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Five FM Experts on Innovation, ESG, and Cost Pressures
29 May, 2025
As we step into 2025, the FM industry continues to evolve, driven by technological advancements, sustainability imperatives, and shifting client expectations. In this feature, five industry leaders share their insights into the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, offering a glimpse into the dynamic facilities management sector.
Insights from Karthikeyan Ragothaman, bfm
Karthikeyan Ragothaman, General Manager of bfm, envisions AI as a transformative force for the company in the coming year. “The single biggest opportunity for bfm over the next 12 months is the expansion and integration of AI-driven technologies across our service portfolio. By advanced AI solutions, such as our AI-Driven Chiller Plant Upgrade and Smart Washroom Technology, we aim to significantly enhance operational efficiency, reduce energy consumption and improve client satisfaction,” he explains.
Karthikeyan Ragothaman, General Manager of bfm
Additionally, Ragothaman emphasises the role of predictive maintenance in shaping
the FM industry. “Leveraging AI and predictive analytics for maintenance scheduling can significantly reduce downtime and increase the lifespan of equipment.”
Predictive maintenance solutions are becoming a key differentiator in the FM industry, positioning us to lead in this innovative space, drive sustainable growth and open up new market opportunities.
Ragothaman highlights the complexity of integrating these technologies: “As we expand our AI-driven and predictive analytics solutions, we must address potential issues such as data security, system interoperability and the need for continuous staff training. Balancing the implementation of these innovative technologies with maintaining our high standards of service delivery will
be crucial.”
To meet these challenges, bfm has invested in dedicated training centers, ensuring employees are equipped to navigate the rapidly evolving technological landscape. “Regular training sessions are essential to ensure that our employees are well-versed in the latest technologies and can effectively utilise new tools and systems.
By investing in our workforce through regular training, it ensures we have a skilled and adaptable workforce ready to meet the evolving demands of the industry and drive our company’s success,” Ragothaman adds.
Insights from Dulsco Group David Stockton, Group CEO of Dulsco Group
David Stockton, Group CEO of Dulsco Group, identifies sustainability as a key driver of growth. “The primary opportunity for our business over the next 12 months lies in the expansion of our Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) production to service the cement industry, providing a sustainable alternative to coal and contributing to the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 agenda,” he states.
Dulsco’s new facility at Dubai Industrial City (DIC) is set to produce 80,000 tonnes of RDF annually,
positioning the company at the forefront of environmental innovation.
By offering Refuse-Derived Fuel as a greener substitute for traditional fuels, Dulsco Environment is positioned to make a substantial impact in reducing the environmental footprint of this key industry.
Cement production is a significant source of carbon emissions, and Stockton believes Dulsco’s efforts can drive change.
However, Stockton points to public participation as a significant hurdle. “Despite growing environmental awareness, there is still a significant gap in the public’s understanding of how their waste management choices directly impact the environment,” he notes.
Challenges such as staff training in remote locations and talent acquisition remain pressing.
“At Dulsco Environment, we have invested in advanced waste treatment facilities designed to divert waste from landfills and reduce overall emissions. However, this requires active participation in source segregation—a key factor in the success of waste diversion efforts.
Unfortunately, many people either do not understand, do not believe in, or are not willing to segregate their waste at the source, which creates a substantial hurdle in achieving optimal results.”
Dulsco is tackling this issue through educational campaigns aimed at fostering greater awareness and participation in waste segregation. “We are particularly focusing on younger generations, as they play a pivotal role in shaping future sustainable practices,” Stockton adds.
“By positioning ourselves as a trusted solutions provider, we are actively leading efforts to shift public perception, enhance recycling participation, and drive long-term sustainability outcomes for the community.”
Insights from Abdulla Abushabib, Ejadah Commercial
Abdulla Abushabib, Senior Executive Director at Ejadah Commercial
For Abdulla Abushabib, Senior Executive Director at Ejadah Commercial, the absence of standardised FM guidelines in the UAE presents a pressing challenge. “Ejadah is dedicated to maintaining a balance between technology adoption and making informed innovation choices to ensure optimal return on investment (ROI).”
