Review of 2010

As 2010 draws to a close, chief executive of the BIFM, Ian Fielder, reviews the year

 

9 December 2010

Every organisation takes time to take stock of the previous year and as we reach year end, the BIFM is no different. The ravages of the year has been apparent in facilities management and we have a lost a few of the well established providers in the market. However, this has been balanced by many clients in facilities management reviewing and re-specifying their services and creating significant opportunities for the supply side of the industry. These periods of economic constraint always lead to innovative approaches and an opportunity for new entrants to establish themselves often offering niche services that help fill the gap in an ever changing landscape. At the institute we managed to complete the conversion from our outdated examinations to the newly established qualifications on the Qualification Credit Framework (QCF) at levels four, five and six. We have also renewed our relationship with the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) to continue their delivery of the Level 3 qualification with its crucial link to apprenticeships in facilities management. We are also delighted with our relationship with existing and new tuition providers who have helped put the new qualification firmly on the career map.

We also introduced the new membership grade of CBIFM (certified facilities manager) which correlates with the Level Six qualification and we have worked hard to build this membership category as it is essential for those who wish to upgrade their membership to the Fellow Grade. The introduction of our social media network together with the growing array of expanding social interaction opportunities including Twitter, Facebook, blogs and LinkedIn sites has expanded our communication across the membership spectrum.

The number of regional and special interest group events is testament to the high levels of activity among the members and we have seen no drop of in attendance at our CPD and networking events. The regional conferences in London and Ireland delivered excellent programmes and we are confident that there will more events like this as the economy recovers. We managed to deliver an innovative conference in London and attendance at the two main exhibitions in Birmingham and London proved as popular as ever. The awards and gala dinner in October was a sell out event as well as the highest standard of entries we have seen to date. All of this activity has helped us raise our profile particular in national and European government circles where we have been consulted in a wide range of built environment topics as well as being recognised for our work in creating new best practices guides, including a recent piece of work on internships.

Each department at head office has been diligent in not only delivering membership services but have been enthusiastic about creating new member benefits. As CEO I recognise that none of the above can be delivered without the dedicated band of both staff and volunteers and I thank you for making 2010 another good year in the calendar of the BIFM.

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