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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.
Compass reports progress with food waste reduction
With 25-30% of the world’s food produced lost or wasted, addressing food waste has never been so important.
Economic outlook, technology and sustainability driving fit-outs
The office fit-out landscape continues to evolve, driven by a confluence of economic, technological and societal shifts.
SFMI recruiting partners for Scope 3 project
The Sustainable Facilities Management Index aims to expand its partnership to build on the work already achieved.
IWFM and Equans to collaborate on sustainability
New partnership aims to leverage the potential of the workplace and facilities sectors to help drive progress.
AI: everything you need to know but were afraid to ask?
Our latest interview features Fiona Perrin in conversation with AI expert Inma Martinez.
Sodexo extends support for veterans
New partnership with Combat2Coffee, a community interest not-for-profit company, sees more support for ex-uniformed personnel.
Amey delivers £67m in social value
The company’s CRED programme is in place at 44 prisons around the country.
Mitie pledges £2m in Levy funds
The FM group has passed a milestone with its Apprenticeship Levy gifting commitments.
SBTi approval for Churchill targets
Near-term GHG emissions reduction targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.
Data partner for SFMI Scope 3 work
Acclaro Advisory has selected Datore to provide essential analytics services for the Scope 3 Emissions Framework Programme.
BSI updates guidance on event sustainability
New guidance updates the original framework released for the London 2012 Olympics.
Bellrock partners for unique leadership programme
The partnership with the University of Huddersfield is a first for both.
MRI partners for end-to-end energy service
The deal brings together a leading real estate software firm with a leading energy and sustainability consultancy.
Office occupancy almost 'back to normal’
Major cities across Europe show average office occupancy rates of close to 60%.
Acas offers flexible working code of practice
In addition to the CoP, the advisory service has published guidance on changed regulations.
Carlisle commits to self-delivery
Firm says it will no longer use subcontractors to fill core roles across its contracts.
Third of employees question workplace productivity
Research finds 34% of British employees believing their workplace does not enable them to work productively.
Bidvest Noonan launches operations platform
Task is a cloud-based platform designed to transform the way the company operates in the field.
UK business: sustainability stress and legislation lethargy
New survey finds worrying trends emerging in two critical action areas.
Sustainable growth tops conference agenda
Sodexo UK & Ireland’s second Partners with Purpose conference focused on growth and collaboration.
IWFM redoubles EDI commitment
Publicly committed to EDI since 2021, the Institute is taking further action following the recent publication of new research.
Mental health tool offered to hospitality sector
The assessment tool aims to help employers identify what factors are impacting the wellbeing of their workforce.
IWFM offers updated energy management guide
The Institute has partnered with energy management expert Carbon Numbers to publish a new good practice guide.
Insights into workplace success
As the 2024 UK’s Best Workplace List is published, a survey of the 250,00 people involved sheds light on what’s important.
Sodexo scores top sector ranking for EDI
The UK & Ireland business is the highest scoring organisation within the hospitality, travel and leisure industry in the Inclusion in EDI Maturity Curve.
Sodexo launches Starting Fresh toolkit
Move marks the first anniversary of an initiative aiming to bridge the gap between skills shortages and the under-utilised ex-offender talent pool.
Sodexo duo named as Women to Watch
Inna Lim and Jo Eagling have been recognised in the 2024 Women to Watch index.
ABM launches women’s impact group
News of the move coincides with this year’s International Women’s Day.
Research: sustainability pays
Organisations that embed sustainability in their operations see better sustainability and financial outcomes.
Workplace Futures: videos online now
Relive all the action, or find out what you missed, at this year’s annual FM conference.
Sodexo signs up to refugee initiative
Sodexo UK & Ireland is one of 70 major businesses joining forces to advance the labour market integration of refugees in the UK.
Andron FM joins refugee campaign
The company has joined Tent UK, signalling a commitment to helping refugees become job-ready and secure employment.
ABM joins Business in the Community
BitC is dedicated to building a fairer and greener world, driven by fairer and greener businesses.
Compass reveals emissions reduction progress
Industry-first reporting shows what it takes to decarbonise its £multi-billion business, group says.
Net zero driving business transformation
UK CEOs are recognising the disruptive force that climate change will be for their business.
Sustainability: help offered in acquisitions
A new Acquisitions Sustainability Toolkit is designed to help in assessing the sustainability characteristics of buildings.
