by Brianna Crandall — December 9, 2013—In 2014, the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) will be carrying out a series of activities in order to raise awareness of how successful contracts and relationships can be established within the facilities management (FM) sector in the U.K. and around the world.
BIFM has recognized the trend of more organizations outsourcing key services within the built environment, increasingly on a pan-European or global basis. The FM sector affects all areas of industry, and its impact on the U.K. economy and society is more than apparent, notes BIFM. As a result, the volume and value of these Total Facilities Management (TFM) contracts have risen dramatically and have become a key area of discussion in the FM sector.
Gareth Tancred, CEO of BIFM, said, “There are contracts worth hundreds of millions of pounds between FM service providers and businesses. A great example of popular and successful outsourcing can be seen in the London 2012 Games, where many of BIFM’s Corporate Members helped ensure the world’s largest sporting event ran smoothly. However, we must recognize there are cases of less successful relationships, and work together to sustain the high profile of the FM sector and promote the good work that service providers do for the U.K. economy.”
After extensive research, consultation with FM service providers and client-side FMs, and in addition to a BIFM Leaders Forum, the Institute is responding to calls from key industry professionals to take a lead in guiding the sector on how to run effective contracts and relationships. There have been cases where relationships between suppliers and clients have not always been successful, reminds BIFM.
Tancred added, “BIFM recognizes that its position as the professional body of the FM sector is to advise people operating in the workplace and built environment. Part of this commitment means providing guidance and support for individuals new to FM or for those requiring knowledge when setting up outsourced contracts.”
BIFM will announce details of further activities relating to this challenge in January 2014.
In an additional initiative to raise the profile of FM practitioners in the U.K., as well as to demonstrate the global sector’s impact on society and the economy, BIFM has joined forces with television news heavyweight ITN in a new video content partnership. The series of programs will be presented from the ITN studios by Natasha Kaplinsky. Focusing on key interviews and event coverage, while defining the importance of FM to society and the U.K. economy, the series will bring to life examples of FMs’ impact for a wider audience. Organizations or individuals who have a best practices story to tell should contact Simon Shelley [DEB: LINK TO E-MAIL: simon.shelley@itn.co.uk”> .
Founded in 1993, the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) promotes excellence in facilities management for the benefit of practitioners, the economy and society. The professional body supports and represents over 14,000 members around the world, both individual FM professionals and organizations, and thousands more through qualifications and training.
