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Lift industry worries about FM’s knowledge
Research reveals competency gaps around managing lifts and escalators.
Costs up as occupancy remains down
Colliers urges FM leaders to act as costs remain out of step with occupancy.
i-FM market landscape report online now
Trends & Opportunities Report takes a close look at the UK industry and how it is shaping up for the future.
Contract catering on the rise
Sales jumped by 12.2% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025.
JLL celebrates FM, and highlights challenges
Report cites resilience and experience as value drivers while technology speeds change and ageing workforce edges toward crisis.
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United Infrastructure partners for retrofit innovation
Property services provider working with University of Salford on the first project under the new Centre for Retrofit.
RICS sees slow-down on sustainability
Report finds decline in demand growth for sustainable buildings and lack of progress on carbon measurement.
Most business decisions made without full data
Research finds most high-value decisions made by UK businesses are based on incomplete or partial data.
BSI warns on AI ‘governance gap’
Firms sleepwalking into AI crisis as confidence outpaces prep, standards body says.
AI: rapid adoption but mixed success
Technology moving beyond early exploration in CRE and toward targeted, high‑impact use cases.
CRE AI investment climbing
Research finds continued commitment, especially for strategic advice and security.
Employers grapple with balancing act on workplace tech
New report finds organisations balancing needs and expectations for up to five generations.
Big businesses continue to prioritise net zero
Big survey finds most consider it a strategic priority.
NHS estate costs climb
Annual survey finds maintenance backlog costs surpassing total operational costs.
Research finds ‘yawning gap’ on building safety
What people say about the need to comply with the Building Safety Act and what they are doing in practice is often very different.
RICS survey reveals worries about skills shortages
Survey of surveyors will ring some familiar bells for FMs.
Businesses looking for action on energy costs
Research finds 97% concerned about increase in costs to finance net zero transition.
IWFM releases new sustainability report
The report, based on a recent survey, focuses on challenges facing the facilities sector.
Office over-contraction fuelling market demand
One in five companies looking to expand footprint following Covid-era reductions.
Inefficient office management costing businesses
New research reveals poor workspace tech systems are costing businesses time, money and productivity.
BCIS updates five-year facilities forecast
Maintenance and cleaning costs to rise while energy costs fall over the period.
Consumer experience economy influencing real estate decisions
Global survey finds majority want seamless integration of technology into their buildings and spaces.
Research highlights rise in security incidents
Over half of senior security professionals report a rise in physical security incidents over the past 12 months.
BCIS reports increased market optimism
Tender prices increased by an estimated average of 0.7% between Q2 and Q3 2025.
CRE facing ‘pivotal moment’
Three mega-trends set to accelerate change.
Productivity: it’s about a good workplace, not gimmicks
Research finds majority prefer purpose-built workspaces that support their performance.
Poor performing buildings are costing money
Data indicates better performance could deliver over £1bn in annual economic returns for the UK.
Mixed results from cleaning research
BICSc and CSSA complete research project looking into future of cleaning.
Verdantix names leading CMMS providers
Demand for computerised maintenance management systems rises with need to streamline operations and enable smarter building management.
FM teams unsure about sustainability budgets
Limited knowledge and uncertainty around target dates slowing action on net zero.
Bank holiday headaches
New data shows holiday spikes risk overwhelming service teams.
Let’s do lunch
Younger office workers increasingly value mid-day break and the opportunities that come with it.
Tech companies evolving workplaces as they move to AI
New report finds data-driven strategies are reshaping real estate decisions.
Commercial property sector broadly flat
RICS issues downbeat report for Q2 2025.
Progress on net zero slows
Most businesses remain committed to targets but high costs are a concern.
BESA launches building safety research
Goal is to measure how well the MEP sector is adapting to the new building safety regime.
Poor workplaces costing the UK £71bn a year
Mitie research finds UK employers currently losing over £485m each week to time wasted due to workplace inefficiencies.
FM Brands report online now
Results of the 2025 FM Brands survey are in, analysed and available to read.
Researchers to test green office benefits
Nottingham Trent University team investigating how indoor plants may improve the health and wellbeing of office workers.
New BCIS maintenance, cleaning and energy cost forecast
Two on the rise; one set to fall.
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Report calls for changes to Armed Forces lived experience
Sodexo-led research reveals how the lives of defence personnel in the UK can be improved.
FM Brands Survey: closing Wednesday
If you haven’t completed this year’s survey, we still want to hear from you – but your last chance is looming.
Boring buildings can make better investments
New report shows premium buildings may not produce the best returns on retrofits.
Companies prioritising workplace experience while optimising space
New report sees shifting workplace strategies, with hybrid adoption declining.
BMS: connection means risk
As building management systems are increasingly internet connected, risk management becomes increasingly important.
Market research: future looks bright for FM
New report predicts UK market will surge by £4bn over four years.
Top M&E contractors optimistic about the market
Reporting growth despite a period of ‘considerable economic turmoil’.
2025 FM Brands Survey online now
i-FM’s annual market survey is open now: we want to hear from you.
The open-plan office has had its day
Research finds fully open-plan is no longer fit for purpose in the hybrid, post-pandemic workplace.
Decarbonisation: property owners need to invest more
On average, investment plans need to double to achieve full building coverage.
UK businesses look to expand office space
Majority say they overdid downsizing during the Covid era.
New research: universities spending millions on cleaning
First-of-its-kind report finds UK universities are spending an estimated £300m annually.
Majority of workers see real value in the office
Despite the rise of hybrid work, the physical office remains vital for today’s workforce.
FM: a place of optimism and perennial challenges
New research report from IWFM finds challenges but also positive market trends.
Asset registers: the great FM weakness?
Start any conversation about challenges in this industry and it won’t be long before someone says ‘the asset register’.
SMEs back decarbonisation moves
Nine in ten European industrial SMEs say decarbonisation is crucial in addressing the climate emergency.
Signs of recovery for UK commercial property market
But NI rise and new tariffs are creating pressure and uncertainty.
Universities face up to managing maintenance
New research spotlights the UK’s leading universities for building repair and remediation works.
Mixed messages on hybrid working
Majority of businesses see hybrid working benefits; yet many also want more time in the office.
Demand grows for sustainable office fit-outs
Flight to quality paralleled by interests in energy efficiency and sustainability.
Compliance and safety top FM priorities list
But research finds barriers, especially budget constraints, slowing improvement.
Building services: growth remains flat
The latest quarterly sector survey shows key obstacle is shortage of skilled personnel.
PE firms planning to boost investment
Over two-thirds of private equity firms expect to increase their investment levels this year.
Rising energy demand knocks business plans
High costs of energy demand solutions ranked as the biggest barrier to net zero action.
Using AI to cut construction waste
New research focuses on integrating artificial intelligence and innovative waste management strategies.
Employees look for more wellbeing support
Only half feel employers provide enough support.
Boomers, Zoomers and the workplace
Where are we on the whole generational change thing? New research sheds new light.
C-Suite wants more from real estate
Appreciation is growing, but there is potential for further support of business strategy.
New research to focus on emerging workplace trends
Quarterly survey will use AI to analyse data and look for insights.
Business review processes need improvement
New research shows 80% of suppliers fear margin erosion due to poor review practices.
Commercial property: 2025 looks better?
RICS survey finds more positivity, especially around prime, energy-efficient space.
CEOs more confident in UK outlook
Survey finds most backing the country, AI and climate action.
Five-year maintenance, cleaning and energy cost forecast
Good news, bad news: trend is down for the third and up for the first two.
Consumers value sustainable food, but barriers remain
Research highlights significant opportunity for foodservice providers, manufacturers and retailers.
Cleaning industry resilient in the face of challenges
Sector continues to demonstrate confidence and a firm focus on sustainable innovation.
Data centre industry worries about power supply
Most data centre professionals see availability of power as a major constraint.
BSI investigating the ‘hybrid generation’
Call for evidence focuses on Covid-19 impacts on younger workers.
Clients ignoring building safety, says BESA
Construction clients are failing to engage with the new building safety regime, research finds.
Building services: braced for project delays
Industry survey finds two-thirds of building services businesses worried about delays to projects in 2025.
Strategic suppliers see public sector income fall
Select group of service providers is doing well despite a second year of decline in their share of this market.
Offices: new-builds and refurbs down in London
Construction dips but developers remain optimistic.
Contract caterers see good growth in Q3
Sales at Britain’s leading contract caterers grew by 7% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2024.
CRE: fundamental shift towards flexibility
New report highlights ongoing post-pandemic change in the property industry.
Office attendance up but desk provision down
Survey indicates hybrid working is here to stay but needs better management.
Huge investment needed in office space
JLL identifies $1trillion cost globally to avoid obsolescence in the face of sustainability requirements.
Mid-size businesses lack sustainability targets
Less than half of UK mid-sized businesses have targets in place including for net zero.
FM market confidence: a bit iffy
Uncertainty has crept back into UK FM, leaving many optimistic – but equally - cautious.
Unlocking employee happiness, talent and productivity
Employees who socialise at work are more engaged, loyal and productive, says new research.
‘Optimism bias’ risking net zero progress at UK organisations
Organisational confidence may exceed the ability to deliver on decarbonisation commitments.
NHS: driving estate performance improvements
2016 report identified the potential to save £1.275bn by enhancing estate efficiency across the NHS in England.
Service costs set to rise
Maintenance costs are set to climb 16% by the second quarter of 2029.
What exactly does ‘wellbeing’ mean?
Lack of an agreed definition is holding employers back from supporting workers better.
JLL assesses the state of FM technology
New report looks at how tech is driving efficiency and effectiveness amid understaffing and budget constraints.
The FM market: confident, cautious or concerned?
There’s no shortage of opportunities in the UK FM marketplace; but plenty of challenges, too. Share your views in i-FM’s landmark survey.
Security report highlights industry challenges
Decision-makers focused on new technology, recruitment issues and legislation change.
UK CEOs see GenAI a positive disruptor
Generative AI seen as an opportunity to change the nature of work and get people into the office.
Experience economy trend shaping built environment
Creating high-quality experiences in the built environment will help future-proof corporate real estate portfolios.
BEMS growth reflects market demand
New building energy management systems report highlights year-to-date growth of 3.8% to £865m.
Net zero: help needed
Over 70% of organisations are prioritising net zero, but over half face barriers.
Planning for the end of PFI
Over 150 projects will transfer to the public sector over the next five years. That brings with it some risks.
Green buildings pay: part II
Energy-efficient commercial property assets continue to outperform inefficient counterparts.
Building services firms struggle with recruitment
Engineering services businesses face continuing challenge of finding qualified candidates to fill vacancies.
Strong growth for contract caterers
Leading contract caterers achieved sales growth of 10% in the second quarter of 2024.
Top five decarbonisation specialists
New report from research firm Verdantix names market leaders.
Brands survey results online now
2024 FM Brands Survey report shows a growing interest in the UK market landscape.
Office attendance on the rise
Utilisation rates increased this year, with the largest companies achieving the best results.
Maintenance output set to fall, costs to rise
Repair and maintenance output is expected to fall by 5.2% overall in 2024 compared with 2023.
CIBSE planning a whole new look at buildings
‘Transformative project’ aims for a holistic and future-oriented perspective on building performance.
FM Brands Survey: closing today
If you haven’t completed the survey, we still want to hear from you – but today is your last chance.
Sodexo report looks at Armed Forces lived experience
The experience of service personnel on the sites where they live and work is significant in decisions about joining or continuing to serve.
Sustainability: most CEOs see growth opportunity
New survey finds 69% of CEOs viewing sustainability as a business growth opportunity in 2024.
Open now: the FM Brands Survey
Unique in the industry, this survey explores the brands landscape across the facilities management sector.
IWFM Skills Survey online now
All workplace and facilities management professionals are invited to participate.
Labour shortages plaguing engineering services firms
Latest quarterly survey finds sector held back by slow growth, partly blamed on a shortage of adequately skilled workers.
Investment rises with outlook for the future
New research from IWFM points to encouraging developments in the workplace and facilities management sectors.
From presence to experience
New global report highlights a transformational shift in offices.
Weakening regulations undermine climate goals
Shifting government policy looks like a risk factor for decarbonisation targets.
Job postings that require AI skills growing fast
If you thought artificial intelligence was somewhere over the horizon, the recruitment market says differently.
Time and cost slowing down sustainability progress
The work involved in reporting is hampering progress towards goals.
Contract catering: sales up in Q1
Three years of steady growth push Covid-19 hit into the past.
Businesses looking for support on net zero
Majority of UK businesses want greater government support to help meet targets.
What do young people want?
Nearly half of Millennials in the UK have rejected a potential employer because of their values and beliefs.
Hard services sector: things looking better
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors are increasingly optimistic about their future growth prospects, according to a new report.
HSE spot checks: most businesses could fail
Lack of data proving that fixed and moveable assets are managed and maintained to required standards is too common.
Health and flexibility top workforce concerns
Global study finds employee health and employer flexibility are key elements in harnessing an age-diverse workforce.
Repurposing of office space on the rise
Latest RICS survey finds 89% of respondents seeing offices being converted for other uses, as market uncertainties persist.
Women juggling return-to-office and demands at home
Nearly half of working women in the UK say that their stress levels are higher than a year ago.
Q1 rebound for outsourcing in Europe
Business services and IT both up after four quarters of decline.
Third of employees question workplace productivity
Research finds 34% of British employees believing their workplace does not enable them to work productively.
UK business: sustainability stress and legislation lethargy
New survey finds worrying trends emerging in two critical action areas.
Cleaning sector continues post-Covid bounce-back
As the sector continues to grow, it also faces a number of challenges.
Research: sustainability pays
Organisations that embed sustainability in their operations see better sustainability and financial outcomes.
M&A: FM remains a busy place
Activity levels continued to be high in 2023, with another overall increase in deals.
Net zero driving business transformation
UK CEOs are recognising the disruptive force that climate change will be for their business.
FM overlooked in energy and carbon plans
Facilities management professionals are insufficiently involved in organisations’ plans around energy efficiency and carbon reduction.
Service charges on the rise: breaking down the trends
Office buildings with the highest efficiency and sustainability ratings tend to have higher than average service charges.
FMs grappling with budget cuts
New survey suggests that more than half of facilities managers have had their budgets cut by up to 25% in the past year.
Cleaning industry cautiously optimistic for 2024
Only a third of companies are forecasting price increases, a significant turnaround from the 90% who predicted increases in 2023.
Suppliers missing client opportunities
Research shows suppliers are suffering customer churn and loss of revenue as a result of inadequate business review processes.
Property report finds mixed views
‘Slightly more positive outlook’ reflects caution and change in the commercial property sector.
Outsourcing: mixed picture persists into Q4
Overall demand, including IT and BPO, continued to slip in Europe but less than seen in Q3.
Can owners and occupiers work together?
Progress on the decarbonisation of real estate is being held back by a lack of collaboration.
CEOs optimistic about 2024, less so for longer term
The proportion of CEOs who believe global economic growth will improve over the next 12 months has more than doubled year-on-year.
More ‘we’ space, less ‘me’ space
CBRE survey finds hybrid work is continuing to change how employees work when they are in the office.
Key property drivers for 2024
Real estate advisor Savills is forecasting a stronger commercial property market, with four themes set to have significant impact.
Majority back more sustainable way of eating
A large-scale survey from Sodexo reveals 73% of consumers believe a new approach is urgent.
Net zero: Mitie report offers insights for 2024
Group’s Net Zero Navigator 2024 includes nine key decarbonisation predictions for the year ahead.
Few businesses embracing digital-led maintenance
New research finds only 20% of businesses are ‘wholeheartedly’ embracing this strategy.
Annual FM market report goes live
Trends & Opportunities, the unique annual review from i-FM, looks closely at the UK industry and how it is shaping up for the future.
London office development roars back
Too much office space? Maybe not, as development starts hit record levels.
Hybrid work on the agenda globally
Most workers may be back in the office for some days, but business leaders still need to meet new expectations.
AI and the future of facilities services
A new ISS white paper argues that artificial intelligence is set to reshape products and services, transforming the industry.
RTO: wide variations across Europe
Employers in most countries expect people to be in the office more than we do in the UK.
Office occupancy levels climb across Europe
Average office occupancy rates across eight major European cities have risen in the last six months.
Net zero: progress, but big challenges remain
The UK is almost halfway to net zero but the hardest part is yet to come, says new KPMG report.
Caterers’ sales continue to grow
Contract caterers’ sales in the third quarter of 2023 were 15% ahead of the same period in 2022.
AI expected to reshape security services
Nine in 10 security chiefs say AI will have the biggest impact on physical security operations over the next five years.
Outsourcing: Q3 sees mixed results
Overall demand slipped, but demand for business services was up.
Companies increasing workplace tech budgets
Commercial real estate occupiers are willing to put their money where the technology is, according to new research.
BCIS facilities services five-year forecast
Costs are going up for maintenance and cleaning, but ultimately down for energy.
CEOs: multiple challenges, including the workplace
Globally, CEOs are worried about uncertainties and are looking for a return to ‘business as usual’ in the workplace.
Corporate backers for ‘definitive’ hybrid working study
The investigation into the impact of hybrid working on people, places and society is aiming for 10,000+ participants from around the world.
IFMA names 6 key topics shaping FM
A new white paper from the International Facility Management Association leads on the theme ‘evolution is never finished’.
Top workplace system integrators named
Market research and advisory firm Verdantix has identified five systems integration leaders.
Companies see security threats increasing
Almost 9 in 10 UK chief security officers anticipate an increase in physical security threats over the next 12 months.
Is homeworking bad for your health?
Homeworkers are more likely to make questionable dietary decisions, but they are also likely to get more exercise.
Contract catering: Q2 sales up
Sales in the second quarter of 2023 finished 18.5% above the same period in 2022, but costs are an issue.
Engineering services: rising demand, skills shortages
Concern is growing in the building services engineering sector about labour shortages amid a continuing economic squeeze.
Research highlights living wage challenge
Insecure employment is widespread in the UK labour market and costly to workers grappling with the cost-of-living crisis, says the Living Wage Foundation.
Commercial property: good news and bad
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Q2 UK Commercial Property Monitor is reporting a renewed downturn in the market.
Nearly 20% of office space could be unlettable
Without investment, this stock is unlikely to be fit for purpose in terms of meeting the needs of occupiers and complying with MEES legislation.
EMEA outsourcing bounces back
Europe’s demand for IT and business services reached an all-time high in the second quarter of 2023.
Workplace: what do people want?
Workers increasingly view their work as more than just a source of income, as they seek a deeper relationship with their workplace.
Public sector deals jump in value
The number of contracts procured in Q2 2023 fell against Q1, but total value was up more than £250%.
ISS survey reveals worrying workplace trends
While most feel a sense of belonging at work, many worry about sharing opinions and about being treated unfairly.
Research: building a future-proof workplace
New research from Sodexo aims to answer the how-to question in the face of continued change.
Breaks and refreshments count in the workplace
UK employers who encourage their teams to take longer, better quality and more frequent breaks could hold the key to unlocking productivity and improving employee wellbeing.
Critical gaps emerge in workplace solutions
A new global survey points to a costly divide between employee need and employer provision.
Disability: how inclusive is remote and hybrid working?
