EuroFM Podcast - FM Without Frontiers

#6 - Sustainability in FM: Challenges and Opportunities

Live from the Workplace Event at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, host Vera van de Loo speaks with EuroFM chair Natalie Hofman, facilities manager Sarah Orpwood, and FM consultant Bernard Crouch about what sustainability really means in facility management. The conversation goes beyond carbon reduction, focusing on behavior change, employee experience, and the urgent need to grow FM knowledge through training, events, and shared best practices. They explore real-world challenges such as confusing recycling rules, contaminated waste streams, limited UK recycling capacity, and the huge amount of construction and fit-out waste that still lacks proper reuse solutions. The panel also looks at how suppliers can be pushed further through tenders with rising recycling targets, why waste-to-energy should be avoided where possible, and how collaboration between FM, HR, environmental teams, and external partners can support social sustainability through mobility plans, inclusive workplace policies, and practical facilities like showers and drying rooms. They end with a clear message: sustainability education must become essential, and lasting progress depends on stronger stakeholder involvement and empowered employee champions.

#5 - Three Associations, One Industry: EuroFM, IWFM & IFMA in Conversation

Three leading facility management associations come together for one powerful conversation. In this special EuroFM podcast episode, live recorded from the EuroFM Conference in Trondheim, leaders from EuroFM (Natalie Hofman), IWFM (Andrew Hulbert) and IFMA EMEA (Lara Paemen) share their perspectives on the future of facility management and the growing importance of collaboration across borders. As the FM industry continues to evolve rapidly, driven by topics such as technology, sustainability, wellbeing and hybrid work, the need for international cooperation has never been greater. In this discussion, the panel explores how associations can support professionals at every stage of their careers, from students to experienced leaders, and how knowledge sharing between regions strengthens the entire industry. The conversation highlights: • Why collaboration between FM associations is essential • The role of knowledge exchange and global best practices • How FM differs across regions and what we can learn from each other • The importance of lifelong learning and professional development • How associations attract and support the next generation of FM professionals • The power of partnerships, networks and volunteering With decades of combined experience, this panel offers valuable insights into how the FM community can move forward together, beyond borders and beyond competition.

#4 - Creating Collaborative and Inclusive Workspaces

Welcome to another episode of the 'FM Without Frontiers' podcast by the European Facility Management Association (EuroFM). In this episode, recorded live from the Workplace Event in Birmingham, EuroFM chair and host Natalie Hofman moderates a discussion on the evolving landscape of facility management with Roderick Miller, the Head of Workplace Operations at UKTV, and Pleun van Deurssen, educational board member at EuroFM and lecturer in Facility Management. Reflecting on the impacts of COVID-19, the discussion highlights a pronounced shift towards more people-centric strategies within facility management.  Key points include the importance of transforming office spaces to better cater to a hybrid workforce and addressing the diverse needs of employees, especially in terms of accommodating neurodiversity and ensuring individual comfort levels. Rod shares insights on the increasing need for flexibility and the role of workplace facilities in fostering creativity and collaboration, while Pleun emphasizes the importance of preparing young professionals for these changes. Both contributors underscore the necessity of incorporating employee feedback into workplace design and policies, despite budgeting and contractual constraints. The conversation concludes by stressing the importance of efficiency and the judicious use of modern tools in adapting to this new normal.

#3 - Smart Buildings: The Power of AI and BIM in Facility Management

Welcome to another episode of the 'FM Without Frontiers' podcast by the European Facility Management Association (EuroFM). In this episode hosted by Natalie Hofman, industry experts discuss the advancements in smart buildings, AI, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) within facility management.  Spencer ten Brink from Autodesk and Niklas Wieczorekfrom GOLDBECK Services share insights on the evolving role of facility managers, the potential for change driven by data and technology, the barriers to implementing AI and BIM in both new and existing buildings, and the expectations for the future of smart building technologies. The discussion also touches on the hybrid workplace environment fostered by the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasizes the need for facility managers to adapt to new technologies and data-driven solutions. You can also watch this episode, on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/gxugrkPEJsw]

#2 - Green Futures: Student Insights on Sustainability

Welcome to another episode of the 'FM Without Frontiers' podcast by the European Facility Management Association (EuroFM [https://eurofm.org]). In this episode, host Chris, engages with students Yaslin, Mauro, and Jorinde from The Hague University of Applied Sciences to discuss their views and experiences on sustainability.  The students share personal views on the importance of using resources wisely, inclusivity, and responsibility. They also discuss the sustainability initiatives at their university, challenges students face in adopting sustainable practices, and the role students can play in the future of sustainable business practices. Practical tips such as reducing shower time, minimizing waste, and opting for public transportation are highlighted as simple steps listeners can take towards sustainability. You can also watch this episode, on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/e7sHYL-tehs]