EMCOR UK bolsters executive team
A newly created decision-making group will drive the strategy and vision of the business.
Lone worker protection alerts surge
Growing risks and hostile environments are driving up the number of alerts.
RICS launches new DEI guidance
The six-document guidance has been developed by RICS members and DEI experts.
Report: a transformative 3 years for CRE
Corporate real estate advisor Colliers is forecasting a new period of value creation opportunities for occupiers and investors beginning this year.
Churchill marks SFMI Rising Star award
The award follows Churchill’s third assessment by the sustainability benchmarking initiative.
Sodexo scoops CDP A rating
Sodexo is one of just 346 top-rated companies in the CDP climate ranking out of 21,000 scored.
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.
T Levels: fostering talent and bridging skills gaps
Today is T Level Thursday of 2024’s National Apprenticeship Week.
BCIS launches cost and carbon materials database
The first-of-its-kind database will help the built environment sector make better informed decisions for budgets and the environment.
Compass doubles apprenticeship levy gifting
The UK & Ireland business has supported 250 apprentice programmes across 170 organisations, committing over £3m of its levy.
NG Bailey offering 70 apprenticeship opportunities
The independent engineering and services business aims to kick-start successful careers and nurture fresh talent.
Businesses turn to apprenticeship in face of recruitment issues
Research timed to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week shows plans to increase the use of apprenticeships to train and to upskill workers.
Stormy Britain: tips for buildings and grounds safety
Following 10 named storms in the UK in the 2023-24 season already and no doubt more to come, some timely advice.
Suppliers missing client opportunities
Research shows suppliers are suffering customer churn and loss of revenue as a result of inadequate business review processes.
Labour shortage: a potential solution
Under-represented groups, upskilling and cross-skilling could have considerable benefits.
Can owners and occupiers work together?
Progress on the decarbonisation of real estate is being held back by a lack of collaboration.
Applications open for Sodexo-backed start-ups
The company’s 2024 global Accelerator programme aims to boost its collaboration with new businesses.
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.
HSE: new forward-looking asbestos campaign
Keep people safe from future dangers of asbestos, the regulator warns.
Majority back more sustainable way of eating
A large-scale survey from Sodexo reveals 73% of consumers believe a new approach is urgent.
Reconomy’s net zero targets validated
The circular economy specialist has achieved SBTi approval.
EMCOR UK confirms SFMI gold
In its first assessment by the Sustainable Facilities Management Index the company has received a Gold Award.
SFMI releases Scope 3 framework
The framework is designed to empower FM providers and in-house FM teams to accurately measure and reduce their carbon footprint.
Net zero: Mitie report offers insights for 2024
Group’s Net Zero Navigator 2024 includes nine key decarbonisation predictions for the year ahead.
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Best spaces to work in London?
Real estate experience platform HqO has launched a workspace recognition programme for sites in the capital.
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Arcus publishes social value strategy
The move comes as part of a commitment to transparency and action across ESG issues.
Sodexo Live! acts for gender equality
Joining Women in Football as a corporate member reaffirms its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
RTO: companies need to sell the benefits
If return to the office is the goal, leaders need to be present, extoll the benefits and improve in-office events.
i-FM achieves B Corp certification
We are pleased to join the community of businesses meeting verified high performance standards across multiple criteria.
The mental health challenge in FM
Survey shows overwork is a major issue for the sector.
Occupiers eyeing more space
International research indicates more organisations are planning to lease more space in the coming months.
SBTi validation for ISS targets
Near-term emissions reduction targets at the facilities services group validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.
Decarbonisation: smarter buildings are key
Survey finds most businesses saying they are on track to meet goals, but overall the pace needs accelerating.
Most UK businesses unprepared for energy disruption
The path to reaching net zero targets may not be all smooth sailing.
Demand for sustainable buildings grows
New report identifies three key factors in making the case for investing in retrofitting and futureproofing.
SFMI assessments reveal focus on wellbeing and retention
The 2023 Sustainable Facilities Management Index has uncovered significant trends shaping the future of FM.
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.
IWFM singles out three workplace megatrends
New report identifies how these are affecting professionals, the sector and the wider business world now and into the future.
Sixth year for ABM’s engagement initiative
The Junior Engineering Engagement Programme invites students to explore opportunities within the facilities management sector.
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.
Datore launches Analytics as a Service
The data services provider specialising in the built environment aims to help all organisations to harness data “like a large enterprise”.