A nationwide survey has been launched by Lancaster University exploring disabled workers' experiences of these work styles.
Property and people coming together
Real estate decision-making and people-centric strategies are becoming more integrated, according to property advisor CBRE.
Catering: post-Covid revival continues
Contract caterers’ sales in the first quarter of 2023 finished 30% above the same period in 2022.
Most younger workers back hybrid working
The figure is highest amongst UK Gen Zs (77%) but Millennials, too, (71%) would consider looking for a new job if asked to go into the workplace full-time.
Younger workers driving wellbeing trends
Younger generations of workers across the UK are calling for enhanced wellbeing, sustainable and digital workplace practices.
FM market optimism down
Higher costs, squeezed cash flows and a stuttering economy mean more FMs are expecting deteriorating market conditions.
Brand new: survey results offer market insights
Back after a pandemic-induced break, the FM Brands Survey provides a fresh check on perceptions of the UK market landscape.
Occupier demand: quality over quantity
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors sees the UK property market remaining subdued, but there are signs of optimism too.
Hybrid working dividend: two weeks a year
New research finds that on average hybrid working employees deliver nearly two extra weeks of work a year for their employer.
The future: it’s hybrid working + collaboration space
A survey from Mace finds that that hybrid working, with a collaborative central space, is the preferred post-pandemic style.
Technology critical to FM’s future
New research suggests that almost half of FMs think their business could become unviable if it doesn’t improve its digital technologies and skills.
Maintenance challenges see costs rise
New research has revealed the extent to which maintenance issues can impact the smooth running of a facility.
Eurest joins Oxford research project
Eurest is working with PhD students at the University of Oxford to explore the impact of social norms on how consumers choose what they eat in a workplace restaurant.
The FM Brands Survey is back
After a gap of two-plus years, the survey returns to explore the brands landscape across the facilities management sector.
FM procurement: 3 key drivers
New research from CBRE has identified the key factors shaping FM procurement decisions.
ESG: younger workers vote with their feet
New research shows that millennials and younger workers are driving a growing trend of ‘climate quitting’, seeking out more environmentally friendly jobs.
EMEA outsourcing slows in Q4
IT and business services markets were down in Q4 2022, the first time in 13 quarters the region failed to produce year-on-year growth.
Green buildings pay
Buildings with better sustainability credentials are achieving markedly higher capital values and rents.
Public sector procurement slips again
Contract awards for FM services in the public sector fell for a second quarter to the end of 2022.
Confidence slips as UK FM faces uncertainty
Concerns around the economy, and a number of other issues, have knocked back the growing confidence levels evident in the post-Covid period.
What’s set to shape the built environment?
A new report looks at consumer influence on real estate decisions and identifies four themes that will shape decisions for the future.
Employees want amenities in the workplace
Employees today want more ‘hotel-style’ amenities such as areas for socialising, state-of-the-art infrastructure, outdoor spaces, onsite cafes, air conditioning and flexible work facilities.
Hybrid working ‘now the norm’
A global study of 220 offices in 33 countries has revealed that hybrid working is becoming established as the norm.
Engineers worry about challenges ahead
The building engineering services sector is optimistic about business performance in the short term but concerned about the economy and recruitment.
Hybrid workers worry about indoor air quality
New research reveals more than half of UK hybrid workers are concerned poor air quality and ventilation will impact their health.
Contract cleaning: opportunities & headwinds
New market research finds that just over half of UK contract cleaners reported rapid growth in the last 12 months, but the market is polarising.
The FM market: smooth sailing, or choppy waters?
FM is famously resilient, of course. But in the face of rising economic challenges, including the prospect of a lengthy recession, how does business look over the coming months?
Data centres: busy but challenging times
IT directors in the UK and Europe see investment in facilities continuing to grow, despite worries that the coming year will be a difficult one.
Third of mid-sized businesses to restructure
Research from business advisers Grant Thornton shows that inflationary pressures, rising interest rates, high energy costs and ongoing supply chain issues are causing problems.
Outsourcing: pace of growth slows
Europe’s outsourced services market continued its year-on-year growth in Q3 2022, amid signs that economic concerns may be dampening demand.
Public sector procurement falls
Contract awards for FM services in the public sector were at a two-year low in Q3 2022.
How does the FM market look to you?
The 2022 FM Business Confidence Index survey, backed by Barclays and i-FM, is set to test frontline market views within this key UK industry.
CIPD: money isn’t enough
As businesses across the country face rising costs, new research warns that using pay to attract talent simply isn’t enough to tackle ongoing skills shortages.
Europe set to witness ‘nearshoring’ boom
European businesses are looking towards Romania, Turkey and Morocco as alternatives to production in Ukraine and Asia following months of supply-chain disruption.
Inflation affecting corporate real estate decisions
A new survey conducted by CoreNet Global, the association for CRE professionals, has found that high inflation is adding to the uncertainties felt in the sector.
Contract catering: sales still down in Q2
New research shows year-on-year sales down on 2019 levels in the second quarter of 2022 as cost pressures mounted.
Workplace: the future is hybrid + office
Hybrid working is set to become the dominant model, but decision-makers still believe the corporate office is critical to doing business.
Zero-hours contracts: not all bad
CIPD research shows zero-hours contract workers report better work-life balance and wellbeing than other workers.
Robots: the future of customer service?
The majority of users have a positive experience with customer service robots, according to new research.
FM M&A: setting records again
In Q1 2022, there were 42 deals done in facilities management, contributing to making H1 ‘22 the strongest first-half performance at a total of 69 deals.
Q2 outsourcing strong, but faltering?
Europe’s IT and business services market delivered strong year-on-year growth in the second quarter, but showed signs of slowing amid rising economic concerns.
Food sector: waste on the rise
Unprecedented pressure on supply chains has led to food buyers in the UK’s biggest organisations reporting a 60% increase in food waste over the last six months.
Universities face new demands on space
Changing student expectations mean learning is increasingly a social and collaborative activity, presenting estates teams with new space management challenges.
Mace tops provider survey
Research across six leading international FM providers assessed their performance across six key themes.
JLL: hybrid working is permanent
Research from the property services group finds that this model has become the most popular option for office workers.
£3bn turnaround for FM in 2022
New market research has found that while the cost of Covid will exceed £11bn in lost revenue by 2026, prospects are positive for this year with a £3bn sales uplift expected.
Alarms: maintenance pays
Almost a third of call-outs are caused by poorly maintained systems or poor cleaning standards.
Hybrid working: productivity on the rise
The number of employers who report that an increase in homeworking has increased their organisation’s productivity or efficiency has jumped significantly over the last year.
Strong Q1 for EMEA outsourcing market
Europe’s IT and business services outsourcing market jumped to a strong start in 2022, with record first-quarter demand for cloud-based services and continuing momentum in managed services.
Cleaning survey: closes this week
Our latest 30-second survey asks for your views and insights into the cleaning industry as we settle into the post-pandemic period.
Sustainability investments rebound
Planned investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy and smart building technology are returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Cleaning: BCC’s latest market insight report
The cleaning, hygiene and waste industry taken together remains one of the 10 biggest industries in the UK.
Wellbeing slipping down the agenda?
Employee mental health and wellbeing must remain a business priority and should not be de-prioritised as ‘nice to haves’.
Cleaning: still in the spotlight?
Covid-19 put cleaning services under the spotlight as never before, with the focus on timing, methods, quality, and of course the overall value of getting it right. What has that meant for the industry?
RICS confirms need for better data management
The latest UK FM survey found three-quarters of respondents saying better benchmarking of performance is needed across the industry.
Hybrid working: there’s no going back
We are not the same people who went home to work in early 2020: the past two years have left a lasting imprint.
Hospitality industry losing out on savings
The UK hospitality industry is missing out on savings of £736m a year due to outdated facilities management practices, according to a new study.
Sustainable procurement demands focus
An update of the Sustainable Procurement in FM report has identified the key criteria that will help embed sustainability in the sector.
Catering sector sales below pre-Covid levels
Contract catering sales saw a modest recovery in the last quarter of 2021, but Covid-19 concerns continued to hold them well below pre-pandemic levels.
Workplace data census launched
The census, developed in partnership by The Workplace Event and software group Accruent, is designed to develop a better understanding about the access, use and value of workplace data.
Staff worries for engineers
Finding and retaining skilled people is the biggest concern for employers across the building engineering services sector.
Research highlights the patient experience
YouGov research for Sodexo Healthcare found 93% of inpatients placing a high value on a positive hospital experience.
Pandemic effects: cuts in corporate real estate
The impact of Covid-19 has led many companies to reduce their portfolios. Many expect growth over the next few years, but the overall trend is down.
Grant Thornton: hybrid working works
Internal research shows the business adviser’s UK staff reporting increased productivity and wellbeing.
Sustainability consulting market on the rise
Sustainability is here to stay, and regulatory changes and challenges around disclosure are driving growth in demand for consultancy.
Tough recruitment conditions driving up pay
UK employers anticipate increasing pay and focusing on flexibility and wellbeing as they look to combat increasing recruitment and retention difficulties.
Navigating changing views on work and the workplace
Employers will be making a potentially fatal mistake if they use the end of Covid-19 restrictions to force staff back into the office every day, says a leading management consultancy.
Directors back remote working
An Institute of Directors survey of almost 700 business leaders has shown that around 8 out of 10 organisations plan to adopt remote working in the long-term.
Procurement: share your views and experiences
Buying goods and services is routine for many facilities managers. But policies, procedures and the approach to governance and cost control vary greatly across the industry.
Public sector FM deals hit 2-year high
In 2021, government procurement for FM services was worth over £5bn, nearly double the value of FM procurement in the year before.
2021: record year for outsourcing in Europe
Europe’s technology and business services outsourcing markets reached a record high in 2021, according to a state-of-the-industry report.
Sustainability: firmly on the corporate agenda
Large and medium-sized organisations cite improving sustainability as one of the three biggest challenges they face.
Hybrid working: not easy for everyone
Research carried out just prior to the Plan B switch back to homeworking found many mid-market businesses struggling to implement hybrid working.
Net zero: more talk than action?
Research from Veolia suggests that less than a third of UK businesses have a strategy for reaching carbon neutrality, despite growing environmental concerns.
Positive trends in RICS survey
The fourth quarter UK Facilities Management Survey shows employment levels rising across the industry with demand picking up in all sectors.
Testing real progress on sustainability
Results of a global survey show that sustainability is now the top global business investment priority.
Office occupiers plan workplace change
Nearly three-quarters of office occupiers expect to transform their workplace design in the next two years.
Serco to support multi-site sustainability project
The group’s Europe business is part of a winning consortium involving 47 partners from 15 countries.
Senior execs focused on a hybrid future
Ipsos MORI’s latest Captains of Industry survey has found most expecting the pandemic to have a lasting impact on how and where people work.
Trends & Opportunities report online now
Our latest annual market review provides a unique look at the UK FM marketplace and how the industry is shaping up for the future.
Market insight: 292 public sector contracts awarded in Q3
FM-related deals in the public sector were worth a total of £1bn in the third quarter of this year.
Mid-market lags on net zero
Only half of UK mid-market businesses have a net zero strategy in place, according to research from Grant Thornton.
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Law firms facing up to change
Often regarded as amongst the most conservative business types, the UK’s legal sector is moving swiftly to embrace operational and market changes.
Flex space demand grows
Demand for flexible offices is expected to recover to more than 10% of overall UK office demand in 2022.
Investment in sustainability growing fast
New independent research has found more than half of senior executives predicting double-digit spend increases in 2022.
Building services: businesses worry
Rising costs and a shortage of skilled people are giving building services contractors sleepless nights, according to a new business survey.
IFMA unveils future-oriented research agenda
The International Facility Management Association has announced the creation of a new Research Advisory Committee.
Workplace: majority of staff expected back by year-end
But new research from the Chartered Management Institute also finds that many people will not return till next spring.
Hybrid working could boost social mobility
New research has uncovered another potential benefit of a more flexible approach to work and the workplace.
Trades businesses bounce back, but worries remain
Demand for trade services has boomed over the past year, yet compliance and cost issues are weighing the industry down.
Trends & Opportunities survey launches
i-FM’s landmark annual market report will include something new and different this year: the results of a wide-ranging industry survey.
The workplace challenge: triggering new investment
Corporate real estate and facilities management teams are planning new technology investments across employee workplace experience, asset management and cloud-based security solutions.
Covid-19: permanent shifts in the business landscape
Post-Covid changes are likely to bolster major cities outside London and boost UK productivity, as new work patterns stick.
Order books full but skills shortages a worry
The latest sector-wide Building Engineering Business Survey shows that turnover is predicted to grow through the rest of 2021 but materials and labour shortages are likely to worsen.
Mid-market focus on ESG: lack of senior support
Attention on environmental, social and governance issues is ‘incredibly high’ amongst mid-market business leaders in the UK.
Technology & FM: more information and training needed
A survey from property services specialist DMA Group has found that almost three-quarters of those working in the industry class themselves as tech-savvy. But there’s a ‘but…’.
Business: confidence rises, focus shifts
CEOs are increasingly optimistic about the outlook for their own business as their confidence in the global economy returns to pre-Covid levels.
RICS finds optimism in the FM market
Workloads, profit margins and employment opportunities are set to continue to grow for the year ahead due to increasing demand for FM services.
Workplace expectations: trouble ahead?
Staff may be officially returning to the office, but if employers don’t offer the right working experience 60% will leave or become less motivated, according to new research.
Demand for flexible space climbs
Savills-backed flexible office specialist Workthere is reporting enquiries for space up by 48% on pre-Covid levels.
M&A: a busy six months in FM
There seems little doubt that 2021 is shaping up to be a record year for activity in the UK’s facilities management sector. A new report provides some hard evidence.
Freespace supporting workplace occupancy research
The workplace technology company is assisting Cardiff University with a study of occupancy patterns at the Open Space Network building in Warminster.
Market insight: 176 public sector contracts in Q2
The public sector continues to be fertile ground for new contracts, with FM-related deals totalling almost £230m awarded in the second quarter of this year.
Employees know what they want post-Covid
We’ve said it before and it remains true: one side-effect of the pandemic has been a steady stream of workplace-related research.
Budget shortfalls put sustainability at risk
Budget constraints and buy-in from senior leadership are the two biggest barriers to adoption of smart technologies.
Wellbeing climbs the corporate agenda
Workplace wellbeing will be more important to organisations than product and service innovation, according to research conducted by Bartlett Mitchell.
UKGBC seeks views on verification of net zero
A new survey invites feedback on market drivers, expectations and characteristics for a potential net zero carbon buildings verification scheme.
Optimism in new RICS FM survey
The latest quarterly results show a greater demand for services across most sectors, with employment opportunities increasing too.
FM missing out on the promise of new technology
A recent survey of FMs has revealed some alarming contradictions in the industry’s approach to technology.
Offices: post-Covid gap between occupiers and providers
A new report argues that occupier expectations for building performance are not being met, and that could harm long-term property values.
Employers to reduce office space by up to 9m sq ft
The latest addition to the ongoing debate about the future of offices in the UK comes from PwC’s latest Occupier Survey.
Mid-size firms plan to halve office time
A survey of UK mid-size businesses shows a clear shift towards long-term remote working.
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Confidence is back: UK FM looks towards growth
New research shows that overall confidence levels across the sector are pushing back towards the highs recorded early last year prior to the damage wrought by Covid-19.
Social value critical in supplier decisions
Three-quarters of UK businesses are prepared to shed suppliers that do not live up to their social values.
7.5m workers hope homeworking is permanent
Almost a quarter of UK workers are hoping to work from home all, or almost all, of the time once lockdown restrictions have lifted.
Mid-sized businesses back post-pandemic remote working
Just 5% of over 600 mid-sized businesses surveyed believe that full-time office working will be most effective for their people post-pandemic.
EMEA outsourcing market continues to climb
The European market for IT and business services remains robust, with record demand for cloud-based services in the first quarter and continued strength in managed services.
IWFM finds mixed picture for FM market
More than half of workplace and facilities management professionals believe the market will improve in the next 12 months, despite concerns over the impacts of Brexit and Covid.
Employees willing to pay for hybrid working
The commitment to change is considerable. In a US study nearly two-thirds of employees said they are willing to pay for access to office space to support new ways of work.
More than two-thirds want flexible working
Most workers in the UK want flexible working to continue, according to extensive new research from Microsoft.
WFH: more employers seeing increased productivity
The productivity benefits of homeworking have increased over the past year for some organisations, according to research from CIPD.
Technology survey launches
Where is FM on the tech curve these days: leading, keeping up, lagging? We want to hear from you to build a picture of frontline opinion.
More set to return to the workplace?
The pandemic-inspired future-of-work debate seems to be entering a new phase focusing on how many people will return/stay away if they can.
Climate change: FM favours quick wins
The UK facilities management sector does not possess a thorough, detailed strategic approach to combatting climate change.
FM business confidence survey opens
The annual FM Business Confidence Index survey, backed by Barclays and i-FM, will test frontline market views within this key UK industry.
Businesses sceptical about the value of technology
Outdated attitudes amongst senior business leaders are at risk of jeopardising future business survival.
WFH: not for everyone all the time
The weight of information building up behind the view that office work has changed forever is considerable, though there is still much we don’t know.
Covid drives FM market down 6%
The value of the UK FM market in 2020 is projected to be down by around 6%, largely due to the virus and the associated lockdown.
Outsourcing bounced back in Q4 2020
Shrugging off the effects of the pandemic, the Europe, Middle East and Africa sourcing market delivered its best quarterly performance ever.
NHS operating costs confirmed
The latest costs for providing and maintaining the NHS estate have been published. Amongst them is an eye-watering figure for overdue maintenance.
Technology spending priorities for 2021
Businesses are looking at budget increases focused on protecting the environment and worker health and safety.
RICS: optimistic market view
The latest RICS survey of sentiment in the UK FM market has found positive views about growth continuing to rise in key areas.
FM: where is the strategic thinking?
A lack of long-term strategic thinking amongst FM service providers and their customers is limiting opportunities for substantial business and social benefits.
New report looks at pandemic productivity
Property advisors Avison Young looked into which elements of office-based and home-based working influence knowledge worker productivity.
Covid-19: new report focuses on consumer worries
One in 10 people have walked out of a premises because they felt uncomfortable about the risk of catching Covid-19, according to a report by facilities services provider phs Group.
Sodexo offers insights on disability and inclusion
Sodexo has published a report on the findings of a survey into the lived experience of employees and customers with disabilities.
Cautious businesses hold back on decisions
Businesses across the UK are rethinking the role of the workplace in these pandemic-hit times, but many remain unwilling to commit to transformational change.
Workplace: the future is more human-centric
The workplace of the future will be versatile and hybrid, focusing on employee-centric solutions, according to a global survey.
Workplace: a post-Covid flight to quality
The next three to five years will see a strong focus on flexibility, demanded by both workers and corporates, relating to work activity, space and location.
HR: key trends shaping the future
A new report identifies the trends that will have an impact on organisations, work and workers.
RICS partners for new report on FM in Europe
Researched by the multi-national built environment group Drees & Sommer, the report looks at major service providers operating across borders.
RICS FM survey opens
RICS has launched its latest quarterly survey designed to gather information on current and emerging trends across FM.
