The UK’s £52.5 billion Facilities Management (FM) industry is cracking under pressure from system chaos, skills shortages and client pressure for quality, according to new research launched today by FM technology specialists, askporter.

The study, The State of UK Facilities Management, based on an independent survey of FM leaders across the UK, warns that the sector is stuck in reactive mode and is “firefighting” daily problems, blocking FM driving long-term value for their clients. With economic stability on the horizon, the report argues that now is the moment for FM leaders to rethink strategies and harness technology to rebuild efficiency and trust.

Among the key findings:

  • System Breakdown: 76% of professionals blame siloed systems and poor real-time visibility for inefficiency.
  • Perpetual Firefighting: 73% say their teams are forced into reactive problem-solving every week, leading to 43% of missed SLAs.
  • Labour Crisis: Two-thirds (68%) are unable to recruit and retain the staff they need.
  • Client Trust Collapse: Between 60-67% of FMs report clients raising complaints or threatening not to renew contracts, over perceived service failures.
  • Compliance Blind Spots: 44% admit that half or more of compliance tasks go untracked or unautomated.

Talking about the report, askporter CEO, Till Eichenauer, said: “Facilities management can’t afford to limp along with disconnected tools and constant firefighting. Leaders that embrace integration and intelligent technology will set the pace, with those who don’t risk being left behind.”

The report highlights a clear route forward: unifying fragmented systems, embracing real-time data, and using technology not as a bolt-on, but as a strategic co-worker for FM teams.

Harry Dodd-Noble, chief product officer at askporter, added: “This research further emphasises the importance of our products and will help inform our roadmap going forward. It highlights the importance of FM and housing operators finding a digital co-worker that supports them and becomes their integration glue in the face of constant labour, cost, and compliance pressures. ”