Under the spotlight with Tim Hysom

Tell us about your journey at Anabas

I joined Anabas as an Account Director in 2017, working closely with our operational teams and building strong relationships with clients across a range of sectors. In 2023, I became Operations Director before moving into my current role as Director of Business Operations.

Like many people in facilities management, I didn’t originally set out to work in the industry. I started in FM as a temp but quickly realised it was the right career for me and built my experience from there.

Today, I work across IT, Transformation, Quality, Health & Safety, Procurement, Engineering and Business Support, helping ensure our support services and operational teams are aligned so we can continue delivering outstanding service as the business grows.

What has been the biggest change in your career?

I have worked in facilities management for more than 30 years, and I’d say the biggest change was coming back to, and staying at, Anabas. I love the culture and the opportunities to grow. I’ve now been here longer than anywhere else in my career.

What achievement are you most proud of?

Our client retention record is exceptional, and I’m incredibly proud of that. I’ve played a part by building strong client relationships, but it has only been possible because of the fantastic teams around me and the people delivering our services every day.

What has been one of the most memorable moments of your career?

Managing our client relationships, supporting our people and navigating the challenges of Covid will always stay with me. It was probably the hardest I’ve ever worked, but everyone was pulling together. There was a real sense of collaboration across the business and with our clients.

How have client expectations changed over the years?

Clients have become far more sophisticated in what they expect from facilities management. Governance has become increasingly important, and we’ve continued to strengthen our systems and processes to support that.

Data has also become much more valuable. Clients want to use it to make better decisions for the future, rather than simply reporting on the past, so we’re continually developing our data management and reporting tools to support that. Our approach is part of a wider shift towards more technology-enabled and insight-led facilities management.

What makes Anabas different?

Anabas is a relationship-led business. We work collaboratively with our clients to achieve shared goals rather than focusing on short-term wins. That approach builds trust and creates long-term partnerships. Anabas specialises in delivering bespoke facilities management services for corporate workplaces across the UK, allowing us to deliver tailored services for corporate office occupiers.

What excites you most about the future?

We’re entering an exciting period where our continued growth means we’ll need to evolve many of our processes over the next few years. We’re already making changes to make sure the business is well prepared for the future.