Keith Gately – Facilities Management Degree Helped Secure Promotion for EMEA Facility Manager

Keith Gately is the EMEA Facilities Manager in a large multinational firm based in Dublin who recently gained his BSc (Hons) in Facilities & Workplace Management at Portobello Institute.

After graduating in 2012 with a History and Economics degree, Keith worked in various roles. In 2016, he ‘fell into’ the facilities management (FM) industry.

Keith decided that in order to take his career where he wanted to go, it was time to gain a degree in facilities management, which has already paid off by playing a key role in his career promotion.

“I had good career progression prior to thinking about studying, however, I felt for me to take the next step in my career, as well as increase my knowledge around some areas of the industry where I wasn’t as experienced in, I needed to complete my degree.

“I felt the level 8 degree offered by Portobello ticked most of the boxes that I was looking for, more so than other institutions.

“It did help me get to the level I am at today. I have been promoted twice since I started with the organisation five years ago, and I believe that the degree definitely helped my second promotion,” he said.

Gaining his degree allowed Keith to follow his passion and fulfil his potential in facilities management.

“I am passionate about all things FM, and ensuring people have a safe, secure and well-maintained workplace. I believe that a well–structured FM operation and team can provide immense value to a workplace and operation.

“This strong belief in the industry, as well as the value added and opportunities it provides is one of the reasons, I felt it beneficial to pursue this course,” he said. 

Keith studied for his BSc (Hons) in Facilities and Workplace Management through blended learning during the pandemic and found online delivery a huge success.

“I enjoyed it. The degree was fully remote, as when I began we were still under covid restrictions. However, in the main, I found my classmates and tutors were great, and the online option still allowed great discussion and learning.

“Some of the tutors were absolutely top-class. I would like to specifically call out Eoin O’Sullivan, who I found to be engaging, interesting and totally on top of his brief. The same with Tony O’Gorman. I also enjoyed the camaraderie and relationships I developed with some of my classmates. There is one classmate in particular, and he knows who he is whom I met weekly and we had a study club. This I found very beneficial,” he said.

In his exciting role, Keith’s day-to-day tasks and responsibilities can vary massively which he finds is the perfect environment for fulfilling his potential.

“My day could consist of pretty much anything. I could be looking after items as various as a leak in our Paris office to a life safety item in Germany.

“I look after all the hard services and most of the soft services across our portfolio, so it’s a busy and challenging role, however, I have a great team around me that helps me to succeed.

“Once I entered the industry, a role like this was always something I dreamed of. I love my job. Every day is a new challenge and experience. I feel I absolutely fulfil my potential and bring 110% every day. I believe my hard work, industry experience, teamwork and knowledge allow me to succeed in the role,” he said.

Portobello Institute offers a BSc (Hons) in Facilities & Workplace Management, Level 9 PGC Innovation for Sustainability in the Workplace, Postgraduate Certificate in Facilities Management and an MSc in Facilities & Workplace Management and more. 

If you are interested in any of our Facilities Management degrees or qualifications, you can book a consultation call with our expert FM advisor Brandon McLean, email [email protected] or call 01 892 0035. Visit our Facilities Management department here.