New chair, new times

A new era ushers in as incoming BIFM chairman Ian Broadbent expresses his delight at his new role and welcomes the challenges ahead.

 

15 July 2010

I was delighted to attend the recent Members’ Day and AGM at the Imax close to Waterloo. Firstly, it was an extremely impressive venue in an area that has had its difficulties in the past. I’m sure the venue and the great transport links helped with the record attendance. As incoming chairman my duties were quite light on the day which gave me a great opportunity to meet and network with a broad range of members which has always been the favourite part of all my roles.

However, the honeymoon period is over now and it’s time to get down to the job in hand. The new board had just met for the first time and my role as chair is initially to support the new board members and ensure that current members gel with them. Remember, half the board are volunteers so there are few opportunities for dress rehearsals, the board needs to be working together and effectively at the earliest opportunity.

Luckily I have been left with a very sound foundation by my predecessor Iain Murray, and this will enable me to build quickly and face the many challenges that lie ahead. Moreover, with a committed and talented head office team led by Ian Fielder, working with the senior volunteers, we are in a great position.

However, the strength of the BIFM is in its membership and I also look forward to getting out and meeting as many of you as possible, working with my two deputies, Ismena Clout and Stuart Harris. We aim to get out to as many meetings, network sessions and gatherings as possible, we are already very active in this area and working as a team will help us engage with as many of you as possible.

I know many of you travel as part of your work, I have found it amusing that a number of the on-board team on the Leeds to Kings Cross trains already recognise me – it’s a journey that’s becoming very familiar.

I have set up a blog which you can access via the front page of the BIFM website, I also use Twitter when possible – as 
@ibroadbent_bifm – and via these mediums I will try and keep you right up to date about my role as chair. I also want to emphasise what an honour it is to be in this position and to have the chance to represent you all. But most of all I want to enjoy the next two years, and if I am representing you effectively then I’ll enjoy the role even more.

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