For most organisations the costs associated with the built estate are second only to staff costs. This indicates that property is a substantial and strategic resource. Management of this asset should, therefore, be carried out efficiently and effectively to gain maximum value for money and to add value to the organisation. The strategic role of property is supported by many writers both in the property / facilities management field and in the business world generally. The research focus emanates from the fact that HE institutions will continually quest for efficiency and effective use of their built assets, because it is good business practice to do so and because guidance from the Government through the Funding Councils suggests this should be done. Recent research has identified there is a growing recognition by business managers that the standard of property and facilities management affect the organisation as a whole in terms of cost efficiency, service delivery and performance, as well as protecting this substantial asset The interface between senior management and the property manager is important in all sectors, including HE. A detailed examination of this interface will shed some light upon how successful this is at the moment and in what direction the relationship between senior management and the managers responsible for property is moving. The research aims to provide a clearer understanding of the perceived role of property and facilities management in HE institutions and to show that the provision in this area needs to be matched to the strategic direction of the institution. The research will be based upon a detailed literature review of the subject matter; a detailed survey through questionnaire and interview of key staff at 5 HE Institutions; and a smaller survey, by questionnaire alone, of other key managers in the wider HE community.

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