FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
Joanne Gilliard, CEO at Jangro, explores how facilities managers can build resilience in the face of mounting pressures and why cutting cleaning budgets can be a false economy.
The role of facilities managers has become increasingly demanding, with rising costs, growing ESG requirements, and ongoing workforce challenges all competing for attention. Yet the expectation to deliver safe, efficient, and compliant workplaces remains high.
At Jangro, we believe solutions must go beyond products, that build partnerships that enable facilities leaders to perform effectively, even as responsibilities expand.
Sustainability that stands up to scrutiny
Sustainability has become a core responsibility for every FM leader. More than 80% of UK organisations now view sustainability as important, making it a requirement rather than an optional extra.
Jangro is proud to be ranked in the top 5% of companies worldwide for sustainability, having achieved the prestigious EcoVadis Gold Medal. This recognition reflects our commitment to sustainable innovation across the supply chain.
Our ntrl range of vegan, biodegradable cleaning products demonstrates sustainability in practice. Formulated with plant-based materials and packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, these products deliver the same results as traditional chemicals while reducing environmental impact. Our ntrl range enables FM leaders to meet sustainability goals without compromising performance.
Building workforce capability through training
Recruiting and retaining operatives is one of the most consistent challenges in facilities management. Each time staff leave, managers must spend more time on recruitment and training, while existing operatives take on heavier workloads. Gaps in training or compliance can also lead to inefficiency, errors or risks, compounding the strain on teams already working at capacity.
Jangro’s Learning Management Solution (LMS) helps to address these issues. Bite-sized training, available 24/7, reduces induction times by up to 50% while ensuring operatives remain compliant with COSHH and health and safety standards. By standardising training across sites, the system improves consistency and gives managers confidence that staff are equipped to deliver high standards. It also demonstrates investment in people, which supports engagement and retention.
By addressing workforce challenges in this way, facilities managers can avoid the false economy of high turnover, repeated training costs, and inconsistent service delivery.
Cutting costs without cutting standards
With labour, energy, and consumables costs all rising, cleaning budgets are often first in line for cuts. But when standards slip, the hidden costs soon outweigh the savings, from more maintenance issues to staff sickness and lower productivity. Absenteeism alone costs UK businesses around £18 billion each year, and poor hygiene is a major driver, with viruses able to survive on high-touch surfaces for up to 48 hours.
The Jangro LMS helps facilities managers respond to these challenges in practical ways. By standardising training, it reduces hygiene lapses by ensuring operatives follow correct processes, use products properly, and maintain consistent standards across sites. Its digital dashboard gives managers real-time oversight of product use and training outcomes, offering both control and evidence of efficiency to senior leadership teams. Together, these tools enable facilities to manage costs responsibly while safeguarding compliance and wellbeing.
From supplier to strategic partner
Facilities managers need more than a product supplier; they need partners who understand their challenges and can deliver consistent solutions across multiple sites. Jangro’s position as the UK and Europe’s largest network of independent janitorial distributors makes this possible.
Through our national accounts team, we provide centralised account management while drawing on the strength of our localised distributor network. This includes sustainable procurement frameworks, continuity of stock, and training rollouts. With Jangro, facilities managers gain the assurance of a national framework backed by responsive local service.
Meeting today’s FM challenges with confidence
While facilities management is under growing pressure, it also has an opportunity to set higher standards. With the right solutions and partnerships, FM leaders can deliver measurable value, demonstrate return on investment, and make meaningful progress on sustainability.
At Jangro, we are proud to support facilities managers in this journey. With award-winning sustainability credentials, innovative digital tools, and a people-first approach, we help facilities managers protect their teams, strengthen resilience and maintain consistent performance.
For those looking for more insights, Jangro experts Kate Williamson, national accounts manager, and Paul Benson, sales executive, will be speaking at Facilities & Estates Management Live in October. They will share practical strategies to help FM leaders enhance resilience, improve performance, and achieve sustainable environments across their facilities. Join the conversation and take away ideas you can put into practice.
