In 2019 AUDE identified the need for members to be able to collaborate at a strategic level around facilities management issues. Under the leadership of the since-retired and highly experienced Colin Blair (University of Huddersfield) we undertook a series of scoping meetings for colleagues from across the UK, to enable them to jointly define the need and role of this new group. Today we are delighted to be able to announce that Lucy Black, Head of Facilities and Student Accommodation at the University of Plymouth, has been chosen to chair the new AUDE Strategic FM Group which emerged from these initial discussions.

Lucy Black will be supported in this role by a committee comprising Allan Blair (LSE), Robert Kilpatrick (University of Strathclyde) and Lisa Woods (University of Sheffield).

It is a key objective of the group to be recognised as the authority on FM in HE. The current public health emergency has focused our universities on practical and operational facilities management in a way that can only be good for those carrying out these important roles. AUDE acts as a conduit for information between sector agencies and the government including on issues around coronavirus crisis planning. Looking beyond the coronavirus crisis we’re conscious that the new group will be developing and sharing approaches to new ways of operating buildings and services that will come into play post Covid-19, in an environment which may be fundamentally different. FM has a pivotal role in how universities will bring their campuses back into operation.

As Lucy Black said, “These national priorities align closely with those of the University of Plymouth, which like others in the sector is tackling the implications of social distancing on teaching and learning, research and residential accommodation for the coming academic year.”

AUDE’s Executive Director Jane White explained more about the future role of the group. “We’ll be running events for members, initially by making use of digital technologies, and we’ll be identifying learning and development needs so we can support members in their FM careers. AUDE at its best is an amazing professional peer support network and the Strategic FM Group will act in that way, enabling the sector to develop the FM leaders of the future.”

Linda Hausmanis, IWFM Chief Executive said: “I’m delighted to see our organisations align more closely through this most welcome appointment. Lucy is a valued member of IWFM’s Board, and I know she will work hard to bring into focus the key strategic issues that matter for the universities sector. The workplace and facilities profession has been central to every organisation’s ability to operate during the lock down; and as the economy switches back on FMs have a great opportunity to prove their value by bringing together the physical space, culture and technology aspects of workplace which hold the key to organisational and individual productivity”.