Why agility matters more than ever in facilities management

20 March 2026

Facilities management has always been about adapting to change. But the shifts we’re seeing now feel different. The post-pandemic workplace has settled into something new, and the role of the facilities manager has grown into something far more strategic than it was just a few years ago.

In October 2025, 27% of workers in Great Britain were working in a hybrid arrangement, with a further 13% working entirely remotely. Two to three days a week in the office has become the norm in the UK, with 85% of hybrid job postings now requiring at least two days on site. This working arrangement can not be considered a temporary adjustment anymore. It’s how we work now, and facilities managers are at the heart of making it function.

Managing buildings that flex

The predictable rhythms of office life have gone. When you don’t know whether 40 or 400 people will turn up on any given day, decisions around cleaning, heating, and security become genuinely difficult. Buildings must now offer flexibility, comfort, and collaboration-enabling infrastructure, and facilities managers are responsible for everything from indoor air quality to space utilisation analytics.

Understanding real-time occupancy patterns and using that data to inform resource decisions is essential to the role. Many organisations are now coordinating what’s often called “anchor days,” in which teams that need to collaborate are scheduled to be in on the same days. Getting this right requires facilities managers who understand both the technology and the human dynamics at play.

Creating workplaces worth the commute

There’s a growing recognition that if you’re asking people to travel into an office, that space needs to offer something they can’t get at home. Workplace hospitality management services have moved into the spotlight, turning buildings into destinations worth the commute.

Destinations worth the commute go beyond the basics. Collaborative spaces, social areas, quality coffee, and comfortable environments all matter. Amenity-rich office spaces will see strong demand, especially those integrated into diverse ecosystems such as retail, restaurants, and hospitality. Facilities managers are increasingly responsible for shaping the experience of coming to work, not just maintaining the building itself.

Technology that actually helps

The conversation around smart buildings and AI has moved from theory into practice. 76% of respondents to a recent survey indicated that they plan to deploy generative AI to assist with workplace operations and maintenance in the following year. New technology isn’t about replacing people. It’s about giving facilities teams the tools to work smarter.

AI is already enhancing facilities management by automating issue detection, tracking, and resolution, reducing manual effort and errors. Using predictive maintenance is becoming standard, with sensors monitoring equipment performance and flagging problems before they become failures. AI-powered systems can make impressively accurate parts recommendations, drastically reducing repeat site visits and helping units get back up faster.

For facilities managers, this means developing new skills in data analysis and understanding how these systems work together. The FM role is becoming more technical and more interesting.

Sustainability is now a core business

Approximately 78% of facility managers rank sustainability among their top three priorities. No longer considered a side initiative, ESG compliance, carbon tracking, and energy-efficient operations are central to what facilities teams do.

The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard is set to launch in full in winter 2025/26. The expectation is for a unified methodology to ensure buildings align with the UK’s carbon and energy budgets. This new building standard establishes clear expectations for what “net zero” means and how it will be verified. Facilities managers will need to understand the latest frameworks and translate them into practical action.

Over 60% of UK organisations increased their sustainability-related FM spend in 2024, and providers are increasingly evaluated not just on cost but on their ability to support decarbonisation, regulatory compliance, and smart building management.

The skills challenge

The difficult truth is that the FM talent landscape is undergoing disruption. The UK’s FM sector alone employs over 1.2 million people, but the workforce is ageing, and there’s a shortage of new entrants with the digital fluency and ESG expertise needed to take FM forward.

The International Facilities Management Association estimates that 40% of current facility managers will retire by 2026, creating a shortfall of 158,000 positions by the decade’s end. The facilities managers who thrive will be those who continue to build their skills in data, sustainability, and emerging technologies. This makes recognised professional development, training and qualifications more important than ever.

Smart building solutions are helping the facilities management industry both alleviate the strain of worker shortages and attract members of the digital-native generations seeking technology-focused careers. The perception of FM as low-tech and unglamorous is changing. Sustainability and technology are making the facilities field more attractive to younger professionals who want their work to have purpose.

What this means for you

The facilities manager of 2026 isn’t just keeping buildings running. They’re using data to make better decisions, creating spaces that bring people together, driving sustainability goals, and adapting to a workforce that expects flexibility. It’s a bigger role than it used to be, with more visibility and more impact on organisational success.

The need for responsive, proactive, and agile facilities managers has never been greater. Those who develop the right skills will find themselves at the centre of how organisations operate and how employees experience their working lives.

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