7 minute read
A bit about you
What do you do? I am in charge of overall refurbishment and FM projects.
What attracted you to FM, and how did you get into the industry?
I have an engineering background but at the start of my career I was pondering on whether to specialise in one of the building engineering specifics, such as chillers, boilers, etc., or to devote my career to the management of the entire building. I opted for the latter because I have a flair for working with people and keeping abreast of the big picture.
How long have you been in your
BEHIND THE JOB
current role? About 10 months.
I see myself first as a people manager, then a task manager. If one is successful at managing people well, the task effort becomes relatively easier. We should not shy from bringing the heart into the workplace.
Francis Akinola
Would you describe your role as predominantly operational or strategic? My role is more strategic but I’m also pretty hands-on. It would be boring to sit at the desk all day. That is the reason I love this profession.
This was at the start of my career. Fresh from school with little knowledge of what to do, and with so much expectation from my I see myself manager, who threatened me with first as a people the sack at every moment. manager, then I still do not know how I survived those periods, but How many people a task manager that foundation helped my are there in your FM resilience, drive, curiosity and team, and to whom attention to details. does the FM team ultimately report?
I manage a team of seven and I sit on the directors’ board, so I am one of the main decision-makers for the organisation.
My top perk at work is…
Those unedited camaraderie discussions at the workplace relating to everything and which fosters so much closeness and togetherness between staff and managers. If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?
Pay more attention to people and their needs and not to see them just as a means to an end should be at the forefront of every FM strategy. People matter!
Any interesting tales to tell? When an
old but still in use nine-bar shell steam boiler exploded in a hotel I was working at as an engineer. That was the closest I’ve been to a wartime-like explosion. Luckily, no one was inside the energy centre.
organiser. I enjoy projects and working with people from different backgrounds.
FM expenditure should only come as a necessary accessory to other expenses.
out? Added with technical expertise, it is important to devote time to understanding people. For FM sanity, the process of dealing with motivation and mental wellbeing should no longer be relinquished to HR and so the understanding of self and others to achieve greater resolve is something every manager starting out should pay attention to.
What was the weirdest day you’ve had in the
office? Arriving at work during one of the lockdown days thinking it was a
Monday. It was Saturday.
I had absolutely lost the sense of days.
Early bird or night owl? Night owl.
In spite of claiming to understand Hal Elrod’s Miracle Morning routines.
after and manage the FM, energy and compliance processes of any top hotel in London.
And where would FM be an absolute
nightmare? Catering. I can only do the eating bit.
Your life outside FM mostly involves…
I have my wife and three young kids and I try to be available and be fun with them at every chance I can grab. I am also active in my local church and I contribute towards educating members of the community at life skills.
FRANCIS AKINOLA is facilities and projects director at ARC Facilities
What do you What do you My top perk at work is… My top perk at work is…
do? I am the do? I am the head of FM. ead of FM.
What attracted attracted you to FM, and M, and how did you get get into the industry? try?
Having an office in the Having an office in the countryside and a countryside and great atmosphere great atmo at work. at work
It would be W What has been My background was working with great to see more females your biggest career challenge to date? Implementing our new FM systems and recruitment. I was attracted to the job as it initially involved creating/ within FM and in higher system has been a huge task not just for me but the team as a whole. Introducing new implementing a new FM system for the company and their clients to use. I positions in the industry! systems and processes to the team can sometimes be challenging as it’s a new was given free rein of how way of learning to work, I wanted to build the system, whilst also however, we have a very supportive team learning about FM. The directors were and everyone is happy to help each other. very passionate about the direction and vision of where they wanted the company If you could change one thing about to be in the future, which drew me in. the industry, what would it be? Even
your cha Im t I t
It would be great to see more females within FM and in high position e ind
How long have you been in your
current role? I started working for BSML in September 2016 as systems manager, then took on the role as operations manager for our BSML hygiene division in February 2020. Now I am head of FM.
Do you see yourself as predominantly a task or a people manager? A task
manager when it comes to implementing new processes/systems within the business and a people manager when it comes to managing my FM team and hygiene team, which are both operational. though the industry has definitely become more balanced it would be great to see more females within FM and in higher positions in the industry!
Any interesting tales to tell? Every
day in FM is different, but one day was particularly eventful, when a contractor set off a gas suppression system accidently
strategic? Both. The strategic part of my role involves planning how the system will work, working towards long-term business goals and focusing on growing the business. The operational focus is all about scheduling and making sure the day-to-day tasks are completed.
How many people are there in your FM/workplace team, and to whom does the FM team ultimately report?
We have around 50 members of staff and I manage 28. I report to the directors. in a comms room. We had to evacuate the entire building and arrange a major cleanup operation. Stressful, to say the least!
BEHIND THE JOB
Danielle Smith
development.
people think that everything can and should be fixed there and then.
organised! FM is a fast-paced industry. Use diaries, spreadsheets and online list-making software to keep a track of all your tasks. I have found clients are impressed when you are on top of everything.
What was the weirdest day you’ve had
i in the office? When it was announced that we were going into lockdown. The unknown was scary especially when you manage teams and work with clients that could be considerably affected by the lockdown. We had to think of the best and safest way to keep our clients happy while s looking after the safety of all our staff. l
E Early bird or night owl? I am definitely
a an early bird. Even at the weekends.
What FM job in the world would you W love more than anything? To work for l
Apple or Google; I imagine their FM team A have some great projects to work on. h
And where would FM be an absolute A nightmare? n In countries that have a lack of health and safety and processes.
Your life outside FM mostly involves…
Going to the gym and organising my wedding for next year.
DANIELLE SMITH is head of FM for Building Services Management Ltd
