INTERVIEW: MARK WHITTAKER
S
peaking exclusively to FM Director, Mark Whittaker, CIWFM, General Manager of Thomson FM Limited and outgoing Chair of the Institute of Workplace & Facilities Management, reflects on his time leading the profession’s representative body and the challenges facing the industry. After four years at the helm of the Institute of Workplace & Facilities Management (IWFM), Mark Whittaker is preparing to pass the Chair role to his successor, Andrew Hulbert. His tenure has been the longest in the Institute’s 30-year history, extended from the traditional two years to allow for greater continuity and impact. Mark’s involvement with the IWFM began 15 years ago when he started volunteering with the organisation, initially as a regional volunteer in Lancashire before progressing to chair of the North Region. “I didn’t set off volunteering with the Institute with a grand plan to someday be Chair, it’s just progressed that way,” Mark said. “But I’ve always had a passion for working and volunteering with the Institute and trying to promote the profession and also to try and encourage others to join the profession as well.”
Navigating industry transformation During his tenure, Mark has witnessed significant changes across the FM landscape. “The skills shortage seems to be getting worse and is a real concern for a lot of those within the industry,” he noted.
August 2025 | 7
“There’s been certainly a greater expansion in understanding and the use of data to support facilities management services, but also just how the workplace functions and the workplace experience seems to have evolved as well over the last four years.” The return to office strategies, workplace experience programmes, and the integration of decarbonisation initiatives have all shaped the profession during this period. Mark particularly highlighted the growing focus on equity, diversity and inclusion as organisations seek to attract new talent into the sector.
The skills shortage seems to be getting worse and is a real concern for a lot of those within the industry