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Sodexo welcomes interns
Twenty-four interns have been welcomed across the UK business as part of the 10,000 Black Interns Programme.
Flexible working key to recruitment & retention
New research from the CIPD finds that an estimated 4m people have changed careers due to a lack of flexibility at work.
Satvir Bungar on the Empower Role Model list
Satvir Bungar, M&A managing director at accountancy and business advisory firm BDO, has been named as one of the top 100 leaders for his work in supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Corps exceeds target with charity cheque
Corps Security handed over more than £11,000 to leading veteran’s mental health charity Combat Stress at their fundraising dinner in London.
Building the future-proof workplace
That’s the theme for Sodexo’s online afternoon event planned for later this week.
No action on emissions for a third of businesses
Over a third of businesses are yet to take meaningful action on reducing emissions, according to analysis of ONS figures.
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.
Business continuity certification for Mitie
ISO 22301 certification bolsters the group’s risk management and business continuity credentials.
Hybrid workers want to shape work model
Just 14% prefer to have the work model mandated by their employer.
Veolia makes Best Places to Work list
The resource management specialist is in the top group of the best ‘very big’ companies to work for in 2023.
VIVO links up with mental health charity
Marking the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, VIVO Defence Services has become a company supporter of Lighthouse.
Arcus opens national training centre
A significant investment in growth, people and the future of facilities management, says the FM company.
Amey unveils new skills programme
The service provider’s Headstart initiative is the UK’s first contractor-led adaptation of the Department for Work and Pensions Kickstart programme.
Principle moves to employee ownership
The cleaning services company is transferring the majority of its shares to its 2,300 employees.
Net zero: BSI research finds SME opportunities
Progress on sustainability risks being held back as businesses grapple with increasing costs and lack of clarity around the way forward.
Biodiversity: UKGBC launches new guidance
Alongside the climate crisis, we face an ecological crisis in which biodiversity in the UK is under severe and urgent threat.
Younger workers driving wellbeing trends
Younger generations of workers across the UK are calling for enhanced wellbeing, sustainable and digital workplace practices.
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.
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.
Sodexo extends employee support
The service provider has appointed Salary Finance to offer its UK employees a new financial wellbeing benefit.
NABERS 2.0 launched
The energy efficiency rating scheme for existing office buildings has been extended to meet the needs of owners and occupiers.
Corps Security to host mental health event
Registration is now open for Mental Health - Security’s Invisible Enemy, which marks May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
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.
EMCOR UK scoops RoSPA industry awards
The service provider has been named winner of the Facilities Management Industry Sector Award and Water Industry Sector Award.
Social value: Compass backs Change Please
The food and facilities services company is extending its current work with the social enterprise.
New white paper looks at generative AI
Magenta Associates, the communications specialist for the built environment, has released a white paper that explores the implications of AI on content creation and communications.
EMCOR changes its gloves
EMCOR UK has switched to using Polyflex Eco gloves, made from recycled plastic, at British Sugar sites where it provides FM services.
Fit-out costs climbing fast
As post-Covid occupier expectations rise, so too have fit-out costs across key cities.
Good news and bad in FM market forecast
BCIS, the cost information service, has published its latest five-year forecast for trends in FM.
Sodexo Live! scores gold
The group’s venues specialist has achieved the Green Meetings Gold Award at Ewood Park, the home of Blackburn Rovers FC.
Compass launches Vested contract in US
The food and facilities services group and its client AstraZeneca are taking supplier management ‘to the next level’.
Small businesses: energy tipping point coming
FSB finds 28% of firms that signed up to fixed energy contracts last year could have to downsize, rethink their business model or close.
Ventilation: why clean air is vital to health
The National Engineering Policy Centre has produced a useful interactive infographic highlighting the risks posed by poor ventilation.
Magenta backs anti-greenwash movement
The built environment communications specialist has signed The Anti-Greenwash Charter, promoting responsible marketing within the industry.
Green leases: collaboration is essential
Green leases can benefit both landlords and tenants while also serving to decarbonise real estate.
Two wheels good, says Sodexo
The services group has increased the amount eligible employees can apply for in its Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme.
CBRE names winners in innovation challenge
The firm’s Global Workplace Solutions business has announced the winners of its annual UK Supplier Innovation Challenge.
ISS group CEO resigns
ISS has announced that Group CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen has submitted his resignation to the board of directors.
Planon launches enhanced workplace app
The new app enables organisations to provide a mobile-first, personalised connection between people and their workplace, services and facilities.
Office sector ‘in the eye of the storm’
A new report on the future of the office finds that while offices are here to stay, the sector is in “a full state of flux”.
Maintenance challenges see costs rise
New research has revealed the extent to which maintenance issues can impact the smooth running of a facility.
Flexspace: Tech sector dominates
The Technology, Media and Telecoms sector dominated activity in the European flex market in 2022.
Is hybrid working good for you?
Employers and employees have a differing opinion about the health and wellbeing impact of hybrid working, according to new research.
International Workplace shortlisted for award
The learning specialist, along with its client DPD, has been shortlisted for the prestigious SHE Awards.
Employers look to hire ex-offenders
New research reveals how recruitment challenges are encouraging employers to consider ex-offenders.
Energy regulations remain low on the office agenda
New research has found low awareness of new environmental standards despite increased demand for environmentally friendly office space.
Sodexo prevents 236 tonnes of food waste
Marking the arrival of Food Waste Action Week, Sodexo UK & Ireland has provided an update on its food waste reduction programme.
Getting serious: carbon targets in executive pay
Companies are increasingly using carbon targets as part of executive pay outcomes.
Sewell moves toward employee ownership
Yorkshire based Sewell Estates has become part employee-owned.
Vertas partners for improved fleet operation
The FM company has teamed up with fleet management specialist Trakm8 to enhance the operating efficiency of its 280-vehicle fleet.
Elior targets action on social value
The contract caterer’s new campaign aims to elevate social value awareness within the firm and unite efforts into a company-wide focus.
SBFM reinforces commitment to employees
The ambitious soft services provider has joined the industry-led young persons recruitment initiative, The 5% Club.
Flexible working: a gift for employers?
New research highlights the importance of flexibility in both employee and employer decision-making, with positive outcomes for both.
Firms struggle with people data: research
Workforce issues feature in three of the top four business concerns, but people data and discussion aren’t regularly on senior management or boardroom agendas.
Social value: Compass Group tops £590m
Compass Group UK & Ireland’s total social and local economic value has been calculated at £591m.
Sustainability: action can cut costs
Analysis of commercial property service charge data shows that greener buildings have substantially lower energy costs.
Atlas funds early years apprenticeships
Atlas FM is to fund the training costs of 10 Level 3 Early Years apprenticeships at Bright Horizons Nurseries.
Apprentice Day celebration at Inviron
With over 30 apprentices across its business, the technical FM provider currently offers one of the largest schemes in the industry.
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.
£2m milestone for apprenticeship gifting
Sodexo has now gifted £2m of its apprenticeship levy to support a number of small companies and not-for-profits across the UK.
Anabas awarded gold for sustainability
EcoVadis, the global sustainability accreditor, has awarded a gold medal to the corporate FM specialist.
Apprenticeship levy: still a subject of debate
While many companies have done good things with their levy funds, the programme has been plagued by calls for change.
Team Software partners with Orka Works
The partnership brings together two growing firms, both with a focus on the facilities management industry.
Inviron raises £20k for Mind
Throughout 2022, employees, clients and suppliers took part in fund-raising events for charity partner, Mind.
New early careers hub for Sodexo
Explore at Sodexo on the Youth Employment UK website highlights the opportunities and career pathways available at the company.
VIVO partners with veterans charity
VIVO Defence Services is partnering with Launchpad, the charity helping veterans who need extra support making the move from the armed services to civilian life.
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.
IFMA on change and the implications for FM
New research explores how changing organisational priorities are shaping the future of the built environment and FM roles.
Pinnacle reports ESG success
In its latest published report the services group highlights progress across the key pillars of its ESG framework.
Waste management: where does it all go?
In the UK, the largest contributor to methane emissions from the waste sector is landfill, accounting for 81% of sector emissions.
Sodexo slashes carbon emissions
The UK & Ireland business is reporting a 33% reduction in its Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions since its baseline year of 2017.
New head of social value at Churchill
Soft-services provider Churchill Group has appointed Julie Hollins as the new social value lead across its specialist businesses.
