Press Release
Date: 26th October 2004
First findings of major research project show facilities
managers in positive mood and keen for career
development

The overwhelming majority of facilities managers want to see FM
develop further as a professional business discipline.

Most are very positive about their careers and many want to
develop a wider strategic role. FMs say their client organisations
see facilities management as making an increasingly important
contribution to core business.

The most important current issue of concern for facilities
managers is compliance with regulations/legislation and this
remains their most important issue for the future. Their least
important issue is outsourcing.
These are among the findings of a survey undertaken during the first phase of
a major research project led by the British Institute of Facilities Management
(BIFM).
The ‘Rethinking Facilities Management’ programme, part-funded by the DTI
under the Partners in Innovation Programme set out to:



Support the growth of expertise and professionalism within the facilities
management sector
Enhance the ability of the sector to contribute to UK economic growth,
productivity improvements, and sustainability
Promote the facilities management profession within public and private
sector enterprises and improve understanding of the role of the
facilities manager.
The research is being undertaken at a time when the construction industry is
being urged to improve the environments it creates and clients are called
upon to drive out waste during maintenance and operation.
There is now an increasing focus on the role of the client in leading the
industry (through integrated supply teams) although there is a perceived lack
of specific consideration of the role of the facilities manager within the client
body.
The report on the first phase of the research states: “As a relatively new
professional group, the strategic role of the facilities management profession
… has been underplayed. There is thought to be little appreciation of the
value of facilities management at board and even government level.
“This is compounded by the way in which FM has developed in the UK and
beyond. Individual facilities managers who entered the profession largely as
operational staff, are increasingly being called upon to fulfil a strategic role,
with comparatively little support or training for this function.
“In this critical time for FM, BIFM and other representative bodies are initiating
a number of activities aimed at strengthening the profession and bringing
about change. The Rethinking Facilities Management project will complement
these and support the contribution of a powerful body of professionals towards
meeting the government’s policy and strategic initiatives.”
The Rethinking FM survey looked at the role of FM in UK organisations and
how this may change and develop over the next few years. It also examined
how facilities managers are viewed by their employing organisations and how
they contribute to excellence in business and public service.
Two matched questionnaires were developed, one for facilities managers (inhouse and commercial service providers), the other for their client
organisations.
The project team of the BIFM, BRE, BSRIA and the University of West of
England is supported by a steering group representing a wide range of
facilities-related bodies and interests, including IFMA, CIBSE, CIOB and the
RIBA.
Other key findings include:

Just over half of facilities manager respondents held the job title ‘Facilities
Manager’ but the role was encompassed by a wide variety of other job
titles.

The top five in-house services provided by the FM respondents were:
Procurement (94.3%); HR Services (93%); Finance (89.7%); Property
Estate Management (87.4%); Business Strategy (80%).

The top five outsourced services were: Catering (76.4%); Cleaning
(68.1%); Waste & Recycling (63%); Security (60.8%); Hospitality (56.9%).

Two of the most important ways in which respondents felt that facilities
management contributed to core business were related to the issues they
rated as most important – regulatory compliance and satisfying customers
and end users.

FM respondents saw the priority functions of the BIFM and other facilities
management bodies as being profile raising and the provision of
recognised qualifications, along with information and advice.
Although raising awareness of the profession was seen as of key importance,
the promotion of facilities management through government initiatives was
rated as one of the lowest priorities for the professional bodies.
Given the low level of awareness of government initiatives on the built
environment amongst the respondents, this is perhaps not surprising. One
respondent noted: “There is very little interaction between government and the
facilities management sector, compared with other sectors in the built
environment.”
However, concludes the report, this finding could be a reflection of the fact
that the listed initiatives tended to be construction related and many of the
respondents see FM as a business discipline, perhaps more closely allied to
business related initiatives than construction ones.
Commenting on the results, BIFM chief executive Ian Fielder said: “This
important collaborative study makes clear the link between effective facilities
management, highly performing organisations and the achievement of wider
economic and social goals.
“The Institute will take this work forward in its services for members and the
wider FM community as well as in its relationships with business and
government.”
The results of the survey will be used to inform the next stage of the project an ‘Agenda’ or action plan to enable the BIFM and other bodies to support the
development of the facilities management sector over the next five to ten
years. In addition a web based self-development tool and resource guide for
the individual facilities manager, based on the issues and concerns
highlighted in the survey, is currently under production.
For further information contact:
Ian Fielder, BIFM Chief Executive
ian.fielder@bifm.org.uk Tel: 077951 81009
Richard Byatt, BIFM Communications & External Affairs Manager
richard.byatt@bifm.org.uk Tel: 01732 522948/07799 050526
Notes to editors:
A copy of ‘Rethinking Facilities Management, accelerating change through
best practice – Survey report’ is available on request.
The report sets out the results of a survey of facilities managers and their
clients, that took place between February 2004 and April 2004.
Responses were received from 207 facilities managers and 43 clients.
The survey was carried out as part of a wider research project, ‘Rethinking
Facilities Management’, led by the British Institute of Facilities Management
(BIFM). This research project has been part-funded by the DTI, under their
Partners in Innovation Programme.
The project team of the BIFM, BRE, BSRIA and the University of West of
England is supported by a Steering Group representing a wide range of
facilities bodies and interests, including IFMA, CIBSE, CIOB and the RIBA.
About the British Institute of Facilities Management
BIFM is the UK’s lead institute representing those who practice facilities
management and who work in organisations supplying facilities management
related goods or services.
BIFM has remained the fastest growing professional body in the UK since its
formation in 1993. Most members are individual professionals, with a growing
number of corporate members.
BIFM has strong links with facilities management organisations abroad,
placing it at the forefront of international issues. BIFM is a member of the
Construction Industry Council and promotes co-operation with leading
professional bodies. BIFM helps to inform decision-makers in corporate
organisations and Government about FM and how to improve performance.
Dynamic, innovative and professional in approach, BIFM is structured to meet
the many and varied needs of its membership.
For more information visit www.bifm.org.uk or telephone 01799 508606.