SFG20 Report Reveals FM Industry Challenges 

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• SFG20 Report Reveals FM Industry Challenges 

11 April 2025

Adhering to new legislation, understaffing, and technological adoption barriers are some of the FM industry’s biggest challenges, according to a new survey.

SFG20, the industry standard for facilities managers and building maintenance teams, asked 190 sector professionals about opportunities and challenges within FM, from both a frontline operational and C-suite perspective.

The results showed that improving compliance and safety is the top priority in 2025, reflecting the changing legislative landscape in the built environment thanks to measures such as the Building Safety Act. 77 per cent of the 190 people surveyed said compliance was at least a moderate challenge.

53 per cent of respondents rated digital transformation as a “highly important” priority, but cite barriers such as as cost (33 per cent),  integration with existing systems (19 per cent), a lack of internal expertise (16 per cent), and resistance to change within the organisation (17 per cent).

The survey also showed that corporate real estate and large enterprises are more likely to implement new technology, whereas public sector and education organisations are slower to adopt new digital infrastructure.

In terms of personnel, 80 per cent of respondents reported that their FM teams are understaffed.

“The survey findings highlight the significant pressures faced by professionals in the sector but also show how they are driving change and innovation to address these challenges,” said Kirsty Cogan, Managing Director at SFG20.

"It’s encouraging to see the industry increasingly prioritising technology as a vital tool for achieving compliance and reducing operating costs. To overcome the significant challenges facing the sector, technology must play a central role.”

You can access the report here.

Picture: a graphic with a blue background showing a desk with paperwork, a phone and a cup of coffee. A person can be seen using a magnifying glass to look at the paperwork. The person's arms are the only part of them that's visible.  Image Credit: Pixabay

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 11 April 2025

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