Newsroom

This November, schoolchildren across Nottinghamshire are tucking into more than just their usual hot dinners—they’re enjoying the taste of a major shake-up in school catering, thanks to an ambitious new partnership.

Vertas Nottinghamshire Limited, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and UK facilities management specialists Vertas, is transforming how schools, academies, and care homes are served across the county.

Launched in September, the partnership was formed to transform cleaning, caretaking, catering, and grounds maintenance services across Nottinghamshire. By blending Vertas’ operational excellence in facilities management with the council’s award - winning school meals, the collaboration has created a winning formula that benefits over 230 schools, academies, businesses and care homes throughout the county.

To support this joint venture, 1,700 members of staff from Nottinghamshire County Council have transferred to Vertas Nottinghamshire Limited. This move not only bolsters Vertas’ national growth and presence in the East Midlands, it also unlocks future opportunities for local people, creating jobs, apprenticeships and career pathways for residents eager to develop skills within the sector.

Ian Surtees MBA, FIoD, Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vertas Group, said: “This partnership marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of public service delivery. We’re proud to expand our presence in Nottinghamshire and bring our approach to a region that shares our values. With Vertas beginning this exciting journey, we remain committed to maintaining strong relationships with our existing clients and continuing to build on these partnerships across the region. Together, we’re creating a service that’s not only efficient and sustainable but connected to the communities it serves.”

Councillor Dawn Justice, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “Partnering with Vertas marks a significant step forward in transforming the way local services are delivered across Nottinghamshire. This joint venture shows how serious we are about putting our communities first, investing in local people, and opening up new opportunities for everyone. We’re raising the bar for public services, making sure residents, schools and businesses all benefit from services that are innovative, sustainable and of the highest quality. But above all, we’re passionate about making sure every child in Nottinghamshire gets a proper, nutritious school meal – helping to set them up for a brighter, healthier future.”

With Vertas recently announced as the headline sponsor for the 2025/26 East Midlands Chamber Business Awards, it’s clear the company is committed to the county—not just in the kitchen, but in the wider community too. From supporting apprenticeships and local suppliers, to reducing environmental impact, this partnership is already setting a new standard for school catering in Nottinghamshire.