Facilities Show Spotlight, January 2018 | 1www.facilitiesshow.com

Facilities Show Spotlight

www.facilitiesshow.com January 2018

CANDYHOLLINGUM

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BORN: Peckham, South London

STUDIED: I did a joint literature degree in Portuguese and Brazilian studies with English in Kings College London. I’m half Brazilian and so was interested in my culture and history.

GRADUATED: In 2010. Prior to graduating I had worked as PA & EA, but when I came out of university, even though I had a degree it seemed like it was much harder to get a job, especially in the middle of a recession. I started putting myself out there for different jobs, I was then approached by ISS for an admin job and that’s how I started my journey into FM.

CURRENT: Regional Manager at ISS Facility Services UK for London & South East

Candy Hollingum:

Biography

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Before being approached by ISS did you ever see yourself in Facilities Management?No, not really! The only time I came across Facilities was before I went back to university, when I did a short stint in recruitment in the City, and that’s the only time I ever heard of Facilities! I didn’t work on the Facilities recruitment desk, I worked on the office support (recruiting PA’s and admin people) and that’s where I first heard about Facilities. I had no idea what it was, It was one of those chance encounters!

In fact, the way I ended up in touch with ISS was because before I went back to university, I was working as a PA for an accountancy firm and on my last day I asked the receptionist who she worked for (I thought I could get some reception work part-time whilst studying) and she worked for ISS, so she gave me a contact and I ended up reaching out after university, so I guess that was my journey into FM.

What is one interesting fact about you?I’m a pretty good basketball player and played for a major London team when I was younger. Although I’m not sure that’s very surprising as I’m 6ft tall!

What professional qualifications are important for this industry?I think a Health & Safety qualification is always very important as it has to underpin everything we do.

I also think a project management qualification can be incredibly useful in so many areas of FM and business in general.

Having said that, part of the appeal of this industry to me was the fact that there is no one agreed set of qualifications that you need to have or should have. That doesn’t mean that having a qualification isn’t important, it’s just that there are so many possible combinations and so many roads that can lead you in to FM, that there is no one set of qualifications that is necessarily more worthy than another.

The appeal of this industry to me was the fact that there is no one agreed set of qualifications that you need to have or should have. That doesn’t mean that having a qualification isn’t important, it’s just that there are so many possible combinations and so many roads that can lead you in to FM.

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For me, my education and background in languages & communication have been very important as it shapes how I think and how I work. I try to put people & communication at the heart of everything I do, but it’s completely different for every person which is why the FM industry is so varied and increasingly diverse.

Oh! And it’s important to have a decent understanding of numbers. Again, I don’t think it has to be a formal qualification but knowing your numbers is key. If you’re not running a profitable business you can’t make anything happen.

What does winning the Young Leader award mean to you personally?I am so incredibly happy, honoured & humbled to be the winner of the 2017 PFM & YMF Young Leader of The Year Award.

This award means so much to me in recognising what I’ve achieved in the amazing first years of my FM career and only motivates me to achieve so much more.

It means even more because I know how many talented Young Leaders there are in this industry (I work with them every day) so to be recognised as one of them is such a huge privilege.

Why do you think you won?I hope it’s because I have a journey that people identify with and relate to.

There are so many people out there who – like me a few years ago, are starting off in FM and aren’t sure if it’s right for them, or who are a bit further down the line and know that they want more but aren’t sure what they want to do next and I guess they can identify with my story.

I started off in an admin support role in FM and had no idea that this would become a career for me, but by keeping an open mind, asking a lot of questions and working hard I have been able to develop and grow and incredibly rewarding and satisfying career.

I’m testament to the fact that if you want something and are relentless in seeking and seizing opportunities you can achieve it, which is why I shared my story and hope that in doing so it might help others to achieve their ambitions also.

This award means so much to me in recognising what I’ve achieved in the amazing first years of my FM career and only motivates me to achieve so much more.

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What is your key for success? So, first of all, I think it’s defining your own success and not comparing yourself with anyone else. I also don’t generally measure success against ‘things’ but by how I feel and how I can make others feel. It may sound a bit wishy washy but it’s true for me. Success to me is when colleagues, customers or teams feel happy because of something that I or our team has done for them.

That can be anything, from us serving a delicious meal with a smile to a customer and helping them have a better day because of it to just making sure an office is the right temperature. If I’ve made them feel better or happier I’ve succeeded.

Also, I think being very curious & never being entirely satisfied is also a key to how I work, as I am always striving to do things better which I think helps…

Being a woman in this industry, has this challenged you in any way?No, I’ve never allowed it to. I’d be lying if I said there haven’t been times in life where I have wondered “Would that have been said to me if I was a man ?” for example , but I don’t think that’s related to our industry. It’s a reality across society, and the more we notice and call people out on these instance as and when they happen the more equal things will become.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female FMs?First of all: be yourself. I can’t tell people this enough. You’ll find your fit in the right place if you are just yourself.

Secondly, take every opportunity you’re given, even if at first you don’t see the appeal. I remember getting involved with a number of waste projects early in my career – which a number of people didn’t find appealing, and in doing so, I ended up uncovering a passion for environmental issues and worked on a number of wonderful projects around recycling, significantly improved the environmental impact of the customer I was working with at the time and even won an award for it.

Be yourself. I can’t tell people this enough. You’ll find your fit in the right place if you are just yourself. Secondly, take every opportunity you’re given, even if at first you don’t see the appeal.

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What habits/ways of working do you have which set you up for success?I put people at the heart of everything I do – be it my customers, colleagues, suppliers or teams and I always try to put myself in other people’s shoes to really try to understand their wants, needs & expectations.

What qualities do you think the next year’s winners should have?I have no idea, that’s why this this award is so exciting. All I would say, is that if you’re thinking of applying for it, just do it!

If you have achieved something interesting or remarkable early on in your career, share your story and just go for it.

I didn’t go in to this hoping or expecting to win, at all. I just thought “I’ve got nothing to lose so why not give it a go? The worst that could happen is I’ll meet some cool people and learn a few things”, and I certainly have!

I put people at the heart of everything I do – be it my customers, colleagues, suppliers or teams and I always try to put myself in other people’s shoes to really try to understand their wants, needs & expectations.

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