Pareto takes the pledge
Seven pledges, in fact, as the workspace services provider signs up to a series of social value-based initiatives.
Real estate in 2023: partnership and polarisation
JLL is forecasting more bridges built between occupiers and landlords, while the gap between good space and not so good will grow wider.
Flexspace: what to expect in 2023
The Flexible Space Association’s executive director, Jane Sartin, looks at what the industry is likely to see over the next 12 months.
Back pain trend rises with homeworking
Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common occupational illnesses, with back pain topping the list.
BAM unveils new sustainability strategy
The group is aiming to become an industry leader with a strategy it describes as ambitious, transparent and realistic.
ISS commits to being age-friendly employer
As part of its commitment to providing diverse, inclusive workspaces the group has signed up to the Age-Friendly Employer Pledge.
Mitie offers decarbonisation predictions
A new insights paper shares views for the year ahead, covering a range of areas including energy, e-mobility, waste and landscapes.
Mitie marks 5 years as Top Employer
The 2023 UK Top Employers list includes the FM group for the fifth year running.
Cloudfm sets 2035 net zero target
The company is aiming to lead the facilities management industry with a full-scope net zero emissions target for 2035.
Sodexo’s Raj Jones shortlisted for diversity award
Jones, head of DE&I for Sodexo UK & Ireland, has been selected as a finalist in the 2023 Burberry Diversity Awards.
Energy bills support: follow-on plan concerns
With the Energy Bill Relief Scheme due to end in March, the government has announced the Energy Bills Discount Scheme beginning in April.
SBFM partners to help the unemployed
The initiative will deliver a recruitment support scheme designed to help the long-term unemployed into sustainable employment.
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.
Elior donation to fund training
Elior UK has committed to fully fund five trainees at social enterprise Change Please.
Scope 3 emissions: moving up the agenda
New reporting standards, expected to be published in 2023, will require mandatory Scope 3 disclosures.
IWFM: update fire safety knowledge
With changes to fire safety starting to come into force from 23 January, the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management is urging the profession to get up to date.
Holiday boost for the workplace
Research from Mitie finds over half of office workers saying they are excited to be back in the office over the festive period this year.
Compass commits £1.6m in levy funding
Compass Group UK & Ireland has committed over £1.6m of its Apprenticeship Levy funds to support over 100 SMEs, charities and social enterprises.
Planon secures WELL certification
The Planon Innovation Campus has been awarded certification at the Platinum level by the International WELL Building Institute.
Obstacles rise, occupancy drops
It will surprise no one, but accurate data shows the scale of what happens when commuters face cold weather and rail disruption.
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.
More emphasis needed on inclusive workplaces
The real estate industry has an opportunity to embrace inclusive design and make workplaces more appropriate, according to a new report.
Portico targets employee engagement
The specialist provider of tailored guest services has launched a new online directory of more than 300 value-add experiences from local businesses.
Kat Parsons, a woman to watch
Head of diversity, inclusion and belonging for ISS UK and Ireland, Parsons has been recognised in a key industry listing.
How to save energy
One highly effective way appears to be CUBE, the sector-led competition that helps commercial building users reduce their consumption.
Mitie named as Top 50 employer
The FM group has made the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers list for the fifth year running.
SBFM launches employee L&D platform
Unify is part of the soft service provider’s investment in training to help address long-term skill and labour shortages across the industry.
ISS fostering diverse management talent
The facilities management group has joined the Generation Valuable training and mentorship programme.
SFMI assessments reveal Scope 3 focus
Leading facilities management companies are ahead of the curve for progress on Scope 3 emissions.
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.
EMCOR UK partners with Social Value Portal
The partnership will enable EMCOR to measure, manage and report on its social value impact.
ABM launches pan-disability forum
The move is seen as a critical step in deepening the company’s commitment to creating inclusive venues and workplaces.
Mitie addresses FM’s ‘most pressing issues’
A new white paper from the FM group tackles eight key questions shaping the industry’s future.
Awards for Mitie’s risk management system
The FM group has come top in two categories at this year’s CIR Risk Management Awards.
Arcus launches net zero plan
The company’s strategy aims to provide a clear, measurable and data-driven framework.
SBFM provides financial wellbeing support
The soft services provider has introduced Bravo Benefits, a new financial wellness programme to better support its colleagues amidst the cost-of-living crisis.
Wellbeing: 14forty proves the benefits of action
Plantilicious, an entirely plant-based menu, was launched in 2021 and proved to be the start of a revolution for the FM services provider.
Levy UK announces move to Living Wage
Compass Group UK & Ireland’s sports and leisure business topped off last week’s Living Wage Week by committing to the campaign for all its UK employees.
Wates and Lloyds looking for next-gen innovation
A new competition is aimed at finding sustainability innovations that can help Lloyds tackle its hybrid working and travel emissions and enhance biodiversity.
ISS signs industry-first Vested deal
The facilities management group and LeasePlan have signed an international Vested agreement for next-generation fleet management.
SBFM signs Race at Work Charter
The fast growing soft services provider has joined over 800 employers in committing to creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
More companies using more use data
A CBRE survey of clients finds that closer attention is being paid to patterns in office occupancy, use and function.
Annual reports reveal focus on sustainability
But analysis of recently published reports shows there’s a need for more focus on connectivity across purpose, people and planet.
Government: double down on climate adaptation
The UK Green Building Council is calling on government to strengthen policies that will support a resilient built environment.
FM market landscape report online now
Trends & Opportunities, the unique annual review from i-FM, looks closely at the UK industry and how it is shaping up for the future.
Amey supporting young people into work
The facilities and asset management services provider is launching its own version of the Kickstart programme.
University teams win Sodexo funding
A Dragon's Den-style competition involving 85 students from 26 universities was recently held by the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation.
Churchill joins Tent Partnership
The soft services group has joined the Tent Partnership for Refugees network, its second move in supporting refugees.
ISS gears up for next phase of its strategy
The FM services provider says it is evolving from a period of turnaround to a new phase of strong growth at sustainable and attractive margins.
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.
Life sciences: making assets more sustainable
New research from JLL highlights ways that life science occupiers, investors, developers and landowners can mitigate the climate impact of their assets.
Bouygues E&S launches Orbiter
This, the company says, is the first 360-degree online self-assessment tool to help owners assess their building’s performance.
Business bodies call for net zero support
Two associations have responded to the government’s Net Zero Review by underscoring the need for leadership and support.
WGBC launches climate change resilience guide
New guidance from the World Green Building Council collates “effective and practical steps” to build resilience to the changing climate.
ONE winner at Atalian Servest
Frank Greenwood-Feane has been selected as the winner of this year’s ONE Project, Atalian Servest’s in-house innovation challenge.
‘Hybrid hotchpotch’ brings problems
Evidence is growing that hybrid working works best when it is clearly defined and implemented in line with the needs of an organisation and its employees.
Workplace: flexibility, personalised experience are key
Most companies remain uncertain about what their post-pandemic workplaces will look like.
BCO recommends more space per person
The British Council for Offices is calling for a new method of calculating the amount of space needed per person in the post-pandemic world of work.
ESG goals: testing progress
ESG commitments are an increasing priority for most businesses, but research suggests that many are still at the first stage of the journey.
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.
BaxterStorey: record number of degree apprentices
The UK’s largest hospitality provider has welcomed its largest ever group of degree apprentices.
Sustainability gold for Churchill
Churchill Services has been awarded a gold medal by EcoVadis, the global sustainability accreditor.
Compass Scotland teams up with FareShare
A new partnership will encourage Compass Scotland sites to work with FareShare to donate surplus food for distribution to those in need.
Hybrid workers worry about energy costs at home
New research reveals the impact the energy crisis is having on the UK workforce, as 70% of hybrid workers admit they’re concerned about the cost of working from home as bills skyrocket.
Flex trend continues to grow
Flex office stock in Europe will reach around 20% of total office stock over the next 10 years.
New task group on renewable energy procurement
The UK Green Building Council has assembled team of cross-industry experts who will support delivery of new guidance.
Technology critical to hybrid working
Organisations need to implement tailored tools and processes that work for their employees, clients and business models.
Mitie hits all annual ESG targets
The FM provider’s latest ESG report highlights progress made against 13 ambitious targets.
