Total Facilities Management for Professional Services Firms

August 21, 2025

Compared to the average company, professional services firms are subject to intense scrutiny – and rightfully so. These organisations form the backbone of our critical industries such as banking and law. They’re firms that are regulated within an inch of their life, aligning with strict compliance requirements while also maintaining impeccable customer experiences.

To uphold that same standard behind the scenes, their facilities services must be equally robust. From safeguarding data to delivering exceptional front-of-house services, the FM function plays a critical role in upholding compliance and protecting reputation.

At Anabas, we understand these pressures – over 50% of our client base operates within the financial and legal sectors. That’s why our approach to total facilities management (TFM) is tailored to meet the exacting standards of professional services environments. By consolidating services like M&E, cleaning, security and reception, TFM offers significant advantages to legal and financial firms. From compliance to workplace experience, we explore the various ways…

Regulatory and compliance risk management

Regulatory compliance is a non-negotiable priority in legal and financial environments – and FM teams play a key role in upholding it.

In legal settings, where confidentiality is critical, FM providers must manage stringent access controls, staff vetting, file storage, secure meeting rooms and ensure that sensitive case materials remain protected. In finance, the focus shifts to regulatory training, FSA compliance, and supporting auditable controls in high-security areas such as trading floors.

These requirements demand regular, well-managed training and consistent oversight. A TFM model simplifies this by consolidating responsibilities under one provider, ensuring clear protocols are followed across data handling, privacy, and physical security.

Data security and IT infrastructure

TFM providers are well placed to support diverse data and IT requirements in professional services environments. In the legal sector, that can vary from secure video conferencing for client-solicitor meetings to high-level document shredding and disposal services. In financial environments, firms may need real-time system support, or server room cooling.

These are all areas where TFM can deliver. A single provider that is capable of scaling facilities services up and down as the needs and operating environments of professional service sector clients evolve.

Business continuity and resilience

It’s not just about the range of services that TFM can provide, but equally their ability to deliver them consistently.

Indeed, business continuity and resilience planning are central in professional services sectors. FM needs to contribute to these efforts. For legal clients, that might mean provisioning uninterrupted access to documents, secure storage, and fail-safes for critical infrastructure. In finance, it might mean disaster recovery sites, real-time system mirroring, and emergency protocols tested through regular drills.

The key is for FM to be closely aligned with IT, operations, and compliance teams to minimise the potential for issues to arise.

Workplace experience and client expectations

Beyond compliance and operational resilience, legal and financial firms also expect premium workplace experiences. Offices shape brand perception for clients, prospects and employees alike, so FM must support environments that reflect professionalism and purpose.

Law firms often require quiet, discreet, well-maintained spaces. In contrast, financial workplaces tend to be faster paced, and more tech led, demanding innovative solutions like flexible desk booking and smart lighting.

At Anabas, we believe experience is everything. That’s why our TFM model delivers adaptable, scalable services that evolve with each organisation’s specific needs.

Staffing and culture considerations

Great service starts with great people. In TFM, it’s not just what is delivered – it is who delivers it.

Whether it is cleaning, reception, security or engineering, the quality of service depends on the people delivering it day in, day out. On-site FM teams must align with each client’s values, expectations and workplace culture. That’s why, at Anabas, we invest time in training, onboarding and cultural alignment – ensuring our teams not only deliver high standards but do so in a way that reflects each client’s unique environment.

In law firms, that might mean maintaining a discreet, low-profile presence. In finance, meanwhile, FM teams may need to be fast moving, tech savvy and responsive to real-time demands.

TFM can be a key strategic asset

Every business is different. But for firms in critical professional services sectors like law and finance, TFM can meet a wide range of requirements. At Anabas, we tailor services to each environment and understand the specific expectations around compliance, data protection and workplace culture. This enables us to become more than just a contractor. We act as a long-term strategic partner.