Independent's group facilities team has split the services provided into about ten major contract groups. I'm responsible for the group that handles space planning, fit-out, furniture and removals.
Describe your typical day
Independent is a very dynamic company, so the churn rate is extremely high. Most days are therefore spent on one of our sites either planning or actioning moves, fit-outs or looking over potential property. As the group is pan-European this gets quite interesting. So far this year I've worked in Madrid, Barcelona and Dublin as well as most of the UK's main cities, and I'm actually writing this in our Paris office.
What did you do before you took up your current position?
I first started work with the Ministry of Defence in the 60s with what became the computer team, and have spent most of my career in IT, beginning with programming and ending up in operations management with Independent. I then transferred to facilities management around 6-years ago.
What did you qualify in?
I left school with O'levels only, so my answer has to be the 'university of life'.
What's the toughest part of your job?
Two things. First, management and staff often have different agendas and it can be quite difficult to meet both while keeping everyone on my side. Second, while this may appear to some a dream job, travelling so much does get pretty rough at times. The worst things are probably being away from my family, driving the UK motorways, waiting in airport lounges for delayed flights and living out of suitcases.
What do you like best about your role?
A number of things. Every day is different and I meet lots of group staff. There are many instant challenges and I have to think on my feet. The team contractors working with me are superb and occasionally I do get free time abroad to relax, which makes up for the pressure I am under.
Source
The Facilities Business
