An internalised property management model is one of Cromwell’s competitive advantages. Cromwell’s property management team oversees the strategic and day-to-day management of Cromwell’s extensive property portfolio; ensuring that tenants are happy, space is leased, buildings operated efficiently and projects are delivered on time and on budget.
By keeping these functions in-house, Cromwell has ensured that properties are managed in accordance with the interests of Cromwell Group securityholders. Internal property management helps Cromwell maintain an intimate knowledge and understanding of individual assets and assists in accurate budgeting and forecasting for distributions, maintenance and capital expenditure.
Internal property management also fosters close relationships with tenants which assists in identifying and resolving issues and improves tenant retention.
Cromwell’s Facility Management program incorporates both state and on-site based facility managers, project management, contract administration and help desk services.
Strategic areas covered by Cromwell FMs are as follows:
- Property acquisition transfer to property management services
- Property life cycle planning over a 10 year period for capital expenditure upgrade and building refurbishment
- Annual business planning for strategic building direction
- Annual operational, building outgoings and capital expenditure budgeting
- Monthly financial reviewing with quarterly forecasting to ensure a controlled financial approach to accurate building financial performance
- Essential services compliance, occupational health & safety, risk management, hazardous awareness, hazardous materials
- Sustainability programs:
o Energy
o Water
o Waste
o Social
This allows Cromwell FMs to be in control of strategic property objectives in line with business priorities.
Operational areas covered by Cromwell FMs:
- Operational lease interpretation - responsibility
- Service contract management tendering and control
- Programmed maintenance
- Remote site management and control
- FM operations guidelines
Supervisory areas include:
- Repairs and maintenance
- Contractor coordination
- Cromwell FM policies and procedures such as operations manuals
Cromwell FM uses several business systems and support functions to effectively manage their assets:
- Electronic data management system
- Electronic online financial accounting
- Online electronic maintenance and risk management task manager
- Online contractor induction
- Remote program and system access
- Contract database including service providers and executed current contracts
- Helpdesk system and support, dedicated data review
- Project management for capital expenditure projects
- Essential services online portal
- Risk management – procedures, electronic register, OHS, DDA, hazardous awareness
- National contract procurement
Cromwell’s Facilities team has a diversified skill and experience base from core FM tertiary backgrounds to project management and building services such as mechanical, electrical and fire. Cromwell Facilities Management provide a constant education review and skill refinement and refresher program. Various skill update programs include lease interpretation, contract law, essential services, risk management, OHS/DDA, and energy management are conducted quarterly. These are incorporated into a quarterly strategic Facility Management review.