PUBLIC SECTOR SUSTAINABILITY
TUNING IN TO FM
Focussing in on more effective facilities
management can help the cash strapped public sector achieve its money saving and efficiency goals, whilst maintaining environmental commitments. David Parker, Group Executive Director, EMCOR Group (UK) gets to grips with this apparent conundrum.
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arlier this summer the global downturn clocked up its fifth anniversary and closer to home, the UK economy was reported as stubbornly mired in recession. If this news was not gloomy enough for most people, it came against a background of freak rainfall. This it seems was caused by a slippage in the jet stream that is probably linked to global warming, as was the near drought that preceded it. The public sector has not been spared from the harsh realities of these developments, as service providers find themselves facing substantial real time budget cuts, whilst still having to deliver on long-term environmental policies enforced by strict legislation and pressure from stakeholders. So, given these circumstances, what steps can be taken to help deliver on both?
Resolving this conundrum is a challenge where facilities management (FM) can play a significant and positive role. By suggesting, implementing, and encouraging adoption of energy-efficient practices, FM companies, such as EMCOR UK, can help clients reduce their dependency and expenditure on energy and other costly resources while meeting
PUBLIC SECTOR SUSTAINABILITY • VOLUME 2 ISSUE 6
environmental targets. The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) describes facilities management as “a profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, processes and technology.” Currently the UK FM market is valued at £50 billion, of which £33 billion is outsourced. Over the next four years the market is expected to grow by 4- 5% annually. Contracts are increasing in service scope and geographic spread as customers look to simplify their procurement and management of facilities, and share risk. The common theme is to seek more for less, both in terms of budget and environmental performance. Today, the leading FM companies are closely integrated with their clients’ operations, providing a greater range of services and becoming an intrinsic part of their support network. For example EMCOR UK was the first facilities management provider to achieve the BS 11000 certification, recognising EMCOR's track record in developing long- term client relationships. The British Standard emphasises improved strategic
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