Welcome to my blog. I had one thought in mind when I first expressed a notion to write an infrequent blog of my activities as Chair of BIFM, openness. All too often the workings of an organisation seem distant and irrelevant and I wanted to try and introduce the human element. This is it. Over the coming two years I plan to upload some thoughts, accounts of actions and events and to generally make some comments on the facilities management industry and BIFM. I plan to do this on average every two weeks, we'll see if that idea lasts.
2009 - Do we really want to remember it!
18-12-09, 11:12
2009 - What a year, anus horribllis someone once said. I am not going to dwell on the difficulties we have all endured this year, but instead I am going to reflect on the positives.
I chaired the Board meeting yesterday and I can't share the confidential parts, but I am pleased to say that we are in good shape going into 2010, and I am pleased to report still with high ambitions for the development of the Institute. I want to thank the Board, the Executive and the staff for their stellar work this year; I think we have all worked hard.
This year will be remembered in BIFM history for the achievements of our PS&E team, their work has been crucial to the creation of a strong foundation for the Institute to look forward professionally from. The team deserves high plaudits for this work and stand-by for news on the latest developments.
I am also pleased to be able to report that an Apprenticeship in FM emerged this year in conjunction with Asset Skills. This has created opportunities in England, Wales and NI, and I am working with Asset Skills Scotland to close the circle by bringing forth a Modern Apprenticeship in FM in Scotland too.
I personally feel I have had a good year as the Chair, I enjoyed our conference, I enjoyed the awards dinner and both were very successful. I also attended the Ireland Region conference, the Scottish Region Ball, a number of regional events across the UK including a number of great WiFM events, I attended the Facilities Show in Birmingham and World Workplace in Florida. I also managed to write 23 blogs and Tweeted 365 times. In addition to this I chaired a couple of FM conferences and spoke at four more and I represented us at the Construction Industry Council Chairs and Presidents summit. I also continued to mentor under the WiFM mentoring programme, and I think my mentee and I both enjoyed it so much so we agreed to continue working together for another year. There is more, but I can feel you nodding off now.
I also became a dad this year, which makes everything pale into insignificance in comparison. Christmas this year is going to be very special.
I just want to close by saying that you can be confident that I and my team will continue to work hard for you our members, and that the future is still bright, the future is BIFM.
Seasons Greetings and have a prosperous New Year.