HSE to lead Covid-19 research programme
The Health and Safety Executive study will focus on the transmission of the coronavirus in environments including workplaces, transport and other public settings.
Third of home-workers feel disconnected
Data from Leesman's ongoing home-working study of more than 145,000 workers has revealed that a significant number of employees feel disconnected from their colleagues and their organisation.
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Workplace change: research backs research
An extensive report on the future of the office and office workers in the UK confirms that the seismic change in the way people work now is here to stay.
FM Brands Survey: the results
Brand is important in facilities management: 90% of FMs rank it as a key factor when buyers are procuring services.
Working from home works
Research with a sample size of more than 125,000 workers shows that the home is outperforming the office in some fundamental areas.
RICS survey: Covid-19 making itself felt
The latest RICS UK Facilities Management Survey shows the healthcare sector still seeing the strongest growth in demand for FM services.
Building services: industry remains optimistic
A new engineering services sector survey shows that two-thirds of businesses expect turnover to increase or remain the same in the third quarter of 2020.
Firms short on green skills
Seven in 10 engineering services businesses say they currently do not have enough competent employees to undertake low to no carbon work.
New research: FM looks surprisingly good
A new report on the UK facilities management market concludes that outsourcing will outperform the UK economy in 2020.
Is corporate branding important in FM?
The i-FM Facilities Management Brands Survey is back following a two-year pause. And with the challenges the market is facing now the timing couldn't be better.
RICS FM survey online now
RICS has launched its third quarterly survey designed to gather information on current and emerging trends across FM.
Mixed feelings about returning to the office
Many are already back and some don't know when or if they will be back, as employers look for the best way forward.
CEOs see change as here to stay
Almost nine in ten UK CEOs see a permanent shift towards more remote working coming out of the Covid-19 experience.
Different sort of virus hits data centre plans
Cyber attacks will always be a worry, but Covid-19 has pushed its way towards the top of the list of issues shaping decisions around sourcing and managing data centre space.
RICS survey sees change coming
Occupier demand for floorspace is down across the board, not surprisingly, but the future looks different too.
What future for face-to-face events?
Conferences, exhibitions and networking events have always been an important and popular feature of the FM scene. For many people, the Covid-19 pandemic has changed all that.
Autonomy makes the world go round
Pandemic lockdown or not, the key to good performance, and to success for every business, is employee happiness powered by autonomy.
University of Essex and Cloudfm take on Covid-19
The pair are joining forces to develop new disinfection services for the healthcare sector to meet the challenge posed by the virus.
EMEA outsourcing activity plummets in Q2
The first industry assessment of the impact that Covid-19 has had on the managed services outsourcing sector is chilling but not surprising.
Skills consultation launched
The building engineering industry has launched a sector-wide consultation aimed at ensuring the UK has the necessary skillbase for delivering a low carbon economy.
Mitie joins in Covid-19 testing pilot
The pilot, to evaluate the effectiveness of testing for people without symptoms of the virus who work in high-contact professions, is underway now.
Research into managing virus transmission funded
Design and engineering consultancy Arcadis has been awarded £50,000 to help in developing advice on the return to work.
Preference for home-working grows
New research commissioned by IWFM has found that the number of employees who do not want to return to the office has nearly doubled since the start of the lockdown.
Post-lockdown expectations: divided opinion looms?
One unexpected side-effect of pandemic lockdown has been a steadily growing file of surveys carried out to uncover experiences and views. A number of these point towards a significant divide about the future of work.
Security industry set for post-pandemic growth
Despite an uneven performance stretching into next year, the global security market looks set for good growth according to new research.
The future of global office demand
A new report argues that increased working from home doesn't equate to reduced demand for office space. The situation is more complex than that.
9 to 5 is so in the past
That's the conclusion of a survey of building occupiers carried out by CoreNet Global, the corporate real estate professionals group.
The downside of working remotely
Trust, social cohesion and information sharing are the areas most potentially vulnerable to damage when people work virtually.
How often do you review your cleaning KPIs?
More than a quarter of FMs in the EMEA region admit that their organisation has not reviewed metrics and KPIs for commercial cleaning in the last five years.
CBRE tests occupier sentiment
Occupiers across EMEA are planning to increase investment in technology, driven in large part by a post-lockdown focus on the employee experience.
Property: corporates looking for more flexibility
Demand by corporate owners to release capital from their real estate assets is increasing, spurred along by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some optimism in a tough marketplace
With new business opportunities in short supply, turnover generally on a downward slide and the prospect of redundancies looming, UK FM companies have a lot to worry about. But some see positives on the horizon.
The future of the workplace: a mix of locations
The results of a global survey on working from home during the pandemic point toward a shift from office-based to a "total workplace ecosystem", balancing office, home and other locations.
Businesses look to 'hold on' through coronavirus storm
A new building engineering services sector survey shows that almost three-quarters of businesses expect their turnover to fall in the second quarter of 2020, compared to the first quarter.
Home-working: a success for most in financial services
Almost three-quarters of employees (70%) working in financial services rate their working from home experience as positive, according to a new survey from Deloitte.
Many FMs fear they are years behind innovative competitors
Recent market research found 90% of FMs surveyed citing innovation as a top business priority, with 70% of those on the supply-side saying they are facing increasing pressure from clients on this.
UK workers have mixed views on where they want to work
Rumours of the demise of the office are much exaggerated is the predictable conclusion emerging from research commissioned by the British Council for Offices.
Lockdown working: what are we learning?
Last week we launched a quick poll of the FM community, asking if people were looking forward to returning to their usual places of work. There's a lot of ambivalence out there, and the reasons for that hold some lessons for us all.
RICS market survey launches
RICS is currently gathering insights into how the facilities management sector is reacting to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
FMs looking for more to drive innovation
The majority of FM leaders across the EMEA region believe that technology suppliers should offer performance-based contracts in order to improve the success rate of innovation projects.
IWFM: people worry about coming back
As lockdown measures begin to ease, many UK office workers are concerned about going back to the office. But working from home isn't perfect either.
Property sector hit hard by pandemic
A snap poll by industry journal Property Week has found that over half of the companies covered have furloughed staff.
Employers call for changes to furlough scheme
A new CIPD survey of 1,000 employers highlights a need for furloughed workers to be able to work reduced hours.
Lockdown leading to lasting business change
The coronavirus lockdown is causing lasting changes to the way UK companies operate, new figures from the Institute of Directors suggest.
EMEA outsourcing up 4% in Q1
Ahh, the good old days. New research has found that the annual value of outsourcing deals in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region rose almost 4% in the first quarter of 2020.
Client expectations drive corporate sector FM
Facilities management outsourcing in the corporate sector accounted for 61% of overall UK FM market value in 2019, up from 58% in 2015.
CIPD: employers must step up mental health support
Employers need to act now to help prevent their employees from being at serious risk of mental ill health during and after the covid-19 pandemic.
Cleaning sector counts as top-ten UK industry
New research by the British Cleaning Council has revealed that there are approximately 1.63m workers in the industry, making up around 5% of the UK workforce.
Coronavirus: building engineers fear impact
Over nine in 10 building engineering services businesses say they are concerned or very concerned about the impact of coronavirus on their business over the next six months.
Sustainable buildings pay: new research
Sustainable office buildings can deliver financial benefits to investors through a combination of higher rents and stronger leasing velocity.
Coronavirus: UK not prepared for homeworking
Figures released by the workplace analysis firm Leesman suggest that the UK is one of the least prepared countries to weather a mass homeworking strategy.
Suppliers struggling with payment
The latest quarterly sector-wide Building Engineering Business Survey shows that payment conditions in the industry remain poor, with the majority of public sector work being paid for after more than 30 days.
The health & safety traps in outsourcing
A new study by Cranfield University investigates the workplace safety and health challenges that arise specifically from outsourcing.
Should you be worried about a post-Brexit UK?
Almost half of British boards expect Brexit to damage their businesses, according to a Financial Times-backed survey of the FTSE 350 companies.
Companies worry that strategies may be wrong
Uncertainty is continuing to plague senior executives, with many increasingly concerned that the assumptions underlying their corporate strategy may prove to be wrong.
2019: a good year for outsourcing
The value of outsourcing contracts of all types rose 10% in the EMEA region in 2019 as businesses sought to counter economic uncertainty by reducing costs and investing in new solutions.
Electric vehicles: an uphill fight
With the UK government backing a shift to zero-emission vehicles, a new survey has found mixed views on the switch to electric amongst UK office workers.
Councils unsure of their carbon footprints
Almost half of local authorities in England do not know their own carbon footprint, according to a freedom of information request from engineering services trade body ECA.
Interserve offers insights into workplace effectiveness
A new report explores the 'workplace effectiveness index', a methodology tested at the company's own award-winning HQ in Birmingham.
FM business confidence survey opens
The annual FM Business Confidence Index survey, backed by Barclays and IFMA UK, will test frontline market views within this key UK industry.
Retailers missing out on energy cost savings
More than half of UK retail industry leaders are concerned about changes to energy costs but over a third have not incorporated energy management or efficiency technologies into their operations.
CBRE names top trends in FM
The latest edition of the firm's annual report highlights how changes in occupier needs are impacting FM strategies.
FMs missing out on digital benefits
New research from Mitie has shown that almost half of facilities managers are missing out on the potential of digital transformation by not adopting new technology.
Flexible workspaces: good for local economies
New research from workspace provider Regus calculates the value that flexible office space and coworking locations would likely bring to local areas as operators look beyond major city locations.
Women in FM: slow progress at the top
New research from i-FM indicates that half of FM businesses in the UK have no female representation at board level.
UK contract catering headed for £12bn
Given a "supportive trading environment", total turnover in the sector could top £12bn by 2022.
Companies still finding their way on proptech
Real estate businesses are continuing to make slow and steady progress in upping their digital game, but enterprise-wide digital strategies remain far from commonplace.
Corporates still see value in coworking
Big commercial organisations are using flexible workspace solutions and seeing the benefits; but they are also seeing some of the limitations.
Mixed messages on coworking
Research from design firm Gensler on the rise of flexible workspace in the UK corporate sector has found that 40% of flexible space users would rather work from a conventional office.
Employee benefits strategies to prioritise wellbeing
More than three-quarters of UK employers plan to incorporate wellbeing into their benefits strategies, according to new research from market experts Willis Towers Watson.
University estates: the challenges ahead
The annual Estates Management Report from the university community's professional body identifies a series of issues that might be keeping some estates directors awake at night.
Caution hits EMEA outsourcing
The annual value of Europe's managed services contracts dropped by more than €900m in the third quarter amid worries over Brexit, recession, trade and tariffs.
One in five new workplaces fails to meet needs
A new report from workplace experience research group Leesman concludes that a fifth of workplace change projects are not meeting employee needs.
Workplace strategy: choice and variety work best
Private offices, open plan, hotdesking: getting the work environment 'right' is as contentious as ever. Into the fray steps Savills with its new What Workers Want survey.
Think-tank puts the case for outsourcing
Labour's policy of bringing public services back into government hands would be a mistake says a new report. But, on the other hand, politicians consistently overstate how much money is saved by outsourcing services.
Leesman hits 600,000 milestone
The Leesman Index, the workplace experience benchmark, has reached a new peak, with more than 600,000 responses contributed to what is now the largest independent research project of its kind.
People want to work for companies with good reputations
Over three-quarters of people are looking for a good reputation when it comes to assessing businesses, according to a new UK-wide survey.
Engineers hopeful despite Brexit impacts on wider sector
The latest Building Engineering Business Survey shows that growth remained steady in the second quarter of 2019 in the face of rising costs and persistent payment issues.
Outsourcing: "uncertainty becomes the new normal"
Outsourcing markets across EMEA appear to be bouncing back, despite continued uncertainty around Brexit and, more widely, national economic stability.
Business ready to lead fight against climate change
With the government committing to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, a new survey has found the vast majority of UK companies already committed to tackling the issues.
Leesman teams up for wellbeing benchmark
The workplace assessment specialist is teaming up with WELL Building Standard founder Delos to investigate how real estate strategy can better support wellbeing at work.
Flex space changing everything
There's a revolution going on in the commercial property world, with more variation in occupation solution offers piling up over the past three years than in the previous 30. So says property services firm JLL in its latest market report.
Outsourcing is a big business, but a good one?
UK local authorities awarded outsourcing contracts worth £20bn over the three-year period 2016 to 2018. The biggest spend area was FM.
Measuring supply chain risk
More than eight in ten organisations globally have experienced a third-party incident in the past three years, according to new research by Deloitte. The figure rises to 90% of all UK-based survey respondents.
Engineering services recovering from tough 2018
The latest sector-wide Building Engineering Business Survey finds the sector showing signs of recovery after a challenging year.
Carillion collapse: construction industry blames auditors
A new survey conducted by public sector procurement specialist Scape Group finds that over 90% of suppliers think the relationship between Carillion and KPMG enabled the company's true financial position to be concealed.
Investors not feeling the heat on climate emergency
Is the message getting through? Perhaps not, as a RICS survey finds nearly half of real estate professionals saying that climate risks are not important or even irrelevant for property investors.
Brexit dragging FM market confidence down
Political and economic uncertainty are taking a toll on business confidence in the UK. That is certainly true in the FM sector, where the latest FM Business Confidence Index survey finds confidence levels down notably compared to this time last year.
UK lags behind EMEA outsourcing growth
Despite uncertainty over Brexit, the sourcing market in Europe, the Middle East and Africa set a record in the first-quarter of the year, with €3.9bn of combined market value for all major outsourcing streams.
Construction Products Association looking for FM's help
The CPA is calling for advisors, specifiers and users to take part in a survey that forms a critical part of the construction industry's reform post-Grenfell.
People override cost in CRE strategy
Around two-thirds of occupiers rank employee engagement and talent attraction and development as being two of the three most important drivers of corporate real estate strategy, even ahead of cost reduction.
Europe set for growth in connected HVAC market
Europe is seeing rapid growth in the market for smart connected HVAC systems that enable performance to be monitored and analysed.
The FM market: optimistic? pessimistic? not sure?
The 2019 FM Business Confidence Index, supported by Barclays and IFMA UK, is up and running, with this unique survey building a picture of frontline experiences and views. And there's a special reward on offer this week.
BCC offers insights into £50bn services sector
The British Cleaning Council has published the most comprehensive research into the UK's cleaning industry it has ever undertaken, extending data collection into waste management, landscaping and FM.
Outsourcing: why the gap between aspiration and delivery?
Our latest FM market audit research shows provider service performance rated below client expectation on every point but one in a list of 19 contract objectives.
RICS members confident despite market uncertainties
The 20th RICS and Macdonald & Company Rewards and Attitudes Survey has found that professionals in the industry are mostly positive about the outlook for 2019, despite concerns around Brexit.
UK poised for proptech lead
The UK is well placed to capture the lead as a global hub for real estate technology and innovation, according to new research.
Energy management: who's in charge here?
Nine out of 10 energy managers in office workplaces believe that other employees know who they are; but less than half of those employees actually do know. And even fewer have a good idea about corporate energy saving policies.
Noise in the workplace: damaging wellbeing and productivity
In a survey of 1,000 UK office workers, 65% said noise impacts on their ability to complete work in an accurate and timely manner. Nearly half said that noise had a negative impact on their wellbeing, with over 40% reporting it caused them stress.
M&A still a key feature of the market
2018 was another strong year for M&A activity in facilities management, according to business advisors BDO, and there is reason to expect the same from 2019, though with even more selectivity in the deals done.
FM market growth slips, debt rises
A new research report concludes that the FM market has slipped to the lowest level of growth for eight years as business uncertainty exerts pressure on client budgets and erodes average contract prices.
FM business confidence research launches
The annual Business Confidence Index survey, backed by Barclays and IFMA UK, will test frontline market views within this £110bn industry.
Corporates to drive flexible workspace industry
Corporate occupiers are set to become the driving force within the flexible workspace industry as the way they view their office portfolios continues to change.
"Perfect storm" for engineering services firms
The latest industry survey shows a slowdown in growth, along with increased material and labour costs.
Contract cleaning set for £95m boost in 2019
That optimistic conclusion comes from new market research, despite Brexit uncertainties putting continued pressure on companies and dampening volume growth.
AI is coming faster than you think
If you regard discussions around change in the workplace, especially when it comes to 'the rise of the machines', as largely over-excited hype, it may be time to think again.
UK outsourcing falls as EMEA grows
The sourcing market in Europe, the Middle East and Africa grew in the final quarter of 2018 despite unsettling macro-economic and political events across the region.
Bin it, but be careful when you do
New research indicates that waste collection systems used throughout the UK could be causing significant long-term musculoskeletal issues for workers.
Understanding the scale of government contracting
Government spends £284bn a year on buying goods and services from external suppliers. That's around a third of all public expenditure.
Most office workers check sign-in book as they sign in
New research by Proxyclick, the visitor management company, reveals that many organisations are inadvertently breaking GDPR rules by allowing visitors to see who's been in a building before them.
FM market set for £2bn boost
A new report on the UK facilities management market suggests that outsourcing will grow by £2bn in 2019, with the market forecast to rise by more than £10bn by 2022.
C02 in offices "silently damaging productivity"
The results from the first ever practical study into UK indoor office environments reveal that worker performance declines when CO2 levels are high and temperatures are too warm or too cold.
What's driving this industry?
The i-FM Audit is back. Our focused research surveys, run every couple of years for the past decade, provide a check-up on market drivers, decision factors and likely trends for the future. Join us in this unique project!
2018 FM Brands Survey: the results
Hundreds of responses from in-house FMs and service providers add up to unique insights into how service companies are perceived in the marketplace, who's got notable strengths and where some might need to do more work.
Building engineers optimistic despite persistent issues
The latest research from the industry trade associations shows steady growth in Q3 2018, despite ongoing payment and retention problems across the sector.
Poor quality offices costing £4bn a year
New research reveals that 1 in 5 UK workers has around two unproductive hours every week caused by poor or inadequate work environments, leading to a huge cost to the economy.
Contract catering: all about nutrition, healthy eating, sustainability
Those are the major driving forces in an increasingly diverse food service management sector, according to the latest industry report.
The key to the productivity puzzle: leadership
Quality of leadership is the single most important factor to impact the level of productivity in an organisation according to a new international research study.
ENGIE named top sustainable FM company
The results of the sixth Sustainable Facilities Management Index were announced yesterday, with ENGIE emerging as the first company to win this accolade twice.
Spoiled for choice
UK facilities management is a big, diverse and competitive industry with numerous choices for business partners and a vast range of opinions on who the market leaders are, as our FM Brands Survey is confirming once again.
Understanding the flexible office space phenomenon
Europe's flexible office space sector has more than doubled in size since 2014 and is set to grow by up to 30% per year over the next five years. What's driving this?
Shutting down outsourcing could cost LAs billions
Moving all services in-house would cost local authorities at least £30bn potentially outstripping any hoped-for savings, according to a new report from think-tank Localis.
UK outsourcing market sinks while EMEA grows
The market for all major outsourced services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa grew significantly in the third quarter of 2018 with the exception of the UK where demand was held back as Brexit approached.
Security services moving towards cloud adoption
The results of a pan-European survey point to an increased appetite to shift physical security systems to the cloud to access big data insights and meet business objectives more readily.
