The Good, The Bad, and The Inefficient

As the CEO of Anchor, I’ve spent decades observing the facilities management industry evolve. From starting this business in a van to leading a £30 million company, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the downright inefficient. The landscape is saturated and there are many outdated practices, but there’s a better way forward. Here are the top things every property owner and asset manager should be thinking about to ensure they’re not just managing their assets but maximising their value.

1. Stop Paying for Warm Bodies – Demand Expertise

Too often, FM services are reduced to headcount: how many guards, cleaners, or maintenance staff are on-site. But this approach misses the point entirely. The real question is: Are you getting expertise or just bodies in uniform?

At Anchor, we’ve seen time and again that clients aren’t always getting value for money. When we are awarded contracts, we often find poorly trained staff, outdated procedures, and inefficiencies that have been ignored for years. For example:

• Security officers with licenses but no real training or focus on risk mitigation.
• Cleaning schedules based on arbitrary hours rather than actual needs (e.g., more cleaning during winter footfall spikes).
• Maintenance teams tackling symptoms instead of addressing root causes.

The solution? Insist on FM providers who bring genuine expertise to the table—teams that are trained, empowered, and capable of delivering measurable results. You should be paying for subject matter expert advice, not a labour agency.

2. Proactive Maintenance Saves Money

Reactive maintenance is up to three times more expensive than proactive strategies. Yet many businesses still operate on a “fix it when it breaks” mentality. This approach not only drains budgets but also risks reputational damage when disruptions occur.

For example, one of our retail clients avoided a £50,000 HVAC system failure thanks to a routine inspection we implemented shortly after taking over their contract. This isn’t just about cost savings; it’s about protecting your asset’s value and ensuring continuity of operations.

Ask your FM provider: What is your preventive maintenance strategy? How do you track and measure its success?

3. Integrated Services Drive Efficiency

Cleaning, maintenance, and security are often treated as separate silos—but they shouldn’t be. These functions are interconnected and should work in harmony to maximise efficiency and reduce costs.

At Anchor, we’ve helped clients save up to 30 per cent by aligning these services under one integrated approach. For instance:

• A minor maintenance issue at a shopping centre was identified by our cleaning team before it escalated into a security risk.
• Our parking teams are licensed and trained to perform security patrols during their shifts, reducing the need for additional personnel without compromising safety standards.

This joined-up thinking doesn’t just save money—it enhances the overall quality of service delivery.

4. Sustainability Is a Value Driver

Sustainability isn’t just an ESG checkbox; it’s a business imperative that can deliver measurable financial benefits. At Anchor, we’ve helped clients achieve:

• A 25 per cent reduction in carbon emissions through energy-efficient equipment upgrades and waste management improvements.
• A 20 per cent decrease in energy costs by optimising operational processes across their sites.

The key is treating sustainability as an opportunity rather than a cost centre—one that improves tenant retention and enhances asset value over time.

5. Partner with Providers Who Think Like Owners

The best FM providers don’t just deliver services—they act as partners who understand your goals as an asset owner or manager. This means going beyond compliance to actively enhance the value of your property.

For example:

• By installing the latest analytical software on a client’s existing CCTV system rather than replacing it entirely, we saved them £100,000 annually while improving security outcomes.
• Our consultative approach has helped clients reduce service charges by identifying inefficiencies that managing agents often overlook.

Ultimately, FM providers should be seen as an extension of your team—partners who bring critical thinking and innovative solutions to the table.

6. Demand Transparency and Accountability

In an industry where glossy brochures often mask sub-par delivery, transparency is non-negotiable. Clients deserve real-time reporting on performance metrics, clear communication about challenges, and evidence of ROI.

At Anchor, we provide dashboards that track everything from cleaning schedules to security incidents in real time. This level of visibility builds trust and ensures that clients know exactly what they’re paying for—and why it’s worth it.