Facilities management sector maps its future and recognises its best

Facility management (FM) is often invisible – until something goes wrong. Yet the sector plays a critical role in keeping buildings running safely, efficiently and sustainably.

The future of the sector took centre stage at the Facility Management Experts Summit (FMES) 2026, organised by the Singapore International Facility Management Association (SIFMA) and held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore on July 31, 2026.

The event comprised of two segments: a conference held during the day, followed by the Awards and Gala Dinner in the evening. Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Ministry of National Development, attended the conference as the Guest of Honour, while Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Chairperson for Government Parliamentary Committee for National Development and MP for Jurong Central SMC, Xie Yao Quan, graced the Gala Dinner as the Guest of Honour.

Themed “One Ecosystem, Symbiotic Outcomes”, the summit brought together key stakeholders across the FM ecosystem, including building owners, facilities managers, service providers, government agencies, technology partners, and trade associations.

During the conference, Dr Syed Harun spoke about the transformation of facilities management, highlighting how the profession is evolving as operations become more connected, data-driven, and technology-enabled.

“Many have embraced Integrated FM, bringing together operations, workflows and data across multiple services for greater synergy,” he said.

He also announced three initiatives to support the sector’s transformation.

These comprise a revised Guide on FM Procurement, which incorporated suggestions from industry stakeholders and promotes progressive procurement, encourages fair payment practices and stronger partnership across the value chain; an updated Guide to Smart FM with new industry case studies; and a new feedback channel between public sector agencies and their FM value chain partners, a safe platform to share feedback, improve standards and foster a more progressive and collaborative FM environment.

“The success of FM transformation requires various parties to work together collaboratively, build trust and optimise workflows,” Dr Syed Harun said.

Turning sustainability goals into action

SIFMA also unveiled two initiatives aimed at advancing the sector: a new AI Committee tasked to drive the development of an industry AI roadmap and a refreshed Sustainable Net Zero Organisation (SNZO) 2.0 sustainability framework.

The two initiatives launched at the summit reflected the industry’s growing focus on the practical use of AI and measurable sustainability outcomes.

The first was the formation of an AI Committee, with Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) as a key collaborator, which will work with industry partners to develop an AI roadmap for Singapore’s FM sector.

“At SIFMA, we believe we must move beyond talking about AI and start applying AI,” said SIFMA’s President, Frank Ngoh.

The roadmap will identify practical AI use cases across facilities management, including energy management, predictive maintenance and service delivery. For instance, AI can analyse building and equipment data to detect anomalies, anticipate maintenance needs and optimise resource deployment, enabling FM teams to operate more efficiently and proactively.

The Committee will also develop guidelines to support the responsible evaluation, testing and adoption of AI solutions across the industry.

Another key focus will be workforce development. The roadmap will identify the capabilities that FM professionals will need as the sector becomes increasingly digital, together with pathways for upskilling and reskilling the workforce.

This initiative comes as FM companies face ongoing manpower constraints and seek to improve productivity while maintaining high service standards. Dr Syed Harun highlighted how technology can transform the way FM professionals work, with automation reducing the time spent on routine tasks and enabling them to take on higher-value responsibilities. As he noted, “Tasks that were once manual and repetitive are increasingly automated and streamlined, allowing FM professionals to focus on higher-value work, such as data-driven monitoring and optimising maintenance strategies.

SIFMA also unveiled SNZO 2.0, an enhanced sustainability framework designed to help organisations move beyond broad sustainability commitments and towards structured implementation. The framework encourages organisations to develop actionable plans, set measurable targets and monitor progress over time.

Built around four key pillars: leadership and organisational capability, carbon measurement and management, collaboration with service partners, and the integration of sustainability into everyday business practices. SNZO 2.0 provides organisations with a practical roadmap to advance their sustainability journey.

These priorities were further explored during the summit, where speakers from JTC Corporation, Sentosa Development Corporation, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) shared how their organisations are leveraging technology, innovation and new approaches to address evolving operational and workforce needs.

Panel discussions covered key areas such as digitalisation, Integrated Facilities Management (IFM), Outcome-Based Contracting (OBC) and workforce transformation, highlighting the need for the FM sector to adapt and build capabilities for the future.

Recognising excellence in facilities management sector

The summit concluded with the FMES Gala Dinner and Awards, which recognised organisations and individuals that have contributed to the development of the FM sector.

Awards were presented across categories spanning technology implementation, sustainability, education, leadership, training and professional development, reflecting the diverse capabilities required to enhance building performance, strengthen the FM workforce and develop the next generation of industry talent.

Among the recipients was Kelvin Wong, Group Chief Commercial Officer and Regional Head of Asia at Surbana Jurong Group and the immediate past CEO of BCA, who received the SIFMA Apex Award presented to him by Dr Syed Harun during the Conference Opening Ceremony.

Presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to SIFMA’s growth and success, the SIFMA Apex award acknowledged Wong’s support and mentorship during his tenure as BCA CEO, as well as his role in encouraging the FM community to embrace digitalisation, innovation and new approaches to transform the sector.

The awards also recognised organisations that have made strides in areas such as building performance, sustainability and the development of FM professionals.

Individual awards, presented by Guest of Honour, Xie Yao Quan and SIFMA President, Frank Ngoh, honoured established leaders and emerging talents whose efforts have helped strengthen the profession and raise industry standards.

Beyond celebrating achievements, the awards highlighted the broader transformation taking place within the FM sector. They reflected how progress is being driven not only by the adoption of new technologies, but also through stronger leadership, workforce development, sustainability practices and greater collaboration across the industry.

“The future of FM is not something that will happen to us. It is something we will build together,” said Ngoh.