by Brianna Crandall — May 6, 2013—In an important development for the U.K. FM industry, one of the world’s most mature FM industries, the British Institute of Facilities Management, Asset Skills, the Facilities Management Association, and the Cleaning and Support Services Association have agreed to the concept of forming one single and united body to represent facilities management and support services professionals in the United Kingdom.
As the FM and support services profession and industry have matured and evolved, so too must the bodies representing and leading them, note the organizations’ leaders. This proposed merger recognizes the growing demand for a stronger, unified and collective voice that represents and promotes what is a fundamental component of the U.K. economy and day-to-day businesses.
A steering group has been established to progress the proposed merger, which brings together:
- The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM), the professional body for facilities management
- Asset Skills, the skills body representing FM, property, housing, cleaning and parking
- The Facilities Management Association (FMA), the trade association for the FM sector
- The Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA), the trade association for the cleaning and support services industry
The group will address how these and other organizations could come together into this single body to meet the needs of the industry and the professionals that work within it. It will bring together the resources, expertise and services of the constituent parties to deliver what will be a strengthened and enhanced offering with greater representative influence and increased prestige for individuals within the industry. This proposal will be put forward to each constituent party’s membership for agreement and ratification.
