The Facilities Management Exchange

Welcome to Episode #10 of The Facilities Management Exchange

We're joined by Bernard Crouch, Todimu Bello, and Wayne Young for a powerful conversation about discovering your first role in Facilities Management and the challenges many aspiring professionals face when trying to break into the industry.

In this episode expect:
• How people really find their way into Facilities Management
• Why FM is still overlooked in schools and career pathways
• The perception problem facing the industry
• The realities of starting out – from janitors to leadership roles
• Advice for young professionals trying to break into FM
• The power of networking and saying yes to opportunities
• Todimu’s journey, resilience, and passion for the industry

Enjoy everyone! 

In this FMX BITE, Mark asks our guests, what is the hardest challenge they have faced in their working life from an LGBTQ+ perspective.

Our amazing guests are honest and open about their experiences, which should hopefully help others who are going through similar situations. You are never alone.

Listen to the full episode on all platforms.

Welcome to Episode #9 of The Facilities Management Exchange!

We're joined by Co-CEO Reuben Heppelthwaite of Not Just Cleaning, alongside James Makanjuola and John Makanjuola - better known as the Maka Twins - founders of Makagroup Cleaning.

In this episode expect: 

• Entrepreneurial roots and family legacy
• Building a commercial cleaning company from scratch
• Making cleaning cool 
• Speed, risk and resilience in business
• The power of story, trust and social media
• The future of Facilities Management

Enjoy everyone!

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Mark is joined by three inspiring leaders from the world of Facilities Management and Security: Satia Rai, Steven Downie and Craig Dougal.

Satia Rai is a recognised global leader in the private security sector, COO of Leverage Security and CEO of the International Professional Security Association (IPSA). With nearly 30 years’ experience, she has led transformational change across the industry and founded Security Industry Pride in London and the International Women’s Day campaign for security professionals. In this episode, Satia opens up like never before—sharing untold stories about identity, faith, leadership, and why she will always choose people over profit.

Craig Dougal, an experienced Engineering Manager and HV Authorising Engineer, manages risk across large-scale facilities and critical environments. With a career spanning electrical engineering, business continuity and operations management, Craig brings both technical authority and raw honesty—sharing his journey through bullying, career pivots, and the power of conversation in creating real change.

Steven Downie, a facilities and real estate leader with expertise in large portfolios, refurbishments and ESG, speaks candidly about leading with knowledge, resilience and integrity. From running major refurb projects to championing inclusion, Steven shares how his experiences—from school bullying to senior leadership—shaped his approach to people, culture and respect in the workplace.

This episode moves beyond job titles. It’s about identity, resilience, leadership and the responsibility that comes with influence.

In this episode we talk about: 

• Coming out journeys
• How we can change bullying in schools and the workplace
• DEI, "woke" culture and legislation
• Leadership approaches
• The power of conversation and community.

In this FMX BITE, Mark asks the question: what advice would you give to your younger self if you were starting in FM today. The guests give our listeners some amazing advice. Give this short one a listen!

In this FMX Bite, each guest shares their unique journey into the dynamic world of Facilities Management. Packed with inspiration, this episode is perfect for students starting university who are exploring different paths and wondering how to approach their future differently. It also highlights how a career in FM equips you with invaluable, real-world life skills that extend far beyond the workplace.

In this FMX BITE, Daniel and Colin discuss:

• Time is our greatest commodity
• Importance of being a sponge
• Consume the content that is right in front of you. Not on your phones
• The principles by which you live your life are the most important thing
• Property is a people business

In this FMX BITE, Colin Becker breaks down why playing the long game matters in business. With over 30 years of experience at Metrus, he shares hard-earned lessons and practical advice for young professionals looking to build a lasting career in property.

In this insightful and energising episode of The Facilities Management Exchange, we dive into the heart of commercial property and workplace culture with two highly respected industry professionals whose careers have been built on work ethic, people-first thinking, and long-term vision.

Episode #7 – Discovering Property and Culture – brings together Daniel Major and Colin Becker for a powerful conversation that explores not only how the property industry has evolved, but how mindset, principles and culture ultimately determine success.

Daniel Major, a Chartered Surveyor with over 20 years’ experience delivering property management services across funds, propco, corporate and boutique clients, shares how he “knew from the age of 15” that he was destined for property. From managing trophy office buildings and prime high street assets to acting as a key client manager across complex UK portfolios, Daniel reflects on the foundations that shaped his career — structure, discipline, accountability, and the work ethic instilled in him by his parents.

