Westbury FM’s Founder & Managing Director, Sonia Murton, recently featured on The FM Fix podcast, sharing her journey from project management to building one of the UK’s fastest-growing facilities management companies.
In a wide-ranging conversation, Sonia discusses the realities of scaling a business in a competitive industry, the importance of trust and delivery in client relationships, and how Westbury FM has grown through a people-first, service-led approach.
From Industry Experience to Business Growth
Sonia reflects on the pivotal moment that led her to start Westbury FM, a decision driven by the belief that facilities management could be delivered better, more fairly, and with greater transparency.
Her approach challenged traditional industry norms, proving that strong relationships, ethical practices, and consistent delivery can drive sustainable growth.
Key Challenges in Facilities Management Today
The podcast explores several critical challenges currently facing the FM and construction sectors, including:
- The skills shortage and the need for greater investment in training and knowledge transfer
- The balance between qualifications and experience, and the risk of overlooking practical, on-site expertise
- The growing complexity of technology, with multiple systems and portals, creates inefficiencies
- The need for integrated, end-to-end solutions to streamline operations and reduce administrative burden.
These themes, also highlighted in Westbury’s recent video series, reflect wider industry conversations and the need for meaningful change.
People at the Heart of FM
A consistent message throughout the episode is the importance of people.
From hiring the right individuals to investing in long-term relationships with both clients and teams, Sonia reinforces that success in FM ultimately comes down to the quality, experience, and commitment of the people delivering the service.
Embracing Technology Without Losing the Human Touch
While technology continues to play a growing role in facilities management, Sonia highlights the importance of using it to support, not complicate, service delivery.
The future of FM lies in smarter, more connected systems, but always underpinned by a strong human approach.
Watch the Full Episode
🎧 You can also watch the full episode on YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuHm2jqsWnA&t=2s
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