Illingworth to advise Sodexo business
Former British Army senior officer James Illingworth OBE has been appointed as advisor to Sodexo’s Government board.
Datore secures energy intelligence agreement
The provider of data analytics and intelligence for the FM industry has announced a major contract win with one of the UK's largest retailers.
Compass opens reverse mentoring programme
The ‘Mentor Up’ programme aims to help create a shared understanding of the barriers, challenges and opportunities for colleagues from ethnic minority groups.
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.
WeMaintain receives B Corp certification
The technology-driven maintenance services company has received B Corp status in recognition of its high environmental, social and governance standards.
Social enterprise challenge hits £250m mark
A group of 30 large companies have spent over a quarter of a billion pounds with social enterprises by bringing them into their supply chains.
October deadline for FM technology award
Over the past two decades the annual i-FM Technology in FM Award has highlighted some remarkable developments, as new ideas and capabilities have moved into the industry.
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.
EHS software market grows
The environment, health and safety software market will continue to grow this year, in parallel with and potentially overlapping ESG activities.
Compass: sustainable bonds to progress net zero
In an industry first, the group has successfully issued two bonds, raising £750m to support delivery of its global net zero target.
Sensor specialist tackles desk occupancy
Data collection has become one of the most active areas of development as technology pushes ever further into the workplace.
ABM extends suicide prevention commitment
The facilities services firm is lending its security expertise and experience to raise awareness about suicide prevention.
Churchill extends care commitments
Churchill Services has signed the Care Leavers Covenant and the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant.
CBRE partners with Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland
The group’s Global Workplace Solutions business has entered into an exclusive agreement with SERI to drive social enterprise participation in the corporate sector across Ireland.
Churchill’s Louisa Clarke joins Veterans Advisory Board
Louisa Clarke, managing director for the North and Scotland in Churchill’s cleaning business, has been successful in being appointed to this key position.
Reliance Protect extends social value commitment
The lone worker solution specialist has teamed up with two of its longstanding customers to create new social value funds.
Amey ups game on sustainability and social value
Amey has committed to a step-change in the way it works in order to achieve new levels of sustainability and social value across its operations.
EFP extends Electronic Arts partnership
Energy Fitness Professionals, the providers of corporate fitness and wellbeing services, has expanded its long-term partnership with video game giant Electronic Arts.
Wates FM invests at Twycross Zoo
The facilities management provider has introduced a year-long apprenticeship programme at its client site in Leicestershire.
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.
Leesman achieves B Corp recognition
The workplace experience specialist has been recognised as a purpose-led organisation that places people at the heart of its business.
Another asset management win for Peacock
Liquid petroleum gas supplier Flogas Britain has appointed the engineering firm on a new enterprise asset management contract.
Post-Covid working: measuring the change
A global study of nearly 80 offices in 13 countries representing nearly 80,000 employees has revealed a seismic shift in working patterns.
Zero-hours contracts: not all bad
CIPD research shows zero-hours contract workers report better work-life balance and wellbeing than other workers.
ISS plans tech centre in Portugal
The facilities management group has announced plans to open a new, dedicated software development centre in Porto.
Property and FM could see budget cuts
An international survey of CFOs suggests real estate, facilities management and finance functions are most likely to face cuts in the next 12 months.
Robots: the future of customer service?
The majority of users have a positive experience with customer service robots, according to new research.
Eric Wright FM up for customer service award
The firm’s Variation App is one of just three initiatives in contention for the IWFM Award for Excellence in Customer Experience.
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.
Atalian Servest deploys Wagestream
The FM provider has begun a phased roll-out of the financial wellbeing app to its workforce.
EMCOR scoops collaboration award
EMCOR UK has been recognised as a Pioneer in Collaboration by the Institute for Collaborative Working.
BigChange boasts big H1
The Leeds-headquartered field service management software company has signed almost 200 new customers in the first half of 2022.
Amey highlights social value impact
The company’s CEO has been speaking about the role that infrastructure businesses can play in achieving the government’s levelling up agenda.
ISS Warsaw HQ scoops platinum award
The ISS Hub has received top marks for accessibility and usability, making it the first to ever reach Platinum status.
Former Carillion directors fined
Three ex-senior executives at the collapsed construction to services group have been issued with fines by the Financial Conduct Authority.
KPMG fined millions for Carillion audits
The Financial Reporting Council has announced sanctions against the auditing firm, a former partner and four former employees.
IWFM publishes accounts, relocates AGM
The Institute's annual general meeting will take place in Bishop’s Stortford on Thursday, relocated in anticipation of rail disruption.
NHS Property Services boasts £250m savings
A cost transformation programme, launched in 2017, has delivered a quarter of a billion pounds worth of cost savings to the NHS across 2,000 initiatives.
Supply chain seeks more ESG information
Companies in the FM supply chain are grappling with the challenges raised by environmental, social and governance issues.
Sodexo celebrates Accelerators success
Sodexo has marked the culmination of its UK and Ireland innovation programme in a special event held at its London headquarters.
Energy: targeting sources of waste
Britain’s businesses are in the grip of an energy crisis. With energy costs continuing to rise, 92% of decision-makers are concerned.
Atlas Security signs up to Living Wage
Having met the necessary standards Atlas Security is now a Recognised Service Provider, joining the wider Atlas FM business.
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.
Return-to-the-office challenges?
Subsidised food and beverages could be key to bringing employees back to the workplace, especially during the cost-of-living crisis.
Churchill scoops gold award
Churchill Services has been recognised with the Gold Award from the Employer Recognition Scheme for 2022.
EQUANS unveils enhanced net zero target
EQUANS UK & Ireland has strengthened its existing commitment to decarbonisation by publishing a revised net zero roadmap.
Sodexo on top apprenticeship list
The services group has been named as one of the top 100 apprenticeship employers in the UK by the Department for Education.
Compass publishes new equalities targets
The food and support services provider has announced a new strategy to address the inequalities that create barriers to progress.
The purpose of the office: it’s complicated
Not just a place to work, for many the office plays a key role in intergenerational learning, social mobility and meeting L&D responsibilities.
FM Innovators Workplace Summit due this week
FM Innovators, the global group that fosters tech start-ups in FM, has scheduled its first Digital Workplace Summit for Thursday 7 July.
SFMI: a chance to shape the future
The organisers of the Sustainable Facilities Management Index are planning future research work and want your input.
Sustainability Tool adds diversity survey
The software application designed to help organisations and their supply chains measure and monitor their sustainability performance has launched the 2022 employee diversity benchmarking survey.
Sodexo donates £35k to SSAFA
Since 2008, funding from Sodexo’s Stop Hunger Foundation has provided urgent welfare support to those most in need from the Armed Forces community, particularly veterans and their families.
Houston & Hawkes makes the B list
The independent caterer is the first contract catering business in the UK to become B Corp certified, reinforcing a purpose-led approach to doing business.
Companies must cut carbon quickly
New analysis shows that just 11% of the world’s listed companies are in alignment with the 1.5°C climate emergency target.
Totalmobile launches field service intelligence solution
The field service management software company has unveiled Insight, a system that enables organisations to gather and review data from services as they are taking place.
Three-quarters of employers offer hybrid working
New data from the CIPD shows that more than three-quarters of organisations have embraced hybrid working through a mix of formal and informal arrangements.
Wates: assessing social value
National property services provider Wates Smartspace has created £1.687m of social value for the local Cheshire community during the second year of a major fire station refurbishment programme.
Sypro scores with Hull City
The EFL Championship football club is partnering with compliance and asset management software provider Sypro.
HqO acquires Leesman
HqO, an industry-leading workplace experience platform, has announced the acquisition of Leesman, the world’s leader in measuring employee workplace experience.
Big issue: managing costs in FM
A new CBRE report aims to provide advice, as many companies are already involved in budget planning for next year.
Sodexo net zero targets validated
The service group’s near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.
Social value tool updated for 2022
National TOMs, the widely recognised social value measurement tool, has been refreshed and updated to reflect changing needs.
JLL: hybrid working is permanent
Research from the property services group finds that this model has become the most popular option for office workers.
Mid-market firms struggle with hybrid working
New research from business advisers Grant Thornton finds that since the lifting of Covid restrictions in February, the number of firms reporting hybrid working solutions has fallen.
ABM launches new ventures programme
ABM Ventures will aim to accelerate growth through investments in both client and team member experiences and industry-leading use of technology and data.
