Savills Services Group (i.e. Savills Property Management Limited, or “SPML” & Guardian Property Management Limited, or “GPML”) received a number of new appointments representing a total GFA of 18.67 million sq. ft in the first quarter of 2020 amid the Covid-19 outbreak. Moreover, the Group smoothly implemented the “Stronger, Together” Plan to tackle the novel coronavirus and safeguard public health, and supported Hong Kong’s property management industry with various anti-epidemic measures. The plan has benefited over 17,000 staff and tenants and Hong Kong’s property management sector since it came into effect during Chinese New Year.

Business advances amidst turbulence

The Group took over the facility management of Hong Kong Sports Institute, La Salle Primary School and government properties spread throughout the territory in Q1; while new property management wins included government properties, several shopping centres, carparks, residential buildings and Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Jockey Club.

Caring for the Industry: Property Management Sector Support Scheme

To assist and support the property management industry affected by the epidemic, Dr. Johnnie Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Savills Property Management Holdings Limited and President of The Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies, talked directly to Government, and successfully convinced the Home Affairs Bureau to establish more than HK$1 Billion Property Management Sector Support Scheme under the Anti-epidemic Fund.

The scheme provides financial support to frontline property management workers (i.e. cleansing and security workers) in private residential, commercial, industrial and composite buildings, with a view to improving their personal protection and environmental hygiene and giving recognition to their services. The fund also alleviates the additional costs arising from heightened cleansing efforts and relieves the burden on residents. The application period started on 24th February, and online applications commenced on 13th March.

Caring for tenants: Implementation of high-tech

In light of the guidelines on the prevention of COVID-19 and general hygiene measures, SPML has deployed “Robotic Hygiene Management” technology for the commercial buildings it manages (e.g. 12 & 14 Taikoo Wan Road) to disinfect common areas and carry out round-the-clock security patrols. Infection prevention messages as well as updates on COVID-19 are also provided in the buildings.

SPML introduced thermal cameras as early as January for commercial properties to measure multi-person body temperatures, thus improving the accuracy of detection and helping to maintain social distancing as much as possible.

Staff training, usually conducted in classrooms, was replaced by an e-Learning module by Webinar with a QR code.

Caring for staff: Preparedness for a safe working environment

Noticing the early outbreak of the virus, Savills Hong Kong established an Infection Control Task Force (ICTF) and developed Business Contingency Plans for COVID-19 before the government announced its activation of Emergency Response Level on 25th January. The core teams consist of executives from departments to keep pace with the situation and introduce measures on a timely basis, calling on staff to make a pledge to care for their families and friends.

SPML sourced and delivered PPE as early as January 2020 before the COVID-19 outbreak to all the properties it manages in Hong Kong including protecting coveralls, rubber boots, shoe covers, face shields, surgical masks, hand sanitizers, disinfection wipes, gloves and goggles. Over 17,000 surgical masks were provided to Hong Kong-based staff everyday.

All our achievements are very much joint efforts by our staff, tenants and the industry as a whole. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone, especially our frontline staff for remaining steadfast, proactive and confident during these difficult times. With our concerted efforts, I firmly believe we would be able to curb the spread of the virus and ultimately win the fight.

Author:Dr. Johnnie Chan, Chief Executive Officer, Savills Services Group

*Savills Property Management Limited was awarded the “10 Years Plus Caring Company Logo 2018-19” and “Property Management Team of the Year” at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Hong Kong Awards 2019.