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From High-Risk To Low-Risk. Leadership Matters Most
When you’ve grown up professionally in higher-risk environments, health and safety leadership is instinctive. It’s visible, structured, and non-negotiable — because the consequences are immediate. Moving into a sector that’s perceived as “lower risk” requires a different approach. Not because safety matters less or is considered less, but because it’s easier for it to become…
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A penguin in shorts
Many of us subscribe to email updates for thought leadership pieces from a variety of sources. Some are good, some are bad. It’s hard not to read one that starts with A penguin walks into the room, wearing a baseball cap and shorts—what do you say? Earlier this week I read a note from Gary Burnison, CEO…
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Leading as an Interim: Experience, Adaptability, and the Discipline to Let Go
Stepping into an interim leadership role brings a very particular set of challenges — many of which aren’t visible from the outside. You’re brought in because of your experience, your judgement, your ability to stabilise, assess, and act. There’s an expectation that you’ll move quickly, bring clarity, and make decisions that others may have been…
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From Desk to Depot: How Agile Workforce Models Are Rewriting Service Delivery
The line between “office” and “field” has blurred. For decades, workplace strategy focused on offices — flexible space, collaboration zones, hybrid work models — while service delivery focused on the depot, the van, and the site. But the reality is that both worlds are part of the same ecosystem. In infrastructure and facilities management, the…
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Social Value at Scale: Embedding Community Impact into Everyday Operations
In today’s infrastructure and facilities management sectors, success is no longer measured by service delivery alone. Clients — whether local authorities, defence estates, or corporate occupiers — increasingly expect operators to deliver measurable social value. That means creating local employment pathways, reducing carbon footprints, and strengthening community trust, all while maintaining high levels of operational performance.…
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Talent Informed Space: SWP as the engine for Forecasts, Allocation and Flex.
Most organisations have already invested heavily in workplace strategy; hybrid policies, portfolio optimisation, IWMS, and utilisation analytics. What’s changed is the precision and cadence with which people plans can flow into space and services. Strategic workforce planning (SWP) tools (e.g., Anaplan, Workday Adaptive Planning, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle EPM, Visier, Orgvue) are evolving their offering to include workplace…
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Centralisation vs Decentralisation: Structuring Real Estate Teams for Optimal Portfolio Performance
In managing large property portfolios, one of the key decisions facing senior leaders is determining whether to adopt a centralised or decentralised approach to structuring real estate teams. The right choice can significantly influence operational efficiency, agility, responsiveness, and cost-effectiveness. In my experience of leading large-scale property portfolio transformations, I’ve worked with both centralised and…
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Navigating Geopolitical Risks in M&A Strategies
In an increasingly volatile landscape, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become far more than financial transactions—they are complex operational undertakings shaped by geopolitics, technology, and organizational transformation. The rising threat of a global trade war is forcing companies to rethink how, where, and when they pursue deals. With the potential for tariffs, sanctions, and retaliatory…
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Harnessing AI for Sustainability in Facilities and Portfolio Management
As organizations strive to meet escalating sustainability targets, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pivotal tool in enhancing operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact. In the realms of Facilities Management (FM) and portfolio management, AI-driven solutions are revolutionizing traditional practices, leading to smarter, greener operations. Smart Buildings and Optimized Operations AI-powered Building Management Systems…
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Why Knowing Your Team’s Sleep Chronotype Makes You a Better Leader
This week, I listened to a brilliant episode of Be That Life with Mary Christine, which explored the growing science behind sleep, mental health, and performance. One concept that really stood out was sleep chronotypes—the biological rhythms that dictate when each of us feels most alert, creative, or ready to switch off. It struck a…
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