Rising costs drive focus on carbon reduction
New data from the Institute of Directors shows that half of businesses are now more likely to invest in carbon reduction measures.
BCO: invest in design for neurodiversity
The British Council for Offices is calling for more inclusive design, regulatory change and also proposing design recommendations.
Workplace: coping with new realities
PwC’s new Workforce Hopes and Fears survey is a reminder of just how much things have changed over the past couple of years.
Workplace investment aims to drive engagement
Employee engagement is the top priority for global businesses and nearly two-thirds are investing in their offices with this in mind.
Five days a week is so over
The majority of UK organisations seem to be settling into a middle ground between Covid-driven work-from-home practices and post-pandemic everyone-back-to-the-office policies.
CBRE increases commitment to flex space
The property services group has announced a new $100m investment in Industrious, a rapidly growing provider of premium flexible workplace solutions.
Majority still favour hybrid working
In CBRE’s latest EMEA Occupier Sentiment Survey 72% of companies said they are moving towards a hybrid workplace model.
IWMS: the future is CPIP
Move over integrated workplace management systems. Make way for connected portfolio intelligence platforms.
May 12th was a big day in the office
Last Thursday office occupancy in the UK reached an average of 42%, the highest national daily average since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
EMCOR UK releases responsible business report
The report lays out the company’s vision to create a better world at work for people, communities and the planet.
Norse supporting aid effort
The Norse Group has joined forces to provide essential resources to help the Ukraine humanitarian aid effort.
Full EMCOR team on Real Living Wage
EMCOR UK has announced that from 1 April all its employees are earning the Real Living Wage or above.
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.
Cleanology on Living Wage leadership group
CEO Dominic Ponniah has joined the Living Wage Foundation’s Recognised Service Provider Leadership Group.
Compass commits to social value
Compass Group UK & Ireland has appointed Laura Neville as head of social value, with an agenda focused on employees, clients and communities.
ESG suffering from poor data quality
The ESG concept, originally a set of criteria for investors, has moved quickly into sustainability conversations, but perhaps too quickly.
Elior launches family friendly policy
The contract caterer’s new policy includes a range of elements designed to aid employee wellbeing.
Time running out on funding for electricity generation
Businesses that own or operate electricity generation systems have just four weeks left to apply for funding to help them update their equipment.
ISS celebrating awards success
The facilities services company has won a string of RoSPA awards and in catering there’s ‘rising star’ recognition.
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’.
Amey partners with refugee agency
Refugees arriving in the UK can find themselves facing continued hardship, often including long-term unemployment.
JLL turns to IFMA for FM training
In IFMA’s largest ever training relationship, JLL will make courses available to 1200 US employees.
Workplace Futures: conference white paper available now
February’s FM conference tackled the big topic of sustainability challenges and opportunities in a very well-received return as an in-person event.
Companies under-investing in hybrid working
New research suggests a lack of planning and investment in hybrid working is threatening to derail a widespread successful return to the office.
Living Wage accreditation for Richard Irvin FM
The Stirling-based hard services provider has pledged to pay the voluntary rate to help staff with the cost of living.
UKGBC offers social value toolkit
The UK Green Building Council has published guidance to support the delivery of social value across built environment projects.
How green is your business?
A new report has identified four types of corporate approach to sustainability to help businesses establish just how green they are.
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.
Pinnacle unveils sustainability commitment
Its Carbon Reduction Plan details how the group aims to minimise direct and indirect emissions across each of its services and its extensive property portfolio.
10 lessons from the pandemic
Two years ago we were moving into Covid-19 lockdown, setting off what has been called the largest change in how people work in living memory.
Sodexo forms FM alliance in Ireland
The workplace services provider has announced a new strategic alliance with Dublin-headquartered Sensori Facilities Management.
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.
Workplace: the future is technology
That’s certainly the way IWG, parent to Regus and other flex space brands, sees it as it backs a merger with specialist The Instant Group.
Barts to take 1800 staff back in-house
Cleaners, porters, security guards and domestic staff working at the Barts Health group of hospitals will come into direct employment from 1 May 2023.
Sodexo report opens Food Waste Action Week
Today marks the start of a week that aims to support lasting change in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal of halving global food waste by 2030.
Sodexo gets a Vital Spaces makeover
New investment in the London headquarters prioritises the employee experience and creates a showcase for the company’s eco-system of workplace services.
Mitie unveils new workplace design solution
Into the changing world of work comes Sphere, a new technology solution to help businesses design the most effective workspaces for their people.
Pinnacle commits to sustainable cleaning
The group is rolling out a new national standard to support the use of sustainable cleaning and hygiene supplies across its FM portfolio .
Water management: overlooked and undervalued?
In 10 years of annual assessment of FM providers’ sustainability strategies, SMFI has found that water is consistently one of the lowest scoring criteria.
First generation outsourcing: where to start
CBRE cites market research figures indicating that 35% of facilities management activity is handled in-house.
Workplace: generations ‘not on the same page’
An extensive survey finds 60% of professionals reporting a rise in new challenges post-pandemic when working with colleagues from different generations.
Surveillance risks ‘spiralling out of control’
Intrusive worker surveillance technology needs stronger regulation to ensure protection, warns the TUC.
Sodexo receives Stonewall Silver Employer Award
The award marks the service provider’s commitment and efforts in being an LGBT+ inclusive employer.
Living wage: first livery company accredited
The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners is the first such body to be accredited as a Living Wage Employer.
Covid: CIPD highlights employer duty of care
Following the government’s shift to a ‘living with Covid-19’ strategy, the Institute says employers need to continue to be mindful of their obligations.
IWFM: Communities Review sees changes made
The ongoing review aims to place members at the heart of the Institute and give them a stronger say in strategy and future direction.
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.
Designing inclusive workplaces
A new white paper delivers insights and inspiration for DE&I, HR and business leaders.
RICS unveils IBOS framework
The International Building Operation Standard promises a new approach to measure and manage how buildings perform for people.
Sodexo and OCS launch modern slavery group
Sodexo has joined forces with OCS to spearhead the creation of a new council for a dedicated cross-industry group.
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.
ISS to cut food waste 50% by 2027
The facilities services group has also undertaken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the food it serves globally by 25% by 2030.
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.
UKGBC advice for asset owning businesses
Ahead of mandatory requirements to disclose climate-related risks coming into force in April, the UK Green Building Council has published new guidance.
Sodexo making a positive impact on levelling up
The support services company has published a report examining its current impact on levelling up and how it can go further in the future.
Mitie passes £1m mark for levy gifting
Mitie will support more than 70 apprenticeships, many of which are new roles and predominantly technical ones.
Pareto offers MHFA advice
Pareto FM has released its mental health first aider guidance to coincide with today’s ‘Time To Talk Day’.
Sodexo forges health and wellbeing partnership
A strategic health and wellbeing partnership will see the Spectrum.Life Employee Assistance Programme provided to all employees.
Serco staff at Barts on strike
Outsourced staff at St Bartholomew’s, the Royal London and Whipps Cross hospitals launched action on Monday in a dispute over pay.
NJC receives sustainability gold
The cleaning and support services company has been awarded a Gold EcoVadis medal for sustainability achievement.
Hybrid working: Deloitte confirms strategy
The business advisor has embraced the future and outlined how its 22,000 UK employees will see work and the workplace change.
Amey deploys scheduling solution for MoD work
A new digital solution aims to enhance the maintenance of military homes across the UK and reduce carbon emissions.
Sodexo welcoming new start-ups
Employee experience, sustainability and smart buildings are the focus for its Accelerator initiative.
Commercial landlords struggle to attract tenants
Recent market research found 62% of UK commercial landlords having trouble attracting prospective tenants to fill traditional office spaces.
EMCOR UK launches parental leave policy
The company says its new policy is one of the best in the industry.
Hybrid working: 14forty offers advice
With the Plan B return to homeworking followed more recently by a change in government advice, there continues to be some confusion around hybrid working and how to make it best work.
Views on the future of work remain mixed
Covid restrictions are being relaxed and central government is calling for people to return to the workplace, but the views of workers are mixed on this.
Buildings require billions to reach climate targets
To meet climate change commitments, building stock investment must be three times higher than the current rate.
ESG: not a fad but an urgent priority
A new policy paper from the Institute of Directors sets out a range of ESG priorities for UK companies and organisations.
