In the first of our ‘Coffee and Conversations’ series, we sat down with Karl Cundill, co-founder of LitmusFM, to find out how he got into the world of Facilities Management, what projects have left a lasting impression, and why re-wilding has become a new passion.

Karl's journey into Facilities Management is a testament to his passion for buildings and his ability to adapt to the evolving landscape of the industry. His early interest in architecture, inspired by a family friend, set the stage for a career that would see him navigate through various roles in surveying and construction. This foundation allowed him to become a pivotal figure in managing PFI and PPP contracts, ultimately leading to the creation of his own consultancy. His story is one of growth, innovation, and a deep commitment to enhancing the built environment.

‍How did you originally get into Facilities Management?

I’ve had an interest in buildings from an early age, and it was a family friend who first inspired me to consider it as a career. I’m still in touch with the family today.

Back then, Facilities Management wasn’t the established profession it is now, but surveying and the maintaining of buildings was, so I went to college and, alongside studying, worked at various surveying practices.

From there, I moved into roles with construction companies. Due to my background in maintenance, I became the point of contact for PFI and PPP contracts - it was very much a case of being thrown in at the deep end! Over time, I took on more projects,including increasing amounts of work across a number of sectors.

I developed Wiltshier FM asan FM service provider and then Wates FM - the FM division of Wates Construction. The FM business was then sold, and the opportunity arose to setup my own business – and I went for it.

In 2009, I founded my own consultancy, and worked with clients across the Education, Retail and B&I sectors. We helped set up Everton Free School, LIPA Primary and Birmingham Ormiston Academy.

During this time, I also began carrying out consultancy work, with Litmus Partnership, in 2014. I met up with John Brownless, and we started jointly working on B&I projects. This work grew steadily and in 2019, John Brownless and I officially launched LitmusFM, together.

What’s your most memorable project you have worked on?

That’s a good question - there have been lots of really great projects. But one that stands out is probably Birmingham Ormiston Academy where we established the FMservice delivery and generated tangible cost savings for the client, ahead of service commencement.

It was a key project for us because we needed to establish a benchmark project and ensure that we recruited the right individuals to deliver the FM services tothe Academy.

What’sy our favourite part of the job?

I really enjoy taking the client on the journey - starting from the briefing stage, where we understand their current FM service issues, right through to developing a solution that ensures the professional delivery of the services, full compliance, and withv alue for money throughout. It’s very satisfying to see a project come successfully through this process.

I thoroughly enjoy working with a great team, which is a big part of the job. John and I work really well together – we each bring different attributes to the table - and we’ve built a brilliant Consultancy team, which is exciting to see flourish.

We’ve heard you’re re-wilding a meadow – is being outside how you relax and unwind?

Yes, we’ve got an arable field close to home, which we are rewilding into a wildflower meadow, including reinstating a natural pond. We’ve been working closely with Cheshire Wildlife Trust and the works are now underway. We’ve recently excavated the pond, and next we’re planting trees and sowing the wild meadow.

I’ve always enjoyed being on or near water too, as I was into sailing when I was younger. I even considered a career in the Navy before going into FM, and I think that came from spending so much time on the sea.

You work with buildings so we’ve got to ask – if you could live in any building,where would you live?

I’ve always loved older buildings. My wife and I went to the Lake District in December and visited Dove Cottage, where Wordsworth lived. When we arrived, we were given a candlelit guided tour that explained all the history - and I said to my wife, that I could quite happily live there.

Funnily enough, when we got home, we had a lengthy power cut, so we ended up moving around our own house by candlelight too. I guess I should be careful what I wish for! But we do live in an old cottage now - so I suppose I am living in my dream building.

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