Employee Spotlight: Tom Dellaportas on Pivoting to a Successful Career in Facilities Management

Prepared to be inspired. Whether you’ve just graduated college or are 50 years into your professional career, anything is possible. Tom Dellaportas is a facility manager for Suncorp, an Australian insurance company with a national presence in Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. Suncorp recently sold its banking division to ANZ and now focuses solely on insurance services. Tom recently pivoted into facilities management after decades in a different industry, and while he’s still growing in this new chapter of his career, he’s already making big moves! Keep reading to learn more about Tom’s role as a Facility Manager and how he’s thriving at Cushman & Wakefield.

1. Tell me about your journey into facilities management. What inspired you to pursue this career?

Facilities management wasn’t something I planned. I come from a family seafood business we ran for 21 years. After we received an offer that was too good to refuse, we sold the company. I had two young kids then, and they asked questions like, "What are you going to do next, Dad?" I had no idea, but those questions got me thinking. I enrolled in short courses—Occupational Health and Safety, First Aid—just to get started. I wanted to set an example for my kids, showing them that it’s never too late to study and switch careers. That led me to a role as a maintenance assistant at a hotel. What I thought would be a short-term solution turned into a 12-year journey. I worked my way up to senior management, and that’s how I found my way into facilities management.

2. You started your facilities career at the age of 40. How was the transition?

The transition was smoother than I expected, thanks to Cushman & Wakefield. I hadn’t had a job interview in years and thought it would be intimidating. But the team made me feel comfortable right from the start. It felt like something that was meant to be. From day one, I was supported by the team and felt welcomed. They ensured I wasn’t thrown in the deep end, a huge relief.

3. How do you balance strategic asset management with day-to-day operational tasks in managing your portfolio?

With so many properties to manage, it’s all about prioritizing. Multiple things can go wrong in one property and across several. I always reach out to clients to gauge the urgency of a problem, ensure I’m attentive to their requests, and have a plan to minimize downtime. Cushman & Wakefield has systems that help us analyze data and be more strategic in approaching problems. It’s a balance between being proactive and using the tools we have to ensure smooth operations.

4. What excites you the most about the future of your role?

Technology. Buildings are becoming more innovative, and our systems provide us with more data to work efficiently. I’m excited about the potential to implement more sustainability practices—things like energy conservation, waste reduction, and minimizing adverse environmental impact. Sustainability is key in commercial real estate now, and being able to contribute to that is really fulfilling.

5. Client satisfaction is central to your role. How do you build strong relationships and maintain a high level of service?

I’m a big believer in face-to-face communication. While we have the tools to communicate through email and virtual meetings, nothing beats that human element. It is vital to visit clients in person, understand their concerns, and build trust. Personal interaction helps instill confidence that I’m taking

care of things. Communication is everything in this role, and I believe in transparency, whether things are going smoothly or not.

6. What advice would you give someone who wants to follow a similar career path?

I don’t think anyone is limited to anything. If you want to pursue a career in facilities management or any other field, get there and do it. Dedication and focus are all you need. I’m a perfect example—my career switch wasn’t planned, but once I knew I wanted to grow in this field, I did everything I could to elevate myself. Anyone can do it if they set their mind to it. Don’t make excuses.

7. What are the three most important qualities someone in your role should have?

Communication is number one—it’s vital to everything. Second, being proactive is crucial. You need to anticipate problems before they arise—and third, transparency. Things can go wrong in this line of work, and people appreciate honesty. If there’s a problem, you must be upfront about it and let everyone know how and when it will be resolved.

8. How has the Cushman & Wakefield team supported you in your role?

The team here has been incredible. From the very beginning, they made sure I felt supported. If I have any issues, I know I can reach out, and someone will be there to help. It feels like a tight-knit family environment, which is something I value. Coming from a family business, that’s important to me.