Keith Fraser is the Head of Estates and Facilities Management at Alexandra Palace. He has a background in the military and procurement as well as facilities management. One of his toughest experiences was evacuating the London Metropolitan University buildings on July 7, 2005 during the London bombings. He believes the facilities management industry lacks confidence in articulating what defines it and differentiates it from other industries. If facilities managers were viewed as professionals on the same level as chartered accountants, it could help raise the profession to board level.

1. FM PEOPLE MOVERS & SHAKERS
BEHIND
THE JOB
How did you get into facilities management and How do you think facilities management has
what attracted you to the industry? changed in the last five years?
I attended University College London, and my MSc There has been a gradual shift to flexible working -
was in Facilities Management. My research was however it hasn’t always completely materialised, as
based on the adaptive re-use of heritage buildings progression ebbs and flows with the economy. The
for educational use, and the business drivers in the recent economic downturn has forced professionals to
decision making process. I am fascinated by how think about standards within FM.
buildings were used in their prime. I have a background
in the military, and procurement as well as FM. Which FM myth would you most like to end?
FM isn’t a profession as such; it is a disjointed
Any interesting tales to tell? occupation. FM is as old as buildings. People have a
One of the toughest days I have experienced was conceptual understanding of what an accountant or
NAME: Keith Fraser during my time as FM at London Metropolitan architecht is, but not an FM.
JOB TITLE: Head of estates and University. I was in the area during the 7 July 2005
facilities management London terrorist attacks. We experienced a challenging What’s been your career high point to date?
ORGANISATION: Alexandra evacuation programme, particularly as the police were I managed the procurement on the design and build
Palace reluctant to let anybody leave the office and take to team for HMP Featherstone 2, a new build prision in
JOB DESCRIPTION: Leading the street. There were also issues with communications the west midlands, from start to finish. It was the first
the Estates and FM function as many networks were jammed. My office overlooked public sector prison to be built since HMP Belmarsh,
and other corporate services for Aldgate tube station, and as a result many of the front and the procurement was completed on time and for
the events venue and national page photographs you would have seen on the likes of £40m below the construction budget.
heritiage site. Also acting as The Telegraph were taken from my balcony.
landlord on behalf of the Palace What single piece of advice would you give to
Trust to the trading arm of the If you could change one thing about the industry, a young facilities manager starting out?
business. what would it be? I have been fortunate enough to teach FM at graduate
I believe there is a lack of self-confidence to articulate level, and while higher education is great it’s not for
what defines facilities management, particularly when everyone. Learning is all about understanding FM in
differentiating itself from other industries. If FMs are context, especially the commercial drivers. The BIFM
viewed as professionals on a level peg as chartered qualifications have really stepped up in recent years,
accountants it will help raise the profession at a board and regardless of the route you take you need to
level. It would be a good step forward. devote time and energy to the learning process.
40 | 17 JANUARY 2013 | FM WORLD www.fm-world.co.uk