SBS Blog > A year of impact: Alba Facilities Services and the power of the four-day week by Lucrezia Casulli

A year of impact: Alba Facilities Services and the power of the four-day week

By Lucrezia Casulli - Posted on 30 October 2025

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership between SBS and Alba Facilities Ltd sought to make a real culture shift, moving from a five day to a four day working week. Here, KTP academic supervisor Dr Lucrezia Casulli looks at the benefits of the innovation, a year on.

Back in 2021, the forward thinking directors of Alba Facilities Services (AFS) partnered with colleagues at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Innovation with the ambitious goal to transition to a four-day working week while maintaining five day pay for all employees. Together, we set out to promote a culture of entrepreneurial thinking within Alba FS - one that would empower employees to work more collaboratively and efficiently, ultimately saving time and resources (read the case study here).

Culture-shifts don’t happen overnight, but with the full commitment of everyone involved, Alba FS launched the first trial period of the four-day week one year ago.

Today, we return to Alba FS to take stock of the outcomes of this transformative initiative. We are pleased to find that the four-day week has not only endured but thrived, becoming a cornerstone of the company’s resilience and growth.

Weathering the Storm with Innovation

In a year marked by economic uncertainty and rising operational costs, the four-day week has proven to be a strategic advantage. Alba FS has seen a 15% increase in productivity and an 80% reduction in staff turnover, helping to offset financial pressures such as the employer’s national insurance hike.

These gains have enabled the business to “weather the storm” of challenging market conditions, demonstrating that investing in people can be a powerful buffer against external volatility.

Wellbeing and Financial Relief for the Team

The benefits of the four-day week extend well beyond the balance sheet. For Alba FS employees, the shift has brought tangible improvements in both financial and mental wellbeing. Reduced commuting and childcare costs have made a real difference—some staff now save up to £3,000 annually on childcare alone.

In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, these savings have provided much-needed relief, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting its team through tough times.

Becoming an Employer of Choice

The cultural transformation sparked by the four-day week has elevated Alba FS’s reputation within the facilities services sector. The initiative has strengthened the company’s position as an employer of choice, attracting talent and fostering loyalty among existing staff.

This recognition is now being reflected externally. Alba FS has been shortlisted for several prestigious awards, including the Trailblazer Award at the Living Wage Scotland Awards, and nominations for Best Culture (<100 employees) and Health and Wellbeing (up to 499 employees) at the Investors in People Awards. These accolades are a testament to the company’s pioneering spirit and people-first ethos.

Data-Driven Strategy and Continuous Improvement

Central to the success of the four-day week has been a strong foundation of data-led decision-making. Building on the work initiated through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), Alba FS has continued to refine its Power BI dashboards, originally designed by the KTP Associate, Ross Whiteford. These tools provide detailed, responsive insights that inform strategy and drive operational efficiency.

This data-driven approach has helped AFS clear long-standing administrative backlogs, streamline processes, and gain a clearer picture of what’s needed to move the business forward.

A Blueprint for People-First Leadership and Entrepreneurial Mindset

Perhaps the most profound outcome of the four-day week initiative is the cultural shift it has catalysed. By prioritising what’s good for the team, AFS has unlocked a virtuous cycle of commitment, engagement and performance. By empowering teams to use initiative and make real-time data-informed decisions, Alba FS has created a culture of entrepreneurially minded, innovative people. The evidence is compelling: when people feel valued, supported and empowered they bring their best selves to work - and the business thrives as a result.

This “people-first” mindset, rooted in the original engagement strategy, continues to guide decision-making across the organisation. It’s not just a policy—it’s a philosophy that’s shaping the future of work at Alba FS.

At the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Innovation, we couldn’t be prouder and more excited to be the catalyst for this success story.

Alba FS is now a case study in our University-wide “Exploring Entrepreneurship Module”, showcasing how innovation within existing organisation can create new wellbeing value as well as financial value.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) link forward thinking organisations with academic institutions to deliver innovative projects led by inspired graduates and overseen by academics. The Alba FS KTP was carried out in association with West of Scotland KTP.

The academic team included Dr Lucrezia Casulli, Dr Marisa Smith, Professor Jill MacBryde and Dr Suzanne Mawson. Ross Whiteford was the KTP Associate during the project.

Interested in finding out more? Managing director of Alba Facilities Services, Ian McCall, talks about the KTP here