SME Executive Summary

By Rachel Stokes, Chief Financial Officer, Ricoh UK

It is globally acknowledged that the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic will be felt for years to come and economic recovery is a key challenge facing all world leaders.

The wake of this disruption also bubbles around British businesses. The experience of 2020/21 has placed a more distinct focus on corporate resilience for boards and executives across the country.

With recovery high on the agenda, recent research from McKinsey suggests that boards, especially those that were quickest to adapt to the crisis, are now shifting focus to specific risks, organisational and cultural issues. Due to the rise in further external challenges, such as supply chain disruptions, staff shortages and inflation, all aspects of business strategy are being evaluated to drive optimum productivity in such a key moment of recovery.

Over the last 18 months, we recognise that Facilities Managers (FM) have been at the coalface of key business and workplace challenges. Whilst the onset of the pandemic changed the way we need to work, the experience has now transformed the way we want to work.

Our research conducted during our first return to the office (October 2020) found nearly 1/3 of managers are concerned that their workplace is no longer fit for purpose. FM has embraced this new challenge, but has battled against changing government guidelines and rolling lockdowns.

As society stabilises, we wanted to get a better understanding from the FM industry on the next challenges for businesses and the office.

More importantly, what Facilities Managers need from senior leaders and the CEO, is to support addressing these challenges and enhancing business productivity and growth.

This report comes following our key industry Facilities Managers roundtable.

In partnership with The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) , we have conducted a definitive discussion of how we can lead change at work.

This report will provide recommendations to support the progression of this discussion into action.

Rachel Stokes,
CFO, Ricoh UK