The Modern Facilities Manager: Creating Great Places to Work

Today's Facilities Manager is no longer simply a building caretaker or compliance manager. The role has evolved into a business enabler with 3 fundamental objectives:

1. Occupier Satisfaction

The workplace exists to support people. A successful FM ensures that employees, visitors and customers experience a safe, comfortable, productive and welcoming environment.

Key priorities include:

• Safe and healthy workplaces
• Clean, secure and well-maintained facilities
• Reliable building services (heating, cooling, lighting, lifts, water, etc.)
• Responsive customer service
• Workplace experiences that support productivity and wellbeing
• Sustainability and environmental performance

The modern FM understands that satisfied occupiers are more productive, engaged and likely to remain within the organisation.

2. Protection of Employer Interests

Facilities Management plays a critical role in protecting the organisation from operational, legal, financial and reputational risk.

This is achieved through:

• Compliance with health and safety legislation
• Effective risk management
• Contractor management and safe systems of work
• Fire safety and emergency preparedness
• Business continuity planning
• Asset lifecycle management
• Budget control and value-for-money procurement

At its core, FM is about exercising a duty of care to employees, contractors, visitors and the public, while ensuring the organisation meets its legal obligations.

3. Preservation and Enhancement of Asset Value

Commercial properties are significant business assets. The Facilities Manager's actions directly influence asset performance and long-term value.

Key responsibilities include:

• Planned preventative maintenance
• Building fabric preservation
• Mechanical and electrical asset management
• Energy efficiency improvements
• Statutory compliance
• Capital planning and lifecycle replacement
• Maintaining accurate building information and records

A well-managed building retains its value, attracts and retains occupiers, reduces operational costs and remains compliant with legislative requirements.

Compliance as the Foundation

Every FM decision should be underpinned by legal and ethical responsibilities. Critical areas of compliance include:

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Fire Safety
• Asbestos Management
• COSHH
• Electrical Safety
• Gas Safety
• Legionella Control
• Working at Height
• Lifting Operations
• CDM 2015

Compliance should not be viewed as a regulatory burden but as a framework that protects people, business operations and asset value.

A Modern FM Mission Statement

"To create safe, compliant and high-performing workplaces that maximise occupier satisfaction, protect organisational interests and preserve the long-term value of the built asset."

In essence, the modern Facilities Manager sits at the intersection of people, property and business performance, ensuring that buildings are not only compliant and operational but also support organisational success and enhance asset value.

For today's Facilities Manager, CDM 2015 is arguably the most important piece of legislation governing day-to-day property operations because it applies not only to major construction projects, but also to the maintenance, repair, refurbishment, installation and replacement activities that form the core of FM service delivery.

The Modern FM Perspective

A modern Facilities Manager's role extends beyond maintaining buildings and managing suppliers. They act as the custodian of three critical objectives:

• Occupier satisfaction – ensuring a safe, comfortable and productive environment.
• Protection of employer interests – reducing legal, financial and operational risks.
• Preservation of asset value – maintaining the building to support long-term investment performance.

CDM 2015 provides the framework through which these objectives are achieved.

Pre-Construction Information (PCI): The Foundation of Good FM

The most important element of client duty is the provision of Pre-Construction Information (PCI).

PCI can be thought of as:

"The building intelligence required for contractors and designers to work safely, efficiently and effectively."

Without accurate information, contractors cannot properly assess risks, price works accurately or plan safe methods of work.

The Strategic FM View

CDM 2015 is not simply a health and safety regulation.

For a modern Facilities Manager it is a business management tool that:

Protects people

Protects organisations

Protects property assets

Modern FM Mission

"To provide safe, compliant and well-managed environments through effective planning, accurate building information and competent project delivery, ensuring occupier satisfaction, protecting employer interests and enhancing long-term asset value."

In essence, Pre-Construction Information is the bridge between compliance and performance. The better the information, the safer the project, the happier the occupiers, and the greater the protection of both the organisation and its property assets.