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Blogs / 15.05.2025
Empowering Careers in FM: My Career Journey with Medirest – Callum Lane, Contract Director
As we celebrate FM Appreciation Week, there’s no better time to share Callum’s inspiring journey from starting as a porter to becoming a Contract Director - highlighting the real opportunities for growth and development within facilities management with Medirest.
I joined Compass Healthcare - Medirest 11 years ago as a porter, seeking a role with real growth potential. I quickly realised FM rewards hard work and ambition. Since then, I’ve progressed through roles including supervisor, assistant area manager, domestic manager, head of non-food services, contract manager, and now contract director. Today, I lead over five hundred staff across three NHS Trusts.
My career growth has been driven by Medirest’s strong culture of development and support. While working full-time, I completed a business management degree through a Compass apprenticeship and earned Food Safety and IOSH Health & Safety qualifications. The opportunities to learn and upskill have been endless.
Equally vital has been the guidance of mentors and colleagues who believed in me, encouraged questions, and supported me to learn from my mistakes. This culture of learning and openness has made all the difference.
I am inspired daily by my diverse team and the chance to learn from people of all backgrounds. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to make a positive impact – whether we are ensuring a safe, clean environment or delivering nutritious meals to patients.
My advice to anyone considering a career in FM is…
- Always be adaptable and open to new environments.
- Never hesitate to lean on others for support and guidance.
- Keep asking questions and never stop learning.
- Embrace the opportunities for growth that FM offers because like me, you never know where your journey might take you.
What next?
I’m excited about the future and committed to helping others grow, just as I have been supported. Looking ahead, I want to continue championing development opportunities, nurturing new talent, and making sure everyone in our teams knows that a career in FM can be as fulfilling and rewarding as mine has been.
Facilities Management isn’t just a job – it’s a journey. Thank you for allowing me to tell my story.