On Thursday 17 July 2025, Macro brought together industry leaders, clients, and changemakers for a live virtual event: “The Burning Questions in Facilities Management.”

Part of our ongoing Brainwaves series, the session focused on what’s really driving change across facilities management today - from decarbonisation and technology to navigating hybrid working and rising costs. The goal? To tackle the sector’s toughest questions head-on and share actionable strategies that deliver measurable results.

The Six Burning Questions in FM

To frame the conversation, we introduced the Six Burning Questions shaping the future of FM which originated from our recent white paper report. These reflect the real-world challenges we hear from clients every day:

1. How do we reduce costs without compromising performance?
2. How can we enhance sustainability and meet ESG goals?
3. What’s the smartest way to optimise our facilities?
4. How do we stay compliant and ensure safety?
5. How do we scale FM for fluctuating demand?
6. Where should we invest in technology - and why?

From strategy to action: What we learned

The conversation focussed on three urgent themes: sustainability, technology integration, and scaling for fluctuating demand. Here's what our expert panel shared:

Sustainability: From ambition to accountability

Associate Director for Sustainability, Attiya Khan, highlighted the growing importance of data-driven decarbonisation - especially in leased properties, where clients often lack direct control over their assets. She shared best practices for:

• Using IoT-enabled energy metering
• Engaging landlords in shared sustainability goals
• Accounting for Scope 3 emissions accurately
• Leveraging dashboards to track ESG compliance

Quick wins? Switch to EVs, adopt reusable materials, and retrofit existing assets to deliver immediate energy savings.

Technology: Not just tools - enablers

Workplace experience and technology manager Enrique Paradela Delgado showcased how digital twins and AI-enabled sensors can unlock smarter, more agile FM strategies. A standout case study revealed how one client used occupancy data to adjust cleaning and energy use - delivering a full ROI in under 12 months.

Key message: Tech must serve strategy. Whether your priority is sustainability, cost reduction, or employee experience, solutions must align with outcomes.

Scaling smart: Flex for the future

With hybrid work here to stay, Operations Director for the Americas Anthony Marroney explored how FM leaders are using data to flex capacity in real time. Seasonal shifts in retail, corporate return-to-office trends, and changing lease agreements all require adaptable strategies.

Anthony shared that the most effective plans are grounded in real-time data - not assumptions. It’s this insight that enables efficient landlord negotiations, right-sizing utilities, and optimising operating expenses.

What’s next: From insights to implementation

Throughout the session, emerging burning questions and themes surfaced:

• What are the “low-hanging fruit” FM initiatives with ROI in under 12 months?
• Tactics for driving sustainability in leased properties
• Are there any hospitality-inspired front-of-house investments to enhance the employee experience?
• How do we use tech to support and not ‘watch’ our people
• How do you balance the pressure to cut costs with the need to improve service experience?

These are exactly the kinds of topics we’ll be exploring in the next wave of our Brainwaves series, launching this autumn. Expect deep dives, industry perspectives, and client-led stories that speak to the real-world complexity of today’s FM environment.

Want to share your burning questions in FM?

If you’d like a deeper conversation, whether it’s a virtual meeting, an in-person coffee, or a follow-up with Macro’s leadership team, get in touch. Let’s keep the conversation going.