Gemma Osborn

Job title

Area facilities manager

Organisation

Knight Frank LLP

Brief description of the job and key responsibilities

I am the FM on 17 sites throughout London, the Midlands and the south-east/west. The portfolio consists of small industrial estates, a shopping centre, office blocks and trading estates. I manage and monitor the hard and soft services, I procure goods and services and collate requests for minor works on site and subsequently manage the implementation and completion of works. I also oversee and assist in capital project and replacement work.

What attracted you to the job?

Knight Frank is the leading, independent global property consultancy and I wanted to work on a portfolio rather than being based at one property.

What are the best bits?

The social aspect of dealing with tenants and landlords and the diversity of tasks.

A brief run-down of previous roles

I have previously worked as a property manager, a facilities assistant for an investment and mutual funds management company and a facilities coordinator for a large media company. I¹ve also worked as a lift operator in a North American ski resort.

How did you get into FM and what attracted you to the industry?

I started working for a leading facilities management company in 2001 based in the telecoms department. I was attracted to the role as it was varied due to it being based on a large business park, there was always a challenge.

What do you like/dislike about it?

I like the variety and challenge of the role but getting calls about a leaking gutter on a Sunday morning is not a highlight.

Why and when did you join the BIFM?

I wanted to enrol on a few of the BIFM CPD courses; it made sense to join at the same time.

Do you have any qualifications in FM?

I recently completed the Nebosh national general certificate and I have completed four BIFM-run CPD courses.

What’s been your career high-point to date?

I was involved with moving 400 plus staff into new offices in the West End after a major fit-out. At the same time I was working on the procurement of a large catering contract and was responsible for the UK launch of an electronic event management system. It was a very busy year.