International Region

The BIFM is the largest national facilities management professional body in the world and continues to develop on a wide variety of fronts.

In recognition of a growing number of members who are located outside the UK the Institute recognised the need to better serve those members and as a result the International region was created operating along the same lines as all other regions in the UK.

It was also recognised that in addition to serving its members there was an opportunity to further the contribution within the BIFM, as well as the professional development of FM itself through encouraging the development of branches wherever they may be around the globe. This complements our Re-Thinking FM initiative launched in 2003 and makes a valid contribution to the furtherance of FM as a professional discipline.

Current plans being considered include how best the Institute can harness the new BIFM website. Also under consideration is how we can support the establishment of branches within the region where individual and corporate members can gain best advantage from their membership. It is anticipated that 2005 will see the emergence of several branches abroad and the development of our service offerings.

As with any branch, or region for that matter, it relies upon a few volunteers to make it happen. Branches are autonomous in nature in that they decide what activities are appropriate for their local members as well as when and how often to get together to network. Support is available from the region where experience resides regarding what can and cannot be done as well as what typically works and what doesn’t but of course this will vary widely. At head office there is support regarding membership, financial, procedural and communication matters. It is anticipated that with the new e-portal coming on line that much of the communication will be self-enabling.

I would therefore like to very much welcome you to the region and for those of you who are based abroad and perhaps did not get the welcome email please check that you are registered as an International Region Member if you are based or working predominantly abroad.

If you have ideas regarding how we can best achieve our objectives as a region or indeed are interested in the establishment of a branch in your location please let me know. I look forward to working with you to ensure that you gain maximum benefit from your membership of the BIFM in addition to raising the profile of facilities management wherever we are.

Bernard Heys, Chairman International Region