His message is simple and uncompromising:
“You can’t achieve a positive outcome if you’re not putting a shift in.”

For aspiring surveyors and young professionals, his advice is equally direct:
“If you put a shift in, you will get the result you want.”

Colin Becker brings 30 years of Central London commercial real estate experience to the table, having transacted with some of the industry’s most recognised names including Great Portland Estates, British Land, Derwent London, Howard De Walden Estates, and many more. With deep expertise in lease advisory, capital markets, asset appraisal, negotiations and strategic repositioning, Colin’s perspective is grounded in experience — but driven by people.

As he puts it: “People are my passion.”

Having spent three decades advising on high-profile assets, Colin explains why understanding people — not just property — is what truly drives performance. From playing the long game early in his career (including a year unpaid at Metrus) to building what he describes as a culture that feels different on a Sunday night, his reflections on influence, environment and leadership are both candid and thought-provoking.

Together, Daniel and Colin explore the evolution of the property sector — from landlord-centric models to community-driven spaces, from tenants to “clients”, and from rigid structures to agile leasing strategies. They discuss the return-to-office debate, generational shifts in the workplace, the growing role of technology and AI, and why first impressions in buildings still matter more than ever.

Culture becomes a central theme throughout the episode:

“We’re a product of the influences that surround us.”
“The culture drives the performance of a business.”

Colin shares powerful reflections on mentorship, education, and why time is our greatest commodity, while Daniel discusses sustainability, proactive asset management and the importance of adapting your approach because “every building is different.”

This episode is packed with perspective, energy and practical wisdom, including:

• Daniel’s early certainty about a career in property — and the family influence that shaped his work ethic
• Why systems and structure are fundamental in property management
• The shift from acting solely for landlords to serving communities and clients
• Colin’s 30-year journey in Central London real estate
• The value of experience for young professionals — beyond just a laptop
• Playing the long game in an industry obsessed with speed
• Why culture defines how you feel on a Sunday night
• The cyclical nature of the property market
• The return-to-office conversation and what it means for future surveyors
• Technology, efficiency and “getting on the train”

In this compelling episode of The Facilities Management Exchange, we sit down with two outstanding security professionals whose real-world experience, insight, and straight-talking approach shine a light on one of the most critical challenges facing modern facilities and organisations: keeping people safe in an increasingly complex and unpredictable world.

Our guests come from different backgrounds, yet they share a common mission — raising standards across the security sector, improving risk awareness, and helping organisations move beyond box-ticking into meaningful protection.

Helmey El-Aasar brings a powerful and personal journey into the industry, from his early “floater” days through to senior leadership. With trademark honesty and humour, Helmey reflects on the realities of frontline security, the dangers of complacency, and the responsibility every individual has to play their part. His perspective on accountability, ownership, and the importance of challenging vague language in legislation offers a refreshing and much-needed dose of clarity.

Chris Hotchkiss, (Founder and CEO at Prova Risk) drawing on his background in the Army and his leadership within the security sector, shares a pragmatic view of risk, technology, and operational excellence. He explains how modern security services can go far beyond minimum compliance — using technology to simplify complex processes, reduce risk, and deliver protection that is both efficient and effective. Chris also offers invaluable advice for those entering the industry and the mindset required to build a long-term career in security.

Together, Helmey and Chris explore the realities of modern threat environments, from Martyn’s Law and risk mitigation to radicalisation, social media, fake news, and the growing role of AI in security operations.

In this episode, expect a candid, thought-provoking mix of frontline stories, industry insight, and practical guidance, including:

•  Helmey’s journey into the security industry — and the stories that shaped his career
•  Why “reasonable” is one of the most dangerous words in legislation
•  The real-world implications of Martyn’s Law for facilities and venues
•  What effective risk mitigation should actually look like
•  Why “they only need to get lucky once — we need to be lucky all the time”
•  The role of technology in simplifying compliance and raising standards
•  Social media, radicalisation, and the impact of online visibility
•  Why ownership at every level is critical to safety
•  The future of AI, robotics, and drones in security operations
•  Advice for the next generation entering the security profession
•  Lessons from global conflict and what it teaches us about procurement and efficiency

At its core, this conversation asks a vital question:
What does effective security really look like in today’s world — and how do we move from compliance to genuine protection?