It was an exciting race which saw the contenders battle with one another to get into pole position and win the race. In the end Synchronised won a hard fought race.

This is a great way of describing where we have got to with the market testing of bidders for the sale of BBC Television Centre (TVC). We are down to a small pack of keen contestants all of whom are vying for the winning position!

We're now approaching the final furlongs and the winning post is in sight - it will be interesting to see which bidder makes it across the winning line.

By taking advantage of the re-designed phase 2, and by closing other BBC buildings, estimated costs savings over the coming 20 years will be £736m.

Now that’s not a bad result.

We set up a special website to ensure that we spread the word about the sale of TVC far and wide and some 28,483 people visited it!

234 organisations registered an interest in the sale.

We received 34 formal expressions of interest of whom a considerable number chose to submit formal bids.

We’ve been working with a much smaller group over the past few weeks to clarify their offers and we expect to close out the process in the near future.

Watch this space!

Apart from the fundamental one of capital value one also has to consider the on-going operational costs of running a large facility such as TVC in a post BBC world.

This has lead the team to try to gain insights into what's happening in the world of Facilities Management and to find out what's new out there and what are the latest trends?

One way I'm planning of helping us get to grips with this is to take up Barry  Varcoe's invitation to explore the future of FM and CRE.  He's hosting a unique online event which aims to provide a neutral and open venue for all of us involved in CRE/FM to share ideas and debate the key issues - have a look the portal at https://zurich-financial.atizo.com/ 

 It opens tomorrow and runs for one week 

Thanks to Sue and the team who put it all together and to all the One Workplace and BBC Technology supply partners who generously supported us on the nigh

 

On Thursday 17 November Workplace is hosting ‘A Dinner Date at BBC Television Centre’ - a formal black tie evening in aid of BBC Children in Need. This will be one of the most exclusive and unique Property and Real Estate networking events of 2011.

This is the third high profile event we have organised in as many years, as we tie-in with the buzz created at Television Centre on the eve of BBC Children in Need appeal night itself. It’s the highlight of our fundraising year, generating the bulk of our annual total and we hope it will help take us a long way towards our £175,000 target for this year's appeal.

With Television Centre now on the market, this may be the last year we can host such an event at this iconic venue, so it’s a rare opportunity to be part of the end of an era and soak up the glittering atmosphere.

As well as offering guests the chance to network with the best companies in the industry, the event will feature live music, entertainment, and a high-profile charity auction which will offer some stunning lots to take our total to new heights.

Raising six-figure sums of money each year as we do would not be possible without the generosity and support of our extended network of partners, suppliers and contacts. So a huge thank you to you all those companies who have committed to the event. It shows what we can achieve when we pull together and effectively use the links we have built up across this industry.

For information on how the valuable funds raised are being spent, go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/

 

Followers of this blog will know that every year the BBC ONE Workplace team goes above and beyond to raise as much money as possible for BBC Children in Need. I can announce that since 2006, we have raised a staggering HALF A MILLION pounds!

Our 2011 campaign is in full swing and even in these tough times, support for our activities is getting stronger. We’ve already seen some wonderful fundraising – including our 210-mile cycling challenge Pedal for Pudsey (from which I have just about recovered).

Would you believe that since my last Pedal for Pudsey blog post, in which I reported we had raised nearly £18k, the total now stands at £26,743.52! This is an amazing start to this year’s appeal and with this initial boost I have high hopes that we can increase on last year’s total.

The big Children in Need night itself is just around the corner (Friday 18 November 2011) and Workplace staff are rising to the challenge, organising activities. Plans are well underway for this year’s One Workplace Gala Dinner which will take place at BBC Television Centre the night before on Thursday 17 November. The evening will offer a rare and, possibly, last chance to enjoy an evening of live entertainment, dining and dancing in this iconic venue, now on the market.

We’ve also launched the Pizza for Pudsey competition - staff can compete to get their perfect pizza made and sold in BBC catering outlets. Entrants have until this Friday to submit their recipe and be judged by an expert panel.

I am proud of all that we have achieved to date, and proud of the way the Workplace colleagues are working together to make a difference to others.

So as ONE Workplace teams across the country are gearing up to don their spots and Pudsey and Blush ears, I wish good luck to everyone in the coming weeks as you shake your buckets for Pudsey!

 

This is the quickest BBC build of its size ever and marks an exciting new chapter for drama production in Wales.  BBC1’s Casualty began its move from Bristol to its new set in Cardiff at the start of the month and by Christmas the facility will be full with 500 to 600 people working on site.

Congratulations to all those involved with the construction and fit-out.

Only forty something miles today and after yersterday this should be a walk in the park. But the efforts of the three days and 180 miles have taken their toll and I wasn't at all optimistic about the last stage of the journey.

I kept saying to myself 'keep going until the next refreshment break'. The climb to Congleton was the most challenging and I'm glad we had to face up to it early in the day. The rest of the trip thankfully did not provide too many hills.

The welcome sight of MediaCityUK eventually came into view and we crossed the finish line around lunchtime.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to the challenge so far. We've reached 178% of our £10k total - close to £18k. There's still time to donate and give all those who took part a big pat on the back, as well as the really special fact that you would be helping BBC Children in Need change children's lives for the better.

You can also see more photos and read more about our adventure at http://pedalforpudsey2011.tumblr.com/

I can honestly say it has been an exhausting, challenging, gruelling, yet exciting and delightful four days, and I'm now off to put my feet up for what I would say is a well-earned rest!