Sodexo taking a lead on skills gap
A roundtable event brought together businesses in the energy sector and prison personnel.
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.
Technology Award: time to act
Entry closes for the annual Technology in FM Award in just over two weeks.
RTO: wide variations across Europe
Employers in most countries expect people to be in the office more than we do in the UK.
Matrix Booking achieves B Corp status
Certification marks the workplace technology specialist’s commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility.
Pareto vice chair recognised in Global Diversity list
Andrew Hulbert, founder and vice chair of Pareto FM, has been recognised as an Inspirational Role Model.
HSE launches work-related stress tool
The 'much needed' online learning tool aims to help businesses understand and address stress.
Integral signs Armed Forces Covenant
The building services and engineering firm commits to supporting fair treatment for ex-armed forces personnel and their families.
ISS UK&I partners with Social Value Portal
The partnership enables ISS to quantify and report the social value the business generates.
Sodexo HR director to lead MoD programme
Rachel Evans has been voted in as co-chair of the Gold Award Association.
Tide turning on hybrid working?
New research finds that more professionals are now working full time in an office setting than those who are working in hybrid ways.
Real Living Wage increase confirmed
Over 460,000 people working for 14,000 employers throughout the country are set for a cost-of-living pay boost.
Novus marks wellbeing milestones
Novus Property Solutions is celebrating a trio of milestones in its campaign to support and improve wellbeing and health.
Workplace change: headwinds demand careful planning
Current volatile market conditions may give way to some stabilisation in 2024.
RICS releases healthy building guide
Taking on a broad but critical remit, the guide offers advice on designing, delivering and managing healthier buildings.
Companies increasing workplace tech budgets
Commercial real estate occupiers are willing to put their money where the technology is, according to new research.
Remote working here to stay says IoD
A large majority of Institute of Directors members see remote working as a long-term feature.
Sodexo sets net zero supplier deadline
Sodexo UK & Ireland will only work with suppliers demonstrably on the road to next zero from January 2030.
OCS launches data skills academy
The newly created OCSi Academy is designed to help develop vital skills and support career progression.
Mitie reveals three-year plan
Covering the period FY25 - FY27, the theme is ‘from facilities management to facilities transformation’.
Sodexo creates community of practice
The new group is bringing together sustainability heads from leading organisations to be change-makers.
Carillion: KPMG fined £21m
Auditors penalised for performance prior to the group’s collapse in 2018.
A licensing system for homeworkers?
A new report suggests employers could introduce a licensing system to ensure homeworkers deliver high performance and work safely.
UKGBC planning roadmap for climate change resilience
The roadmap will set metrics to help measure climate resilience, establish priorities and industry-wide targets, and pinpoint actions to achieve them.
Compass targets lead on sustainability
The services group will align its next climate impact report with the latest guidelines that focus on transparency and business strategy.
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.
Mitie joins 5% Club
The club is a group of organisations devoted to achieving 5% of their workforce in ‘earn and learn’ positions.
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’.
EMCOR Joins Global Compact Initiative
EMCOR UK has joined the United Nations initiative, a leadership platform focused on responsible business practices.
Five new appointments for compliance specialist
Inspectas is marking 10 years in business with news of four new joiners and one promotion, all in senior roles.
Arcus releases EDI strategy
The company also says that the FM industry more broadly could do better
CBRE targets supply chain emissions
The property services group has announced a strategic partnership with Emitwise, a carbon accounting software provider.
Right first time: the mobilisation challenge
An online workshop, coming up in October, aims to tackle some of the common problems and share strategies for success.
CIPD publishes ‘Manifesto for Good Work’
The focus is HR but much of this extends into FM, too.
Top workplace system integrators named
Market research and advisory firm Verdantix has identified five systems integration leaders.
14forty marks 10th anniversary
The FM business has relaunched its brand as it moves into its second decade of operating.
Research questions net zero progress
Fewer than 50% of organisations expect to meet decarbonisation targets by 2030.
ISS opens innovation lab
The facility services group has officially inaugurated its new Future of Work Innovation Lab in Porto.
Sustainable procurement: new advice
New report offers fresh insights into the current state of sustainable procurement adoption in the UK.
ISS targets digitisation of asset operations
The FM services group has announced a global strategic partnership with tech start-up ToolSense.
AWA expands into India
The workplace consultancy is opening its first hub in the country in recognition of India’s status as an economic powerhouse.
