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

Facilities Show Spotlight

www.facilitiesshow.com February 2018

GEOFF

PRUDENCE

Facilities Show Spotlight, February 2018 | 2www.facilitiesshow.com

BORN: Illford, Essex.

STUDIED: Through a Technical High School, an Apprenticeship and technical qualifications.

GRADUATED: B.Eng (Hons) in Building Services/ Energy Engineering from Southbank University.

CURRENT: I’m Director of Facilities & Infrastructure at UCL leading strategy, development and integrated operational delivery of all engineering, maintenance and facilities (hard and soft) services across the entire Estate.

Geoff Prudence:

Biography

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What was your first job?Apprentice with British Rail.

What made you choose FM as a career?I didn’t really. It grew out of working in buildings in the 1990’s in what was often referred to as ‘Premises management’.

What do you wish you’d known about the industry before you joined?That there really is so much opportunity, if you want to go for it.

What do you think is required to be successful in FM?Customer focus, Leadership, Risk Management, good awareness of business, FM services and above all people skills.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?‘Be yourself’.

What’s your favourite quote/motto?“I don’t do late!”

What advice would you give a millennial who is starting in Facilities Management?Get as much experience as you can and find out about all aspects of FM, soft services cleaning front of house security etc and hard services engineering, fabric and assets with an appreciation of real estate. Focus on an area that excites, you then get qualified in that area.

Get as much experience as you can and find out about all aspects of FM, soft services cleaning front of house security etc and hard services engineering, fabric and assets with an appreciation of real estate. Focus on an area that excites, you then get qualified in that area.

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How has the concept of leadership changed in the last 10 years in FM? Many people either fell into positions or were part of an old hierarchy that existed. The world has changed many have moved on from the industry. Technology is the great enabler but now is the time for real leaders with FM experience of leading positive change and developing on those results ....not talkers and advisers.

What are your 5 top tips for someone looking to develop their leadership skills in FM1. Use the many on line free resources available

2. Align to a role model or mentor

3. Get some training and formal learning

4. Practice and get in a position to develop your skills

5. Contact me if you need any help along the way

What makes a good leader in FM?Customer service ethos, experience but above all authenticity and integrity. Only then will they achieve real leadership and respect from all that come into contact with them.

How do we develop our future leaders in FM?We develop management and leadership practical skills in degree course BIFM and RICS etc but tie that in to structured learning and development in the workplace.

What are your predictions for the FM industry in 2018?The value of skills, real leadership, real collaboration and use of technology, if we are to achieve the potential.

Technology as an enabler continues to evolve at an alarming pace. So along with developing technical skills, it is time for real leadership and people skills to lead the change the collaboration required.

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What’s the skill you’d most like to have?Predict the future - Wouldn’t we all!

Who’s your business hero?There are many across the years and even now, but I guess it was Sir John Harvey-Jones in the 90’s that influenced me more than anything on leadership, change and the need to be authentic, treat people with respect and engage with people at all levels.

What will you be speaking about at the Facilities Show in June?Leadership: the opportunity - Whether building services design, facilities management, property, real estate on any other fields associated with the built environment, the world is changing. Technology as an enabler continues to evolve at an alarming pace. So along with developing technical skills, it is time for real leadership and people skills to lead the change the collaboration required.

But as well as developing these skills now, where and how are we developing our future leaders? I believe there is a real opportunity for the future!

The value of skills, real leadership, real collaboration and use of technology, if we are to achieve the potential.

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