The lack of a standardised UAE Facility Management (FM) standard has created inconsistencies in Service Level Agreements (SLAs) across the market.
Additionally, rising costs driven by inflation and supply chain disruptions are straining budgets. “Rising costs of labour, materials, and services, influenced by inflation and global supply chain disruptions, are putting pressure on FM companies to optimise costs while still maintaining high service quality,” Abushabib says. “Balancing these cost pressures with client expectations and tighter budgets will be a significant challenge.”
Ejadah is committed to adopting technology prudently to optimise costs without compromising service quality. Striking this balance, Abushabib believes, will be pivotal in navigating the challenges of 2025.
Insights from Graham Easton, ENGIE Solutions
Graham Easton, General Manager of ENGIE Solutions
Graham Easton, General Manager of ENGIE Solutions, sees diversification as the company’s greatest opportunity. “The biggest opportunity for growth over the next 12 months would be to continue to extend our reach into the industrial, aviation, infrastructure, energy and transport sectors,” he says. “We view these sectors as significant growth areas in the region, and in anticipation of this, we have developed and launched a dedicated team to drive these focus areas in our business model.”
Educating various stakeholders and customers on the benefits of data-driven, long-term asset lifecycle management strategies remains a major challenge for ENGIE Solutions to overcome.
However, educating stakeholders on the benefits of digital initiatives remains a formidable challenge.
“The new normal has accelerated and enhanced our focus towards deep digitalisation strategies towards remote monitoring and diagnostics in live critical environments, which have further contributed to our effectiveness and increasing efficiencies of the current workforce,” he adds.
To address this, ENGIE is driving digital innovations like its SMART O&M platform under the iCEE programme, which aims to redefine FM service delivery. “Driving digital initiatives such as our SMART O&M platform under our iCEE (Integrated Controls for Engineering and Environment) programme not only supports the development of new innovative services but also challenges the conventional way of providing FM services,” Easton adds.
Insights from Nigel Wright, Musanadah Facilities Management
Nigel Barry Wright, Managing Director of Musanadah Facilities Management
Nigel Barry Wright, Managing Director of Musanadah Facilities Management, highlights the booming FM market in Saudi Arabia as a key opportunity. “The single biggest opportunity in Saudi Arabia is to capture growing demand for cost-effective, world-class FM services in the Kingdom and, crucially, meeting customer expectations for internationally benchmarked FM services,” he says.
Musanadah’s commitment to staff training, including the opening of BICSc-accredited training centers, positions the company as a leader in quality and consistency. “Consistency in service delivery standards is now critical.
Most Saudi-based clients are seeking consistent, world-class FM service delivery standards from their FM providers, especially those adhering to BICSc, ISSA, and IAM standards.
“This is a key differentiator for Musanadah and sets it apart from other sub-par FM operators in Saudi Arabia.”
A technician wearing blue overalls and a white helmet operates machinery at an industrial recycling facility where he manages the sorting and processing of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) on a conveyor belt.
Challenges such as staff training in remote locations, talent acquisition, and Saudisation requirements remain pressing. “Staff training of site teams at remote client locations throughout the Kingdom is being addressed through the recent opening of new BICSc-accredited training facilities in AlUla and Al-Khobar, with a new LEAD Training Center in Riyadh completing Musanadah’s Kingdom-wide network of these facilities,” Wright explains.
“Talent acquisition, development and retention of both expats and Saudi nationals is another challenge being addressed through increased staff training, as well as a range of worker welfare, staff engagement, internal staff promotion and employee mentoring initiatives.”
Additionally, Musanadah is addressing credit control challenges and Saudisation requirements through robust reporting systems and focused training programmes. “Our strategic moves have empowered us to manage costs effectively while ensuring compliance with national policies,” Wright adds.
The FM industry in 2025 is poised for significant transformation, driven by technological advancements, the sustainability imperatives, and evolving client expectations. While opportunities abound, the challenges are equally formidable, requiring innovative strategies, investments in workforce development, and a steadfast commitment to quality.
As these industry leaders have shown, adaptability and a forward-thinking approach will be key to navigating the road ahead and ensuring success in the ever-evolving world of facilities management.
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