IWFM champions sustainability and collaboration at EuroFM 2025 

News

 

Members of IWFM’s senior team attended this year’s EuroFM Conference & Research Symposium, held in Trondheim, Norway from 1–3 December. The event, renowned as Europe’s leading forum for sharing facilities management knowledge, research and innovation, brought together professionals from across the continent to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector. 
 
Panel debate: navigating global change 
IWFM CEO Linda Hausmanis joined a high-profile panel alongside Natalie Hofman (EuroFM) and Lara Paemen (IFMA EMEA) to discuss ‘The Impact of Global Change on European Organisations’. Moderated by IWFM Fellow and director of Nodus Solutions, Steve Gladwin, the session explored how professional bodies are helping members respond to seismic shifts – from climate volatility and geopolitical instability to rapid technological advancement. 

Themes included the green and digital transitions, the rise of AI and smart building systems, and the urgent need for skills development to match technological investment. Linda underscored IWFM’s commitment to equipping professionals for these challenges, calling on individuals and organisations to engage with their professional body as a trusted career companion. The panel concluded with a rallying cry for collaboration across institutions to amplify impact on sustainability, innovation and workforce capability. 

A keynote on sustainability and social value 
IWFM Chair Andrew Hulbert delivered a keynote titled ‘What it takes to be the UK’s #1 challenger brand, sharing insights from Pareto FM’s journey and its commitment to sustainability. He highlighted how embedding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles can drive both commercial success and positive societal impact.  

Andrew also drew parallels with IWFM’s own leadership on sustainability. For over two decades, we have championed this agenda through research, guidance and collaboration. From advancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) to promoting genuine social value in procurement, the Institute continues to evidence the unique role FM plays in delivering net zero. ‘FMs are the lynchpin’, Andrew emphasised, ‘connecting landlords, end-users and supply chains to make sustainability work’. 

Recent IWFM research reinforces this message. The 2025 Sustainability Report, in partnership with Equans, revealed that 57% of organisations now have energy efficiency or decarbonisation plans – up from 37% two years ago – signalling significant progress. Yet challenges remain, particularly around Scope 3 emissions and climate risk adaptation, areas where IWFM is driving best practice and developing tools for FM decision-makers. 

And the UK’s ambassador to EuroFM is Sean Gibbons FIWFM, a member of our Strategic Leaders Forum, who hosted an outstanding session, ‘Driving Excellence in FM: A Global Collaborative Approach’.   

Looking ahead 
This was a powerful opportunity for IWFM to reaffirm our leadership on sustainability and its role as a catalyst for collaboration. As Andrew and Linda made clear, the future of FM lies in harnessing data, driving social value and embedding sustainability at every level, because without FM leadership, net zero cannot be achieved. 
 
Download the 2025 sustainability report