22 October 2015 | James Sutton
This issue of FM World is the most important one of the year. It aims to bring to life the winning projects, teams and people following the biggest night on the FM calendar at the BIFM Awards.
Many of the pages that precede this column will highlight many of the success stories and the key learnings from the winners and the highly commended.
You may question why the BIFM Awards are so key to us as an institute. The answer is less about us as an institute and more about us as the professional body for facilities management; they form part of a much wider and core aspect of our strategy.
BIFM continues to work hard to convey the value of FM to business and wider society and the Awards serve as an excellent platform upon which to identify and showcase the difference FM makes. Our efforts focus on taking these powerful messages and insights forward to raise them with business leaders, government and media and, of course, with the wider FM profession.
The Awards create a legacy of material from which we can learn as a profession, as well as highlighting the impact FM has made. And, when you look at our shortlists, you can see that innovative and exemplary FM doesn't only take place with large projects, refurbishments and redesigns; even the smallest of smart changes can yield positive results. It shows that an individual's personal capability is a vital one to business and has the capacity to make an impressive impact on those around them.
In the coming months we hope to share best practice from entrants for the benefit of other FM professionals. This may be in helping to identify processes improvements and new ways of working for organisations, or through case study materials to support the professional development of individuals across the profession.
I was first introduced to the FM profession just over two years ago when I joined BIFM. Although my own role has now changed, I have always been amazed by the pride and passion across the profession and industry. But, even now, there are many who still refer to FM as a 'hidden industry' or even as a 'Cinderella profession'. This is something that I have never understood.
If anything, the calibre of the entries from the awards shows that FM has much to celebrate, it makes a difference to business every day - this message is being delivered every day by exemplary FM across the economy. I believe we have a confident and vibrant sector - this was on display at the Awards. So I'd urge you, whatever your contribution in your workplace, or however small you perceive it to be, this is not a silent profession so help others understand the impact you make and #celebrateFM.
James Sutton is chief executive at BIFM