Definitions of Estate/Facilities Management

Facility managers coordinate the strategic and operational management of facilities in the public and private sector organisations. They range from those making very high-level decisions at board level within an organisation, contributing to strategic planning, to those involved with the day-to-day management and operations of facilities.

Facilities managers are most often key decision-makers in the areas of the provision of corporate work spaces across all property sectors, communications, utilities, building and property maintenance and other workplace services. They often control the capital and/or maintenance spending in these areas and are responsible for the delivery of performance outcomes.

Facilities management is the integration of processes within an organisation to maintain and develop the agreed services which support and improve the effectiveness of its primary activities. (EN15221-1)

Facilities management is the largest business services market in Europe. This market has been estimated to be valued at £700 billion. Experts estimate the FM market is 5% tot 8% of GDP depending on the country and the maturity of FM in that country. Facility management has become the facilitator of sustainable life-cycle solutions for buildings, new ways of working initiatives and business services innovations.

Estates management also encompasses a field of management which is concerned with the ownership, management, valuation, disposal and development of urban land and property.