The i-FM brands survey is back
The annual i-FM Facilities Management Brands Survey is now open. Please take part: it's easy, anonymous, and one lucky participant will win £350 in shopping vouchers.
Sodexo reports on trends set to disrupt the education sector
The latest annual report from the group explores the key trends shaping the student journey and the campus experience, and how universities can and should be responding.
Live and let work
Business mogul Warren Buffett once said: "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." Lessons can take time to learn and we don’t always get things right, but our efforts can have a massive impact on the future.
Local authorities: going off outsourcing?
Local government's appetite for outsourcing to the private sector is declining, according to research from the independent think-tank New Local Government Network.
Service charges: reviewing the reporting landscape
The latest edition of the Service Charge Operating Report for Offices has just been published, the eighth in the series that provides the UK's only annual benchmarking information about service charge costs.
Employee experience 'super-drivers' revealed
New research from workplace analyst Leesman reveals a series of mission-critical drivers that organisations need to deliver if they are to foster outstanding workplace experience.
FM salary levels are well above UK average
A new report from recruitment specialists Deverell Smith has found that facilities managers are some of the UK's highest earners, with an average income for mid-tier FM professionals 63% higher than the national average.
PropTech: why is clear, but not how
More than nine out of ten real estate industry decision-makers agree that their organisations need to engage with property technology but far fewer believe the organisation's vision or strategy is up to scratch.
Integrated FM on the rise in Asia-Pacific
A booming construction market and the drive in the private and public sectors to build world-class infrastructure is putting new momentum into the integrated facilities management market in the developing economies of the region.
Smart building technologies on the rise
Market research has uncovered a surge in projects incorporating building energy management systems technology, closing the gap with long-running energy efficiency technology favourite LED lighting.
Carillion knocks reputation of UK business
The latest CBI-backed survey of public opinion of the business world has revealed a 9% fall in those thinking its reputation is good, following several high-profile business failures, including Carillion.
Engineers see rising market
Over three in four building services engineering companies say turnover increased or remained steady in Q2 2018, despite rising material and labour costs.
ISS boasts strong customer satisfaction
For the third consecutive year ISS has improved its top-line customer satisfaction rating, hitting a Net Promoter Score of +58.9.
CBRE names top trends in FM
Increasingly people want to choose where and when they work and they look to the workplace, wherever that may be, to deliver much more in terms of services and amenities. This is reshaping FM, says the property services group.
Coworking heading for empty retail space
Property advisor JLL predicts that coworking ventures could become a significant occupier on many high streets.
Government outsourcing bounces back
Public sector outsourcing spend increased sharply in the first six months of 2018 despite a backdrop of Brexit uncertainty.
All change as coworking sweeps into the property world
Not long ago it seemed like just a variation on flexible workspace, but all that has changed. The speed with which coworking has become both a corporate accommodation strategy and a major influencer in property markets around the globe is stunning.
Interserve report tackles need to optimise the workplace
Businesses need to radically re-envisage their workplaces to optimise team productivity and maximise the value of their physical working environments, the group says.
Some good news, some bad: a look at technology & jobs
The latest report on this comes from business advisors PwC. Their research indicates that artificial intelligence and related technologies could create as many jobs as they displace in the UK over the next 20 years.
What's the cost of operating a building?
The answer is not exactly in the 'piece of string' category, but new figures from RICS are a reminder that costs can vary substantially.
Outsourcing market rebounds in EMEA
Outsourcing across the major services areas of IT and business processes in EMEA bounced back in the second quarter of 2018, following a months-long slowdown. But first-half performance in the UK was nevertheless down on last year.
CBRE predicts "profound and far-reaching" change in CRE portfolios
Looking just over 20 years ahead, the real estate advisory group says the major focus for corporates will be flexibility, resting on fast decision-making in turn fed by new technologies.
Apprenticeships under-appreciated by the young and their parents
Research commissioned by facilities services provider ABM has found that a worrying number of parents, and even more young people, don't know what an apprenticeship is.
Middle East FM: confidence with a bit of caution
"Continued confidence, but the start of a shift away from growth at any price, and perhaps a period of consolidation." So says Neil Everitt, BIFM senior international business development manager, of the GCC market outlook.
Landlords see opportunity in flexible work space
Nine out of ten UK landlords believe that flexible office space is on the brink of becoming mainstream, according to a new study from property advisors CBRE.
Ten-year study highlights shifting workplace trends
A new global report looks at the drivers and perceived benefits of alternative workplace programmes, uncovering the leadership and workplace strategy implications for organisations.
Building services: market slows
Almost one in three engineering services firms say turnover decreased during the first quarter of 2018, according to new findings from the quarterly sector-wide Building Engineering Business Survey.
Rubbish deals: activity in waste sector reaches a record high
New research from business and financial adviser Grant Thornton has found that 2017 was a record year for M&A activity in the waste sector, with the highest number of deals recorded since 2010.
Can facilities managers take advantage of big data?
From supplier performance and energy consumption to heating patterns and building utilisation, a vast amount of data is at FMs' fingertips. Yet only a small amount of this information is ever used to provide businesses with valuable insight.
"Optimal office" productivity gains could unlock billions
Tackling the workplace productivity challenge has itself turned into a small industry. The latest analysis of the opportunity waiting to be released puts a prospective value of almost £40bn on office optimisation.
London law firms leading the way on workplace change
Things move fast in the legal world, at least when it comes to how people work. A new report from CBRE finds a rapid take-up of agile working practices and artificial intelligence technologies.
Sodexo publishes latest workplace trends report
The group's 2018 report highlights the most critical factors affecting the future of work and demonstrates how an improved workplace experience is key to both increasing companies' performance and enhancing employee engagement.
Outsourcing: EMEA slumps as GDPR approaches
The EMEA outsourcing market was hit hard in the first quarter of 2018 as businesses focused attention on preparations for the General Data Protection Regulation which takes effect May 25.
Outsourcing: demand for the traditional approach holds steady
For market trackers, traditional outsourcing has become a quiet, even boring, place. Digital transformation is where all the big action is these days.
North American FM market set for strong growth
New research indicates a likely annual growth rate of 13.5% through to 2024 as businesses pursue the benefits of outsourcing services and service management.
Flexible workspaces and smart technology to drive corporate real estate growth
A new report from property advisors JLL identifies 10 trends that are shaping corporate occupiers' decision-making in 2018.
Gulf FM market to top £50bn by 2023
New research forecasts continued growth in the value of the facilities management market across six countries in the Middle East.
Occupier expectations shifting as consumerisation takes hold
Nearly two-thirds of companies plan to increase their investment in real estate technology over the next three years, most of them in the next year, according to the 2018 EMEA Occupier Survey from CBRE.
Business Confidence Monitor highlights optimism and challenges
The results of the fourth annual FM Business Confidence Monitor show that a majority of FM professionals are optimistic about the state of the market. But the size of that majority has been on the slide since 2015, as concerns and uncertainty creep in.
Confidence high in the building services sector
Eight in 10 engineering services firms say turnover increased or remained steady during the final quarter of 2017, according to new findings from the sector-wide Building Engineering Business Survey.
Sodexo proves benefits of gender balanced management teams
Global research at the services group has found teams managed by a balanced mix of men and women are more successful across a range of measurements including employee engagement and health and safety.
FM and disruption: is change coming?
Disruption is a fashionable concept, of course, and as with all such terms its meaning has been diluted with use. But the concept remains timely: so, could we soon see fundamental change in facilities management?
2017 was a good year for outsourcing
Despite problems at a few big-name service providers, the private sector market for outsourcing of all types hit a three-year high in 2017 as businesses signed contracts worth £4.93bn.
Health and education FM markets slipped in 2017
The market for outsourced integrated services and TFM deals in the UK health and education sectors was down by about 2% last year in the face of uncertainties and cuts.
Financial sector workplaces changing fast
Under growing pressure to compete, especially to recruit and retain good people, financial businesses are beginning to look more like tech businesses.
BIFM survey highlights value of training and qualifications
The results of the Institute's Pay and Prospects Survey show that BIFM membership and qualifications have an impact on facilities managers' career development.
Facilities services in Nigeria: could do better
Interim results from an ongoing research project looking at facilities services in Nigeria indicate productivity is considerably below the best international performance levels.
Productivity: change needs a plan and follow-through
A new report from Lancaster University's Work Foundation highlights what it calls "the complex and often strained relationship" between productivity, technology and work.
FMs urged to get involved in 2018 FM Business Confidence Monitor
Leaders from the FM sector are being urged to share their views on the state of the sector following the launch of the British Institute of Facilities Management's fourth annual UK FM Business Confidence Monitor survey.
Stagnating profitability facing FM providers in 2018
Facilities management companies are facing stagnating profitability going into the new year amid increased competition from SMEs, rising cost inflation from the National Living Wage and Brexit.
The rise and rise of the flexible office
The supply, and demand, for serviced and co-working work spaces both continue to grow strongly, with London leading the way.
Incentive to do better
Incentive FM has a fair claim to being one of the best performers in the mid-market zone of UK facilities management. Not bad for a small team that left the shelter of OCS, driven by the ambition to do things in their own way.
Cleaning market faces uncertain future
Following three years of growth in line with the UK economy, the contract cleaning market looks set to see the pace falter as a result of uncertainty caused by factors including Brexit.
Market futures: integrated FM and service diversification on the rise
Integrated facilities management continues to represent the fastest growing market segment across the European FM industry.
BIFM highlights the role of sustainability in FM
The results of the 11the annual BIFM Sustainability Survey shine a light on how the profession is adapting to and tackling the increasing demand for sustainable business.
University sustainability league table published
The 10th annual People & Planet rankings show how higher education has responded to the sustainability challenge, says the student-led group behind the survey.
i-FM market insight report published
Trends & Opportunities, i-FM's annual market insight report, tracks major events in the marketplace over the past year, their impact on the industry and how they, and events in the wider environment, are shaping facilities management for the future.
Energy resilience: the cost of ignoring risk
UK businesses without an energy resilience strategy are risking 17% of their revenue, equating on average to £2.8m each year in damages and lost opportunities.
Brands: making your asset work for you
The FM industry is in the midst of what one might call an interesting period. Some of the biggest players are struggling with financial problems, some of the more modest are growing well, and all are keeping an eye on the economic and political future.
EMEA outsourcing market feels the pressures
The value of traditional outsourcing deals signed in the EMEA region slipped in the third quarter of the year, even as alternative as-a-service sourcing contracts reached an all-time high.
Energy efficiency climbing up the corporate agenda
New research carried out across 12 countries around the world shows that 70% of organisations are paying more attention to energy efficiency than a year ago and 58% are expecting to increase investments next year.
IFMA offers FM benchmarking report
The International Facility Management Association's FM Research and Benchmarking Institute has published benchmarks for FM professionals covering janitorial, maintenance and utility costs and sustainable practices.
Apprenticeship levy missing its target
Research from the British Chambers of Commerce indicates that many UK businesses are still puzzled by the government's key apprenticeship programme six months after its introduction.
Innovation boosts FM market in 2017
A new report on the UK facilities management market has found a softening of growth in outsourcing demand as Brexit jitters continue, though forecasts remain above GDP and CPI indicators for 2018 as innovation drives value growth.
Roof safety: tell us how you handle it
Safety is a critical aspect of all facilities management policy and practice, of course, but nowhere more so than on a building's roof. Heights, edges, tripping hazards: it's a dangerous place up there. So what's the best solution?
FM brands survey closes Friday
The annual i-FM facilities management brands survey closes at the end of the week. Don't miss the opportunity: share your views and be in with a chance to win £350 in vouchers for a store of your choice.
Leesman singles out key workplace issues
Leesman, which holds the world's largest independent database on workplace effectiveness, has published a new report highlighting where things are going wrong for most people and what companies can do about that.
University students focused on healthy eating: report
Sixty percent of UK students expect vegan or vegetarian food to be available at their university catering or retail outlets, and 49% expect ‘free-from’ foods.
Broadly positive outlook for FM in the Middle East
The third annual Business Confidence Monitor Middle East, conducted by BIFM in partnership with i-FM and FM EXPO, has revealed a consistently positive outlook and steady growth within the FM industry, with some key challenges ahead.
Built environment careers advice: must do better
Research commissioned by construction and services group Kier has found that insufficient career advice for young people is putting the sector at risk. Business and government both need to do more to change out-of-date information and attitudes.
Sizing up the FM market
UK facilities management is a big and dynamic marketplace, and one that is pretty tough to pin down. Preliminary results from our ongoing FM Brands survey reinforce that point: have you shared your views yet?
Keeping up with FM's soft side
It's become a big topic in the workplace community in recent months. The 'softer' issues, such as wellness, wellbeing, morale, productivity, feelings and experiences, have found their place on the agenda.
2017 FM brands survey launches
The annual i-FM facilities management brands survey is now open. Please take part: one lucky participant will win £350 in vouchers for a store of their choice.
Most FMs believe BIM is good for facilities management
More than 80% of FM professionals believe that building information modelling has the potential to deliver significant benefits.
Benchmarking salaries in FM
Kentish and Co, the coaching and people advisory firm, has launched its first salary benchmarking survey. And they're thinking big: the survey is global.
Saudi Arabia FM market set for strong growth
New research projects a 13% growth rate over the next five years, adding to this market's position as the largest in the region.
UAE FM market to top $19bn by 2022
The value of the FM market across the UAE is set to grow steadily over the next five years, driven by a growing focus on green buildings, rapid infrastructure development and planned mega-events such as World Expo 2020.
More proof: how people experience the workplace is critical
Human factors-oriented workplace research suddenly seems to be very much in vogue: many would say about time, too. The latest comes from design and engineering consultancy Atkins.
Business centres: serious alternative to traditional offices
Research published by the Business Centre Association in collaboration with CBRE shows that the business centre sector across the UK continued to thrive in 2015 and 2016 despite fears about the impact of Brexit and its effect on the economy.
EMEA outsourcing shows double-digit growth
The outsourcing sector appears to be either unaffected by current economic and political uncertainties or perhaps it is driven by them.
Wellbeing: a new real estate fundamental
Offices that respect and support users' wellbeing offer occupiers, developers and landlords greater value. People count, according to a new report from real estate advisors Cushman & Wakefield.
BIFM annual sustainability survey opens
The 11th annual Sustainability Survey conducted by the British Institute of Facilities Management is now open.
Productivity: learning from the consumer world
Companies should aim to create a sense of 'brand loyalty' among their employees in the same way that consumer businesses do with their customers, according to a new study by Interserve.
BRE to test benefits of biophilic design
The building research group has launched The Biophilic Office project, a unique office refurbishment that aims to provide quantified evidence for the benefits of biophilic design on occupant health, wellbeing and productivity.
Battling the summer drain on motivation and productivity
Keeping employees engaged and motivated during the summer months can be a challenge. New research indicates that targeted action on the workplace and workplace culture could help.
Can real estate enable business transformation?
Property advisors JLL argue the answer is yes, as they back that up with a new report and an accompanying online tool focused on "how workplace experience can help businesses thrive in the new world of work".
HR expects Brexit to escalate competition for talent
New research has found that nearly three-quarters of HR professionals expect the competition for well-qualified talent to increase as a result of Brexit.
Women in FM: rising to the top?
We recently asked the companies in the i-FM Top 50 to tell us about the gender mix in their boardrooms. Though this is an open and welcoming industry, our research shows that women continue to be under-represented at director level.
Corporate real estate strives for 'future-proofing'
A new study from property advisors CBRE finds that corporate real estate teams are bolstering portfolio agility and enhancing user experiences with the goal of future-proofing their properties against changes in the economy, technology and labour markets.
Work futures: personality type to trump organisational culture
That's the conclusion from corporate office FM specialist Anabas, which has published the first in a series of white papers on agile working.
CSR policies increasingly key in procurement
Almost half of buyers now ask about suppliers' engagement with corporate social responsibility in their procurement documentation, according to new survey findings from the Electrical Contractors' Association and the Considerate Constructors Scheme.
Pace of change in UK FM fastest ever
Technology innovation, new business models, emerging value propositions and creative new service offerings are transforming facilities management in the United Kingdom, according to a new market report.
UK business grapples with a high-tech future
Nearly half of firms believe the current wave of Artificial Intelligence will be transformational and widespread, fundamentally transforming the industry and markets they work in.
Cost cutting pushing down UK waste market
The value of the UK waste management contracting market decreased in 2016 due in part to the impact of central government cuts hitting local authority environmental services budgets.
Waste sector M&A reaches five year high
New research from business and financial adviser Grant Thornton has found that 2016 was a strong year for deal activity in the waste sector, with the highest level recorded since 2011.
BIFM launches Middle East FM Business Confidence Monitor
Research is now underway for the third annual Facilities Management Business Confidence Monitor for the Middle East. All those working in FM and the wider industry are invited to join in the survey.
Steady demand drives growth in FM consultancy
The global facilities management consultancy services market was valued at almost $14bn in 2016 and is expected to surpass $17bn by 2021, according to a new report.
Building services: business is good
The latest survey of the building engineering services industry finds almost eight in 10 firms reporting that turnover increased, or at least remained the same, during the first quarter of the year.
Good times for the UK outsourcing industry
The latest ISG Index for the EMEA region, which tracks all significant outsourcing contract activity, confirms a record first quarter for the UK, reversing a period of weaker performance.
Occupiers focus on making space work better
Corporate real estate priorities are increasingly focused on efficiency gains and enhancing workplace strategies in a quest to make space work 'smarter'. Greater use of technology is seen as key enabler of these objectives.
Big FM providers eye growth in SE Asia
Global service providers are increasingly looking for opportunities to collaborate with regional players as the demand for FM services in Southeast Asia is on a strong growth trend.
Up to a third of UK jobs could face automation
'The robots are coming' has been a semi-facetious angle on many of the discussions around technology and the future of FM. A new report from business advisors PwC puts some numbers on the broader trends.
Hospital food in the firing line
Adding to the pressures on NHS performance and resources is a new report on food standards where the message is 'could do better', at best.
Facilities management faces critical talent shortfall
The sector is facing a shortage of professionals and urgently needs to attract new talent, according to a report by the International Facility Management Association and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
RICS warns on Brexit impact on construction industry
The UK construction industry could lose almost 200,000 EU workers post-Brexit should Britain lose access to the single market, says the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
How technology is affecting FM on a global scale
New research from software company Service Works Group shows that technology is the driving force behind FM productivity and growth.
Market news: universities continue to invest
Despite the continued uncertain external environment, UK universities are planning to increase investment in estates and technology, according to the latest Higher Education Finance Directors Survey from business advisors Deloitte.
Market research: positive signs for contract cleaning
The cleaning industry contributes over £24bn to the UK economy, according to new figures released by the British Cleaning Council.
FM's professional institutes: how are they doing?
In the first quarter of this year we hosted a brief survey asking for views from across the FM sector on the roles and effectiveness of the two key professional membership bodies. Here are the results.
UK FM sector: cautious optimism despite uncertainty
The Facilities Management Business Confidence Monitor, the annual survey of FM professionals, has found more than half taking a positive view of the current business environment, despite worries about Brexit and other key issues.
Few property and FM companies up to speed on technology
Only a tiny proportion of the UK's leading property and facilities management companies believe they are harnessing technology successfully according to research from Qube Global Software.
