The end of an era

Iain Murray reflects on his two years as chair of the institute and gets ready for handover to the new chairman, Ian Broadbent, at the BIFM AGM and Members' Day on June 17.

 

17 June 2010

This is my last column as chair of the institute. I predicted in January 2008 when I was elected to this office that if I could get through the two years of my term it would be some of the most memorable time I would ever spend and it would mean that no challenge would be too great in the future. It has been exactly as predicted – exciting, hard work and challenging, but tremendous fun.

The privilege of office is measured in many ways, but for me it was mostly about relationships and the quality of them. I will be thanking everyone who has helped me fulfil my duties and who have helped and guided me through the last two years at the Members Day and AGM, but briefly in print, I wanted to thank Ian Fielder, our CEO, the executive and head office staff, the board, Members’ Council and all of the other volunteers who make the BIFM function. Without these people there is no institute, and the office of chair would be impossible.

So what is next for a retired chair, ride off into the sunset and let the new guard takeover? I don’t think so, I have too much invested in the institute not to continue to help the new chair and his team in whatever way I can - I am still part of the team. There are also projects which I have a vested interest in seeing through to conclusion; one to achieve the establishment of an apprenticeship in FM in Scotland; and secondly to establish an all-party parliamentary group (APPG) for FM in Westminster, so I am going to try and see those through. I also have an eye on following Stan Mitchell’s lead and becoming more involved in Global FM and I have already started working on a Global Ambassador Programme with them.

My time as chair has also afforded me some great opportunities to meet some amazing people, and it has never ceased to amaze me both here in the UK and internationally how highly regarded the BIFM really is. I have had the opportunity to travel to the Cosmit Conference in Milan to talk about FM in design, to the FAAM conference at Cityscape in Dubai to chair their FM conference and I have been to World Workplace in the US. The ambassador role for the institute is one I have taken very seriously and I am pleased to have been part of the worldwide network of FMs, our strength is in our collective knowledge and willingness to share it.
It has been my privilege to be your chair for the last two years, and I hope I can continue to play a part in the growth and development of BIFM.

BIFM chairman 2008 – 2010

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