UK CEOs lead on net zero
But a global survey shows that the level of commitment overall could be much higher.
Many companies not ready for workplace change
A new report finds that organisations risk losing out on key talent unless they improve the quality of their real estate and embed flexible working post-Covid.
EMCOR UK launches workplace app
AXIS is designed to enhance the workplace experience by seamlessly connecting organisations with their employees.
Vertas launches sustainable procurement policy
The Ipswich-headquartered FM business is committed to making environmental, economic and socially responsible purchasing decisions.
Mitie hits EV target early
The FM group has passed its target to convert 30% of its fleet to zero emission electric vehicles three months ahead of schedule.
Churchill and Penguin in cross-company mentoring
Churchill Group and Penguin FM are teaming up on a mentoring and coaching programme designed to develop their teams for success in 2022 and beyond.
Kingdom Cleaning joins Inclusive Companies network
The network brings together organisations leading the field in commitments to equality, diversity and inclusion.
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.
IWFM warns on worker welfare
As employees return to work following the holidays, many will not be returning to the office as they had previously expected.
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.
BEIS sponsoring energy guide for SMEs
Standards body BSI is partnering with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, who are sponsoring up to 100,000 free downloads of a new energy management standard.
Net zero: businesses look to Whitehall for support
An Institute of Directors’ poll finds companies ready to work towards net zero but looking to government for financial support and guidance.
Two Sodexo women recognised as ‘ones to watch’
Aoife Wycherley and Deirdre Saunders have been recognised as role models in the third Women to Watch & Role Models for Inclusion in Hospitality, Travel & Leisure Index 2021.
Covid-19: back to working from home
Employers should be well placed for the Plan B change, says CIPD.
Atalian Servest signs mental health commitment
Created by the charity Mind, the Mental Health at Work Commitment defines six fundamental standards for a business.
Testing real progress on sustainability
Results of a global survey show that sustainability is now the top global business investment priority.
Majority of employers favour day-one flexible working
Over two-fifths of employers say they will be more likely to grant requests for flexible working after the end of pandemic restrictions than they were before Covid-19.
British Safety Council advises extra care
Employers should consider what extra precautions they should take in the run-up to Christmas, the council says.
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Getting tech right: a masterclass
Andrew Targell is an expert on the tech that transforms FM. Fiona Perrin met him for key insights on how to deliver projects that drive business purpose.
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Which way forward?
What better candidate for a workplace transformation case study than Which?
The cherry on the parfait
If FM wants to prove its role, it’s time to put employee experience first, workplace specialist Debra Ward tells Fiona Perrin.
FM: strategies for uncertain times
Uncertainty, change, agility, creativity: these are business-as-usual factors in FM. But could the industry be approaching a critical point where decisions made could reshape its future?
OCS shares community recruitment strategy
This month sees the OCS Foundation sharing details of its People into Work programme with the FM industry. If you are a service provider, you’ll want to know about this.
Health and safety reporting: power to the people
Health and safety in the workplace is a critical concern for all businesses, regardless of their revenue, location or size.
An end to greenwashing
Companies across all sectors talk about being ‘green' and ‘sustainable’, but this is truly a case of actions speaking louder than words.
Cargo bikes and the last mile logistics revolution
What should facilities managers know about cargo bikes? Do you let them into your building, do you use them to help decarbonise the workplace?
Net zero: more action needed now
The government’s latest Net Zero Review warned that delaying decarbonisation is a risk to UK jobs, infrastructure and investment.
ESG: why governance is critical
Daniel Ratcliffe examines why governance is a crucial factor in a facilities manager’s ESG strategy, and why it should not be minimised or missed out.
Flexspace: finding a place in corporate thinking
We talked with flexspace expert Kurt Mroncz to find out how this concept went from maybe to mainstream in corporate real estate strategy.
Five things FMs can do to prepare for winter
Ask most facilities managers which season brings the most challenges and the top answer will likely be winter.
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Steps to real net zero success
Empty net zero promises do not just threaten the reputation, legitimacy and long-term interests of businesses but the survival of our planet.
Tackling the cost of business
For any industry where mobile and field-based employees account for a large proportion of the total workforce, the current climate is challenging,
Physical security: bigger benefits in cloud solutions
Scott Gray explains how physical security solutions connected to the cloud can help facilities managers meet security and business objectives.
Sustainability: pushing back on the myths
Purpose-driven corporate leaders seeking buy-in for a sustainable business plan often run into objections that are based on outdated information and outright falsehoods.
FM in a hybrid working world
Often lost in all the conversation around ‘new ways of working’ is what it all means for facilities management.
Smart cleaning: driving industry change
The cleaning industry has without a doubt undergone massive transformation in the last two years.
Buildings and extreme weather: data is key
When temperatures peaked at 37C across much of the UK in July, it caused many disruptions across multiple sectors.
Selecting and implementing tech in FM
FM software solutions offer wide-ranging benefits for workplace and facilities management professionals. But, choosing the ideal solution for your business’s unique requirements is vital.
Don’t forget about IT
As the FM industry becomes increasingly more digital, recognising the value of your IT is important when considering the priority list for an office relocation.
FM for a sustainable future - ready, tech, go
What will it take to achieve a sustainable built environment? To support a hybrid workforce? To maintain resilience and agility?
Sustainability: the key role of your logistics partner
Now more than ever, businesses are facing serious pressure from all angles to reduce their carbon footprint, whether it be from their own staff and customers, or via new legislation.
Sustainable buildings: visiting the future
April’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report offered a slither of hope that we can stave off the worst ravages of climate breakdown.
Creating workspace cultures to attract Gen Z
The chasm of generational differences between workers is widening with the general acceptance of new remote and hybrid workstyles.
Workplace: airing the big issues
Three years on since The Workplace Event was last held face to face, it made its long-awaited return to the Birmingham NEC this month. Craig Peters reports.
Why businesses should be investing in PropTech
As we begin to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a heightened focus on employee health and wellbeing.
Social value: the impact of diversity & inclusion in the workplace
We asked Atalian Servest’s head of HR Sophie Ransome and head of learning & development Kelly Dolphin about their involvement at this month’s Workplace Futures conference.
Unlocking hidden talents through apprenticeships
Facilities management is facing a significant skills shortage. That’s not news: industry bodies have warned of a ‘demographic timebomb’ for years. Apprentice Simon Delmo reflects on the challenge.
Collaboration: one key to achieving sustainability goals
We recently spoke with EMCOR UK executive director marketing and business development Jeremy Campbell about his involvement at this month’s Workplace Futures conference.
Keep your energy bill in check
How to protect your business from unexpected energy price changes is going to be a serious issue in 2022. Pradyumna Pandit offers insights and advice.
What FM talent is looking for in 2022
It is clear for all to see that the recruitment market has been turned upside down over the past two years and candidate experience has changed significantly.
Workplace: the role of BIM and digital twins
Gary Watkins explains how businesses can leverage technology to make informed decisions about the workplace.
Staying on top of sustainability this Christmas
It’s easy to forget our sustainability practices when winding down for the end of the year, but the festive period doesn’t need to have a big impact on the planet.
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.
FM market outlook: 2022
As the country strives to look beyond the shadows cast by the Covid-19, Baskar Sundaram offers some insights on the coming year.
A future for hybrid working
In July Wates Group launched its post-pandemic office concept at its head office in Leatherhead. John Cartwright shares insights and predictions for the future for commercial fit-out.
Managing the return to the office: the legal sector
Most law firms have outperformed expectations on fee income, despite the pandemic. What is less certain is the way the sector is embracing hybrid working.
Putting food waste front & centre at COP26
COP26 has been big news for weeks, but the TV screens didn’t do it justice. It was vast.
Tackling the recruitment challenge
In recent months ‘shortage’ has become a key theme in all sorts of conversations, whether that’s doing the weekly shopping, planning a building project or looking to recruit staff.
What you need to know about ISO 45003
More and more organisations are, rightly, investing more time and resources into the mental wellbeing of their employees.
FMTech: PropTech’s big little sister
Until recently, in the FM community, only the PropTech startup ecosystem was getting clear attention. That is changing rapidly now.
On your bike
Pedal power is having a moment, partly inspired by the impacts of Covid-19. But, given the health and sustainability benefits, why shouldn’t that moment become permanent?
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Branding: the edge in attracting talent
Ensuring that your company stands out among the many others in FM can put you ahead in recruiting from within the sector or beyond.
