Lydia has 25 years’ experience in facilities management (FM) operations.

These days she uses the in-depth knowledge and understanding she has gained to develop tailor-made service solutions for clients in her capacity as Business Development Director for the AFMS Group.

A born leader and natural problem-solver, her career in FM started almost by default after having to field complaints of frustrated tenants in a commercial building. ‘It was there that I learnt the importance of tenant satisfaction and how it impacts on tenant retention,’ Lydia says.

She feels that one of the reasons why women are excelling in the field of FM, is due to the fact that they are by nature nurturers. ‘It is in a woman’s DNA to create a conducive and aesthetically pleasing environment for the people we care for. Apart from also being emotionally intelligent and possessing the ability to multi-task, women tend to be more intuitive and proactive than their male peers when it comes to understanding and meeting their clients’ needs,’ Lydia says.

“The playing field in FM has become even for men and women. The industry needs a mix of technical and soft skills. Ultimately, it comes down to achieving the best end result for the client through cost effective management and teamwork”.

by Khaya Dondolo / September 2020