In FMJ's regular monthly column, our team of FM experts answer your
questions about the world of facilities management
FM CLIENT’S VIEW
WAYNE YOUNG
GROUP ESTATES DIRECTOR,
ACTIVE CARE GROUP
Although incredibly disruptive, scary,
worrying, and in some cases heart
breaking times have resulted from the
COVID-19 outbreak, it has also been
the opportunity for the FM industry
to rise from the shadows and show
its real worth to businesses around
the world.
The year of 2020 has been a year of rapid learning, with the
FM sector being no di erent. Facilities managers have had to
learn new skills and new ways of working very quickly
while keeping an eye on how the new workplace
will and how FM fit in. Most facilities managers
in the early days of the outbreak will have had
to increase their understanding of infection
control, managing once bustling workplaces
that now lay empty and in many cases having
to do this remotely. They now have a deep
understanding of the di ering types of PPE
and its correct application and how to create
business continuity plans that are specific to
pandemics. As we settled into the new normal,
FMs then found themselves been called upon
to advise on how to safely open up, in many cases
redesigning workplaces, shops and retail parks to
allow for social distancing.
2020 has also been a year for the FM Sector to embrace
technology and allow technology into the heart of what we do,
20 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021
with the likes of Teams and
Zoom calls being the norm.
We have embraced many
more technological advances,
including room sensors that
alert us to the need to disinfect
rooms, the use of UV to sanitise air
in HVAC systems as well as a range of
new exciting tech. I believe one of our
sectors biggest lessons is that technology
is here to stay and this is our chance to
embrace and develop it.
Although I think technology is our greatest lesson of
2020, I believe our greatest asset during 2020 is the new-found
recognition of the important role of FM from organisations
throughout the land. This I believe is what we really need to take
advantage of and foster for years to come. Now more than ever
our voices are being heard and with this we need to speak out on
all the important and vital roles our FM colleagues undertake day
in and day out. We can show our value to businesses by talking
about our FM strategies to protect against further pandemics,
enhance growth and become a trusted voice to executives and
business leaders.
FM CONSULTANT’S VIEW
MARK WHITTAKER
FM SOLUTIONS CONSULTANT, THOMSON FM AND NONEXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR, IWFM
What the lasting lessons and
legacy of the Coronavirus
lockdown will be for the
facilities management
profession is a question I have
been asked a lot over
recent weeks.
There will
be many I
believe
but
some
of the
main ones will be:
Throughout the crisis, facilities
management teams have been asked to
identify, mitigate and manage the risks
of infection in their buildings. Inevitably
facilities management professionals have
increased their skills in managing Health and
Safety in their workplaces and the mental health and
wellbeing of their people. This will continue to be a critical
area of their skill-set going forward.
FM CLINIC
The e ects of the global
pandemic wrought
incredible disruption
to our personal and
professional lives in 2020.
However, the FM sector
has risen to the challenge
on both the front line and the
home front, deploying cleaning,
security and other vital services
where needed as well as safeguarding
those working from home. What do our experts
think are the greatest lessons learnt this year and
how can they be applied to facilities management
practices in the year to come?
Wayne Young
Mark Whittaker
ADVICE & OPINION
Although I think
technology is our greatest lesson
of 2020, I believe our greatest asset
during 2020 is the new-found
recognition of the important role of
FM from organisations throughout
the land.”
Wayne Young