Making the case for better CMMS software
A recent report suggests that by using connected workforce platforms companies can improve workplace productivity by as much as 25%.
The race to net zero: what this means for FM
‘Net zero carbon’ is the latest catchphrase across the corporate sector. You’ve probably heard many interpretations of it, along with ‘climate positive’, ‘zero carbon’ and ‘science-based targets’.
Managing employee experience in the hybrid era
The past year has been tough on conventional wisdom. Covid-19 has challenged everything we think we know about the world, including the nature of work and workplace.
Managing fire safety compliance in turbulent times
Building owners who fail to comply with proposed new fire safety measures could be faced with unlimited fines.
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The workplace: a major player in talent attraction & retention
Will Richards highlights three best workplace strategies to support talent attraction and retention in a post-Covid19 world.
Covid-19: driving technology change
Rodrigue Zbinden considers the recent increase in cloud adoption and how hosted security solutions can help to manage teams, facilities and operations.
Smart monitoring and sustainability
One of the fastest growing sectors for global investment in the past few years has been technology designed to make buildings smarter and more sustainable.
Technology: supporting the return to the office
In the wake of Covid-19, organisations around the world are rethinking space utilisation, employee engagement and wellbeing, sustainability and the overall real estate portfolio.
Getting flexible with workplace management technology
The only constant in life is change. Managing an office building in the 18th century would look a lot different to a 21st century workplace.
Using technology to create better user experiences
2021 will, we hope, see offices reopening and employees returning with new views on how they want to work. Technology has a crucial role to play.
Flexspace and the future of the office
Like many industries, the flexspace sector is facing one of its greatest challenges in the global pandemic.
Covid-19 and lift safety
Social distancing must have been one of the most used terms of 2020. Looking ahead to 2021 this same behaviour seems set to be a part of daily life for quite a while to come.
Moving in-house
Over the past couple of years King’s College London has been bringing previously outsourced services in-house. We talked to project lead Paloma Lisboa about how and why.
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Ergonomics for a healthy, productive remote workforce
As we move towards the end of an absolutely tumultuous year, it’s clear that Covid-19 has had a deep and lasting impact on remote working.
Effective cleaning: the key to a safe workplace
This year has, without a doubt, challenged workplace and facilities professionals with a whole host of safety and wellbeing concerns.
Atalian Servest’s ONE project relaunched
Adversity sparks creativity: 2020 has certainly demonstrated this. We are all learning resilience in a year that has thrown challenges at us that we never imagined.
Lockdowns and tiers: what do they mean for FM?
Coming out of the second national lockdown in England and into a new tiered system has brought fresh challenges for the FM industry.
A smarter cleaning vision
It is hard to predict the long-term impact that Covid-19 will have on working practices in Europe and the knock-on implications for commercial real estate and workspaces.
Workspace design post-Covid
It's been a challenging year for facilities management on many fronts, and one more lies in the future of the office. We still need them, but what does FM need to do to ensure they are fit for a new future?
Keeping your premises Covid safe
In the facilities management sector, you have the hefty responsibility of looking after your premises and building users, whether these be staff, visitors, customers, residents or patients.
Smart makeover
Smart building technology essentially consists of a system of connected devices which can measure data from your building and transform it into usable insights and automation. The experts at Smarter Technologies outline some opportunities.
Spreading the word
One of the most frequently used words in facilities management must be ‘team’. But team-working requires information and a consistent flow is not an easy thing to achieve.
Controlling costs and improving productivity: 5 steps
Much has been said in recent years about technology in relation to how it is transforming FM, and recent developments have certainly accelerated both demand and adoption.
FM innovation: removing the capex barrier
There is an urgent need for innovation in FM, and in particular the cleaning industry, to improve performance in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The humble risk assessment
Amongst the many impacts of Covid-19 is this: everyone is talking about risk assessment.
Managing safety and risk in workforce transition
With the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic far from over, facility owners and managers need to stay up to date with the latest information, and stay flexible in their return-to-work planning.
Potential trends and changes to workplaces
In the final instalment of this series examining the return to work post-shutdown in the UK, Faegre Drinker solicitors look at the potential trends and longer term changes that the Covid-19 pandemic will likely have on workplaces.
Addressing the economic impact of Covid-19
In this second instalment in a series examining the challenges UK employers are likely to face in the coming months, solicitors at Faegre Drinker look at how employers can manage the economic impact the pandemic will likely have on many workplaces.
Returning to work post-shutdown
The Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown have caused a massive shift in the way we work. The experts from international law firm Faegre Drinker examine the challenges UK employers are likely to face in the coming months.
Why smart businesses minimise risk with smart detectors
Market research firm Gartner has predicted that in the internet of things marketplace building automation will be the segment with the largest growth rate in 2020, at 42%.
What happens after lockdown?
On Thursday 16 April, the UK government extended the lockdown by at least another three weeks. That’s not to say life will return to normal on early in May, of course. But, in the meantime, how should we think about this?
Inclusivity at the frontline
The LGBT+ in FM group supports colleagues from across the FM industry. Committee members got together to tell Fiona Perrin why reaching frontline colleagues with a message of inclusivity is so important.
Covid–19 and the UK facilities management market
As the economic implications of the global pandemic are becoming clearer, most FM businesses are scrambling to assess the impact on their top and bottom lines. Others are scrambling simply to survive.
Working from home: mixed messages, mixed success
Homeworking has rocketed up the agenda at many, if not most, organisations across the public and private sectors as covid-19 forces so much change. But the transition will not be easy for all.
Crunch time for business occupiers
No matter the sector, be it technology, finance, retail, manufacturing or any other, virtually all UK businesses rent their HQ and operational premises under commercial leases. Scott Keown offers some timely advice.
Hail the clean, lean recycling years to come!
This year will witness the start of the glorious clean, lean years of recycling as any business that wants to embrace the green agenda in a meaningful way will have to re-examine how they manage their waste resources.
Dashboards: get your design right
The rise of technology within FM continues to advance. The advent of predictive analytics, the internet of things and smart technology are all disrupting the traditional approach to facilities management.
A moving experience
An office relocation is an exciting time for an organisation. Whether it’s as a result of expansion and growth, acquisition, or the consolidation of existing buildings into one new space, it's a chance for a fresh start in new facilities.
Data-driven design to stand the test of time
Getting your workspace right can be a game-changer for any business. But how do you know what style will stand the test of time? What will the workplace of the future look like?
Moving to business focused maintenance
The traditional one-size-fits-all maintenance approach uses interval-based inspection, planned maintenance and reactive repair. Alistair Clements makes the case for a better solution.
Productive, high-performing and healthy workplaces
Given what we already know, why isn't everyone making changes to create these, asks John O’Brien.
Access control: unlocking the business benefits
Rodrigue Zbinden considers the evolving role of access control systems and their benefits beyond the traditional use as a security technology.
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The hidden threat to our workforce
FMs put wellness and the protection of the workforce right at the top of the agenda. So why, asks a new report, is no progress being made on the UK's highest reported workplace disease: hand arm vibration syndrome?
9 megatrends that every FM provider should know
Economic growth, globalisation, technological development... here are a just some of the megatrends that are shaping the future of FM, analysed by the experts at ISS.
What the office really means to a business
Increasing the cost-efficiency of a business, managing health and safety requirements, extending the lifespan of assets and monitoring and maintaining compliance all showcase the importance of facilities management today.
Smaller players with big ambitions
The latest in a series of i-FM features identifying some of the smaller, but growing players in UK FM.
Wellness and FM
The word wellness is everywhere. Type #Wellness into Instagram and you'll find 30 million posts ranging from bowls of green salads, to intense exercise routines, to bottles of activated charcoal. All with a collective 'shine' associated with good health.
When the lift doesn't go to the top
The subject of emotional intelligence seems to be everywhere, in bookshops, magazines and Twitter feeds. But how relevant is all this to workplace design and management?
LGBT+ in FM
The why, when and what: insights and updates from the LGBT+ in FM committee.
Bidding with the end in mind
Management guru Stephen Covey was always challenging people to think ahead and clearly define what they wish to achieve. He called it ‘starting with the end in mind’. Colin Dulson looks at what this idea means for FM.
Facilitating a unified approach to data compliance
Ian Osborne looks at the challenges awaiting facilities managers faced with the complexities of GDPR compliance.
