CIBSE’s Measuring Performance and Facilities Management Conference, held on Friday 20 June 2025, brought together experts from the built environment to discuss the ever-evolving landscape of building performance and operational excellence.
The conference was held in light of the increasing pressure to improve building sustainability and efficiency throughout its lifespan. It focused on cutting-edge themes such as building management systems (BMS), data-driven decision-making, post-occupancy evaluation, and health and wellbeing metrics. The event also aimed to reinforce best practices in operational performance, in line with the principles outlined in CIBSE Guide M: Maintenance engineering and management.
The conference featured four dynamic sessions, each providing practical insights and discussions from experienced professionals in the sector. The first session, “Collaboration and accountability in a changing landscape,” was chaired by CIBSE President Vince Arnold. This session delved into how cross-disciplinary collaboration and accountability can add value to facilities management, with contributions from David Stevens, Robert Nicoll, and Tamsin Tweddell.
The second session, “Balancing performance with building and occupant health,” was chaired by David Stevens and featured speakers such as Dr Philip Webb, Peter Brown, and Saurabh Bhandari. This session explored strategies for harmonizing performance optimization with occupant wellbeing, emphasizing the importance of creating efficient and human-centric spaces.
The third session, “Successful collaboration and lessons learnt – Design Vs. Maintenance,” was chaired by Joanna Harris, UK&I Head of Technical Services at Sodexo. The panel discussed real-world projects where design decisions were influenced or challenged by long-term maintenance considerations. The speakers included Bernard Crouch, James Campbell, Joanna Harris, and Sylvain Blanchard.
The final session, “post-occupancy evaluation,” was chaired by Volkan Doda, Head of Design Technologies at Atelier Ten. This session featured insights from Dr Victoria Tink, Ellen Salazar, Tom McNeil, and Volkan Doda, highlighting the importance of using POE to close the feedback loop, validate design intent, and identify opportunities for ongoing improvement in building performance.
Dr Anastasia Mylona, CIBSE Technical Director, reflected on the significance of the conference, stating, “As the sector tackles the challenges of climate change and increasing performance expectations, this conference provided a crucial platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and collaboration. Sharing practical approaches and lessons learned is essential to improving outcomes and empowering professionals who shape the buildings we live and work in.”
The 2025 Measuring Performance and Facilities Management Conference provided attendees with valuable insights, real-world case studies, and networking opportunities, showcasing CIBSE’s role as a leader in technical excellence and sustainable practice in the built environment.