News on 2 November 2000
For the second time Prue Redfern's career move has got the
world of FM talking. Her decision to leave Dalkia Workplace Services to
join architects Gensler (see News story)
recalls her high profile move in 1997, from what was then Procord to Symonds
FM, since absorbed into Dalkia.
However, those who thought this marked a bid by the international architectural
firm for the facilities management market must think again. "They're
buying my general management skills, this is definitely not a facilities
role," Redfern told i-FM. She has relinquished active management
of DWS with immediate effect and will take up the role of Chief Operating
Officer with Gensler from January next year.
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| Prue Redfern |
She would not be drawn on her reasons for leaving Dalkia,
beyond saying that she'd taken development of the business as far as she
could in the circumstances. The opportunity with Gensler came about through
Redfern's connection with Broadgate, she was deputy MD of Broadgate Estates
before moving to Procord.
With almost 2000 staff Gensler
offers a wide range of services (the list includes 'facility management')
through more than 20 offices in the US. The firm also has a London office
and a smaller presence in Amsterdam. It is looking to expand in both Britain
and other European markets. Gensler bought a 21 strong team from its New
York office to London to work on offices for Credit Suisse First Boston
at Canary Wharf.
According to Redfern, Gensler is already bigger in the UK than the business
she headed at Dalkia and she was attracted by their clear strategy: "They
have a strong blue-chip corporate client base, they've recognised that
they need to separate the business and creative aspects and have created
this new post to drive that forward."
Although a partnership, Gensler is run by a council and small management
committee. Redfern will be responsible for the UK and strategic moves
into continental Europe where her experience will be invaluable.
Her departure and the subsuming of the FM business within a technical
services operation appears to mark a clean break with the concept of facilities
management as a stand alone business at Dalkia and within Vivendi, its
parent company.
