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TOP 10 TRENDING TOPICS FOR PROPERTY AND PEOPLE PROFESSIONALS IN 2024

Ready to stay ahead of the curve in 2024? Here are the top 10 trending topics every people and property professional should be clued up on. 

Dive in and discover what’s making waves in facilities management, health & safety, security, technology, and fire safety. 

Plus, see how these hot topics are being discussed at Anticipate London!

1. Global Risks

In recent years, businesses and supply chains have been significantly impacted by societal, geopolitical tensions, and environmental shifts. 

Upcoming concerns include the trajectory of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, state-sponsored cyberattacks targeting vital infrastructure, and the potential economic impacts of the 2024 British general election. 

For facilities managers, these risks translate to potential disruptions in operations and supply chains. Security managers must stay vigilant against increased cyber threats. Health & safety professionals need to adapt to new health guidelines that arise from global health crises.

Relevant seminars include:  

  • Geopolitical Risks: Essential Strategies for Global Companies

  • Economic and Market Risks: Building Resilient Infrastructures

  • The Psychology of Crisis: Understanding Human Behaviour in Extreme Situations

2. Digital Transformation & Smart Tech Integration

Implementing smart technologies and leveraging digital transformation is no longer optional. 

From AI-driven surveillance systems to IoT-enabled building management systems (BMS), tech integration is revolutionizing our sectors. 

Integrated systems help manage increasing cyber risks, making safety and facilities management more about data and systems management than ever before. Effectively managing data with AI ensures that information is usable and relevant across sectors. 

However, these systems, often costly and not always integrated, must work together seamlessly, posing a shared challenge in managing both functionality and costs. 

Facilities managers face the complexity of installing and ensuring interoperability between new and existing systems while managing substantial upfront costs. 

Security managers must stay updated on the latest tech to enhance situational awareness and threat detection. Health & safety professionals can use AI to predict and mitigate risks, while fire safety experts benefit from advanced detection and suppression systems. 

Sessions like Transforming Safety: AI and IoT Innovations and IoT and FM Technology: Leveraging Smart Solutions for Effective Building Management explore these advancements.

3. Rising Costs and Tight Budgets

Balancing cost constraints while maintaining top-notch services is a perennial challenge. The economic recession and cost of living crises have exacerbated these pressures. 

Professionals across all sectors must find innovative ways to optimize operational costs without compromising quality. Maintaining compliance and safety standards, managing costs related to equipment and training, and justifying investments in new technologies are critical. 

Sessions like Rising costs and tight budgets – how do we manage effectively? provide insights on managing increasing costs for materials, labour, and utilities while maintaining efficiency and effectiveness.

4. Regulatory Compliance

Staying compliant with evolving regulations is essential. The Building Safety Act, introduced following the Grenfell tragedy, imposes stricter requirements on building safety and management. 

All sectors must collaborate to ensure buildings meet new standards, stay updated on compliance requirements, avoid penalties, and ensure the safety of occupants. 

The act brings significant reforms to the way tall buildings are built and maintained, as well as new protections for leaseholders. 

As well as across industry, crucial regulations and standards such as the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Facilities Management Standard 001: Management and Services continue to lead discussions for protecting and maintaining safe and secure environments. 

Dive into sessions such as Building Safety Act – Gateway 1, 2 and 3 explained and Is your hearing protection fit for purpose? to understand current regulations and their practical implications.

5. Lithium-ion Batteries and Electric Vehicles

The relatively recent rise of lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles introduces new fire safety challenges. 

Facilities managers need to incorporate appropriate charging infrastructure while managing the associated fire risks. Health & safety professionals need to update their risk assessments to include these new elements. Security managers must consider the implications for secure vehicle storage and protection against fire hazards. 

Explore the latest insights in Lithium-ion Batteries: Mitigation and Risk.

6. Sustainability

Sustainability is at the forefront of modern property management. 

Facilities managers must implement carbon reduction programs and embrace sustainable building practices, such as using renewable energy sources, incorporating green roofs, and improving insulation to reduce energy consumption. 

Security managers can contribute by adopting energy-efficient technologies and practices. Health & safety professionals need to ensure their programs support overall sustainability goals. 

Sessions like Sustainability - Spotlight on suppliers and Built for Life: The Human Factors of Sustainability in Building Design provide valuable insights into how sustainability intersects with various aspects of property management. 

7. Labour Challenges & Skill Set Evolution

Understanding and addressing labour challenges and evolving skill set requirements are essential for building a resilient and future-ready workforce. 

Traditionally siloed roles are now encompassing safety, security, and broader risk management. This convergence helps organizations manage the complex responsibilities of property, safety, and security more effectively.

As roles change, training, development, recruitment, and retention strategies must evolve. Addressing skills shortages requires recruitment strategies focused on candidates with versatile skills and attracting talent from younger, and more diverse demographics. Promoting diversity and inclusion is critical, creating supportive cultures and opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Retention efforts should emphasize continuous professional development and clear career progression. Training programs need to cover a broader range of topics to prepare professionals for integrated roles. 

Sessions like Recruiting for Innovation, Competency – how do we fill the gap? and Upskilling and the untapped workforce explore these themes, helping organizations build a future-ready workforce.

8. The Workplace of the Future

Office renovation and retrofitting, accessible workplaces, and hybrid working models are reshaping the future workplace. 

Facilities managers must adapt office spaces to meet new demands for flexibility and accessibility. Health & safety professionals must update their protocols to cover new working arrangements. Security managers need to consider impacts on access control and security risks associated with remote work. 

Sessions like Office Renovation and Retrofitting with ESG in mind and Hybrid Working explore these trends and their implications, including impacts on access control, security risks, and business travel.

9. Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Workplace wellbeing encompasses all aspects of work life, including physical environment quality, safety, and employee sentiments about their work. 

Enhancing wellbeing benefits both individuals and the organization by reducing stress and fostering positive work environments. This, in turn, drives employee engagement and organizational success. 

Creating accessible and inclusive workplaces plays an important role. This can include designing accessible workplace environments and inclusive PPE which champions safety considerations for women and people of different shapes and sizes in traditional male dominated sectors.  

Sessions like Risk-Based Approach to Wellbeing and Inclusive PPE provide insights into creating inclusive and supportive workplaces. 

10. Leadership and influence

Leadership and influence are key areas for a high-performing culture – incorporating resilience to challenges, adapting to changing landscapes and inspiring for innovation. 

What are the essential skills of tomorrow’s leaders to keep people safe and happy at work or home while implementing effective strategies?

Safety, building trust, leading with confidence and speaking the right language across all levels of the business are focuses for professionals influencing and sustaining change. 

Sessions like Leadership 2030: Essential Skills and Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders, The safety officer Vs the safety leader and PAPS: Engaging with residents in the right way provide actionable steps to lead effectively, build communication skills and inspire. 

About Anticipate London 2024

In February 2024 the world’s largest exhibition organiser, Informa PLC, announced that the co-located exhibitions of Facilities Show, FIREX, IFSEC and Safety & Health Expo will now become part of newly launched Anticipate London, taking place from the 2nd to the 4th December 2024 at ExCeL London

Anticipate London will bring leaders of property & people together and showcase solutions that create a safer, smarter future for all. More information at www.anticipate-event.com