Three research environments unite for joint facility management conference

Facility management teams from Karolinska Institutet’s three primary research facilities—ANA Futura, Biomedicum, and Neo—recently convened for their first-ever joint FM conference. Held at Häringe Slott, the event focused on fostering collaboration to enhance service delivery across the university's diverse research environments. This initiative marks a strategic shift toward a unified FM approach to better support the institution's core missions of research and education.

The conference, held on May 27–28 at Häringe Slott, brought together staff from the ANA Futura, Biomedicum, and Neo research buildings to address the evolving needs of facility management at Karolinska Institutet (KI). The primary objective was to establish a collaborative framework among the different teams, moving away from siloed operations. Participants engaged in workshops and discussions designed to connect colleagues across various teams and define a cohesive strategy for the future of FM services within the university.

Central to the conference was the development of a shared vision for service quality, which the teams codified into five essential pillars. These pillars—structure, competence and professionalism, communication and attitude, flexibility, and helpfulness—are intended to serve as the foundation for all FM activities moving forward. By aligning on these values, the staff aims to ensure a consistent and high-quality experience for the researchers and educators who utilize the KI facilities.

Lars Frelin, the Facility Manager at ANA Futura, emphasized that connecting with colleagues from across the institution is vital for future success. He noted that establishing a shared vision allows the FM department to support KI’s research and education as effectively as possible. The event concluded with a strengthened sense of community among the staff and a clear direction for integrated facility management, highlighting that internal collaboration is the key to maintaining world-class research environments.