The FM markets focus is shifting rapidly, with plenty of uncertainty of what the future holds. Working with Georgie Slater our Head of B2B we’ve come up with some thoughts of what that may look like.
Georgie Slaters thoughts on the topic:
In your view, what are the three major trends that will influence FM services across the UK in the next three years?
Sustainability
Global warming is one of the biggest challenges we face worldwide and will continue to be at the forefront for years to come. As industries and governments help to slow the impact, we will continue have to look for new ways to become more energy & carbon efficient. Sustainability challenges will have rippling effects through our industry, changing the way we design, build, manage and maintain our buildings.
The shift of the office & flexible working space
With the recent COVID–19 global pandemics, as a country, the place and way we work changed overnight. The huge shift from working 9-5 offices hours, to employees working from home didn’t have the detrimental effect business’ thought it would. Staff are working harder, are more productive and are able to have a better work life balance. We will therefore see a huge shift in offices becoming flexible working spaces, with hotdesking systems and more shared working spaces. I believe this will open up a huge market for renting out office spaces, allowing different industries to cohabit. We may even see am increase in organisations renting out residential spaces in aid of downsizing and reducing costs. There will be a huge light shone on office setups, with the question asked, are companies making use of their available space but also ensuring their staff have break/social areas? Additionally, the way buildings are cleaned, the way post is distributed throughout offices and access control in buildings is provided to staff, are just some of the areas which will see the most radical changes. One final thought, with the shift towards homeworking as a norm the pressure on data centres & IT infrastructure will/has increased exponentially, as a result this will require greater financial investment & improved maintenance.
Shift back to outsourcing FM
With the above taken into account, business’ will evaluate their operating models to maximise their core business. In terms of their FM, several factors will come into play, with the biggest emphasis on cost saving. According to a Raconteur report, 69% of all businesses that outsource are doing so in order to reduce costs, and 64% is due to business transformation. With organisations wanting to consolidate their talent and their core focus on their business at hand, they will want to know their buildings & FM services are being looked after with less risk on them as a business.
We’ve put on our big thinking caps on here but would love to hear from our clients on what they think. Maybe we can future-proof your business before the tide turns? Tell us what you think the three major trends that will influence FM services across the UK in the next three years will be?