BSIA tackles price vs quality issue in buying decisions
A white paper commissioned by the British Security Industry Association has established the importance of making purchase decisions based on quality rather than initial purchase price alone.
Most companies unprepared for digital disruption
Despite the clear trend towards increasing use of technology shaping work and supporting disciplines like FM, just 13% of UK companies say they feel ready to create 'the organisation of the future'.
The building services sector: reasons to be cheerful
Over three-quarters of engineering services firms say turnover increased or remained steady during the final months of 2016, sparking optimism despite some lingering issues.
Disruption on the horizon for Australia's FM market
A new research study concludes that the impact of improved connectivity in the built environment, coupled with the need for greater FM efficiencies, is likely to cause significant disruption in the competitive positions of players in this market.
Have FMs seen the light?
Cost control, effective use of resources, safety and comfort for employees and visitors, environmental responsibility: these are the objectives at the top of every FM's agenda. Can LED lighting contribute to all of them?
FM institutes: how well are they doing?
In a sense, FM professionals are spoiled for choice: the British Institute of Facilities Management and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors are both championing the cause. But are they making their mark?
EU nationals may be heading home
While the short-term outlook for employment remains strong, labour and skills shortages are starting to bite in UK sectors that employ a high number of EU nationals.
Outsourcing faced down the trials of 2016
The UK outsourcing market remained stable in the face of last year's high economic and political volatility.
Workplace design failing knowledge workers
A new in-depth study has revealed the crucial factors affecting productivity, engagement and retention in one of the UK's biggest and fastest growing employment sectors.
UK outsourcing demand slipped in 2016
Demand for major commercial outsourcing contracts was up 2% across EMEA last year, though in the UK it was down by 10%.
A new year: how's it look?
Research for the 2017 FM Business Confidence Monitor is underway. The survey has already drawn hundreds of responses, but more are needed. Please take a few minutes to join in now.
Annual BIM survey launches
The 2017 National BIM Survey is open and inviting responses, nearly one year on from the government's mandate for collaborative 3DBIM on all centrally-funded projects.
Interserve calls for 'workplace guardian' role
A new report concludes that businesses need to shift their focus away from functional issues, such as cost per square metre, and towards the productivity boost that can be delivered through well-designed work spaces.
French FM market set for strong growth
A new market research study of the demand for outsourced FM services in France predicts an annual growth rate of nearly 10% over the next seven years.
Manned guarding: a market under pressure?
A new report from market research firm Mintel paints a picture of a UK manned security sector that is doing well in some parts but feeling the pressures of change and challenge in others.
Pre-holidays to-do list: complete BCM survey
Research for the 2017 FM Business Confidence Monitor is underway. The survey has already drawn hundreds of responses, but more are needed. Please take a few minutes before the holidays to join in.
2017 FM Business Confidence Monitor launched
Leaders from the facilities management sector are being urged to share their views on the state of the sector following the launch of the British Institute of Facilities Management's third annual UK FM Business Confidence Monitor.
No sign of Brexit impact, yet
The latest report from business advisors Grant Thornton on M&A in the FM sector notes continued high levels of deal activity throughout Q2 and Q3 2016.
Smarter use of space could deliver huge economic boost
Smarter use of Britain's office space could improve productivity by 1 to 3.5% and deliver a boost of up to £70bn to the economy.
BRE partners on cross-Europe energy study
The Watford-based building research and information group is teaming up with 14 partners in 12 countries on a four-year project that aims to close the gap between predicted and actual energy performance in buildings.
Last chance: what do you think of LED lighting?
We are still looking for FMs' views on LEDs: is this just one more option in building services or are we seeing a growing revolution? But today is the last day to take part, and to get in on the prize draw!
One problem solved: bug-free lighting
New research by scientists at the University of Bristol has revealed that LED lights are much less attractive to nuisance insects such as biting midges than traditional filament lamps.
Catering: top performers list tells tale of change
The UK's contract catering market has been a pretty dynamic place in recent times, with a steady stream of contracts won and lost, a number of key appointments and regular reports of M&A deals.
Just how sustainable is FM?
The results of the fourth annual Sustainable FM Index were released yesterday, revealing that though real progress is being made among service providers, there are some barriers yet to be crossed.
Building services building business, for now
Over eight in 10 building services engineering firms say turnover increased or stayed the same during the third quarter of 2016, according to a survey from the Electrical Contractors' Association.
Tracking FM trends and opportunities
i-FM's annual market landscape review tracks major events in the marketplace over the past year, their impact on the industry and how they, and events in the wider environment, are shaping facilities management for the future. It is available online now.
Cleaning costs to rise 5% a year
Cleaning costs are set to rise by an average 5% year on year until 2021, as the influence of National Living Wage inflation puts pressure on labour rates.
Urban centres are the place to be
A new survey has identified a clear trend in which corporations are locating facilities and offices away from suburban business parks and to central business districts and creative urban environments.
JLL tackles technology impact on real estate
The property advisor has launched a new report series exploring the impact of technology, data and digital disruption on work spaces and real estate investment strategies.
More evidence that green buildings pay
Employees who work in certified green buildings have higher cognitive function scores, fewer sick building symptoms and higher sleep quality scores than those working in non-certified buildings.
North America FM market looks set for strong growth
An increasing emphasis on process optimisation and improved energy efficiency will be the primary drivers behind market growth that is expected to top 13% per annum.
Occupier satisfaction and property performance: proving the link
Focusing on customer satisfaction can work, even in the property world. New research indicates that a rise in occupier satisfaction will pay off for the landlord in improved property returns.
LED lighting: is this the future?
Designers and manufacturers say yes. And quite a few FMs seem to think they might be right.
RICS survey: cost still rules
Cost still outweighs service expertise and 'soft' factors such as corporate social responsibility and cultural fit when it comes to procuring FM services, according to the latest RICS Annual Occupiers Survey.
European FM set for greater revenue
A new report by credit ratings business Moody's Investor Service has claimed that organic revenue in the EMEA facilities management sector will grow over the next two years due to the increasing popularity of outsourcing.
Research: the factors shaping workplace perceptions
Smell, noise and temperature in the working environment are among the main factors that influence employees' experiences and in turn impact productivity and performance.
University facilities top student selection criteria
The latest student experience survey findings from the Association of University Directors of Estates show that facilities remain a key factor for nearly two-thirds of students when choosing a university.
Building services sector unfazed by Brexit
The building services engineering sector believes it will successfully weather the outcome of Brexit over the next few years. But that view is not universally held across the built environment industries.
Buoyant half year for local government outsourcing
The value of outsourcing contracts signed by UK local authorities in the first half of 2016 increased by 84% year-on-year to £684.9m.
It's official: commuting is bad for you
New research from the Royal Society for Public Health concludes that the average time spent commuting in the UK has increased in recent years to almost an hour a day: longer commutes are potentially shortening lives, it says.
FM brands: the who, what and how
As a services-led industry, the need to promote a positive brand image in facilities management is paramount, because no matter how good your overall quality of service, a negative perception can have a detrimental effect.
Staff competence and supplier performance top buyer concerns
Competence of staff and getting the supplier to deliver on the terms of the contract are the two main challenges businesses face when outsourcing their security services, new research shows.
OCS calls for action on services to disabled airline passengers
A new report, based on the experiences of over 500 passengers, has recommended more collaboration between airlines, airports and service providers in order to improve the quality of assistance to persons with reduced mobility.
Poor air quality at work: top complaint
A new survey has found that indoor air pollution is prevalent in workplaces across Britain, potentially causing long-term health problems.
Strong growth projected for UAE FM market
New market research projects steady growth for the facilities management industry in the United Arab Emirates at least through to 2021.
Engineers launch Brexit survey
A major new survey on the impact of Brexit on the building services engineering sector has been launched by the Electrical Contractors' Association, the Building Engineering Services Association and Scottish electrical trade body SELECT.
Technology becoming a key feature of FM
It's almost too obvious to say; but sometimes the obvious changes are the ones that have the greatest impact almost before we realise what's happening.
Global FM market set for double-digit growth
Thanks to a series of converging trends, including a focus on cost control, environmental responsibility, energy efficiency and regulatory compliance, the world market for facilities management is expected to grow over 13% by 2024.
Next-gen solutions set to transform FM markets
The next five years will be defining ones for facilities management. As services mature and commoditise, innovation through new business models, technology deployment and more sophisticated value propositions will be critical for growth.
EMEA outsourcing slows
Outsourcing activity overall fell back in the second quarter of the year, down by 18% year-on-year for the EMEA region.
FM technology: benefiting the bottom line
The greatest business benefit of FM software lies in helping to secure new contracts and adding value to existing deals, according to new research.
CRE profession anticipating major change
Corporate real estate will be influenced, disrupted and transformed by a powerful combination of forces that are re-shaping business strategy and operations, consumer preferences, and how and where people want to live and work.
Plimsoll offers insights into growing market
Market analysts Plimsoll Publishing say confidence is up in the facilities management sector as 63% of companies have seen sales increase in their latest year.
Leesman tackles CRE and employee satisfaction links
In what it describes as a world-first crowdsourcing initiative, the workplace benchmarking specialist plans to marry corporate real estate performance data with its 18m+ lines of user experience data.
Interserve unveils workplace research plans
The support services and construction group has launched a new research project to explore the science behind creating more effective workplaces.
SummitSkills calls for views on apprenticeships and qualifications
SummitSkills, the standard setting organisation for the building services sector, is running an online survey to gather views from employers in FM and property services.
Building services M&A on the rise
M&A activity in the building products and services sector is continuing its upward trajectory, with improved confidence, interest from private equity investors and international buyers for UK businesses driving up valuations.
Local authority procurement: a mixed bag
A survey of procurement practices at almost 200 local councils in England shows some encouraging consistency, as well as some gaps where suppliers would probably appreciate some progress.
SHU research reveals concern for Brexit in FM sector
The latest research from Sheffield Hallam University has revealed substantial concern about the UK's decision to leave the European Union.
Energy efficiency rising up corporate agendas fast
The 2016 Johnson Controls Energy Efficiency Indicator survey shows interest and investment in energy efficiency are at an all-time high.
Majority of employers opposed to or in the dark over levy
The CIPD is warning that the Apprenticeship Levy is a 'blunt instrument' to tackle workplace skills as only 1 in 4 employers currently plan to use levy funding to invest in apprenticeships.
University estates: room for improvement
The Association of University Directors of Estates has published preliminary findings from a study of universities in England with in-house buildings repair and maintenance teams. It looks like in-house, in this case, is the route to savings.
M&A activity slows in Q1
Merger and acquisition activity in the facilities management sector slowed slightly in the first quarter of 2016, according to the latest report from business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP.
'People and data' business model fuelling FM M&A
FM is evolving from a people business to a people and data business, according to new research by accountancy and advisory firm BDO LLP.
Wearables in the workplace: the trust issue
The use of wearables in the workplace is being stalled by a lack of trust as people worry that their employer may use the data against them and not for their benefit, according to new PwC research.
Choice, space and getting the basics right
That's what office-based workers want, according to a new report from the British Council for Offices and surveyors Savills.
FM brands: who's on top?
We are about mid-way through the research period for our third annual facilities management brands survey, and the results are already offering some good (and occasionally unexpected) insights into who's who and why in UK FM.
Energy professionals warn on policy and practice
UK energy professionals say energy policy continuity is the biggest challenge for their sector today. They also express scepticism about the ability to meet the targets set last December in the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
Apprenticeships: 'image problem' is a significant obstacle
Research undertaken by Interserve highlights that there is still much work to do to raise the profile of apprenticeships among three key groups: young people, their parents and many UK employers.
2016 FM brands survey open now
The annual i-FM facilities management brands survey is back. Join in: one lucky participant will walk away with an Apple Watch Sport!
CRE and FM outsourcing set for continued growth
Research from CoreNet Global and ISS has found more than three-quarters of facilities managers and corporate real estate professionals projecting 'significant increases' in outsourcing.
BCC offers cleaning industry research
The British Cleaning Council, the 'voice of the cleaning industry', has published a report examining changes in the sector over the six-year period to 2014.
FM in the Middle East remains upbeat about its prospects
The facilities management sector in the Middle East is optimistic about prospects for growth over the coming year, despite some uncertainty about the economy in the region.
Stoddart Review aims to put workplace on the business agenda
A new study into the contribution of the workplace in business performance was launched last week at the BIFM's annual conference, ThinkFM.
Dangerous, dilapidated and wasteful schools: report
The Royal Institute of British Architects has published a damning report on the state of UK schools.
A flexible workplace is not enough: Leesman
Research findings from Sweden suggest that employees working in activity-based settings are more productive but not as productive as they might be. It seems old habits die hard.
Arvato confirms strong Q1 for UK outsourcing
The outsourcing services group reports that the first quarter of 2016 was marked by both more and bigger deals.
What's happening with contract lengths?
Three-year contracts are the norm in FM, despite some pretty passionate arguments that they don't do clients or service providers any favours. We've been analysing our contracts database in search of any signs of change in decisions about contract terms.
US FMs gearing up for the rise of IoT
More than half of US facilities managers expect Internet of Things technology to impact their building and maintenance policies within the next year.
Buoyant FM sector acknowledges uncertainties
There are plenty of reasons to be cautious in today's business environment, and that fact hangs like a pale shadow behind the generally optimistic UK facilities management sector.
Smaller contracts driving outsourcing growth
The value and volume of outsourcing contracts worldwide grew by double digits in the first quarter of 2016, fuelled by a surge in smaller deals and a record number of contract restructurings.
SHU research enters final week
Sheffield Hallam University's major research project exploring the FM industry, its current issues and the trends for the future winds up at the end of this week. All facilities professionals are invited to complete the online survey before then.
i-FM Top 50: 15 years of change
Remember Stiell, MacLellan, Workplace Management, Mowlem, Citex, CBX? Do you know what became of them, how the FM service provider landscape became what it is today?
FM down under
An analysis of the Australian facilities management market is the latest addition to the unique overviews and insights captured in our International FM Report.
BIFM launches latest sustainability survey
The Institute has launched its 10th annual survey, looking at the way that facilities management professionals and the businesses they work for are engaging with the sustainability agenda.
SHU opens future of FM research
Sheffield Hallam University has launched its fourth FM sector survey and is inviting facilities professionals from across the sector to provide insight into current practices, issues and expectations in the industry.
The FM market: opportunities outweigh challenges
The latest UK facilities management market research report argues that profit growth this year will sustain optimism in the marketplace despite a slight slowdown in overall growth.
Good times for the contract cleaning sector
A new research report suggests the contract cleaning market is set for major growth in 2016, despite the new National Living Wage dampening market profitability.
European countries lead in green building
New research ranking 25 locations around the world on a range of criteria shows the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands as the global leaders in green building.
Facilities top student preference lists
The university estate plays a key role in decision-making when it comes to higher education choices, according to a survey of 2000 UK students.
Industry still struggling with vacant property solutions
Research from the British Institute of Facilities Management and vacant property company Orbis has revealed that FMs and property managers are increasingly turning to guardianship to keep empty business properties safe and secure.
Leesman expands with New York launch
Leesman Index, the world's largest independent measure of workplace effectiveness, now has a permanent base in the US with the opening of an office in New York City.
Business confidence falls to three-year low
The UK is at a tipping point with optimism for this year ebbing away, according to new research.
How is technology transforming FM?
There is no doubt that it is: the development and application of technology has been repeatedly identified as one of the key challenges for facilities management in 2016 and beyond.
FMs optimistic about business in 2016
Delegate polling at Tuesday's Workplace Futures conference has revealed broad optimisim for the business environment and company performance, tempered with a bit of caution.
BIFM confirms FM confidence monitor launch
The 2016 Facilities Management Business Confidence Monitor, the barometer measuring buoyancy across the FM sector, is now up and running. BIFM is inviting widespread participation.
2016 business confidence survey launches
The annual Facilities Management Business Confidence Monitor research is underway. All FM service providers are invited to join in the survey, contributing to a deeper understanding of the state of the marketplace.
'Wellbeing vacuum' putting people and business at risk
Despite increased awareness of the importance of actively supporting health and wellbeing in the workplace, there is a stubborn 'implementation gap' in the UK, according to a new report from the CIPD.
Hi-tech changes to define the future of facilities management
Technological development will have the greatest impact on outsourcing by 2020, spurring on the emergence of a series of new sourcing models.
Companies want better workplace data
The latest annual European Occupier Survey from real estate advisor CBRE suggests that large corporates are increasingly focused on the intertwining elements of performance, people and space.
Government FM outsourcing market: low expectations
The central and local government outsourced bundled services market is estimated to have grown by around 3% in 2015, and looks set to continue at about that level.
Corporate sector FM outsourcing set for growth
The market value for outsourced bundled and TFM services within the UK corporate sector has been growing at about 4-5% per annum. That will continue, but so will pressures on margins and high levels of competition.
Mount Charles named fastest growing caterer
The annual Foodservice Growth Report has highlighted a series of trends reshaping the independent side of the UK contract catering industry.
Employers anticipate living wage impact
Over half of all employers say the new national living wage will have an effect on their wage bill, with three in ten of the organisations that will be affected planning to raise productivity in response.
AUDE report reveals scale of UK university sector
The latest annual report from the Association of University Directors of Estates highlights key statistics that add up to solid market research for any company hoping to get involved in the sector.
Vinci comes top in sustainability ranking
The specialist energy management and sustainable business consultancy Acclaro Advisory has published its third annual Sustainable FM Index. Vinci Facilities has been named best performer.
Leases getting longer as occupier confidence recovers
Analysis of over 90,000 leases across the UK shows that new property lease lengths rose to 7.2 years in 2015, matching levels last recorded at the market peak in 2007.
Outsourcing on the upswing
It was widely predicted, and appears to have come true: the UK's outsourcing industry has been riding a post-election surge in new deals.
Health, education FM: fewer but bigger contracts?
A new research study looking at the market for outsourced integrated services and TFM in the health and education sectors concludes that the overall value is falling.
Green buildings improve performance, study shows
New research has found that employees' cognitive performance scores averaged 100% higher in green building environments with enhanced ventilation compared to a conventional building environment.
FM: trends and opportunities
Our annual facilities management market landscape review is available online now. Catch up with the major events in FM over the past year: what's been the impact on the industry and what's shaping it for the future?
SMEs most at risk ahead of BIM deadline
Small and medium-sized firms could find themselves unintentionally frozen out from competing for tens of billions of pounds of central government contracts in just a matter of months.
Real estate world turns attention to the workplace
A recent survey by CoreNet Global and Cushman & Wakefield has found that almost 9 in 10 of EMEA corporate real estate professionals are actively investing in workplace improvements.
FM brands: finding a place in a crowded market
FM is a busy and competitive marketplace where even within specialist service areas or regional markets the number of potential business partners vying for customer attention can be confusing, if not overwhelming. Our latest survey has proved that again.
How does the market look to you?
Our latest 30-second survey aims to build a snapshot of opinion in the FM sector on the big challenges and opportunities facing businesses right now. Please join in.
Government's living wage will not lead to job losses in London
That's the conclusion from new think tank research, which finds that the London economy can currently support an uplift in wages without impacting employment.
