British Airways is currently reviewing the way it provides workplace services across its entire UK property portfolio, some 1m sq m (10.8m sq ft). The review is prompted by the fact that all the airline's key FM service delivery contracts expire at the end of March next year but the exercise will also be expected to contribute to BA's continuing search for cost savings.

Alison Hartigan, who recently became responsible for service delivery, says the initiative, dubbed Workplace 2002, has been developed to review the various delivery models, further improve internal service levels, enhance flexibility and reduce cost. The formal procurement process begins in June.

BA's Waterside office complex

Richard Johnston, one of the three-strong, full-time Workplace 2002 team, told i-FM that the airline is not just looking at how current workplace services can be delivered but whether others, such as catering, desktop IT and voice communications, should be brought under property/facilities management control. The review will also consider whether some services should be brought in-house.

BA's Waterside office complex near Heathrow has been an exemplar for the FM industry since it opened in 1998. Here the airline decided to assemble a team of specialist service providers and manage them in-house. Elsewhere a number of FM companies manage and/or deliver services, including Drake & Scull, Dalkia, Chesterton and Trammell Crow Savills.

Richard Byatt

See clarification