10 QUESTIONS
10 QUESTIONS WITH… TOD HARRISON
Each month we ask an industry professional the Tomorrow’s FM 10 Questions. This month, we chatted to Tod Harrison, Managing Director of FM at Keysource.
like a driver, if that was feasible, as I’m not a great driver myself. The driver could choose the car.
Q5
Q1 Q2
Q3 Q4
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
An apprentice electrician for London Electricity Board.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY?
I was working in construction on a roof in Canary Wharf and it was so cold that it started to snow; I went home I told my wife that I wanted to be an engineer and work inside. I quit my job and started to work for another company putting my plan into action.
WHO, IN ANY OTHER INDUSTRY, DO YOU
MOST ADMIRE?
I admire anyone who is in a leadership position and gives others opportunities and supports them to do better. I had a mentor who sponsored me to do an engineering degree and supported me throughout, I am hugely grateful to him and want to do the same for others.
IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT, WHAT CAR
WOULD YOU BUY? I’m not really into cars but I would
66 | TOMORROW’S FM
HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE THE FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY?
I believe there are two key areas to improve the FM industry.
Firstly, I’d get clients to collaborate with service providers from the beginning so that decent tender specifications could be drawn up to the benefit of the client. At the moment tender documents are often too prescriptive and don’t give clients what they need. A bespoke solution is much better.
Secondly, we have clear training and development plans in place for the industry to ensure we attract and retain the best people. There needs to be a clearer career path within the FM industry.
Q6
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN
YOU WERE GROWING UP?
I wasn’t sure. I just wanted to do a job that would make a difference and give back to my work/home community in some way. For example being involved in apprenticeship schemes and community projects.
Q7 Q8
WHAT DO YOU DO TO UNWIND?
I am a family man and I like sports. I participate in Iron Man Triathlons and I’m going to swim The Channel next year.
IF YOU COULD HOST A DINNER PARTY WITH
ANY THREE GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE, WITH A FOURTH COOKING AND A FIFTH
PROVIDING THE MUSIC, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY?
Nelson Mandela, I’d like to hear his overall philosophy on freedom and life in general. I’d invite Neil Armstrong, to ask him about how it really felt to take the first step on the Moon and how did he conquer his fear? Finally I would bring Winston Churchill, I’d like to know how he galvanized the whole country to go to war and also hear some of his stories, he was known for being a great story-teller.
For music, I’d like the original line- up of the Jam, I’ve never heard them altogether live with Gordon Ramsey for food. He participates in Iron Man Triathlons too, so we’d have a bit in common and it’d be interesting to hear his views on running a business.
Q9
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE
FUTURE OF THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY?
I think the FM market has seen a good deal of consolidation and that is likely to continue; we’ll see a small group of large FM companies with most of the market share. This is a good thing, as it will provide opportunities for specialist Facilities Managers, like Keysource, to offer a niche service for companies that want a more personal and bespoke relationship.
Q10
DERRICK HIDDEN, GROUP DIRECTOR
OF CLOUDFM GROUP ASKED: IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPERHERO POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
I’d like Spiderman’s powers so I don’t have to use public transport to get across London.
www.keysource.co.uk twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
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