Distractions: M&A activity eases off a bit
The latest report from business advisers Grant Thornton on M&A activity in the UK FM sector finds that after a bounce back in the first quarter of 2015 momentum slowed during the second quarter.
Brands survey closes this week
The 2015 FM Brands Survey will provide unique insights into how the service buyer and service provider communities view the companies in this busy and competitive marketplace.
Research uncovers what clients think about change
What do clients hope for as they watch merger and acquisition activity in the supply community? The answer is continuing product and service quality, good communication and continuity.
Surveyors not convinced about BIM
Member research at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has found that while the majority of firms have looked at building information modelling, only about half are actually using it.
IFMA launches FM task analysis research
The International Facility Management Association has launched a research project designed to identify the key tasks and work activities carried out by FMs.
Making your mark: the importance of brand
FM may be a 'secret service' to much of the world but that doesn't stop it being critical to the operation of organisations of virtually every size and shape. The FM brand as a whole could do with much more recognition of that fact.
Plenty of data, but what does it all mean?
Big data has become a theme in facilities management, a shorthand label for the ever increasing amount of information FMs have to work with. But the other side of this coin is the challenge of understanding and applying what it's telling us.
Hard services leaders launch BIM survey
A sector-wide Building Information Modelling survey is underway, backed by the Electrical Contractors' Association in conjunction with CIBSE, BSRIA and Building magazine.
CBRE uncovers a preference for staying put
The vast majority of companies choose to remain where they are when a lease comes up to expiry, with the management of property being a significant factor in that decision.
Saudi Arabia: FM's next big growth market?
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia could be exceptionally fertile ground. The market is beginning to wake to the value of good practice in FM, and that's attracting official backing in various forms.
Facilities and their management critical in university choice
New research shows that effective and well managed facilities are key factors for 67% of UK students when choosing a university.
2015 FM brands survey launches
The annual i-FM facilities management brands survey is back. Join in: one lucky participant will walk away with an Apple Watch Sport!
Outsourcing hits record high
Contracting activity in the global outsourcing industry surged to all-time highs in the second quarter and first half of 2015.
Leesman Index reaches 100,000 milestone
The Leesman Index, the world's largest independent measure of workplace effectiveness, now has more than 100,000 respondents in its database.
RICS warns on quality of work environments
New research from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors points to widespread dissatisfaction with the workplace: almost half of the employees questioned by RICS want upgrades to the properties they work in.
Businesses less confident about meeting sustainability goals
Businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to implement and manage sustainability policies, according to research by the British Institute of Facilities Management.
M&A sees waste management consolidating
The volume of merger and acquisition activity in the waste sector has been steadily rising year on year since 2012 and is now reaching levels close to the peak seen in 2011.
FMs focused on improving employees' quality of life
Facilities managers are increasingly focused on improving quality of life in the workplace and are looking to integrated services to achieve their outsourcing needs, according to new research.
Post-election surge for UK FM
A new report on the UK facilities management market suggests that the pre-election slowdown in growth has passed, with many FM providers reporting strengthening order pipelines.
The workplace in 2040: Johnson Controls gazes ahead
By 2040 knowledge workers will decide where and how they want to work, according to a new report on the workplace of the future.
Investors driving change
Money talks, and in the case of institutional financial backing the talk is all about responsible investment focused on environmental, social and governance factors.
Growth market: firms relying on workplace as recruitment tool
More than 90% of London professional service firms consider the workspace instrumental in achieving employee satisfaction, according to new research from property advisor CBRE.
Companies worry about energy 'trilemma'
New research from business advisors PwC finds senior decision-makers at major corporates focused on all aspects of energy sourcing and supply, and expecting a new emphasis on renewables and clean tech over the next five years.
Outsourcing: it's good to talk
The National Outsourcing Association has surveyed more than 150 of its members to compare buyers' and sellers' perceptions in a search for lessons that can help shape the future of the industry.
Our procurement colleagues are doing rather well
The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply has released the results of its latest salary survey. The bottom line is, qualified professionals are reaping the benefits.
UK FM reports surge in confidence
The UK facilities management sector is increasingly optimistic about prospects for both the UK economy and growth in FM over the coming year, according to research conducted by the BIFM in partnership with i-FM and Barclays.
The future is bright say Middle East FMs
New research has found facilities managers in the Middle East reporting a strongly positive outlook, both in terms of expectations for business growth and their own career prospects.
Growth market: serviced offices
London's serviced office market has grown by 67% over the last 10 years and continues on a rapid upwards trajectory.
Councils' shared services savings hit new milestone
More than £450m has been saved by councils sharing services, new research from the Local Government Association reveals.
Contract cleaning: slow growth on the cards
The UK contract cleaning market is estimated to have grown in value by 1.5% year-on-year in 2014, returning to growth after two consecutive periods of annual decline.
BIM: private sector challenge remains
Central government continues to be the driving force behind the adoption of building information modelling and much of the built environment industry is expecting BIM to become compulsory on public sector projects.
Better times for contract cleaning
Following several years of lacklustre demand and sustained pressure on prices, the cleaning market saw a return to growth in 2014, with this strengthening in 2015. By the end of this year, sales are expected to rise by almost £150m.
Millennials: they are what they eat
New research from Elior UK offers insights into what the millennial generation looks for in workplace and higher education catering.
Shared services on the rise
New research from Deloitte concludes that big corporates are increasingly feeling the benefits of shared service centres, with the majority planning to grow them in both size and service scope.
Interserve research uncovers public trust failings
UK business has a big problem with public trust. More effective communication is essential if this is to be overcome.
BIFM launches 9th Sustainability in FM survey
BIFM has launched its annual sustainability survey looking at the way that FM professionals are engaging with the sustainability agenda.
Is austerity good for waste management?
New research into the impact of austerity on local authority waste collection and cleansing services has found a range of innovative approaches being taken by councils across the UK and Ireland to deliver efficiency improvements and savings.
Businesses more cautious as confidence slips
Confidence across the UK economy generally has fallen for another quarter as businesses become more cautious about their prospects in the year ahead.
Annual growth of 4 - 5% for UK facilities management outsourcing
In 2014, the market for outsourcing bundled and Total Facilities Management services was valued at almost £19.5bn. With a recent return to more positive growth, this market is expected to reach a value of £23.2bn by 2018.
Local government outsourcing values on the rise
New research focused on BPO and IT contracts shows that the local government outsourcing surged ahead in 2014 as organisations procured more sophisticated services.
Straw poll finds positive outlook
Amongst many other highlights, this year's Workplace Futures conference included live polling of the 200 or so delegates in the auditorium. The results were very positive, but with some warning about potential issues on the horizon.
BIFM launches business confidence monitor
BIFM, the leading professional body for facilities management, has today launched its Facilities Management Business Confidence Monitor in partnership with i-FM and Barclays.
FM in Japan: challenges, but opportunities too
The Japanese attitude towards facilities management appears to be a bit mixed. On the one hand, FM has been a sideways move for some whose careers have plateau'd; on the other, it could be an industry set to take off.
Security: what's it for?
Do the security services you pay for add value to your organisation, something that goes beyond the terms set out in the contract?
Faster growth likely for the security market
The outsourced security guarding services market is approaching £5bn in size, having grown in recent years despite an uneven economic recovery. That growth is expected to continue, at an increasing rate.
National BIM survey now online
NBS has launched the fifth National BIM Survey, the last survey before Level 2 BIM becomes mandatory on all publicly funded projects in 2016.
2014 one of best years for outsourcing
The global outsourcing industry delivered one of its best years ever in 2014 capped by double-digit growth in the fourth quarter, according to market intelligence firm Information Services Group.
Workplace wellbeing rated top priority for companies
Companies are increasingly prioritising employee needs when making business and real estate decisions, according to the latest annual European Occupier Survey from property advisor CBRE.
Steady growth predicted for world security market
Worldwide demand for contract security services will increase 6.6% per annum, climbing towards a total market value of $331bn in 2018.
Catering market on the upswing
New research has found signs of recovery in the UK contract catering market as its current value climbs towards £2.5bn.
FM software: leaping ahead or lagging behind?
Since facilities management software was introduced in the UK in the late 1980s, the industry has come a long way, with programs securing an important place in many FM departments. But could more be done with these tools?
Global BEMS market value heading for $7bn
New research from BSRIA finds that the global building energy management systems (BEMS) market is set to double in value over the next five years.
Australian FM market faces change
The slowdown in Australia's important mining sector has dampened FM demand, but the overall market is expected to grow significantly over the next five years.
Waste management: a growth market
The UK market for the collection, treatment, recycling and disposal of waste, worth an estimated £18.9bn in 2013, looks set to climb to £24bn in 2018.
CBRE offers view on operational excellence in FM
?Facilities management organisations must achieve three primary objectives to maintain operationally excellent performance, according to a new research report from the CBRE Group.
FM contracts: what, for how long and why
Facilities management is about a lot of things, but one of the most fundamental of these is contracts: their structure, scope and length. Contracts are the building blocks of the industry.
Trends overlap to drive global growth in FM
The global market for facilities management is projected to reach $698.8bn by 2020, driven by recovering construction activity, a focus on reducing operating costs and the increasing trend towards outsourcing.
Property investors: sustainability a must-have
UK property investors and fund managers no longer view sustainability as simply a 'nice to have'. Demonstrable performance is moving towards a requirement for these market shapers.
FM contracts: single? bundled? TFM? longer? shorter?
The latest i-FM 30-second survey focuses on contract trends in the industry. Join in: tell us what you think the best solution is for provision of facilities services.
CBRE debunks generational myths
Research covering more than 5500 US office workers across a range of industries has found that there is little difference in workplace preferences between millennials, Generation Xers and baby boomers.
RICS research highlights cost of ineffective FM
New research from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors suggests that UK businesses could be losing out on savings of nearly £1bn as a result of their failure to adopt a more effective approach to facilities management.
EMEA outsourcing set for strong year
2014 looks like being one of the strongest years for outsourcing activity yet recorded in the EMEA region, despite a dip in the third quarter.
Habour & Jones tops catering growth league
Mid market caterer Harbour & Jones has climbed to the top of the latest annual league table identifying the fastest growing private foodservice companies in the UK.
Brands: who's getting the message?
The results of this year's i-FM Brands Survey confirm that UK facilities management is as big, dynamic and confusing a marketplace as ever. Size appears to count in terms of recognition, but that doesn't mean the message is being received as intended.
i-FM Trends report published
The 2014/15 Trends & Opportunities report has been published, the latest in this long-running series of annual FM market landscape reviews.
NHS could save £1.5bn through better use of estates
The latest annual study of NHS estate resources in England shows that the health service has taken significant strides towards improving the use of its land resources.
Overwhelming evidence for green building benefits
A new report from the World Green Building Council sets out the 'overwhelming evidence' that office design significantly impacts the health, wellbeing and productivity of staff.
Organisations missing opportunity to boost employee wellbeing
New research concludes that organisations are struggling to meet employee needs when it comes to food and drink provision, a key part of workplace wellbeing.
Building services market continues to improve
Business is continuing to improve for members of the Building & Engineering Services Association, with increased order books and enquiries being reported more or less across the board, according to the latest research carried out among members.
The complex landscape of FM brands
Preliminary results from the latest i-FM Brands Survey show a highly competitive marketplace in which anything from half a dozen to 20 or more companies vie for perception as 'best'. This is a landscape that is fractured and confusing to buyers.
Brands Survey closes this week
If you still haven't responded to our unique FM brands research survey, now's the time to do so. You only have a few more days. It's quick, anonymous, and you could win a new iPad mini!
Manufacturers seriously worried about energy cost
Nearly 80% of the UK's manufacturing sector views energy as a business-critical issue in the year ahead, and nearly 90% routinely discuss energy management at board level.
Go green: you'll be happier
New research has added more weight to the case for plants in the office: a workplace enriched with plants makes staff happier and boosts productivity by 15%, says the study.
CSR makes good business sense: global survey
A survey of 2500 companies in 34 economies finds that businesses are being driven towards more socially and environmentally sustainable practices not simply by brand building or altruism, but because it makes good financial sense.
Focus on reputation drives sustainability
New research from consultants McKinsey finds that sustainability is playing an increasing role in corporate strategy, with one big driver being a focus on reputation.
EHRC shines uncomfortable light on cleaning industry
Research by the Equality and Human Rights Commission has revealed that some employers in the commercial cleaning industry are failing to meet their responsibilities to their staff in relation to pay, holiday or sick leave and dealing with their concerns.
EPSRC backs new research to improve energy efficiency
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council is to fund research that will address how to use technology, information, mathematics, law and sociology to create better energy strategies and behaviours in the non-domestic building stock.
FM software: confusion reigns
The numerous acronyms used to describe facilities management software are causing confusion among FM professionals, according to a survey from FM software expert Service Works Group.
The i-FM Brand Survey is back!
Our 2013 research on the leading brands in the facilities management marketplace was unique, fascinating, and even proved to be a factor in shaping some companies' future marketing strategies. Now the survey is back for 2014.
The rise of the portfolio workforce
The traditional nine to five office environment could soon become a thing of the past, according to a new report by PwC.
EMEA outsourcing activity hits record high
Clearly the market is back. New research has found that outsourcing activity across the EMEA region hit a record high in the first half of the year, showing its strongest first-half performance by contract value since 2008.
What does excellence mean to FM buyers and suppliers?
Sheffield Hallam University has revealed plans to follow up last year's pioneering study of service excellence in facilities management with an exploration of buyers' and suppliers' views on the same key issue.
BSIA launches end-user survey
The British Security Industry Association has launched a survey aimed at measuring changing attitudes to security among those responsible for buying and using security products and services.
Box-ticking approach to sustainability cuts benefits
UK businesses are missing out on a range of benefits by operating on the border of compliancy when it comes to sustainable business practice, according to the annual sustainability survey from the BIFM.
Public sector outsourcing outstrips private
With government entities seeking to do more with less, the UK public sector is spending almost twice as much on outsourcing as the commercial sector, a new study has found.
FM and the workplace: chapter 2
In May we polled the FM community about the workplace. How well does yours work for you? What's important? Who's in charge? Now we're back with a fresh angle on this.
Sustainable FM Index 2014 now open
Registration for the Sustainable FM Index 2014 is now open to all organisations delivering FM services, whether in-house or as external service providers.
Procurement advisor launches supply chain research
Proxima, which positions itself the world's largest pure-play procurement outsourcing and services provider, has launched a new study that seeks to establish how supplier engagement can change the way that businesses operate.
FM must rethink its role in the workplace
FM "must completely reinvent" its relationship with building owners, Tim Oldman, founder of the Leesman Index, told delegates in his company's annual conference yesterday.
The integrated future is here
New research from Mitie suggests that 'integrated workplace services', bringing property, HR, FM and IT together, is not just a leading-edge concept; it is already happening at large corporates.
What does FM look like in India?
As the world's second most populous country, India is often touted as a sleeping giant of capitalism, a place of almost limitless resource and untapped potential.
FM and the workplace: a strange relationship
In most organisations, the workplace is the heart of the business: the engine-room where plans are made, decisions get taken and people do things in pursuit of the corporate purpose. Where exactly does FM fit into this?
FMs and the workplace: a complicated relationship
What exactly is FM's role in the workplace? Who owns it as a holistic experience, whether good or bad? What do FMs think of their own work environments? We want some answers.
What do office workers really want?
Workplace furniture specialist Steelcase believes it has the answer following new research that surveyed the views of 800 workers from across the UK.
Putting the customer on the balanced scorecard
Ensuring that people, FM's customers, get appropriate consideration in assessing service performance should be easier following the publication of new research.
i-FM publishes International FM report
A growing number of service providers are focusing their efforts on international contracts as clients search for facilities solutions that fit their expanding portfolios. Are they prepared for the challenges of delivering FM services on a global scale?
BIM bandwagon rolls on
The rate of take-up of building information modelling is high and accelerating, according to the fourth annual NBS National BIM Survey.
Well-being linked to bottom line: research
A research team at Steelcase, the work environment specialists, has compiled evidence of a direct correlation between employee well-being and business performance.
BIFM sustainability survey opens
The British Institute of Facilities Management has launched its annual survey to investigate how FM professionals are engaging with the sustainability agenda.
Facilities are key factor in choosing uni
Eight out of ten UK students say that facilities are a key factor in choosing a university, only out-ranked by the course itself.
Good news and bad for women at work
Opportunity Now, the Business in the Community campaign for gender diversity in the workplace, has published its latest report.
Plan now for 4G workforce, CIPD says
Predictions of problems and stress arising from a workforce that could span four generations have been over-stated, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. But businesses should be planning now for this likely scenario.
Business confidence is back
The results of i-FM's 2014 Business Confidence Survey are in and the message is clear: this looks like being a good year for the facilities management industry.
Student expectations rise with fees
Sodexo has released the findings of its sixth University Lifestyle Survey, the first since the introduction of the new university fee structure.
Caterers' coffee challenge
Contract caterers face 'fierce competition' from high street outlets over coffee sales, according to new research.
Building services companies optimistic
Research carried out among members of the Building & Engineering Services Association indicates that market conditions continued to improve in the second half of last year.
FMs lack energy saving tools
FM professionals are highly committed to maximising energy improvements but lack metering and monitoring tools to establish accurate baselines and track progress.
Workplace Law launches learning styles test
One feature of last week's Workplace Futures conference was Workplace Law's session on learning styles and the influence these can have on employee engagement, career development and even management style.
The i-FM Business Confidence Survey is back
Every year since the crash of 2008, we have tested the opinions and experiences of people working in the industry to gauge confidence in the marketplace.
Rising generations: time for change
Deloitte has weighed into the 'what do they want' debate with the results of its third annual Millennial Survey, based on almost 8000 interviews with people born after 1983. A key part of the message for business is innovate or get out of the way.
Data centre demand grows
Jones Lang LaSalle's latest barometer survey looking at sentiment in the data centre industry shows that demand for space is on the increase, as is concern about power costs.
National BIM survey now open
NBS, the building specification and information specialist, is currently running its 2014 BIM survey.
FM innovation: who, what and where
Clients ask for innovation. Service providers offer their track records as a competitive advantage. But is there much agreement on what the term means and what the process, if there is one, will be?
UK plc missing out on property potential
The British Council for Offices is calling for businesses to 'take off the blinkers and unleash the potential for property to benefit performance'.
UK leads Europe on flexible working
A survey of HR professionals across Western Europe has found that UK organisations are significantly ahead when it comes to introducing flexible working for their employees.
Sustainable FM Index launched
A new annual Sustainable FM Index report has been published, addressing how sustainability is embedded within facilities management service companies.
FM outsourcing: satisfying the customer
New research has confirmed that hard economic requirements top the list of objectives for outsourcing, and most FMs are happy with what they are achieving.
FM's social media players ranked
Sodexo, Carillion and MITIE are the top three users of social media in the facilities management service provider community, according to new research.
What's blocking innovation in FM?
Innovation as an objective has never been far from the heart of facilities management, especially so now in our post-recessionary 'more for less' business environment.
Call to rethink healthcare contracting models
Senior NHS, private and third sector leaders have called for a fresh look at healthcare contracting models in order to seize the potential of cross-sector partnership in improving service quality.
Europe currently largest outsourcing market
Europe now comprises the largest share of the global outsourcing market, at 43% of the total based on Q3 data.
