Business analysis

News feed

Regular analysis of the facilities management industry. Incisive comment on deals, merger and acquisition activity, investment trends and the business stories behind the headlines from commentators including FM World columnist and Investors Chronicle writer Graeme Davies

In Focus: Instant gratificationThe Issue: The 'managed office' concept The Interviewee: Gavin Foreman, director corporate solutions, Instant 07 May 2013
Marginal growth steers UK clear of a triple-dipConsidering the make up of the UK economy, a decent showing by the dominant services sector was needed for the overall growth figure to end up in positive territory in Q1 2013, writes Graeme Davies. 07 May 2013
In Focus: Socially mindedThe Issue: The growth in development of 'social value' business models by facilities management contractors The Interviewee: Tony Cahill, chief executive, Vivark 22 April 2013
Brand and deliver: the business caseConsidering the importance of branding in the modern world, undertaking a complete rebranding is a decision that should not be taken lightly, writes Graeme Davies. 22 April 2013
In Focus: Sustaining a new strategyThe Issue: The measurement and scope of sustainability is of increasing importance to clients and contractors alike The Interviewee: Tim Haywood, group finance director and head of sustainability, Interserve 08 April 2013
Middleweights warm up for May Gurney face-offA possible battle could be on the cards between construction businesses Costain and Kier over maintenance specialist May Gurney Integrated Services, writes Graeme Davies. 08 April 2013
In Focus: Global appealThe Issue: Global FM deals have the potential to spark interest among young people in a career with an FM contractor The Interviewee: Richard Sykes, chief executive officer, ISS UK 25 March 2013
Whitehall and the incredible shrinking estateAs the government continues to shrink its balance sheet, reducing its property portfolio remains a major plank of the wider austerity package, writes Graeme Davies. 25 March 2013
In Focus: No longer locked outThe Issue: Reform's report on outsourcing prison services The Interviewee: Yvonne Thomas, Interserve, and Jerry Petherick, G4S 11 March 2013
Recent year-end results portend a cautious 2013The 'results season' of late February and early March gives industry observers the chance to gauge the overall health of the FM sector, writes Graeme Davies. 11 March 2013
A 'squeezed middle' leaves FM polarisedFor the industry, the middle ground is occupied by companies with revenues in the low hundreds of millions. It has become an tough area in which to operate, writes Graeme Davies. 22 February 2013
In Focus: Model opportunitiesThe Issue: Transitioning FM data into BIM systems The Interviewee: Kath Fontana, managing director, BAM FM 22 February 2013