The Partnership Awards
The PFM Partnership Awards are a prestigious recognition within the facilities management sector, designed to celebrate the diverse and dynamic nature of our industry. These awards offer a unique opportunity for entrants to showcase their most recent achievements in partnership working across the most vibrant and exciting areas of FM. There are a range of different Partnership Awards categories, with something to suit everyone - find out the categories for 2026 below!
Deadline for entries: 13 May
The 2026 Partnership Categories:
Partners in Cleaning
This category is for FM partnerships where cleaning of facilities of any description takes a central role as part of a total facilities management (TFM) solution, or is the only aspect of the contract, and is designed to show how working in close cooperation between client and service provider delivers benefits to everyone involved. Judges will evaluate innovation, efficiency, risk management, compliance, and demonstrable impact on hygiene, safety, and operational performance.
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Partners in Cleaning, Large Estates
As above, but for organisations working across large estates such as university campuses or shopping malls, for example.
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Partners in Corporate
This category is for strategic partnerships where a wide range of support and FM services are delivered and managed for a large client organisation. Entrants should demonstrate how the partnership is strategically aligned with the client’s business needs and reflected through the supply chain to effectively deliver a broad range of services. Judges will consider client satisfaction, innovation, operational efficiency, and evidence of sustained impact on workplace quality and organisational performance.
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Partners in Corporate, Public Sector
As above, but this award recognises the specific importance the Public Sector's partnerships with FM.
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Partners in Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG)
ESG is growing in importance, not just to FM but to industry as a whole, which increasingly recognises it has social and ethical as well as business obligations to fulfil. This category enables companies with strong ESG strategies to demonstrate their commitment to both sustainability and DE&I (diversity, equity and inclusion), utilising delivery of KPIs or similar requirements and data showing the progress achieved. Entrants should demonstrate how both sides of the partnership are working together towards mutually set ESG goals. Judges will evaluate measurable environmental impact, social value initiatives, ethical governance, and evidence of long-term sustainability outcomes.
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Partners in Expert Services
This category is for partnerships between private sector organisations and a supplier with specific skills, technical expertise or experience, such as FM consultancy, IT support, reprographics, software development, cleaning, catering, logistics, etc, that have worked together to deliver demonstrable outcomes and benefits. Judges will assess technical expertise, compliance, innovation, and evidence of operational or financial value delivered through the partnership.
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Partners in Expert Services, Large Estates
As above, but for companies dealing with large estates, which can have complex needs and challenges.
Partners in Health & Safety - NEW
This category recognises outstanding collaboration between clients, contractors, and service partners who demonstrate a shared commitment to excellence in health and safety within Facilities Management (FM). It celebrates partnerships that go beyond compliance to proactively reduce risk, enhance wellbeing, drive continuous improvement, and embed a strong safety culture across operations. Judges will look for clear evidence of joint initiatives, measurable outcomes, innovation, workforce engagement, and sustained positive impact.
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Partners in Healthcare Settings
This category celebrates collaboration delivering services that improve safety, compliance, and operational outcomes in healthcare environments. Judges will assess evidence of patient safety initiatives, infection control, resilience, and measurable service improvements.
Partners in Logistics
Logistics is a critical component of Facilities Management (FM), ensuring the seamless operation and timely delivery of essential services and supplies. This category recognises the innovative and efficient partnerships between organisations and their logistics service providers, highlighting their commitment to excellence in supply chain management, warehousing, transportation, and distribution. Judges will look for measurable outcomes in efficiency, coordination, resilience, innovation, and impact on service delivery.
Partners in M&E (Mechanical & Electrical)
M&E services are crucial in FM, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of essential infrastructure such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems. Excellence in M&E within FM is characterised by proactive maintenance, energy efficiency, and seamless integration of advanced technologies, achieved through effective collaboration and innovative solutions. By recognising these exemplary partnerships, this award not only celebrates the achievements of the winners but also sets a benchmark for best practices in the industry. Judges will consider evidence of technical competence, compliance, asset reliability, efficiency, and risk management.
Partners in Net Zero Journey
This category reflects the push for Net Zero and the widely recognised need to reduce the impact of facilities on the environment by lowering carbon emissions, maximising resources, streamlining energy usage and minimising waste in all areas, among other things. Entrants in this sector should demonstrate innovation, creativity and commitment to carbon and waste reduction that goes above and beyond minimum Net Zero requirements, using KPIs, data and testimonials where appropriate to demonstrate measurable progress. Judges will assess evidence of strategy, implementation, measurable carbon reductions, innovation, and long-term sustainability outcomes.
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Partners in Net Zero Journey, Public Sector
As above, but focusing on companies operating within the sphere of the public sector, which can present its own challenges and levels of complexity when it comes to the drive for Net Zero.
Partners in People Development - NEW
This category recognises exceptional collaboration between clients, contractors, and service partners who demonstrate a shared commitment to developing and empowering people within Facilities Management (FM). It celebrates partnerships that invest in skills, leadership, career progression, and workforce wellbeing to build capability and resilience across operations. Judges will look for clear evidence of joint initiatives, measurable outcomes, innovation in learning and development, inclusive practices, and lasting impact on individuals, teams, and organisational performance.
Partners in Security
From traditional security guards to the growing sophistication of cyber security, security plays a vital role in facilities management. This category is designed for partnerships (either private or public sector) that can demonstrate that they meet – and even exceed – clients’ needs for privacy and protection, whether that’s keeping data, buildings, artefacts or people secure. Judges will assess evidence of risk reduction, innovation, and performance metrics demonstrating impact.
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Partners in SME Organisations
SMEs are the lifeblood of the British economy, and this category recognises that. It is open to partnerships between organisations delivering a range of support services that achieve the client’s strategic business objectives, but where the client and/or FM provider are an SME* organisation. (*EU Definition of SME: Staff headcount: Fewer than 250 employees. Turnover: ≤ €50 million. Balance sheet total: ≤ €43 million.) Judges will evaluate innovation, efficiency, resilience, and demonstrable impact on client outcomes.
Partners in Waste Management
This award highlights the innovative and effective partnerships between organisations and their waste management service providers, showcasing their commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and environmental stewardship. By celebrating these outstanding collaborations, the award establishes a standard for excellence within the industry and motivates others to embrace innovative approaches, as well as promoting a culture of ongoing enhancement in waste management practices. Judges will assess evidence of compliance, innovation, environmental impact, and operational efficiency.
Partners in Wellbeing
Wellbeing is far more than a tick-box exercise for FM companies and their partners looking to deliver the optimum employee experience. Happy staff are productive staff, and this award is looking for partnerships that go above and beyond to deliver an outstanding working environment and culture that impacts positively on the wellbeing of all stakeholders. Partnerships should highlight any policies aimed at improving employee wellbeing, as well as the impact of such policies, and other initiatives aimed at improving wellbeing such as office design, workplace events etc. Judges will consider initiatives improving physical, mental, or social wellbeing, engagement metrics, and evidence of lasting positive cultural impact.
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Partners in Workplace Innovation
With the growing emphasis on enhancing workplace efficiency and supporting collaborative and hybrid working models, the Partners in Workplace Innovation Award aims to spotlight the most successful partnerships that have led to significant improvements in the working environment through measurable innovation in design, technology, or service integration. This category celebrates innovative collaborations that have effectively transformed workplaces, showcasing how strategic partnerships can drive business ambitions and create more productive, flexible, and engaging workspaces. Judges will assess impact on productivity, engagement, operational performance, and user experience.