Freidman FM scooped not one, but two major accolades, including the top honour at the Premises and Facilities Management (PFM) Partnership Awards on 3 November 2010, also beating companies with many times its size and track record to secure the Overall Award.

Freidman FM, barely two years old, lifted the trophy for Partners in Education with the TreeHouse Trust, Muswell Hill, for children with autism; a proud achievement for Freidman's Managing Director, John Ellis. He said, "Winning the Partners in Education category was a fantastic achievement for us as a young company; but I never expected what was still to come. When it came to the Overall Award, I couldn't believe it when our name was called. It was so far beyond all our expectations, but the organisers tell me it was a 'no brainer'."

According to the judges, "The goal of the TreeHouse Trust School is to make the 'ordinary' possible for its challenging pupils. However, it takes the extraordinary to achieve this. At every turn, this partnership delivers small and large successes on behalf of the children. These two organisations work so closely together it is impossible to determine who works for whom. Simply put, they rely on each other's support 100% to keep the school functioning for its very individual pupils. Humour, kindness and understanding is apparent in every interaction between them."

Thanks to its work providing all the on site estates management for TreeHouse, including cleaning and grounds care to security, heating, lighting, kitchens and playground maintenance, Freidman romped home past well-established FM giants MITIE, Sodexho, Interserve, ISS and Carillion, following an on site judges visit and interviews with the Freidman team and their client.

During his time as Managing Director of FM blue chip company MacLellan, later bought by Interserve, John Ellis has won no fewer than thirteen PFM Awards, twice before picking up the overall award with his team. This time is the most satisfying. "Having gone back to the drawing board to create a brand new company combining all the expertise of the FM giants with the hands-on personal approach of a smaller company, it is immensely gratifying to clinch the overall trophy for a third time. I think it may well be a record!" he concluded.

Photo shows l to r: John Ellis, MD, Freidman FM; Jaclyn Ellis, Gill Bierschenck, Executive Headteacher, TreeHouse; Martin Atkinson, FD TreeHouse; Paul Terry, Contract Manager, Freidman FM