10 QUESTIONS
TEN QUESTIONS WITH… Q1WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST
JOB?
My first job was as a technical apprentice for an electronics company that made communications equipment for the military.
Q2HOW DID YOU
INDUSTRY? After moving into sales I got a job with a Danish company that made actuators for sit/stand desks when they were a new innovation coming into Europe from Scandinavia, and then ended up working for one of their customers. FMs were my customers and really receptive to the wellbeing and productivity benefits of the sit/stand concept.
GET INTO THE FM Q3HOW DO YOU
STATUS QUO? I think it’s important to think beyond your own job and responsibilities to understand the wider landscape of what you do, who your competitors are and what your customers need from you. Competency is good, but you only add value with insight, and, for that, you need to look beyond your own remit and capabilities to understand the bigger picture.
CHALLENGE THE Q4SINCE YOU STARTED IN
THE BIGGEST CHANGE THE INDUSTRY HAS SEEN / YOU HAVE OBSERVED? I think change has been slowly gathering pace over the past decade as employee wellbeing and the provision of a comfortable, welcoming workplace have become less of a nice-to-have and more of a need-to-have.
FM WHAT HAS BEEN
Before the pandemic, larger companies were already seeing the value of ergonomics and interior design in productivity, motivation and staff retention. The pandemic has acted as a catalyst, and now FMs are working collaboratively with interior designers and the supply chain to ensure wellbeing
76 | TOMORROW’S FM
is built into the work environment, supporting both agile working and the employer brand.
Q5 WHO, IN ANY OTHER
MOST ADMIRE? I am a massive fan of the architect, Sir Norman Foster. After a humble start in life, he has become one of the world’s most recognised and admired architects, with projects on six continents. And he’s still designing at the age of 86!
INDUSTRY, DO YOU Q6 WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FILM?
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ – I know Christmas has started when we sit down to watch it as a family.
Q7 IF YOU COULD HOST
THREE GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY? Peter Opsvik, the Norwegian furniture designer, because he’s the king of ergonomic design.
Sir David Attenborough because he must have some amazing anecdotes.
Neil Armstrong because I’m unlikely to visit the moon myself and I’d love to know what it’s like.
A DINNER PARTY WITH
In each issue we ask an FM professional the Tomorrow’s FM 10 Questions. This month we spoke to Darren Hilliker, Regional Manager – Furniture at CMD Ltd.
Q8 ANY ADVICE TO
STARTING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY? What you know is important, but who you know and what you can learn from them is also vital to a successful career. Network as much as you can and be certain to listen to and absorb the experience of others – you will learn at least as much that way as you will in a more formal training environment.
SOMEONE JUST Q9 WHAT DO YOU THINK
FM INDUSTRY? I think we will see an accelerated pace of change as people are increasingly valued as individuals rather than a number on the payroll. Covid has been a catalyst for change and businesses have learned that presenteeism is very different from productivity. It’s productivity that every company really strives for and the role of the FM is increasingly about finding ways to nurture productivity with a more human- centred approach to FM. The primary focus is no longer looking after the building, but ensuring the building serves the people within it.
IS THE FUTURE OF THE Q10 WHICH AREA
THINK COULD BE BEST TRANSFORMED THROUGH TECHNOLOGY? True smart buildings that can help deliver flexibility, improved asset management and better cost management is where tech is heading. For example, pressure mats that track how many people are using each toilet block in real time can be used to deliver flexible cleaning regimes so that heavily trafficked areas are kept clean and resources are not wasted on less frequented facilities. If we can integrate smart apps with the FM environment, we can adapt buildings to be more user-centred and easier to manage.
OF FM DO YOU
www.cmd-ltd.com
twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
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