FACILITIES MANAGEMENT JOURNAL JOBS
FM CAREERS - CAREER LADDER
FM is known to be a career that people fall into
from other sectors. In this regular column, FMJ
chats to a facilities professional about how they
got into the sector and takes a look at their
career path. This month we talk to Mike Kelly,
Library Space Development Manager, University
of Manchester Library
Name: Mike Kelly
Current role:
Library Space Development
Manager
Born: Bolton
Lives: Manchester
How did you progress through
the profession to your current role?
Having run businesses in the music
sector, I decided to transfer my project
management, working with people,
event management and marketing
experience to the education sector.
It was in this sector that I saw how
important it was to provide people
with safe, functional and inspiring
environments; helping students to
thrive, teachers to enable and the
community to connect. This led me to
managing Failsworth Sports Campus
in the role as Integrated Services
Manager. During this time I achieved
the IWFM Certificate in Facilities
Management, PRINCE2 and a range
of other qualifications. These refined
my skills whilst bolstering my ‘on the
job’ experience. I progressed to the
role of Deputy Facilities Manager at
the University of Manchester, where I
supported the operation of the sport
facilities. An opportunity then came at
the University of Manchester Library. I
started as the internal client for a £34
million capital redevelopment project
and progressed to my current role
as the internal lead of all our Library
spaces and facilities. I am also the
Chair of the Moss Side Fire Station
Boxing Club Committee, where I use
my real estate and facility management
experience to help manage and
develop the Club’s facilities and overall
operation.
Do you have any qualifications
or training in FM and related areas
such as health and safety? And how
have you benefited from them?
I achieved the IWFM Certificate in
Facilities Management and this was
the catapult for my career. I learnt
the intrinsic value that facilities
management provides, which in
turn has fueled my passion in the
sector. My PRINCE2 Practitioner
project management qualification,
BCS Business Analysis Practitioner
certificate and SCRUM Fundamentals
certification not only support critical
skills needed in my role (for example
undertaking feasibility studies, creating
business plans and developing
options appraisals) but also boosts my
overall knowledge of how to run an
e icient and e ective operation. The
IOSH Managing Safely qualification
provides the backbone of my health
and safety knowledge. This knowledge
base is boosted by smaller ‘bolt on’
development opportunities and in
working closely with the University
of Manchester Safety Service. I am
currently undertaking the RICS
Certificate in Corporate Real Estate and
Facilities Management. This course
is providing a broader and deeper
understanding of the CRE and FM and
will help me to work with a wider range
of professionals, whilst providing an
even more transferable set of skills
across the sector.
What is your greatest
contribution to the FM sector, or
your current role?
This is somewhat of an easy question –
my greatest contribution is the support
I give to help others grow and develop
within the sector. Knowing that you
have directly helped people gain FM
qualifications, progress to more senior
levels and change career paths to a
rewarding role in FM makes me smile
every day. I am an advocate of helping
people from non-traditional FM career
backgrounds and of BAME heritage to
prosper in the industry.
What do you enjoy most about
working in FM?
My mission is to be a catalyst for
workplace and organisational
development. I get the greatest
enjoyment from seeing people thrive
and perform better through the
changes we make as FM professionals.
This could be by providing a safer
working environment, enhancing the
experience of a visitor or creating a
study space that allows people to learn
and innovate in new ways.
Do you have future projects or
career goals in mind?
I am focused on achieving a position
such as Director of Facilities, Workplace,
Operations or similar. This could be in
any sector – as an avid Formula 1 fan,
I wouldn’t say no to a role within the
Mercedes team!
What personal qualities do
you think are most needed for a
successful career in FM?
Being people focused is key. In many
respects, Facility Management goes far
beyond bricks and mortar. The most
important part of any organisation is its
people, so FM professionals must have
people at the centre of every decision
they make.
What do you think would make
the biggest di erence to the FM
sector?
We need stronger communication of
FM as a valid career choice, not just
to the next generation of students but
also to people who are at later stages
of their careers. FM professionals must
also better articulate the tactical impact
of FM in ways that senior colleagues
understand. This includes a correlation
between the performance of buildings
and facilities on the wellbeing of
building users. Such an approach
could then be championed by Chief
Workplace O icers at an executive
level (as recommended in the Stoddart
Review).
Are you a member of any FM
association or body and if so what
benefits do you think they provide?
I have been a member of IWFM for over
10 years and value everything
the institute has provided around
professional development and career
progression. The IWFM North Region
learning events are always very useful
and provide a great networking
opportunity for members. Although not
a member, I follow RICS and IFMA very
closely, using resources when I can and
attending events (in person and online)
where possible.
What advice would you give to
someone coming into the profession
now?
Tell us what we’re missing! Put forward
your opinions and share your insights.
Be passionate, proud and confident in
asking ‘why’.
What are the greatest challenges
of working in FM?
Every challenge is an opportunity – this
is part of my FM mindset. I champion
the idea of ‘solving the unsolvable’
to my team, encouraging them to
transform every challenge into a
mission! The greatest trick is to keep
everything in constant balance; the
time spent planning tasks, reacting to
issues, engaging with stakeholders,
ensuring facilities are compliant and
adding value to an organisation’s
objectives.
What do you predict could be the
main changes to the FM sector over
the next few years?
We must take advantage of rapid
advancement in technology, respond
to a changing workforce demographic
and be open minded towards dynamic
customer expectations. It is critical
that we work smarter in the face of a
challenging financial outlook and as
we enter a global climate emergency.
If anyone is best placed to help tackle
these issues on an organisation level, it
is FM professionals.
Would you, or someone you know, like to be featured in our career ladder column? If you’re an operational
FM with more than 10 years’ experience in the sector, then email sara.bean@kpmmedia.co.uk
58 SEPTEMBER 2019
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