Skip to main content
Facilitate Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Facilitate magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @Facilitate_Mag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Logo of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
    • Comment
    • People
    • Reports
    • Research
  • Features
    • Analysis
    • Features
    • Round Tables
    • Webinars
  • Outsourcing
    • Contract Finder
    • Contracts
    • FM Business Models
    • Interviews
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Opinion
    • Procurement
    • Trends
  • Know-How
    • Explainers
    • Legal Updates
    • White Papers
  • Jobs
  • Topics
    • Workplace Services
      • Hospitality
      • Catering
      • Cleaning
      • Front of House
      • Grounds Maintenance
      • Helpdesk
      • Mailroom
      • Manned Guarding / Security
      • Pest Control
      • Washroom Services
      • Disaster Recovery
      • Specialist Services
    • Professional Performance
      • Behavioural Change
      • Continual Professional Development
      • Education
      • Management
      • Recruitment
      • Training
    • Workplace Performance
      • Benchmarking
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Operational Readiness
      • Procurement
      • Security
      • Workplace User Experience
      • Workplace Culture
    • Compliance
      • Health & Safety
      • Risk & Business Continuity
      • Standards
      • Statutory Compliance
    • Building Services
      • Architecture & Construction
      • Asset Management
      • Building Controls
      • Building Fabric
      • Drinking Water
      • Fire Protection
      • HVAC
      • Landscaping
      • Mechanical & Electrical
      • Building Security
      • Water, Drainage & Plumbing
    • Technology
      • Building Information Modelling
      • CAFM
      • Data & Networks
      • Document Management
      • Information Management
      • Internet of Things (IoT)
      • Software & Systems
    • Energy management
      • Energy Management Systems
      • Electricity
      • Gas
      • Solar
      • Wind
    • Sustainability
      • Environmental Quality
      • Social Value
      • Waste Management
      • Recycling
    • Workspace Design
      • Agile Working
      • Fit-Out & Refurbishment
      • Inclusive Access
      • Lighting
      • Office Interiors
      • Signage
      • Space Planning
      • Storage
      • Vehicle Management / Parking
      • Washroom
    • Sectors
      • Corporate Office
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Manufacturing
      • International
      • Retail
      • Sports & Leisure
      • Regions
  • Buyers' Guide
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Sections
  • Topics
Features
Sections
Features
International

Ireland - Pat Gaughan

Open-access content Friday 12th May 2017 — updated 7.14pm, Tuesday 26th May 2020
Pat Gaughan Ireland

FM's shift from physical maintenance to people and performance - and the need for better skilled workers - dominate the continent's FM development themes in 2017.

Back to the FM world in motion

15 May 2017 | Martin Read and Jamie Harris


The uncertainty caused by Brexit is understandably top of mind here. How will cross-border business be conducted if there are fresh formal borders between Northern and southern Ireland?


Pat Gaughan expects the impact not to be as big as some fear, with Ireland's status as home to the European headquarters of many huge international tech firms - Facebook, Google, LinkedIn - a key factor. The presence of these firms connects Ireland to global best practice in FM, with agile working in particular to the fore.


In general, Gaughan rates the practice of FM as "a bit behind the UK", but the country has close associations with BIFM, which it sees as the international lead in terms of best practice.


"We're seeing a moment in our public sector in particular where there's more appreciation of agile working, open-plan offices, and greater flexibility in how FM is delivered."


The public sector lagged behind the private sector, but it's catching up quickly in particular due to government relocating several public sector departments into business districts alongside private sector organisations.


Indigenous service providers are starting up again to service clients keen to look beyond the established major players. The requirement is for a "more homely" and "old fashioned" service, suggests Gaughan.


The problem of recognition at government level is not dissimilar to the UK. Gaughan believes BIFM can help here, recent relationship-building being driven by BIFM's Ireland committee. "What FM needs is more of a voice to government representing the profession."


As to the overall appreciation of FM's value? That, believes Gaughan, will be driven principally by those global firms resident in the country driving standards upwards. 


"That's key for FM - how it's able to adapt to circumstance and demand. It's something we need to challenge ourselves constantly about."


The mix of FM professionals is demographically similar to the UK, with a new generation of university-educated millennials changing the mix.

 

But the whole education piece is critical, says Gaughan. "Ensuring that there are learning opportunities at the lower end of FM as well, for cleaners and caterers etc. There hasn't previously been any great investment from organisations in their FMs. What we need are more short-term courses and training."


We're broadcasting live at 12 noon BST on World FM Day, Wednesday 17 May. You'll be able to hear audio interviews with some of the international correspondents mentioned above, as we capture a snapshot of FM across the globe in 2017, as well as live discussion on the issues and themes that have arisen. Tune in here.

Emma Potter
Facilities Management Worldwide

 

Also filed in
Topics
Features
Content
Features
International

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Today's top reads

 

Latest Jobs

Regional Facilities Manager

Borehamwood
Circa £47,000 + Decent Package & opportunities
Reference
59410

Facilities Manager

Hertfordshire
Up to £75,000 + Decent Package
Reference
59408

Facilities Manager

Guildford
Up to £45,000 + Package & Opportunities
Reference
59407
See all jobs »

 

 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to print

Sign up to receive our bi-monthly magazine

Subscribe
Facilitate magazine cover, June 2020
​
FOLLOW US
@Facilitate_Mag
Facilitate Magazine
Facilitate Magazine
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel: 020 7880 6200
​

IWFM

About IWFM
Become a member
Qualifications
Events

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to Facilitate Magazine
Write for Facilitate Magazine

General

IWFM Jobs
Help

© 2023 • www.facilitatemagazine.com and Facilitate Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