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FRONT DESK
06 Market Outlook 2025 Positive news despite persistent sector pressures
09 Covid’s hit on the young
The pandemic has radically changed workforce attitudes












11 Amplifying cleaning’s voice
The UK’s professional cleaning market is up 10% in 12 months
16 All in
Our ‘all things inclusivity’ page, inspired by activity in the sector
18 Shaping FM’s future IWFM’s policy work contributes to positive change
FEATURES
20 Counting the costs
How will the FM sector respond to the huge hike in costs introduced in recent months?
26 Sarah Orpwood
Charting the ambitious career path of IWFM’s Midlands region chair
32 Who cares wins
The UK’s ageing population is creating new opportunities for facilities in the elderly care sector
VIEW POINT
42 Perspectives
Four FM professionals seek to influence your insight agenda
46 A bit about you
Our regular ‘Behind the job’ Q&As – this time with Eleni Polycarpou and Andy Curtis
KNOW HOW
49 Heat networks challenged How to comply with new standards for heat networks and avoid penalties
50 Prepared to evacuate New regulations are affecting FMs’ approach to evacuation planning for building users
52 Fast feedback Universities can improve student sentiment with real-time feedback
53 Get your AIs into gear
Try these AI-powered tools today to make your work day more efficient
55 Food for your mood
Workplace nutrition is a powerful tool to improve workers’ mental and physical wellbeing
57 Don’t stymie stimming
Create safe spaces for neurodivergent behaviours
SUPPLY SIDE
63 Collaboration holds lessons for sector’s approach to ESG
We speak to BM Caterers about efforts to help support and employ disadvantaged women

ONLINE
COMMENT
Control what you can
The greatest strength that FMs possess lies in focusing on what they can directly influence. Small, consistent actions contribute to a broader ripple effect, says Tarniah Thompson, head of FM and sustainability at SHW.
b.link/FacilitateC25-014
What’s missing in London’s revival?
London’s offices are at a turning point. We can either allow the city’s workspace landscape to stagnate or we can adapt to the needs of today’s workforce, says Peldon Rose CEO Jitesh Patel.
b.link/FacilitateC25-015
Why men need sanitary bins
Prostate cancer affects one in eight men every year. Many who are diagnosed are left with incontinence issues, resulting in the need for male sanitary bins in public and workplace bathrooms, says Mark Hall of BusinessWaste.co.uk.
b.link/FacilitateC25-016
Back up your RTO decisions
Corporate return-to-office motivations reveal a web of control, power dynamics and mistrust evolving from a fear of the unknown, says Simone Fenton-Jarvis of The Human-Centric Workplace.
b.link/FacilitateC25-017
REPORTS
Pollution and brain health
Long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air may harm the brain health of older adults, according to UCL.
b.link/FacilitateC25-018
Hybrid is here to stay
Most senior leaders say their organisations now operate with a hybrid model, but beneath the surface “cracks are starting to show”, according to Leesman.
b.link/FacilitateC25-019
CRE shows recovery signs
Although market sentiment remains cautious, certain sectors are beginning to show signs of improvement, according to a research report by RICS.
b.link/FacilitateC25-021
UK employment rate drops
The number of employed people is estimated to have been falling for the last two years even before recent hits to pay packets, says The Resolution Foundation.
b.link/FacilitateC25-022
FACILITATE
YOUR AWARD-WINNING MAGAZINE
Facilitate is the magazine and online news content resource of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM). We inform members and others about the latest thinking around workplace and facilities management. In 2019, we were judged Best Magazine (1032,000 members) at the Association Excellence Awards, the body which assesses the media brands of trade bodies, membership organisations and associations. In 2023, Facilitate and IWFM were judged to have conducted the best association digital transformation at the same awards, the work
described as ‘a stellar example of how a digital transition driven by deep understanding of the audience’s needs can future fit a professional body’s content strategy. At the same time opening commercial opportunities for new revenue streams’ Got a story? email editorial @ facilitatemagazine.com
Facilitate, incorporating FM World, is the publication of IWFM, the professional body for workplace and facilities management. For information on membership, qualifications and training contact us:
Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management
Suite 15, Thremhall Park, Start Hill, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM22 7WE, UK
+44 (0)1279 712 620 • admin@iwfm.org.uk • www.iwfm.org.uk
Redactive Publishing Ltd
Fora, 9 Dallington Street London EC1V 0LN www.facilitatemagazine.com
EDITOR Martin Read 020 7880 7664 martin.read@facilitatemagazine.com
DEPUTY EDITOR Bradford Keen 020 7880 7615 bradford.keen@facilitatemagazine.com
NEWS EDITOR Herpreet Kaur Grewal 020 7880 8544 newsdesk@facilitatemagazine.com
SUB-EDITOR Deborah Shrewsbury 020 7880 6223 deborah.shrewsbury@redactive.co.uk
SENIOR DESIGNER Joe McAllister 020 7880 2747 joe.mcallister@redactive.co.uk
PICTURE EDITOR Akin Falope 020 7324 2713 akin.falope@redactive.co.uk
CONTENT ASSISTANT Prithvi Pandya 020 7880 6229 prithvi.pandya@redactive.co.uk
SALES — DISPLAY, DIGITAL, EVENTS 020 7880 6206 display@facilitatemagazine.com
SALES — RECRUITMENT 020 7880 6212 recruitment@facilitatemagazine.com
PRODUCTION MANAGER Aysha Miah-Edwards 020 7880 6241 aysha.miah@redactive.co.uk
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Joanna Marsh 020 7880 8542 joanna.marsh@redactive.co.uk
Subscriptions
IWFM members with Facilitate subscription or delivery queries should call the IWFM’s membership department on +44 (0)1279 712650.
Facilitate is sent to all members of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management and is available on subscription to non-members. Annual subscription rates are UK £110, Europe £120 and rest of world £130.
To subscribe call 01580 883844 or email subs@redactive. co.uk – alternatively, you can subscribe online at www.facilitatemagazine.com/about-us/subscribe/
Editorial Advisory Board
Simon Ball, market director at EQUANS UK & Ireland; Rob Greenfield, regional health & safety consultant at Croner; Kate Smith, executive director, consulting at CBRE UK; Liz Kentish, managing director at Kentish and Co; and Simone Fenton-Jarvis, co-founder and director of workplace consultancy The Human-Centric Workplace.
Printed by Warners
Average net circulation 10,977 (July 2022 to June 2023)
Facilitate (Print) ISSN 2752-5171
Recycle your magazine’s plastic wrap – check your local LDPE facilities to find out how.
