Facilities Management

Name: Sam Brown

Job title: Head of Facilities Management, Housing & Regeneration Directorate

My role includes direct line management responsibility for the Soft Services and Technical Services Team with seven direct reports and 96 staff, who manage the property maintenance/repairs and refurbishment projects along with site inspections of 226 Commercial and Public Buildings throughout Tower Hamlets with a value of up to £20m.

Many different courses achieved all through the council for the many varied roles prior to Head of FM – LBTH career progression:

Currently 18 Months into my Level 7 Leadership and Management MBA course. Have passed the first 6 Modules. Completes January 24.
ILM Level 5 Leadership and Management Course
Member of CIBSE
NVQ Level 4 in Building Maintenance and Estate Services
City and Guilds and Advanced Craft in Plumbing
NEBOSH General in Health & Safety
NEBOSH Fire in Health & Safety
IOSH Managing Safely
NEBOSH Construction in Health & Safety
Asbestos P405 Managing Asbestos
Legionella WH03 Hot and Cold Water Systems L8
CDM Regulations
Scaffold Safety Inspections
Condensation, Damp & Decay
Disrepair Training
Prince 2 Foundation & Practitioner
Microsoft Word and Excel Power-point

As a younger person my career goal was to become a plumber. I always wanted to be a plumber after leaving school and the council offered an apprenticeship opportunity that I was fortunate to be successful in applying for. I achieved my City and Guilds and advanced craft and worked for the Council as a direct labour operative for four years.

As the Council changed, so did my aspirations and other opportunities presented themselves and I applied and for each new role I took on, I used my personal development plan to grow into that role and achieve any necessary qualifications to support the roles.

My line managers always supported me in my career choices as did the learning and development teams.

My last three roles were managing technical services teams of staff which is known as the Hard FM element of facilities management. I progressed through to the Head of hard services and worked extremely closely with the Head of FM at that time.

When the head of facilities management said he would be leaving the organisation and the opportunity arose, I decided to apply at first on a temporary basis with what is known internally as a secondment whilst management decided on advertising the position. The role was advertised after one year and I applied and was successful in the full time position where I have been now for three years.

I have lived in Tower hamlets for most of my life and worked for Tower hamlets since I left school. I think my career path here clearly shows how you can come in as an apprentice and move around between roles within the organisation with the full support and training offered throughout as you progress and how you can progress through the ranks all the way to the top. Tower hamlets has continued to support my progression by providing me with training and managerial support throughout my time here.

I enjoy my job because it is varied everyday and it works across the whole organisation including frontline with the residents.