Winter's coming: are you ready?
Winter risk management specialist Gritit and the BIFM have teamed up to research bad-weather preparation strategies adopted by businesses in the UK.
FMs call for new ideas
The latest FM Market Survey, commissioned by Interserve and undertaken by Sheffield Hallam University in conjunction with i-FM, reveals a shift from a pure cost and service level focus to a stronger emphasis on successful buyer-partner relationships.
Catering's profit producers ranked
Business consultant Zolfo Cooper has published the results of new research identifying the fastest growing private companies in the UK foodservice market.
Social media: FM growth area
In just a few years social media has revolutionised how we communicate. This has spread quickly across the business world, including facilities management; but how are the tools being used in FM and how successfully?
Social media & FM
Social media has revolutionised how we communicate, and it is spreading rapidly into FM. Are we at the beginning of an experiment; or is this now a proven tool?
Office furniture market set to grow
In what must be a positive indicator for the facilities management industry, the office furniture market is showing signs of a stable recovery as it moves into a third consecutive year of growth.
Sodexo highlights workplace trends
A new report from the services group rounds up a whole series of trends shaping the workplace of today and at least for the near-term future.
New research on energy and FM
The British Institute of Facilities Management and the National Energy Foundation have launched a survey designed to explore FMs' experiences and expectations around improving the use of energy in buildings.
Contract cleaning on recovery trend
The UK contract cleaning market, despite being mature, very competitive and highly fragmented, is set to continue a comparatively strong recovery from economic downturn.
Slow, steady growth for corporate FM
Following a decline in 2012, the market value of outsourced facilities services in the corporate sector has returned to growth and is heading for £10bn in 2014.
Can smart meters deliver real change?
Sunil Shah writes: By the end of the decade the aim is for all public and private sector organisations in the UK to have smart meters in place to help manage energy. We need to know how to make them more effective than they currently are.
Companies want better energy data
Global spending on energy management by large corporations will hold steady through 2014, according to new international research.
Workers unhappy with open plan
Most people are dissatisfied with having to work in an open plan office, University of Sydney research has found.
Security services: single v bundled
New research looking at outsourced security services concludes that the jury is still out on which type of service provision best fits different types of organisations in different sectors.
Latest market landscape report available
Trends & Opportunities, i-FM's annual review of the state of the FM market and some of the trends going forward, has been published.
London offices resist pressure to change
The latest Occupier Density Study from the British Council for Offices reveals that London and the Southeast have some of the most spacious workplaces in the UK.
Mixed feelings about proposed merger
There has been much speculation in recent months about the possible merger of institutions and associations within the UK facilities management industry. So what do practising FMs think of the idea?
The greening of global real estate
The corporate real estate sector around the world is reducing its environmental impact according to GRESB, the global real estate sustainability benchmarking body.
FM comes bottom for loyalty
New research suggests that client/supplier loyalty in the facilities management industry is lower than in any other sector.
Building services market looks up
Research among members of the Building & Engineering Services Association shows improvement in market conditions over the past six months, with more firms reporting an increase in orders.
Zurich team to research workplace change
The Zurich Insurance group is partnering with Cambridge University's Pembroke College on research that will initially focus on improving work environments.
More pain to come for local government
New research carried out for Interserve has uncovered a worrying picture for the local government and healthcare sectors.
Revolution in the workplace
A shift is taking place in the way organisations view their employees' relationship with the workplace, as greater consideration is given to the design of space and the psychological impact it has.
FM brands: buyer vs provider perceptions
Do buyers of facilities management services judge the brands of service providers differently to the way they are judged by the providers themselves?
FM brands: spoiled for choice
i-FM's recent survey focusing on perceptions of brands in UK facilities management indicates that even the 'market leaders' hold comparatively small shares of the market overall.
FM brands: who leads the market?
UK facilities management is a big, dynamic and often confusing marketplace in which service providers are, in essence, always in competition. So what are the dominant brands and who can call themselves 'a leader'?
FM still not strategic
New research by Workplace Law shows that most client organisations still do not view facilities management as a strategic business function.
Innovation is an uphill battle
Early findings from this year's FM Market Survey suggest that both in-house and outsourced facilities managers struggle with getting service innovation off the ground.
Healthcare, education outsourcing slips
The market for outsourced bundled facilities services in healthcare and education was valued at more than £3bn in 2012 but is on a downward trend this year.
FM & sustainability: could do better
The findings of the latest annual Sustainability in Facilities Management survey show overwhelming support for embedding the concept in business operations, but problems around implementation.
£8bn value of flexible working
UK organisations could enjoy cost reductions and productivity gains running up to £8.1bn, or 0.5% of GDP, by optimising their approach to flexible working.
Companies don't recycle computer equipment
Most British businesses dispose of their old computer equipment without recycling, according to a leading waste management company.
Second annual market survey launched
The latest landmark research survey, backed by Interserve, Sheffield Hallam University and i-FM, takes on buyers' preferences, contractors' insights, trends across the industry and the big subject of innovation in FM.
What procurers expect of incumbents
Nigel Thacker writes: a new survey uncovers what procurement professionals expect of incumbents at rebid, and what they experience.
HR professionals back flexible working
Flexible working is the best way to increase day-to-day productivity, according to new research conducted among HR professionals in the UK.
SMEs putting larger partners at risk
SMEs are putting their own businesses at risk and could also be damaging larger firms they supply services to by not taking appropriate care with confidential data, according to information security firm Shred-it.
Magenta reports on social media in FM
Magenta Associates, the communications specialists for the facilities management and business support services sector, has published new research into how facilities management uses social media as a communications tool.
Think you know how to manage relationships?
A successful client/provider relationship is critical to the success of any outsourcing contract. From experience, you'll know what works and what doesn't.
Focus on energy efficiency grows
New global research released by Johnson Controls shows corporate decision-makers increasingly interested in energy efficiency in buildings, with the figures up over 100% since 2010.
Utilisation studies: cracking the code
Workplace utilisation has become a big issue for many organisations as they look to make the most of their resources.
Who do you rate in this business?
We want to know how you see the FM marketplace today. Who are the leading players? Who's building their brand? Which companies do you rate and why?
Benchmarking client management
What's your experience of client management in FM: commitment and hard work or relationships left to take care of themselves?
Closing date looms for Workplace Law research
Workplace Law's new research initiative, focusing on leadership in advance of June's ThinkFM conference, closes next week.
Quarter of FM companies plan apprenticeships
New research findings from Barclays Corporate Banking's Job Creation Survey show that 27% of facilities management companies are planning to take on apprentices this year.
Testing client management in FM
Good client management can make or break a relationship. So how well do service providers understand their clients' drivers, expectations and needs?
SIA invites ACS views
The Security Industry Authority is inviting input on its Approved Contractor Scheme and how the ACS should operate under the proposed new industry regulatory regime.
Ignoring the recycling message
Up to 80% of companies in the UK have no green policy in place and do not separate recyclable waste from non-recyclable, according to one of the country's leading waste and recycling experts.
Workplace Law opens leadership research
Workplace Law has launched a new research initiative, focusing on leadership, in advance of June's ThinkFM conference.
Young prefer flexibility over financial reward
The millennial generation of workers, those born between 1980 and 1995, would choose workplace flexibility, work/life balance and the opportunity for overseas assignments over financial rewards.
West End workstation cost heads for £17,000
The UK's priciest location is London's West End, where the cost of providing a workstation in a new office development is now £16,915, according to the latest TOCS study.
Change drivers identified
The latest Asset Skills 'state of the sector' research has found most FM companies questioned reporting positive performance despite continuing to face some significant challenges.
FM positive on job creation
New research from Barclays suggests that 72% of FM firms will be creating new jobs this year, the highest of all the job sectors surveyed.
M&E struggles with market conditions
The UK mechanical & electrical services industry is facing heavy competition in a mature market and needs to find new ways to diversify if it is to grow.
Construction spends least on R&D
A survey of nearly 400 firms operating in the built environment sector has found that construction companies are the least innovative.
Cleaners turn to specialist services
A new report on the UK contract cleaning market concludes that 60% of companies experienced growth in the last 12 months. The report points towards a shift to specialist cleaning to boost revenues.
Customers split on bundling catering services
Where the contract catering sector ends and the facilities management sector begins can be difficult to define. But buyers remain split on the benefit of bundling catering with other services.
Weather tops list of business problems
Bad weather was the top cause of disruption to business in 2012, with over three-quarters of organisations affected by snow according to new research.
Opportunities in building obsolescence: report
A new research report from Jones Lang LaSalle finds that accelerating building obsolescence is a problem for the property industry but an opportunity for 'savvy investors and proactive occupiers'.
FM business confidence: no change
The key outcome of the 2013 i-FM Business Confidence Survey is almost identical to the 2012 result: FMs are still waiting for improvement in the business environment and still expecting it to arrive in another 12 months or so.
Survey shows benefits of FM software
FM professionals are becoming more aware of the benefits of using specialised software to manage their facilities, according to the results of the latest industry software survey.
SHU launches FM education survey
Sheffield Hallam University's Centre for Facilities Management Development has launched a research study looking at the current education landscape in FM.
UK outsourcing second only to US
The UK public sector is now the world's largest outsourcing market outside of the United States.
BIM is the future: survey
Results from a major survey of views on building information modelling found over 70% of respondents declaring it the 'future of project information'.
Optimism returning to FM market
Despite the UK economy contracting at the end of 2012, the FM market continues to offer opportunities for growth in 2013, primarily centred around enhancing core service levels and adding value through differentiation.
A good year for M&A
The value of merger and acquisition deals in the UK's facilities management sector rebounded in 2012.
Return to growth for FM market
After holding relatively static in 2012, the UK facilities management market is expected to grow by about 2% each year through 2017.
HVAC market outlook worsens
Building & Engineering Services Association member companies are reporting a fall in order and enquiry levels, pointing towards deteriorating performance for the sector in the coming year.
Employees ready, employers not
Businesses are failing to reap the rewards of increased productivity and employee well-being resulting from new approaches to working flexibly, according to research by mobile phone group O2.
RICS qualification pays
Facilities management professionals who gain membership of RICS earn on average 30% more than their non-member counterparts, according to the latest salary survey from the Institution.
Demand holds up for pest control
New analysis of the UK pest control market shows ongoing growth through the recession and strong performance by some of the leading commercial service providers.
CarbonBuzz opens the door to ideas
The web-based platform that enables users to store, share and compare energy performance and the related costs and emissions of built assets is planning improvements and wants to hear ideas.
Electricity bills likely to rise 5%
A leading energy purchasing consultancy is forecasting a 5% climb in electricity costs for 2013.
The i-FM Business Confidence Survey is back
Every year since the crash of 2008, we have tested the opinions and experiences of people working in the industry to gauge confidence in the marketplace.
Security: single service or bundled?
That's a hotly debated issue in the FM sector, and a new research project has been launched to develop a better understanding of the issues involved.
CSR: more than lip service
The just-published annual Workplace Trends report from Sodexo's US division argues that almost 90% of Millennials entering the workforce now say they would consider leaving an employer whose values fell short of their expectations.
Cleaning jobs linked to asthma risk
Researchers at Imperial College London have linked adult onset asthma to the cleaning industry.
End of the standard three-year deal?
It's been a recurring theme in FM for years: moving to longer term contracts would benefit both clients and suppliers. Now, that argument may be winning the day.
Integrated FM trending globally
The value of the global market for integrated facilities management services is expected to climb to £60.2 billion by 2017, accounting for 15% of the total global outsourced FM market.
Sodexo US identifies top trends for 2013
Sodexo's US business will publish its annual Workplace Trends Report later this month, but key findings are already circulating.
Security market feels the pressure
New figures point to a fall in the overall value of the UK regulated security sector of about 3.5% in 2012.
Living Wage could save billions
Introducing the Living Wage across the UK would save the Treasury just over £2bn a year, according to a new study.
Sleepwalking into a resource crunch
The Carbon Trust says that new research finds businesses around the world unprepared for resource shortages or disruption in supply.
M&E maintenance satisfaction grows
BSRIA's latest M&E maintenance key performance indicator research shows improvement in several areas, as well as a jump in overall client satisfaction.
EPCs not up to the job: report
A four-year research study, carried out by Jones Lang LaSalle with the support of the Better Buildings Partnership, has found that Energy Performance Certificates are not effective tools in the campaign to reduce carbon.
UK outsourcing worth £200bn: BSA Report
The Business Services Association has published an updated edition of its landmark Oxford Economics report, defining the scale of the UK outsourced services market.
Government drives growth in security market
New research in the security guarding market suggests that the industry will consolidate as future growth is driven by large government outsourcing contracts.
The Living Wage: tell us what you think
Last week was the UK's first ever national Living Wage Week, a key part of an ongoing campaign to ensure that all staff are paid at a rate that reflects the real cost of living.
Corporate real estate: it's really about IT
The workplace is due for yet another transformation as new personal computing devices with more memory and greater capabilities replace the old PC both at home and in the office.
FM not strategic enough: RICS report
A new report published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors concludes that the average Head of Facilities spends less than one day a week dedicated to planning and strategy, despite the importance of strategic FM to business.
Making art work in the workplace
New research has found a high level of backing for the value of art in the workplace and surprising consistency in judging the benefits.
Does BREEAM work?
The environmental performance benchmark for buildings has been around for 20 years and has become the de-facto standard measure of sustainable construction in the UK.
i-FM market landscape analysis published
The latest addition to our Research pages is our annual Trends & Opportunities report, this year expanded with specially commissioned content.
Compliance gets top priority
Compliance is a big subject in facilities management demanding significant time and resource, often including specialist resources too. Inevitably, FMs are not short on ideas for how it could be better handled.
Global FM M&A up 40%
Worldwide merger and acquisition deal volumes in FM for the first half of 2012 were 40% ahead of the same period last year.
Why would you outsource?
Research studies, including our own, often ask companies why they outsource. But the recent Interserve/Sheffield Hallam survey asked companies that do not outsource what they would expect if they did.
ISS man scoops survey iPad prize
Tom Ryan has won the prize draw held as part of the Interserve/Sheffield Hallam research project.
Data centre investment climbing
There's been a big jump in investment in the data centre sector, much of it going into FM and M&E systems driven by demand for more power and more efficiency.
Market demands more innovation
A cost-conscious, service-led approach to outsourcing facilities management is delivering value but may be failing to achieve the levels of innovation required.
WPL takes on DSE
Specialist advisor Workplace Law has set out to determine if the Display Screen Equipment Regulations, which date back to 1992, are still fit for purpose.
SWG launches new FM software study
Service Works Group, the facilities, property and performance management software specialist, has launched its second annual research survey looking at FMs' needs and experiences with software systems.
Recession boosts flexible working
An increase in flexible working could be the positive legacy of recession, according to a new report from the Recruitment & Employment Confederation.
What's for lunch?
Whatever's on the menu, it looks like a healthy choice won't be the top concern for many of us. Taste, good value and convenience are all ranked as more important.
The Games & FM: how was it for you?
With the success of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics still fresh in the memory, it might be difficult to recall all the pre-Games talk about necessary preparations and potential travel chaos.
FM sector shapes powered access safety
Hundreds of people working in facilities management have helped shape safety in the industry by passing on their experiences of working at height to powered access leader Nationwide Platforms.
The 2012 Games and their impact on FM
What was your experience: did the Olympic and Paralympic Games affect your workplace, or was it business-as-usual throughout the summer?
M&E contractors under pressure
Small and medium-sized contractors are increasingly vulnerable due to falling workloads, tighter margins and rising costs, according to research from the Building & Engineering Services Association.
Cautious optimism: salaries creep up
A new salary survey from FM recruitment specialist Maxwell Stephens concludes that the UK FM industry is holding up 'remarkably well'.
Clients raise integrated FM concerns
Most clients appear to be satisfied with the benefits of integrated facilities management but some have learned through experience that it is not always the right solution.
Dark art: selecting service providers
It's a strange fact that despite rigorous tender procedures and highly structured bids, it can still be difficult to know why clients make the decisions they do.
Landline days are numbered
Over half of UK CIOs expect the hard-wired telephone to disappear from everyday use within five years, according to research from Virgin Media Business.
How does FM measure value?
Measuring value is a basic need and a continuing challenge in facilities management. Benchmarking against key indicators can work: but which indicators?
Research questions growth of integrated FM
A new study backs the view that demand for integrated facilities management will continue to grow, but it says the industry is facing significant challenges.
How does FM demonstrate its value?
New research sheds some light on one of the key long-standing questions in facilities management, how to demonstrate value across the spectrum from end users to board decision-makers.
Who specifies your office furniture?
Over two-thirds of architects and designers involved in workplace projects advise clients on the specification of office furniture, even if they have not been commissioned to do that.
Councils count shared services savings
A major new report into local authorities sharing services has quantified the benefits and feasibility of joining forces to save money.
No market recovery until 2014
The UK market for bundled and TFM services peaked in 2011, then started a slide which is not expected to be reversed until 2014 when stabilisation should shift into positive growth.
Catering savings start in the kitchen
A joint government and industry team has come together to look at energy use in commercial kitchens and the staff behavioural changes needed to make savings.
Landmark survey closes today
The joint Interserve, Sheffield Hallam and i-FM industry survey closes at the end of today. Please take part if you haven't already done so.
LA outsourcing set to continue rising
Local authorities plan to outsource 32% of all services by 2014/15, according to research sponsored by Interserve and carried out by YouGov.
Interserve, Sheffield and i-FM team up for new research
FM services provider Interserve, Sheffield Hallam University and i-FM have come together to launch one of the most important, most accurate and most informative surveys yet seen in UK FM.
SMEs ignoring confidential data risk
Small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK are not taking basic precautions to protect confidential data because they still do not believe that losing private information will have any impact on their business.
Public sector market promise
The public sector will provide more than £1bn of new outsourcing opportunities for the UK FM market in 2012, with the total figure for outsourcing across the sector climbing to more than £40bn this year.
Energy management driving investment decisions
Eighty-five percent of building owners and operators globally rate energy management as a key driver in operational efficiency, a 34-point increase in just two years.
Maintenance costs falling
In what must be a sign of recessionary times, BSRIA's latest operation and maintenance benchmarking report finds current spending figures substantially down on the previous 12-month period.
Work environment top CRE issue
The quality of work environments and work experiences has come top in a recent survey of corporate real estate executives' current concerns.
FM market: reasons to be cheerful
Despite lingering recession worries and the accompanying pressure on budgets and margins, all of which adds up to low levels of market growth, sales performance at most FM contractors appears to be holding up.
Space in the wrong place
A new report from the Centre for Cities shows that there is a 'striking mismatch' between where offices are needed in the UK and where they are being built.
Straw poll: green issues are important
An Asset Skills survey carried out at this month's Facilities Show concludes that green issues are rising up the agenda for FM.
Occupancy costs flat in struggling economy
Average office occupancy costs in the UK have remained largely flat over the past 12 months as elements rising in some areas of spend have been offset by falls elsewhere.
How strategic can facilities management be?
As part of its first major research exercise, the fledgling Occupiers Journal is investigating the place of FM in wider corporate operations and strategy.
FMs turn up the heat
Or maybe they're turning it down. In either case, the CIBSE FM Group wants to know what goes into your temperature decisions.
