In FMJ's regular monthly column, our team of FM experts answer your
questions about the world of facilities management
SUSTAINABILITY
EXPERT’S VIEW
SUNIL SHAH,
DIRECTOR AT ACCLARO
ADVISORY & SFMI
Whilst COVID has had a
devastating impact for
organisations and many
individuals, it has also
demonstrated the ability
for society and industry to
drive through fundamental
changes quickly and to act
on knowledge and data rapidly. This has been none more
apparent than in the property sector. The pandemic has
brought forward a number of trends až ecting the
workplace and forced organisations to introduce
diž erent approaches, with areas such as flexible
working, net zero, mental health, biodiversity
and social mobility all being major discussion
items supported by Government policy
throughout the year. While these subject
areas may appear to be separate, they are all
interrelated.
Sustainability for the FM sector has been
defined through 23 criteria* which is why we
should be looking at how to build it into a wider
business strategy. Staž can help drive changes
in business, customers (internal or external) are
requiring improved delivery and regulation is looking
for greater disclosure.
SFMI research this year has shown that the FM sector has
20 FEBRUARY 2021
the capabilities to support
organisations to deliver
on their environmental,
social and governance goals
and ambitions. However,
procurement models are o¤ en
focussed on a silo-based cost
driven approach – leading to
outsourced providers relegating their
sustainability based strategic ož erings
to additional costed services, in order to
remain competitive.
This suggests that the base service and cost model
hasn’t changed since the days that led to Carillion’s demise.
This failure isn’t down to the procurement team or the FM
teams, but driven by the culture and attitudes of the procuring
organisation. However, we are seeing gradual changes in
attitudes, and the pandemic has helped escalate this progress,
which bodes well for the FM sector as we move towards a
diž erent level of service provision.
Ultimately, the model is to move towards a responsible
business approach whereby shared opportunities, clearly
aligned with the core values of the parties involved, are
driven though flexible agreements into the delivery of
services. Costs and benefits can be implemented,
measured and communicated in a transparent manner –
with sustainability initiatives ranging from the provision
of low carbon services or the employment of long-term
disadvantaged individuals. Such measures are not always
numerical, but will demonstrate clear value and benefits to the
parties involved.
The role for FM in this process involves aligning services
with the core values of the business to demonstrate where
real value can be delivered and measured. This cannot be
done in silo’s within departments, service lines or
sustainability subject areas. Instead, it requires a
more holistic approach to build sustainability
into the culture of a business. Board
members and Senior Management
already get this; where it o¤ en becomes
stuck is within the implementation
model through the middle
management tier who are driven by
more traditional criteria. Going forward
the way the FM sector takes the lessons
learnt from their successes last year to
continue to deliver sustainability goals
2021 will be crucial. I hope that they can.
*www.acclaro-advisory.com/wp-content/
uploads/2020/10/SFMI-23-Criteria-Report_Sept2020_
V1.0.pdf
FM CLINIC
Sustainability is a huge
priority for the FM sector,
whether developing
energy management
strategies, increasing
recycling or investing
in renewables. But there
is a broader definition of
sustainability where FMs have
the opportunity to deliver social
value in providing a built environment
that contributes positively to wellbeing
and productivity. How can the sector ensure that
sustainability remains a focus going forward despite
the set-backs of 2020?
Sunil Shah
ADVICE & OPINION
The role for FM in this
process involves aligning
services with the core values of
the business to demonstrate
where real value can be
delivered and measured.”
Sunil Shah