The Estates and Facilities team manage and maintain the buildings, infrastructure and essential services that keep the Wellcome Sanger Institute running. From engineering and energy systems to sustainability initiatives and specialist science support services, the team ensures that laboratories, workspaces and other Sanger facilities operate safely, efficiently and reliably. By providing the environment, equipment and services researchers depend on every day, they help enable the Institute’s scientists to focus on delivering world-leading research.

Our services

Below are some of the key services delivered by the Estates and Facilities team to support the Wellcome Sanger Institute’s operations.

Building management

We oversee the management of the Sanger Institute’s buildings and infrastructure, working closely with Wellcome Genome Campus Ltd (WGCL) and the campus hard services partner. Together, we ensure that buildings, engineering systems and critical equipment are well maintained and fit for the complex needs of a leading research environment.

Our team provides technical oversight of maintenance and capital projects through an integrated delivery approach. This ensures services are delivered transparently, assets are managed responsibly, and continuous improvement is embedded across the estate. We also help plan and deliver long-term investment programmes so that buildings, plant and equipment remain reliable, efficient and environmentally sustainable.

Energy, utilities and sustainability

We lead the delivery of the Institute’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy, helping to reduce environmental impact while supporting the energy and resource demands of advanced scientific research. Our work includes managing energy and environmental performance, maintaining ISO-accredited management systems, and ensuring compliance with environmental legislation. The team also oversees the procurement of electricity and gas on the wholesale market.

We support behavioural and cultural change by rolling out programmes that promote sustainable working practices. These include initiatives such as the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) and our bespoke Green Office Guide framework, helping teams embed sustainability into everyday activities.

Science support services

Our Science Support Services team provides a range of essential laboratory services, vital to ensuring research runs smoothly. These include laboratory media preparation, glassware washing and sterilisation, laboratory equipment repair, and the safe processing of hazardous waste.

We also manage the Institute’s laboratory equipment asset database and oversee service and maintenance contracts for specialist lab equipment, helping to ensure researchers have reliable, well-maintained tools to support their work.