Top tips to keep staff and premises secure
Darren Hyde offers a top-ten to ensure the safety of your people and property in a world where challenges seem to grow steadily.
Combining the power of people and data
UK-based government solutions provider KBR is no stranger to the facilities management market. A major partner to 20% of the British armed forces, KBR also takes on contracts where they provide a client-side and strategic role.
Ordering in: giving customers what they want
How can facilities managers help workers create better lunchtime habits? Nick Hucker has some observations about current trends.
The FM as data scientist
Is that a possibility, perhaps even a necessity? Paul Djuric looks at how ready the FM industry is for the arrival of big data.
Building innovation on international expertise
Phil Smith offers some advice on moving into, and benefiting from, international partnerships in a fast-changing FM sector.
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Mind the gap: gender equality in the workplace
The impact of the Covid pandemic has been profound, and one area of that impact is the global gender gap.
Challenging bias, fostering opportunity
On International Women’s Day, two views on women in the FM industry, from the team at ABM.
Corporate sustainability: engagement is vital
Corporate sustainability enables businesses to demonstrate that their operations facilitate economic and sustainable growth.
FM Standards: get involved
Legislation, regulation and contract compliance; KPIs, SLAs and QSHE; governance groups, industry bodies and those blasted consultants…
AI: Superman or Kryptonite?
Now that the dust of innovation has settled on the hype around ChatGPT, it may be a good time to unpack the full implications of this technology.
Total Experience: the key to the future of FM services
Experience matters. To employees, businesses and customers. But positive experiences don’t emerge because of a new-fangled tool or a buzzword-filled communication strategy.
Invisible humans at the shrine of big data
The focus of this year’s Workplace Futures conference is ‘technology in the workplace’. This raises some pressing questions, David Sharp writes.
Data, data everywhere
But data is not the same as information. For decision-makers, data can be meaningless, even misleading.
Net zero: positioning FM for success
The journey to net zero requires the right strategy to get there. Paul de Kock looks at what this means for businesses and their FM teams.
Can dynamic capacity planning offset high office costs this winter?
The world has been through a dramatic learning process, and everyone anticipated a new post-pandemic chapter. But that is still emerging, argues Raj Krishnamurthy.
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How to ensure IoT system security
Wireless IoT sensors are an affordable and easy-to-use solution for comprehensive data collection. Security, however, remains a worry.
MEES deadline – will you sink or swim?
The UK’s new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard comes into play in just over six months. Property owners and occupiers need to be aware.
Apps: evolving an online community
Samsic UK recently launched its Samsic One app. Project lead John Conry Jnr explains the ethos behind it and what sets it apart.
Is this the end of the corporate reception area?
Workplace culture has emerged as a key factor as companies navigate their strategies and try to ensure that their employees are happy and productive in the office.
Is a net zero financial centre realistic?
A few months ago, the ex-chancellor promised to make Britain the ‘world’s first net zero-aligned financial centre’.
Why ‘society’ matters for good ESG practice
Many organisations assume that ESG is solely to do with reducing carbon emissions and, yes, this is a key element of good practice. But it is not the only one.
Following the ESG ‘rule of three’ for achieving outcomes
Environmental, social and governance issues are increasingly important across the commercial and public sectors. But there is still some misunderstanding in certain areas of compliance. Gordon Whyte makes the case for action.
Putting an end to modern slavery
Sodexo recently won the Social Impact & Diversity title at the 2022 Footprint awards for excellence in sustainability. Jayne Nightingale explains the actions and initiatives involved.
The security sector: operating with a social mission
For decades the security sector has been trapped in what many may dub a race to the bottom.
Four ways employers can boost their people’s health
The role of an employer in helping to keep their people healthy at work is a difficult one, and one that can’t be achieved with a didactic approach.
ISS puts gender balance firmly on the agenda
Gender balance is one of the five pillars that underpin the company’s new Diversity & Inclusion strategy.
Time for change: how we can avoid neglecting assets
For any company that has been around for a long time, change can be difficult to accept. After all, why change the core of a business which has stood the test of time?
FM: the next generation
Simon Ball reflects on 20 years in facilities management: what’s changed, what hasn’t and what needs to.
A better way to outsource
‘Collaboration’ is a term often bandied about in corporate boardrooms, rarely offering any true substance or tangible measurements.
The future of FM is changing
Some companies are already showing that agility and the ability to quickly adapt to a new business environment is the key to success.
Work and the workplace: what employers need to know
Employment solicitor Daniel Zona offers some advice on the rules covering hybrid and flexible working and how they might change.
Reestablishing the customer journey
For many, September marked a return to the office. And a shock to the system for many, too.
Plastic: the forgotten pandemic
Last year the Covid-19 pandemic was, quite rightfully, at the forefront of all our minds. But we need to think again about our policies and practices.
CRM: essential to successful customer experience
In a customer-centric world, simply offering a service isn’t enough. The focus now rests on offering an experience that research shows drives over two-thirds of customer loyalty.
Improving customer confidence in FM
Facilities management has never had a higher profile, as FM has become a much-needed weapon in the fight against the coronavirus.
Sink or swim: COP26 and FM
The Paris Agreement was heralded as a worldwide achievement. With the next conference due this autumn, countries have a chance to be leaders or followers. The same is true for companies: how will FM react?
The current state of FM and where we’re headed
I recall 2015 and 2016 very clearly. Those were years when we thought we knew what the future held for work, the workplace and facilities management in particular. We weren’t quite right.
FM: time for a new approach
Jeff Dewing argues the industry has a watershed moment to address its issues and shares his manifesto for change.
Transformation spells opportunity for security
The past year has been very challenging for the security industry. The pandemic has caused massive disruption, but we can be proud of how our industry has supported clients.
Redressing the balance of power
For centuries, landlords have had the upper hand in the UK commercial property market.
Building a sustainable future in FM
‘Build back better’ has become one of the defining slogans of the past year. It needs actioning.
The power of female leadership
With International Women’s Day upon us, it is important to take a moment to reflect on the female leadership and resilience that has seen us through the pandemic.
Survival to revival: supply chains in the 'new normal'
Steve McGregor shares his company’s journey through the challenges and opportunities faced by the built environment sector over the past year.
Keeping company culture alive
Company culture is often discussed, but with so many organisations dispersed why does it matter now more than ever and how do we maintain it during these challenging times?
How can FM prepare to lead change in 2021?
Of all the disciplines within the wider property arena, facilities management is that most accustomed to change. But are we ready for the coming year?
Planning the return to the workplace
Another national lockdown presents a real challenge for many. But if it can provide the time needed to ready the workplace for a strong and safe return, it will be well worth the effort.
Why we need to rethink technology in FM
The facilities management Industry is going through an important transition period. And technology needs to be a part of that.
A thank you to everyone in cleaning services
Today, Wednesday 21 October, is Thank Your Cleaner Day, marking a special day of recognition for cleaning teams up and down the country and across the globe. This has come at an appropriate time.
Security: on the frontline every day
Thursday the 17th is Thank Your Security Officer Day, a Corps Security initiative timed explicitly to coincide with the international week of recognition, Security Officer Appreciation Week.
The power of working together
Mitie CEO Phil Bentley's four decades of work have left him with a few critical lessons learned.
The importance of supply chains for the sustainable business
Global giants Google and WWF turned heads this June after announcing the details of their environmental data platform, a joint initiative which aims to tackle harmful emissions and waste across fashion industry supply chains.
The joy of giving
As we continue to emerge from lockdown and ease back into our ‘normal’ routines, we should take a moment to reflect on the past few months. I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling like everything since April has been a bit of a blur.
Facilities management has to change
But are large, traditional deals like Mitie's acquisition of Interserve FM the answer, Guy Hewett asks.
Unlocking the FM deal market: Mitie & Interserve
On the 25 June Mitie announced its intention to acquire Interserve’s facilities management division following the signing of a conditional share purchase agreement.
The FM industry under the spotlight
The role of the facilities manager is evolving. The coronavirus pandemic has changed the workplace experience for companies in all industries, finance, retail and tech among them.
Perfect timing for a LATCO?
Maria Warner highlights how the waste sector has benefitted from a new hybrid business model in Oxford. Are there lessons here for FM more generally?
How do we get there from here?