Unique networking event returns
Tomorrow Meets Today focuses on promoting diversity and creating unique opportunities for FM’s future leaders.
Property services: changing landscapes
Change is the theme for Barclays’ annual property services conference this year.
New energy procurement advice
New guidance on making informed procurement decisions aims to help accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon electricity grid.
Compass partners on Birmingham initiative
The services group is joining forces with The Ladder for Greater Birmingham to support and promote apprenticeships.
Amulet signs Good Employment Charter
The Churchill security business has signed up as a supporter of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter.
Amey in SWAPs role for DWP
Amey is working with the Department for Work and Pensions to deliver a Sector-Based Work Academy Programme.
Compass in £500,000 apprenticeships gift
The funds go to the West Midlands Combined Authority to boost hospitality and professional services apprenticeships for the region.
New site offers SMEs help with sustainability
The UK Business Climate Hub, launched this week, aims to be a one-stop-shop to help businesses save money and go green.
Study finds employers cutting back on space
Global research indicates many workers are still coming into the office less than two days a week.
Churchill moves to employee ownership trust
The group says the change will ensure it remains true to its founding entrepreneurial ethos and its core values while it continues to grow.
Compass launches career hub
The new platform is designed specifically for people who are struggling to gain employment.
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.
JLL unveils GPT model for property
JLL GPT aims to provide private, secure generative AI services to amplify insights and client outcomes.
SBFM tackles employment challenge
A new initiative from the soft FM specialist aims to provide sustainable employment opportunities for people from disadvantaged groups.
CCS helps NHS identify savings
A Crown Commercial Service-funded digital platform has identified millions of pounds of potential savings in its first year.
EMCOR publishes first sustainability report
Highlights include the creation of a new carbon team to tackle emissions and support customers to achieve net zero.
Amey unveils leadership D&I programme
Amey has launched its inaugural Multicultural Leadership Development Programme.
BCIS offers five-year FM forecast
The cost information advisor sees the market facing restricted budgets as inflation comes down slower than expected and interest rates rise.
Partnership unlocks jobs potential
OCS has teamed up to offer new careers to previously unemployed jobseekers.
HR “should lean into AI”
That will put it in a position to drive principles about ethical and responsible use to ensure a just and fair transition, says the CIPD.
Acas consulting on flexible working code
The workplace advisory group has opened consultation on updates to its statutory Code of Practice on handling requests for flexible working.
Sustainability: Reconomy cracks £1bn mark
The circular economy specialist has reported record annual turnover of over £1bn in 2022, more than doubling its 2020 figure.
Social value: Arcus delivers with employability schemes
The FM provider is one year into a five-year social value strategy and is already highlighting the results.
Workplace: connection is key to retention and wellbeing
Three-quarters of office workers are more likely to stay in a job if they’ve built connections with colleagues.
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.
Buildings: new guidelines on inclusion
Guidance will ensure that inclusion is considered at every stage of the design and construction process.
FM missing from whole-building carbon assessments
Rectifying this could help to position FM as a pivotal player in driving decarbonisation efforts.
Atlas Security launches people strategy
New strategy aims to demonstrate a commitment to improving the wellbeing of all employees, including frontline officers.
Imtech rebrands as Dalkia
The move sees the majority of the technical and energy solution provider’s UK operations adopting the new brand.
SBFM joins government advisory board
Supporting the rehabilitation of ex-offenders, the firm will help prepare, train and advise prison-leavers.
Compass named Living Wage Champion
Compass Group UK & Ireland has won the Living Wage Champion Award in the Recognised Service Provider Category.
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.
SFMI criteria move with the times
The Sustainable Facilities Management Index assessments for 2023 will contain more scoring around mental health and wellbeing as behaviours become a reporting must.
Research: building a future-proof workplace
New research from Sodexo aims to answer the how-to question in the face of continued change.
Sodexo pledges £100k for training ex-offenders
Funds, available to SMEs and not-for-profits, will come from Sodexo’s annual apprenticeship levy.
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.
ISS commits to hire 1,000 refugees in Europe
This new pledge builds on the group’s ongoing commitment to hire, train and upskill immigrants and refugees.
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.
Urgent action needed on job quality
As FM clients grapple with changing work patterns and FM providers worry about recruitment issues, new research tracks falling engagement and rising stress.
