Sustainable FM KTP

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important issue for Government, professional institutes and the business community in general. The facilities management profession represents collectively the largest group of multi-disciplinary built environment specialists dedicated to the on-going improvement, operation and management of the UK’s existing building stock, and as such, has a primary role to play in implementing the sustainability agenda.

It is however recognised by those at the forefront of Sustainability and Facilities management research and practice, that although the FM profession has been presented with an opportunity to make a real and measurable difference by driving the sustainability agenda forward, it does not at present have easy access to the specialist knowledge, tools and supporting case study material necessary to make this a reality.

To these ends, the University of Reading’s School of Construction Management & Engineering, internationally renowned for their research activity in this area, have partnered with the Facilities Management profession, represented by the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM). This alliance has been made possible by the Technology Straregy Board’s (TSB previously the DTI) Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme (KTP), which has provided considerable funding for the project.

The KTP project has is also being supported by headline sponsors Kinnarps.

Kinnarps is one of Europe’s leading office furniture manufacturers, with a reputation for the strength of their environmental credentials and sustainable practices. http://www.kinnarps.com/en/uk/

There is however a need to attract further funding in order to go the extra mile, and exceed industry expectation. This represents a significant opportunity for innovative and socially responsible organisations to become involved and help shape the future of FM service delivery.

The project formally commenced in September of this year with the appointment of a full-time Research Associate and the formation of a Steering Group, comprising individuals from leading organisations operating within this area. To date, project plans and terms of reference have been drawn up, the first Steering Group meeting has taken place and an “Online Survey” has been launched, designed to inform the specification of the “Sustainability Knowledge-Portal”, the first of two major deliverables under the project. It is intended that the survey results will develop and refine the specification of the portal scheduled for launch in March 2009. The project is scheduled to run for two years and in addition to the “Sustainability Knowledge-Portal” further project deliverables will include:

Publication of a “Sustainable FM-Good Practice Guide”
A series of regional roadshows and training sessions
The integration of sustainability into professional competencies and skills for BIFM members.

The value of both internal and external PR from association with this project will clearly be high. To find out more about project sponsorship opportunities please contact Kelly Spring on 0845 058 1356

For more general information about the project, its progress and deliverables, please call Gordon Ludlow on 07986 819084 or email gpludlow@yahoo.co.uk

Click here to link to the Sustainable FM Sub-committee pages

Headline Sponsors for the Sustainable FM KTP Project