Services (ODS), a wholly owned company of Oxford City Council, and Q3 Services, a private sector buildings management specialist, has been launched to deliver more agile, joined-up maintenance of buildings, estates, roads, and green spaces across Oxfordshire.
oxfordworkplace brings together ODS’s strong local knowledge and public service values with Q3’s commercial experience and technical skills. This unique collaboration is set to transform how the public and private sectors work together in delivering social value.
Through the collaboration, ODS and Q3 will combine their efforts in a way that strengthens services, drives innovation, and maximises benefits for the Oxfordshire community. This initiative is ultimately designed to better serve the people of Oxfordshire, ensuring residents, businesses, and organisations experience more joined-up, effective, and responsive support.
Profits made by ODS are reinvested back into the local community through Oxford City Council. This means money stays in Oxford, supporting essential services like street cleaning, parks and open spaces, waste and recycling, and maintenance of public buildings and roads. It also helps fund skills and employment initiatives, creating opportunities for local people and young people to start and grow their careers.
ODS already manages commercial and public sector facilities management across Oxfordshire, while Q3 brings further expertise, including advanced technology, cleaning, maintenance and energy management – making services more efficient and environmentally friendly.
oxfordworkplace provides clients with a single point of contact, who understand the site, goals, and people, all from day one. The collaboration is already attracting interest from local councils, schools and universities, science and innovation campuses, and organisations managing historic or high-performance buildings.
Beyond improving efficiency, oxfordworkplace also aims to create sustainable, community-focused solutions, supporting Oxfordshire’s environmental goals through electric vehicle use, smarter waste management, and a commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
oxfordworkplace commits to paying at least the Oxford Living Wage, and the collaboration will offer a number of apprenticeships over the next year to help young people start their careers and provide upskilling opportunities for existing ODS employees. The initiative also works with local suppliers wherever possible, keeping spending in Oxfordshire and promoting an ethical, sustainable supply chain.
Simon Howick, managing director of ODS, said:
“oxfordworkplace is committed to paying at least the Oxford Living Wage, ensuring fair and meaningful employment across its services. The collaboration will also create new apprenticeship opportunities over the next year, supporting young people into skilled careers while providing upskilling and development pathways for existing ODS colleagues. In addition, oxfordworkplace prioritises working with local suppliers wherever possible, helping to keep investment within Oxfordshire and strengthening an ethical, sustainable regional supply chain.”
Martyn Freeman, CEO of Q3 Services, added:
“Collaborating with ODS is a powerful private-public combination that can deliver genuine social impact throughout Oxfordshire. Together we’re creating greater flexibility, efficiency and value for our customers. This is an exciting journey and one that I’m personally proud to be a part of.”
At its heart, oxfordworkplace is built for Oxfordshire. A collaboration that puts the community first, blending public purpose with professional delivery.