Mitie hits electric fleet milestone
The FM group has transitioned 50% of its fleet to electric vehicles as it progresses toward the ultimate goal of 100% by the end of 2025.
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Sodexo showcases positive social impact
Annual report highlights progress and outcomes delivered against the commitments laid out in its Social Impact Pledge.
Measuring and reporting climate risks
The UK Green Building Council has published advice on strategies and processes that asset owners can use to adapt and enhance their climate resilience.
Property and people coming together
Real estate decision-making and people-centric strategies are becoming more integrated, according to property advisor CBRE.
Carbon offsetting: trouble on the horizon
If offsetting is a part of your net zero strategy, you could be looking at a steep rise in costs.
White paper offers 7 steps to a smart building
The paper, from software group Service Works Global, argues that multiple new technologies and a big budget are not essential.
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.
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.
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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.
Growth, technology, experience: squaring the circle
With ambitions to grow and an increasing appetite for new technologies, are FM providers redefining ‘the workplace experience’?
Beyond the hype: AI in the built environment
AI has never been so accessible, nor so much a point of discussion in terms of impacts and opportunities.
Who’s visiting your office?
Joe Harris warns your biggest cyber security risk might be hiding in plain sight.
Mental health in security: are we doing enough?
Poor mental health is one of the most pressing issues facing men in the UK today.
The challenge of change
In the face of so much possibility and potential, how do FM service providers harness new technologies for the benefit of customers – and themselves?
Evolving a better solution
Recruitment is on every FM’s problem list, especially if you are a supplier of labour-intensive soft services.
The power of tailored asset management
Asset management has traditionally been seen as the responsibility of facilities managers, but that can be limiting.
M&A in FM: a market update
Against a background of lingering uncertainty but cautious optimism, BDO’s Satvir Bungar looks at the prospects for more private equity involvement in UK facilities management.
Positive action on workplace mental health
In recent years, mental health has emerged as a social value positive in the facilities management industry.
What it will take to earn the commute
Here’s a challenge: how can real estate better connect people, places and businesses to accelerate and unlock sustainable, inclusive and transformational investment?
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.
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Connecting the dots
We live in a world where droves of information and data are at our fingertips, containing limitless potential insights.
Elevating the workplace experience
FM teams, and increasingly HR professionals, are at the forefront of creating productive, efficient and people-first workplaces.
A new lunchtime landscape
The workplace has evolved at a rapid rate over the past few years, undoubtedly supercharged by the pandemic.
How business reviews improve client relationships
FM buyers are investing in supplier relationships, and expectations are higher than ever.
Starting Fresh: supporting employers and changing lives
To mark the first anniversary of its launch, Sean Haley explains how commitment from organisations and colleagues is plugging skills gaps and keeping lives on track.
Maximise the impact of your data
Ever found yourself drowning in a sea of data, wondering if there's a way to make sense of it all?
Developing skills for life through an apprenticeship
I’m in a unique position. An apprentice at Integral, I also help run the learning & development programmes that Integral apprentices go through.
Energy: back to basics
The best defence against rising costs is getting the fundamentals right and adopting a risk management frame of mind.
Sewing up safety with the digital golden thread
The next deadline in the roll-out of the UK’s new building safety regulations is coming up fast.
Navigating the transition to renewable energy
The transition to renewable energy is fundamental to the UK’s net zero 2050 commitment, writes Richard Henderson.
Time for FM to become the sustainability vanguard
There is a real opportunity for FMs to drive the sustainability agenda and its implementation across the organisation.
How to innovate with minimal risk
John Norris looks at how an open approach with a clear evaluation process can keep the FM at the forefront of innovation.
Instilling equity in a male-dominated industry
Significant progress has been made to increase opportunities for women working across the fire industry in 2023.
Green talent: the key to meeting sustainability targets
The need for talent skilled in sustainable offerings is ever-growing as governments and businesses face up to change.
The empty office space challenge
Organisations are grappling with an unprecedented challenge – what to do with vast, often underutilised floorspace.
Data: reimagining facilities management
Ricky Majer, chief technology officer at SBFM, explores how FM organisations can unlock the power of data.
Proptech: the future of CRE management
Simon Russell explores current challenges and new opportunities as teams push for better solutions in the hybrid working age.
Unlocking efficiency, security and compliance in the workplace
For all the negatives attached to Covid-19, and there were many, one positive was the boost to workplace technology.
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.
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