This article was written by Peter Smyth, Director of Technology, Bidvest Noonan
The way we work has continued to evolve over the past few years, and big questions remain about what comes next. Will we return to the office full-time? Will remote working endure? How will AI reshape jobs and workflows? As Northern Ireland’s largest FM company, we see workplaces across every sector every day, giving us a clear view of what’s changing and what’s working. Here’s our perspective.
Remote working is here to stay, but so is the office
Many people ask if the office is still relevant. The answer is yes. Working from home has real benefits, but the office is where culture, creativity, and collaboration thrive.
Across Northern Ireland and beyond, businesses are reshaping their workplaces. Offices are moving away from rows of desks. Instead, we see more open layouts, shared areas, and spaces designed for teamwork. Breakout zones and technology-enabled meeting rooms are replacing old models.
The goal is simple: give people the best of both worlds, the quiet focus of home and the energy of face-to-face collaboration.
Facilities managers are leading this change. We design and manage spaces that encourage connection, improve productivity, and make the workplace a place where people want to be.
Sustainability is driving decisions
Sustainability now shapes every decision about the workplace, from the way we build and fit out spaces, to the energy we use, to the partners we choose. At Bidvest Noonan, we are proud to support our customers on their sustainability journeys.
Last year, 93% of the vehicles we added to our fleet were electric. Today, half of our procurement spend is with small and medium-sized businesses. We are committed to reducing emissions, cutting waste, and supporting the move to a circular economy. These are not small steps; they are part of a bigger effort to create a more sustainable future.
Today, sustainability is a business essential. By working with forward-looking facilities partners, organisations can reduce their carbon footprint, meet their net-zero goals, and show that they care about the communities they serve.
Technology is transforming workplaces
Technology is changing how we manage workplaces. We are already seeing clients save thousands of pounds a year on running costs by employing smart building technology. These systems use software and sophisticated sensors to track how spaces are used, when lights should be on, and where space and energy is being wasted.
In five years, these systems will be the norm in every modern building. The real question is not whether you will adopt them, but whether you can afford not to. We are seeing a proliferation of digital platforms in the workplace. Over the years, we have used many of them. Each brought some value, but none offered the level of integration and support we wanted for our people and our customers. That is why we developed our own platform, TASK.
TASK helps us track every job through to completion and supports our people along the way. It gives them clear step-by-step instructions and safety guidance, protecting them while enabling the highest levels of performance. This is how technology empowers people rather than replacing them. TASK is one of the most exciting innovations in our business and an important point of difference for Bidvest Noonan.
The robots are coming; in fact, they are already here. We are deploying more robotic solutions every year to deliver cleaning and other services. But they are not taking anyone’s job. Instead, they take on repetitive and heavy work, freeing our colleagues to focus on higher-value tasks and to oversee the robots. They are also helping us reduce energy, chemical and water use, which makes them a win for sustainability as well as efficiency. Our 27,000 colleagues are at the heart of everything we do. Technology gives them the tools to provide better service and to make a bigger impact for our customers.
People at the centre
The workplace is always about people. A well-managed environment can improve wellbeing, strengthen inclusion, and build a sense of belonging. Our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion strategy is focused on making sure every workplace we manage is a safe, respectful, and positive place for all.
Looking ahead, inclusion will be a measure of whether the workplace is truly fit for the future. The most resilient and attractive workplaces will be those that ask, with every new change: who could this exclude, and how can we make it better? By putting that question at the heart of decisions, workplaces can become places where all people feel they belong.
The future of workplaces: Looking ahead
The workplace will not return to what it once was, nor will it stand still. It will continue to evolve as new technologies emerge, sustainability pressures grow, and employee expectations shift.
The future workplace is not a single model or design; it is an ongoing process of listening, adapting, and improving. Organisations that treat the workplace as a living system, shaped by people as much as by policies and tools, will be best placed to thrive in the years ahead.
With industry-leading technology, deep expertise, and more than 27,000 service professionals, Bidvest Noonan is shaping the future of facilities management.
We are proud to work with organisations across Northern Ireland to create workplaces that are smarter, greener, and built for people to thrive.