Coronavirus has made futurists of us all. This pandemic is responsible for the most severe change to life since the Second World War and now organisations are scrambling to understand what the ‘new normal’ will look like.
Why hot-desking is the way forward
The government is wrong. Hot-desking is a good solution to get people back to work.
Returning to the workplace: a matter of consent?
The subject of returning to work is on everyone's lips at the moment, following the relaxation in England of restrictions to control the spread of coronavirus.
Returning to work: are we ready?
Over the next few weeks and months, buildings across the country will start to be reoccupied. A gradual process, this will nevertheless presents enormous challenges to many businesses.
Are we all ready for the 'new normal'?
As companies start to understand the huge impact of covid-19, having to work extensively just to survive the unprecedented landscape, leadership teams are also faced with preparation efforts for what happens on the other side of the pandemic.
Security in a time of uncertainty
As the country continues to deal with the coronavirus outbreak, security officers have a vital role to play in keeping communities safe and helping to keep critical national infrastructure going.
Time to build on what's been achieved
Despite the concerns about the economy due to the type of Brexit we ultimately get and more recently Covid-19, one of the constants is that the facilities management sector remains positive.
Employee wellbeing is non-negotiable
That a leading FM industry event, Workplace Futures, has wellness as its theme is testament to the growing recognition of this as a vital part of any business. But why is it so important, and how can businesses ensure their strategies are effective?
Balancing Brexit
The phrase 'business uncertainty' is becoming more prevalent as the implementation of Brexit moves into a more intense phase. Martin Reed, looks at the impact this is having both for his company and the sector as a whole.
The transformational journey to workplace 2030
In the year 2020, I am approximately 43 years into a career that has been more or less exclusively focused on corporate real estate. So writes Chris Hood, looking back in order to see forward more clearly.
Facial recognition: friend or foe?
The BBC's 2019 drama The Capture, about a young soldier accused of a crime he denies, feels particularly pertinent for these times of tumultuous politics and rapid technological advancement.
Women in FM
Recent research looking at women in facilities management relayed the disappointing finding that half of FM businesses in the UK have no female representation at board level.
Waste: hero or villain?
If organisations were to remove their commitments to recycling from annual reports, would they risk an adverse judgement? And how does this reflect on the role of waste management?
Putting social value into practice
The concept of social value, and the notion that businesses should be striving to improve economic prosperity, is not a new thing. As a marketing professional, I have been developing these themes for some time now.
Three things FM outsourcers should learn
A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to lead the UK financial and professional services outsourcing business for one of the world’s largest technology companies. We worked with some of the biggest banks, law firms and advisory groups.
How to stay on target in FM
When we work with clients on outsourcing projects, we’re often asked the same question: once my new provider is in place, how can I ensure they are delivering on everything agreed?
Survival of the fittest
The only thing that is constant is change: perhaps a fair observation for the wider facilities management and contract service industry in 2019. So what are the main influencers and disruptors of the moment?
The next generation of FM: which way forward?
The facilities management industry has been a place that's good for everyone. The slow and steady growth seemed guaranteed, and there was a well-known operating model for how to win. But the good times are over.
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.
Open plan offices: due for disruption
Received wisdom says that open plan offices are good for both employer and employee because they promote face-to-face collaborative working and, as a result, help harness creativity and improve teamwork.
Why we must support SMEs in the supply chain
SMEs continue to be undervalued and under-represented in FM. But they offer numerous benefits and it’s high time we offered them more support to enter and stay in the supply chain.
Too much focus on Gen Y?
Lately, there has been loads of copy dedicated to a very specific cohort of the workforce, namely millennials: their personalities, their requirements, what they’ll bring to the workforce and what employers shouldn’t expect from them.
Stepping up support of ex-forces personnel
The FM sector has a lot to gain by employing ex-armed forces personnel. But, the process of moving into a civilian role can be difficult. The Armed Forces Covenant ensures that those who have served are given a chance and treated fairly.
Freed from chains
For the FM industry to drive innovation and deliver the superior performance customers demand, we must lead a radical overhaul of FM service supply chains, says Andrew Wood.
How FM can help a struggling retail sector
Retail centres are feeling the squeeze as customers place an ever higher value on their shopping experience. Paul Thrupp argues that the time is ripe for FM to step in as a central component to reviving the retail sector.
Consciously tackling unconscious bias
Unconscious bias has been common parlance in the business world for some years, and it continues to be one of the most important issues for business to recognise and manage.
A new approach to sustainability in the built environment
Sunil Shah looks at the current practice of responsible business in the built environment and explains the collaborative approach that RICS is taking to create the new model necessary to transfer knowledge of sustainability through the property lifecycle.
Time for change in government outsourcing practice
On exactly the same day that yet another key supplier of services to the government ran into financial problems, last week saw a speaker from the Cabinet Office tell the Workplace Futures conference that "we need significant cultural change on all sides".
FM has an image problem
And that is what's stopping our future talent from joining what one student called a 'hidden industry'. Sienna Emanuel asked a group of students what we need to do.
Responsible FM
"May you live in interesting times" is a Chinese curse that we would do well to consider long and hard right now.
Mental health first aiders: a benefit for us all
Wednesday December 19th will see a debate in the Commons, pushing for the implementation of a mental health first aider in every workplace to help bridge the gap between mental health and physical health care legislation in business.
The advantages of hire for the FM industry
Carl Webb reviews the importance of considering whether a hired climate control arrangement makes more sense than a traditional purchase.
Showcasing values-based activity in FM and workplace
Today is World Values Day, an opportunity to think about the principles that are important to us and to act on them.
Outsourcing in the public sector: a social commitment
The Public Service Act (Social Value) 2012 puts social value at the heart of commissioning, ensuring that authorities consider the wider economic and environmental benefit that they can achieve when buying goods and services. The Act became law in 2013.
Mutually beneficial
Collaborations between facilities management membership bodies have happened before. So, what makes the partnership between RICS and IFMA any different?
Owning the data and the data agenda
The future is equal parts exciting and terrifying. New technologies are opening up a world of possibilities; but they are also raising real-world concerns, like who will use, manage and ultimately own the abundance of new data that is produced.
Cyber security: have you left a window open?
When it comes to cyber security, we are fighting a perception, potentially fuelled by the suppliers of stock photos, that hackers are fantastically smart, well resourced, highly (and predictably) motivated and dressed in hoodies.
Making technology work for FM
If technology is going to become an increasingly necessary and perhaps even an enhancing part of FM going forward, how do we ensure that this promise is delivered? Mark Hazelwood looks at some of the issues.
Passing the buck: responsibility and accountability for compliance
Who is really responsible for compliance in an organisation? This was just one of many questions recently posed at the latest BIFM Leaders' Forum panel debate hosted by Churchill Service Solutions in London.
Talking the industry up
I think it’s very easy to talk down the FM industry right now; but more than ever I am seeing a real movement behind positive change and some urgency in creating a conversation that elevates the perception of the value of what FM does.
Compliance: simpler than it sounds
Harrison Briggs discusses the ever-changing requirements around compliance in the built environment.
Smarter working
It has become an industry adage that FM needs to move up the value chain, developing stronger, smarter working relationships with its customers. This is vital to the health of not just the industry but of customers' businesses too, says Jeff Flanagan.
You can't handle the truth
That memorable line from A Few Good Men, a drama about two US Marines accused of murder, resonates with me every time I hear politicians speaking about the 'truth'.
What's the point of marketing in FM?
In these uncertain times, how can CEOs and managing directors hope to deliver shareholder value, drive long-term profitability and create stability for their businesses?
FM and the need for leadership
With the world changing fast this is an important time to position facilities management as the lead enabling function for positive progress in multiple aspects of our lives, from the workplace through to cities. Geoff Prudence argues for greater focus.
The demise of Carillion and what it means
Even before there was a Carillion, stretching back into the days of its Tarmac predecessors, this business was a pioneer of the facilities management industry. Now that it has crashed so spectacularly what should we take away from this sorry situation?
How ready for change is FM?
Could we be on the road to a completely new approach to buying and selling FM, something which might end the price-based tendering that has dragged the industry so much downhill?
Outsourced workers' rights: what does the test case mean?
The facilities management industry is familiar with the use of outsourced workers, of course. Currently, collective bargaining can only take place with the direct employer of those workers. Could that change?
The Elemental Workplace
The relationship between facilities management and the emerging discipline of Workplace has always been slightly awkward.
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