The Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented event in living memory. It has had, and continues to have, far-reaching impacts on individuals, our society, the economy and our industry. Many of those impacts have of course been negative; and the challenges implied by that, as well as by the long list of other changes we have been experiencing, will be with us for some time to come. On the more positive side, this does bring some opportunities, too, in terms of highlighting the possibilities of working in different ways, deploying new and appropriate technologies and finding ways to better use resources, for example. And, yes, there may also be some new business opportunities.

A key part of our role is to help provide the FM community with the news, information and insights needed to understand and manage the pandemic impacts, challenges and opportunities. You can access all of the relevant content on i-FM from this page. News, features and comments are shown in the boxes below and to the right. In addition, you can use our Search functions to explore the site for related issues. You can search the news by date or topic, for example ‘Covid-19’. Or you can search our full content on any keyword via our Search page.

This site hub aims to provide easy access to a range of resources for FMs. All suggestions for additional content are welcome – contact us anytime.

Next 24 Articles

Sodexo teams mobilised to support NHS

Sodexo has confirmed its support for all its employees and continues to redeploy teams to support the NHS during the covid-19 outbreak.

PHS launches coronavirus taskforce

Hygiene services firm PHS Group has launched an emergency-response cleaning service for organisations affected by covid-19.

Caterer opens emergency response kitchen

In March London caterer Fooditude closed down its production kitchen, only to re-open it at the beginning of April with a new purpose.

Facilities management: news from the frontline

We have been talking to a range of service providers about their experiences of what covid-19 means for their businesses right now.

FSI providing support at field hospitals

The IWMS technology specialist is working with FM services providers involved at the temporary sites being developed for the fight against covid-19.

Vinci supporting the NHS

VINCI Construction UK has teams of employees working in eleven healthcare sites across the North West, Midlands and the South East and is working with the same number of NHS Trusts in support of the fight against covid-19.

Landscaping industry asks for help

Three major plants and landscaping bodies are pressing their case with the government for a rescue package for the industry.

University at home: lessons from FM

Sienna Emanuel reports on how students are finding the switch from university facilities to studies at home, and how to make that work.

Contractors on-site for Glasgow hospital

Balfour Beatty has been appointed as principal contractor for the transformation of Glasgow's Scottish Event Campus into a new temporary facility for NHS Scotland.

Employers urged to issue letters to cleaners

Employers of cleaning staff operating in critical industries have been urged to provide them with written proof that they should be treated as critical and key workers.

ENGIE withdraws 2020 guidance

The international energy and services group is the latest to update on the impacts of covid-19 on business. 

Sodexo unveils employee relief programme

The services group has launched a €30m programme to assist employees impacted by the covid-19 pandemic.

CIPD: employers must step up mental health support

Employers need to act now to help prevent their employees from being at serious risk of mental ill health during and after the covid-19 pandemic.

BSI: free access to BCP resources

The national standards body has made a suite of risk and business continuity standards available to help British businesses navigate the challenges they face as a result of covid-19.

Kier updates on covid-19

The construction and services group says that trading from the beginning of the year is in line with expectations but it is moving forward with changes in the face of continuing uncertainties.

Security in a time of uncertainty

As the country continues to deal with the coronavirus outbreak, security officers have a vital role to play in keeping communities safe and helping to keep critical national infrastructure going.

Mitie updates on covid-19

Restricting its view to current impacts only, the outsourcing group says it is seeing a mixed picture but at the same time looking at some longer term preparations.

Cabinet Office asks outsourcers to work together

Outsourcing groups have been asked to share staff resources to ensure the delivery of public sector contracts, according to reports.

ISS supporting new Nightingale Hospital

ISS has been appointed to deliver cleaning, portering, waste management and other soft FM services at the newly created coronavirus treatment facility.

Leesman unveils covid-19 research initiative

The workplace assessment specialist, backed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the International Facility Management Association, has launched a fast-track initiative to look into the impacts of covid-19 on FM and real estate.

Vinci lending extra support to NHS

Vinci Facilities is diverting volunteers from its mobile repair teams to support existing facilities management services across several hospitals in the North West, Midlands and South East.

Property industry looking for support for NHS

Property professionals have come together to back a dedicated website for offers of space, supplies and support that will help in fighting the covid-19 epidemic.

Calls for key worker status grow

Following the publication of the key worker list last week the government has been on the receiving end of appeals to add further disciplines, initially cleaning and security and now FM.

Xenon offers help to FMs in need

The training group is offering free qualifications for the unemployed, relaxed payment terms and support from their recruitment division to facilities managers who have fallen victim to the economics of epidemics, Chris Morris writes.