ThinkFM survey to close Friday
If you haven't joined in this important industry survey yet, there's still time. The deadline has been extended to Friday 18 May.
Lease lengths continue to fall
New research reveals that the average length of commercial property leases has fallen to a record low of 4.8 years.
FM needs more good research
FM is a dynamic business where challenges are faced and opportunities uncovered almost every day; but there is still not enough good, timely information.
Catering market set to benefit from Olympics windfall
A new study of the UK contract catering market puts the current value at about £3bn. Prospects for continued growth are rated relatively good, with the Olympics due to provide a significant boost this year.
Green buildings pay: US study
Research carried out by Notre Dame University has found that businesses operating in LEED-certified buildings generate increased revenue compared to the same businesses in 'normal' buildings.
Research sees energy and environment convergence
Global market research firm Frost & Sullivan sees a rapid increase in the pace of convergence across energy and environment issues as these become a major theme for 2012 and beyond.
i-FM launches contracts database
i-FM licence holders have always been able to search the site for published details of contract wins. We've made things easier now, with a resource that is unique in the FM sector.
Furniture companies dare to hope
New research looking at the UK office furniture market finds companies cautiously optimistic about trading conditions for 2012.
Caution prevails across FM
Two-fifths of facilities managers describe the current business environment as 'average'. But almost a third still call it 'uncertain'. And there is little confidence that companies will be seeing much growth until late this year, or even early next.
ThinkFM survey launched
Workplace Law is backing a new survey of client and supplier views as part of its involvement in ThinkFM 2012.
Short leases: a double-edged sword
New research from property experts IPD shows that while short leases may be good for occupiers, they are not so good for investors.
Post recession boom forecast for FM
The global market for facilities management is forecast to reach £249.2bn by 2017, driven by the growth in cost-effective solutions as well as rising demand for value creation and improved productivity.
Universities: new growth sector?
Research from construction group Wates concludes that nearly 80% of UK universities have building projects costing more than £5m planned for next year.
Belfast least energy efficient UK city
Belfast has the dubious honour of being cited for making the least progress amongst the UK's top 20 cities in reducing carbon emissions, according to a report commissioned by RICS.
Shedding light on energy costs
Lighting is a critical issue in the workplace, a key factor in comfort and productivity for individuals and in maintenance requirements and energy costs for organisations.
Power and comms failures disrupting UK workplaces
The leading causes of disruption experienced by UK businesses are failures in power and communications systems. And the frequency of incidents is rising.
HR directors doubt value of social media
Recruitment companies may have taken up Linkedin and other social media platforms with a passion, but in-house HR Directors remain sceptical about the value.
Crises drive business continuity uptake
The latest annual survey of business continuity planning in the UK shows that the wide range of threats evident in the past year has spurred more organisations to ensure they are prepared.
Interserve predicts more TFM
Facilities management service delivery is at a turning point, as 'historic' models fail to meet customer needs, according to research commissioned by Interserve and undertaken by Sheffield Hallam University.
Death of the classic American cubicle?
There are plenty of uniquely American landscapes. Now one of them, the corporate workplace neatly divided into row after row of identical cubicles, may be on the brink of extinction.
Research award for LJMU's Tucker
Dr Matthew Tucker, senior lecturer in facilities management at Liverpool John Moores University, has been awarded the first ever Fulbright-RICS Research Award which will see him working in the United States on the issue of customer service perception.
White paper takes on carbon reporting
A new paper written by industry expert Brian Atkin, and sponsored by Planon Software, tackles the challenge of managing and reporting on property assets in a climate of changing legislation, statutory requirements and increasing awareness of green issues.
Public sector most committed to carbon cuts
A survey of the public, private and third sectors has revealed that the public sector is the most committed to reducing carbon emissions.
Business Confidence Survey: please join in
We have been testing opinion on the current and likely future state of the UK FM market since 2008. The latest i-FM survey is online now, and we want to hear from you.
Energy message not getting to boardroom
A new survey of over 600 UK businesses finds a significant gap between the views of directors and their energy managers on how well companies are doing in managing cost and consumption.
Scots happiest with their workplace
According to a survey commissioned by EMCOR, Scottish workers are more likely to be happy with their work environment than any other group in the UK.
LAs turn to IT in cost battle
Local authorities across the UK are demanding more from existing and proposed IT systems as technology is increasingly seen as a key factor in managing service quality and costs against the backdrop of budget cuts.
Researchers see return to market growth
The latest UK FM market research report takes a cautious but nevertheless positive view on growth prospects over the next four years.
Big companies driving down costs
Blue-chip occupiers have managed to reduce the cost of their office accommodation by 15% through cost control initiatives and improved space use.
2012: the year of consolidation?
Look for increased M&A activity over the coming 12 months, as the UK FM sector moves to consolidate. So says Barclays Corporate.
Bullish on Olympics, but not prepared
Research carried out by BT concludes that almost three-quarters of British businesses see an opportunity to prosper from the 2012 Games, but a worryingly high number have made no preparations to ensure they can remain open and fully functional.
CAFM users praise system value
Computer-aided facilities management solutions deliver a range of benefits to organisations, including saving money and increasing efficiency, according to a new survey of users.
Bundled providers reshaping security sector
Bundled services providers now account for more than half the total value of the UK security market.
What next for electronic security?
The electronic security industry has 'defied gravity' in recent years, growing despite global economic downturn as organisations continued to prioritise safety and security.
Empty properties a 'major hassle' for FMs
Vacant property is a significant problem for the facilities management sector, according to a recent survey by vacant property experts SitexOrbis in association with the British Institute of Facilities Management.
Sustainability: now business-as-usual
In 2007, an IFMA forecasting report named sustainability as one of the big issues that would shape facilities management for the 21st century. The evidence suggests this is happening faster than anyone might have imagined.
Data centres in favour despite cloud forecast
Cloud computing may be the latest technology, but a new survey finds 50% of multi-nationals planning to build or expand their own data centres.
Public sector fears private sector collaboration
Public sector leaders predict a significant increase in public-private sector collaboration over the next few years, but have doubts over its likely success.
CSR claims are often rubbish
Researchers from the University of Leeds say that companies making bold claims about social and environmental achievements are often using incorrect and irrelevant data.
Where is sustainability on your priority list?
A strong focus for many organisations around the UK and beyond, sustainability has become a theme in day-to-day operations, as well as in the buying of goods and services.
Building an understanding of the FM market
Our latest annual UK FM market landscape report is now available online.
Recession breeds presenteeism
Over 40% of office-based employees say they feel pressure to be visible in the office as a result of the economic climate. But that could be undermining their employers' ability to compete.
Getting to the real story on H&S competence
Training in health & safety is critical for everyone involved in FM. But how much, when and how are still controversial questions.
Councils coping, for now
A new report from the Audit Commission finds that most local councils are managing in the face of unprecedented reductions to their income, but warns that there is much more to come.
Industrial FM market struggles
The FM outsourcing market across the UK manufacturing and warehousing sectors is valued at just over £1bn, but it has been in decline since at least 2009.
Flexible working is over-rated, BCO says
Survey data released by the British Council for Offices shows that more than three-quarters of employees do not work from home at all, dispelling the myth that the office is a thing of the past, the BCO argues.
What next for the BIFM?
The industry wants to know.
Middle East FM worth $4.2bn
The facilities management industry in the Gulf region is expected to generate a total revenue of more than $4.2bn (£2.6bn) this year.
Buyer priorities clear in fractured market
i-FM's latest UK FM Market Audit, the sixth in the series of landmark research studies, is published today presenting a unique snapshot of the current state of the industry. It includes a detailed look at buyers' priorities and preferences.
Defining what goes on in the workplace
In the second in a series of reports from the companies shortlisted for this year's i-FM e-business award the focus is a unique system for gathering workplace information.
CAFM research deadline looms
A unique research project looking at FMs' needs and experiences with CAFM systems is due to close this week. If you haven't completed the survey, join in now.
Mixed reviews for M&E providers
Results from the latest BSRIA M&E Maintenance Contractor Customer Satisfaction research show a slight improvement on last year but still plenty of scope for more.
Scottish workers unhappy with offices
Less than half of office workers believe their working environment is good enough.
Top M&E issues: price and service
With the market demanding competitive pricing and tailored servicing, both buyers and suppliers of M&E services are under pressure to find value and quality, new research shows.
Clients want data centre FM to stay in-house
A survey of UK-based data centre clients has found the majority insisting that the operator’s in-house team should take day-to-day responsibility for facilities management.
Service Works launches CAFM research
Service Works Group, the facilities, property and performance management software specialist, has kicked off a unique research project looking at FMs' needs and experiences with CAFM systems.
Staying away from the office reduces absenteeism
Organisations looking to revolutionise the workplace, reduce absenteeism and slash the overhead of office space should start with the small steps of helping employees to work at home.
Strong backing for flexible working
A new survey questioning the public and MPs has found the majority in both cases backing government action in support of more flexible working.
RICS launches 2nd professional FM survey
For the second year, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is using the Total Workplace Management show as the backdrop for a survey on attitudes towards facilities management.
Next year looks better for contract cleaning
New market research reveals an industry on track for above inflation growth from mid 2012, with specialist cleaning services in particular set to drive market value in the near term.
Cost and performance driving outsourcing growth
Nearly all buyers currently outsourcing real estate and facilities management activities expect to maintain or increase outsourcing in the short to medium term, according to a new report from KPMG.
SHU launches FM service delivery study
The Sheffield Business School's Centre for Facilities Management Development has kicked off a new Facilities Management Market Survey. All practitioners are invited to join in.
Hospitality sectors catching up on 2012 plans
Over half of businesses in the UK's travel, hospitality and leisure sectors say they are on track with their preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, according to the latest Games Readiness research from Deloitte.
Market optimism
2011 is the year that the UK FM market 'turned a corner' and headed back towards its historic pattern of growth. That's the conclusion of the second independent research report published in as many days.
Slow growth for corporate FM market
Demand for FM outsourcing in the UK corporate sector is expected to improve slightly next year, following steady decline through the credit-crunch period.
Anger at work can be a good thing
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have found that anger used by managers in the construction industry can have a positive impact and contribute to the success of a project.
Waste management moves up the priority list
Waste management is one of those 'invisible' facilities services – very important, but generally taken for granted by employees, visitors and customers unless something goes wrong.
Furniture market looks good in the short term
The UK office furniture market is set to enjoy an increase in sales revenue to the end of 2011 and into 2012, according to the latest Office Furniture Market Report from JSA Consultancy Services.
How much do you know about your workplace?
FM's responsibility for keeping things operational is clear; but how involved do facilities managers get in analysing, planning and monitoring the work environment?
Changed CRC changes business energy plans
About a third of big UK businesses believe that recent changes to the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme have had a negative impact on plans to invest in energy saving measures, and nearly all want to see financial incentives reinstated.
Offices on the road to extinction?
More than half of the respondents to a Virgin Media Business poll see no future for the office as mobile technology changes the way people work.
Office developers face tough future
A survey of commercial property professionals has identified availability of funding, environmental regulation and future-proofing as the top concerns for the industry.
Outsourcers call for more support for SMEs
A survey of outsourcers, including facilities management providers, has found over two-thirds agreeing with the suggestion that Government should do more to help smaller businesses win more of its work.
73% of employees unaware of H&S procedures
Three-quarters of employees questioned in a recent survey claimed to be 'unaware' of the health and safety procedures within their workplace.
Health, education FM markets dip
The total value of FM outsourcing in the UK health and education sectors is expected to slip from a peak in 2010 in each of the next three years.
Workers worry about building services
A survey of more than a 1100 office-based staff has found surprisingly high numbers blaming failing services for a reduced sense of well-being and sub-optimal productivity.
Contractors and designers worry about the future
Figures from the Electrical Contractors' Association show that the first three months of the year were filled with uncertainty for the industry, with ECA members concerned about diminishing workloads for the rest of 2011.
Features - Search found 39 features
UK hard FM market outlook 2026 to 2028
Baskar Sundaram offers a data-driven analysis of the £18+ billion sector.
UK soft FM market outlook 2025 to 2028
Market research expert Baskar Sundaram offers insights into what the near-term future holds.
UK FM market insights: a year of change
Change over the period August ’23 to August ’24 highlights trends that could shape the future.
AI and the workplace: what do we really need to know?
Fiona Perrin talks with Inma Martinez, advisor to governments and businesses on the impact of artificial intelligence.
2025: market opportunities on the horizon
A series of factors create reliable demand for FM services and it’s not too soon to think about opportunities coming up in a year’s time.
Market insight: public sector contracts climb
Across the public sector 263 contracts relating to facilities management were awarded in Q2 2023, worth a total of £2.5b.
Market insight: public sector procurement falls significantly
The UK government awarded 246 contracts relating to facilities management in Q3 2022, worth a total of £280 million.
Market insight: FM procurement falls in Q1 2022
The UK government awarded 264 contracts relating to facilities management in Q1 2022, worth a total of £360 million.
Market insight: Public FM procurement hits £5bn in 2021
The UK government awarded 252 contracts relating to facilities management in the fourth quarter of 2021, worth a total of £445m.
FM market outlook: 2023/25
As outsourcing picks up pace in the UK, FM providers can look forward to increased business opportunities in the mid-term.
Market insight: 292 public sector contracts in Q3
This is the third in a quarterly series of updates exclusively for i-FM from Tussell, the public sector procurement experts.
UK government facilities management contracts: Q2 2021
This is the second in a quarterly series of updates exclusively for i-FM from Tussell, the public sector procurement experts.
UK government facilities management contracts: Q1 2021
This is the first in a quarterly series of updates exclusively for i-FM from Tussell, the public sector procurement experts.
Solving the productivity puzzle
Leadership is what impacts productivity the most, but not enough attention is paid to it and anyway, asks Sion Davies, do we have the right calibre of leaders in the FM and workplace sectors?
Productivity: new insight into an old problem
New UK research shows high CO2 concentrations in offices are decreasing people’s cognitive capability. John O’Brien explains the background to this and what the findings mean.
Coworking and the demise of the commercial property lease
Traditional commercial office leases are under threat, as an increasing number of organisations begin to recognise the value of flexible working. But why should facilities managers care about this new trend?
Five strategic sourcing approaches
To accommodate new market needs and increasing hyper-competition, the way business partners interact will change over the coming decade. The experts at ISS outline some of the options on the horizon.
The three components of excellent service quality
Service quality is one of the most important competitive factors in today’s business landscape. Here's some advice on how to make it excellent from the team at ISS.
Replicating Carillion? The financial health of FM companies
The collapse of Carillion in January has put the spotlight on the facilities management sector and more generally on outsourcing. Jo Kettner turns that light on some of the big players in the business.
Achieving a high-performing workplace
Leesman, the global business intelligence tool that benchmarks how workplaces support employee and organisational performance, has launched a new research report which outlines where the best workplaces are outperforming the rest.
The service charge challenge
Service charges are a necessary part of multi-occupancy locations, but assessing value for money for the services included can be difficult. A new report from Property Solutions looks at the issues in the retail sector.
Creating Incentives
i-FM looks back through the archives to explore the story behind Incentive FM and its leader Jeremy Waud, one of the FM sector’s most enduring figures.
Apleona: tracking the path from cleaning to FM
Apleona appeared on the UK FM scene in mid 2017. Who is this company with the unusual name and where did they come from?
The workplace: indoor environmental conditions and productivity
Workplace and productivity have become major themes in FM over recent months. Here, Tom Cudmore looks at the crucial role of the environment, its impact on people and how all that can be measured.
What's the deal with productivity?
Can workplace design improve productivity, and is that measurable? Simon Iatrou talks to some of the key players behind The Stoddart Review about the report, its aims and the workplace puzzle.
Women on the board: FM behind the trend
About 10% of facilities management service providers have women serving as board directors. That puts FM out of step with the wider trend: the average across all companies in the UK is over 20%.
Seeing the light: FMs' views on LEDs
LED lighting could offer a good solution to a number of the big challenges facing all organisations and their facilities management teams. But how much do FMs know about LEDs and what are their views on the pros and cons?
Technology in FM: luxury or necessity?
Following a UK-wide survey looking into how technology is affecting facilities management, Service Works Group and i-FM reveal new insights into how the industry is performing.
Insourcing: why customers take contracts back
Whilst the outsourcing market continues to grow, there is also a growing 'sub trend' of customers taking contracts back in-house. Nigel Thacker looks at the reasons and offers some advice on what service providers can do about it.
How Will Work Change in 2018?
Mark Catchlove outlines some of the ways in which the pioneering furniture group Herman Miller works to predict the future for itself and its customers.
Sleeping Giant Awakes
Saudi Arabia has the potential to be far and away the largest FM market in the Gulf region. Trends in both the private and public sectors suggest that it is now poised to realise that potential and shed its historic low-cost, low-quality image.
The Informed Observer's View of FM
Editors and PR consultants specialising in the facilities management sector are in a unique position to see into this business, what it does, how it presents itself, where it's headed, what the challenges are. We recently asked them to share their views.
Pest Control: Growth Market
The UK pest control industry has continued to grow through an uncertain economic period coupled with changes in regulation and working practices.
All in a Day's Work
In the second in our series of reports on the projects shortlisted for this year's i-FM e-business Award, Johnson Controls explains its unique workplace survey tool.
Room to improve for M&E outsourcers
BSRIA research into client satisfaction with the performance of M&E maintenance providers suggests there's plenty of scope for more progress.
Understanding the Workplace
New research measuring the performance and effectiveness of office environments casts doubt on the focus of workplace designers on the needs of Generation Y.
Invest in Retention
With nearly half of facilities managers saying they had no pay rise last year and over a third saying they will change jobs this year, employers should be considering other ways to retain talent.
Work:10 Changes Coming
Start planning now for 10 years of radical change in how and where we work.
Procurement in a Recession
What does a recessionary environment mean for FM procurement? What lessons can we learn from the past?
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The FM market: navigating challenges and driving growth
The UK FM market, a powerhouse in Europe, is set to reach £42.8bn by 2027.
Closing the measurement gap in cleaning
A lot has been said and written about the need for the cleaning industry to adapt to the challenge presented by Covid-19. Improved cleaning and hygiene standards are seen as critical in protecting against the spread of the virus.
Testing your strategic growth plans
Every FM service provider has short- and medium-term growth strategies in place. But how effectively are the assumptions underpinning these strategies tested?
FM outsourcing: a bigger role for SMEs?
Active Workplace Solutions worked with online facilities management resource and insights provider i-FM to survey FM practitioners on the key issues, needs and opportunities they face today. The research provided some interesting insights.
The business benefits of hard data
Simon Iatrou's recent comment piece titled 'Where's the proof?' prompted a few thoughts on the analysis of data to make a case and how that applies particularly in FM.
FM needs a client management benchmark
Benchmarking is an established tool, used across industries, for identifying and managing opportunities to improve processes. But there is an unfilled need in the FM industry.
Utilisation studies: science or sorcery?
We have all sat through workplace consultants' presentations in which they report that the benchmark workstation utilisation is around 50%. What exactly does that mean?
Public sector panacea
In our post-recessionary climate the general market wisdom has often seemed to be that the public sector would provide significant growth prospects for the outsourcing community.
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