Standing Tall: Why FM is no longer the invisible service

For those outside the community, this event usually passes by without much note.

This year, however (and not surprisingly), the event has gained greater exposure. The theme, ‘Celebrating FM: standing tall beyond the pandemic,’ recognises the critical, and very visible, role FM plays in the built environment. As the return to the workplace fast approaches, businesses everywhere are considering how to safely manage their future work environments.  

The efforts to keep buildings cleaned, sanitised, maintained, secured, and legally compliant has led to FM staff being officially recognised as ‘key workers’ by the users of those buildings and the public at large. But for those of us working inside the FM bubble, we already recognised the role these staff performed as being ‘key’ to what we do.  

The largely unseen army of back-office staff, managers, technicians, engineers, chefs, porters, cleaners, and security guards, working unsociable hours, usually in unseen locations, has always been the lifeblood of every shiny corporate HQ. It’s only when something goes wrong do the efforts of these talented individuals get thrust into the spotlight.

Eighteen months ago, no one expected a global pandemic. But when FMs across the nation were under the spotlight, they responded accordingly. Now, as focus shifts to the future, the FM industry must ensure its continued exposure and recognition at the top table. Over the same twenty-year period that there have been World FM Days, there have also been debates about the strategic importance of FM. How should it earn its place in the boardroom as an enabler for change and generating profits, not just for incurring costs?  

The answer: It’s time for FM to stand tall and demonstrate what it can do, not only in times of crisis, but also in times of change. I’m not generally one for celebrating these seemingly endless ‘National this day’ or ‘World that day’. This year, however, I will make an exception for ‘World FM Day’ and for the outstanding efforts of all those in the FM community.