The new seven-year contract, awarded by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), will see Landmarc continuing to manage facilities, rural estates and operational services on the 156,000-hectare UK training estate, which plays a crucial role in preparing troops for operations across the globe.
ESS has worked with Landmarc on the training estate for the past 20 years and will continue to deliver catering and retail services to its fluctuating populations, often in remote locations.
Bob Gray, managing director of ESS Defence, Marine & Aerospace, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with Landmarc and our role on the UK Defence Training Estate with the award of this new contract.
“I’m extremely proud of our teams who operate on these sites across the UK, working in remote locations and dealing with regular high volume feeding requirements. We look forward to continuing to enhance the training experience for troops over the next seven years.”
Under the new contract ESS will deliver catering and retail services at 32 camps across the UK. This involves preparing and serving up to 4m meals a year - from in-camp catering at breakfast, lunch and dinner to the provision of hot container and packed meals for those out training.
The menus are designed to meet the needs of service personnel undertaking physically challenging work.
ESS also provides a retail service across 29 sites, giving customers access to high street products.
In recent months, the sites have supported the UK-based training of thousands of Ukrainian volunteers, as well as service personnel in training for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
Brigadier Jonathan Bartholomew, Head DIO Overseas & Training Region, said: “We are passionate about the work we do every day to support our Armed Forces by offering a safe place to train.
“This new contract for the training estate will offer safe, secure, and well-maintained training facilities, meals, and beds, for our service personnel as they prepare for operations worldwide.”