10 QUESTIONS WITH...
In each issue we ask an FM professional the Tomorrow’s FM 10 Questions. This month we spoke to Phil Roker, Co-owner and Managing Director of Vacherin.
10 QUESTIONS WITH…. Q8
I also love the Timpson’s philosophy for their staff: “Wear the uniform and put the money in the till” – so simple.
Q4
HOW DO YOU CHALLENGE THE
STATUS QUO IN FM?
In catering we do it by being “deliciously different” – always looking to be on the front foot, whether it’s with food trends, sustainability, ingredients, production techniques or presentation, and believing that good enough isn’t good enough. It’s a culture that we have instilled throughout the company and it helps us attract people who want to be the best.
Q1 Q2
Q3
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
Cool Chef in a Berni Inn in Ruislip – preparing salads, starters and sweets.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY?
I took a degree in Hotel and Catering Management, and went straight into hotels for several years, before stumbling into contract catering.
WHO, IN ANY OTHER INDUSTRY,
DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?
Simon Mottram of Rapha – he was ahead of the curve when he set up a high-end cycling clothing brand before the boom in cycling really took off and has built a hugely successful company based on his personal passion, producing the most stylish, high quality and technically designed gear. Everything they do is very cool – even if you don’t cycle, you’d love the cafes in their shops (which they call Clubhouses.)
60 | TOMORROW’S FM Q5
HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE THE
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
INDUSTRY? I’d ensure that best in class, specialist service providers are given the opportunity to demonstrate the brilliant work they do and the excellent value they provide customers in a market that is dogged by poor quality, an inability to deliver on promises and the lack of trust that foments between clients and their facilities providers.
Q6 Q7
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FILM?
Reservoir Dogs – stylish, great music, with a large serving of violence and humour.
IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPER
POWER FOR A DAY, WHAT
WOULD IT BE AND WHY? Instant transportation – I’d love to see some of the world’s most amazing sights without having to travel for hours.
Q9
IF YOU COULD HOST A DINNER
PARTY WITH ANY THREE GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD THEY BE
AND WHY? Bradley Wiggins, Jim Bob from the indie band Carter USM and Paul Gascoigne. Three icons from my three passions, who all like a drink, so it would be a riotous evening
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE
FUTURE OF THE FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY? I think a level of automation is inevitable. In London in particular, where fewer companies will occupy their own building in favour of being a tenant in multi-occupied buildings, the focus will be far more on workplace management than pure FM. As a result, I would like to see technology used to maximise the efficiency of buildings, and minimise the functional roles, with great people in front line roles to maximise the experiential element of workplace.
Q10
KARL BROOM, TERRITORY
SALES MANAGER AT FSI ASKS: WHAT ASPECTS OF TECHNOLOGY WOULD YOU TURN TO IN ORDER TO
IMPROVE THE FM INDUSTRY? Anything that enables a visitor or tenant to glide through their day seamlessly, with the role of front line staff being far more experiential than functional, for example facial recognition at reception, so rather than a receptionist making you sign in and wait for your host, they would greet you by name and direct you to the appropriate space, while offering your favourite drink.
www.vacherin.com
twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
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