IWFM’s focus in 2023

BUILDING SAFETY ACT

2023 focus

The New Year’s challenge will be focusing on key developments across building safety, sustainability, data and technology, and workplace

2023 will be the year for implementing the Building Safety Act 2022. It will also be the year when we expect the future-of-work conundrum to stabilise with a greater understanding of the paradigm shift from the Victorian workplace mentality to postpandemic working approaches.

We touched on expectations for building safety in the last edition; suffice to say, golden thread developments and supporting members’ competence will be central.

In sustainability, there are two overlapping areas. Scope 3 work by the SFMI, which we are supporting, will deliver a stress-tested framework – with accompanying tools – for measuring and reporting FM Scope 3 emissions. This is important because further to offering an industry-wide measurement tool, the data will form an important evidence base underlining FM’s key role in reducing the 27% of global emissions attributable to building operations.

We have known for years that FM is pivotal to delivering net zero; now the data will prove it and help members to have more influence.

It’ll be important for stakeholders to engage with the new energy-efficiency task force, due to be launched alongside plans to bolster the UK’s energy resilience. All too often it’s assumed that the basics of the energy hierarchy are embedded across our sector, but 2023 will be about ensuring that the assumption is true.

Driving ambition in the UK’s policy while supporting our members will be key for IWFM. Additionally, ensuring outcomes are embedded in social value frameworks and contract KPIs will be an important step forward.

Actionable data is central to FM: if we can’t measure it, we can’t improve it. Helping the sector towards digital maturity is critical for compliance across the FM’s remit. With increasing legislative requirements, we need to optimise investment across the FM portfolio and use it to improve workplace productivity and sustainability outcomes. The policy work in this area will be complemented by more guidance.

Skills make up another central pillar. Organisations’ talent strategies for the short, medium and long term will remain challenged. For policy, this means engaging with the recently announced skills reform, which sees Sir Michael Barber collaborate with the chancellor and the education secretary.

While pushing for a more integrated approach for labour market solutions, we also have an ongoing role in making FM a ‘Career of Choice’. Making FM more attractive is also about ensuring that it’s inclusive and diverse; equity needs to be real, not a tick-box exercise. The EDI Focus Group will continue its important role, raising awareness across the membership and the profession.

KEY CONTACTS Sofie Hooper Head of Policy EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION FOCUS GROUP ● 2023 will build our voice and support for colleagues affecting greater inclusion, diversity and equity, including through greater collaboration with other groups.

BUILDING SAFETY ACT ● Building registrations need to be completed by October 2023 for all higher-risk residential buildings. Secondary legislation is expected around February.

BUILDING SAFETY ALLIANCE ● Special interest groups are working on industry tools for the golden thread, competence requirements for trades and a certification scheme. SCOPE 3 EMISSIONS GUIDANCE PROJECT ● The SFMI standardised Scope 3 emissions measuring project will deliver data showing the impact of FMs.

FIRE SAFETY (ENGLAND) REGULATIONS 2022 ● These regulations contain information requirements, including secure data boxes, enforceable from 23 January.

NEC CONTRACTS ● Two more practice notes are due soon: TUPE and asset data.

GET INVOLVED ● IWFM’s policy work is informed by members’ priorities. Share your views at: policy@iwfm.org.uk