60 seconds with… Sid Kumandan
Sid Kumandan, Facilities Manager, tells us about going to the House of Commons, helping 1st Place operate safely during COVID-19 and escaping the fast pace of City life.
Hello, I am Sid Kumandan and I have been the Facilities Manager at 1st Place since 2019. I have a lot of certificates – more than I care to count! Having worked for some of the big facilities companies, I have all-round knowledge of the various aspects of facilities and best practice. When the COVID-19 pandemic was in its early stage, this was particularly important in helping 1st Place continue to operate safely and with minimum disruption.
Prior to joining 1st Place, I worked at various schools and academies. One of my career highlights was going to the House of Commons to pick up an award for the work that I had done on environmental improvements. I had managed to significantly reduce landfill waste by looking into alternative waste streams. At 1st Place, my achievements include making continuous improvements such as the transformation of the Sensory Room and Main Kitchen.
In my spare time, I like to do charity work, from providing food without judgement at various street kitchens to working in food banks. Every year, I work for a number of different charities including St Mungo’s, Hands On London and Crisis. Last year, St Mungo’s even asked me to appear in their Christmas 2020 fundraising pack to help encourage more people to volunteer!
I enjoy running as a good distraction to work and have completed five marathons to date, some of which have been abroad. I also enjoy travelling. For me, there is nothing more relaxing than being abroad on a beach away from the fast pace of City life.
When I first joined 1st Place, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to take on a permanent role but I’m glad I did. It really is a great place to work with fantastic staff. We have met and overcome every challenge that we have encountered since the pandemic, working hard to continue to provide a safe and happy environment for our children.