20 APRIL 2019
In FMJ's regular monthly column, our team of FM experts answer your
questions about the world of facilities management
THE IWFM’S VIEW
CHRIS MORIARTY, DIRECTOR OF INSIGHT AND
ENGAGEMENT IWFM
Does the FM industry need
a functioning, e ective
trade association? It’s a
question that seems to
appear at the traditional
FM industry curtain raiser,
Workplace Futures, on
an annual basis. And this
year, as with the last, the
dramatic backdrop was the
Carillion collapse and the
rocky times at Interserve.
It would appear that
FM businesses feel
underrepresented. The Business Services Association
(BSA) speaks for outsourcing in general, so what
could be missing? Perhaps folk are feeling
that the FM sector at large needs particular
attention, especially given the current
macroeconomic climate and focus on some of
the larger outsourced services contracts.
IWFM is regularly asked to comment on
behalf of the industry but as I argued at this
year’s event, representing the industry’s
interests is not our role; professionalising
the industry is – ensuring that facilities
professionals excel at their profession.
Past attempts have been made to set up a bespoke
trade association. A movement to do that some
years ago gathered pace, but then faltered when would-be
founders couldn’t, when it came down to it, make the necessary
investment. That surely begs
the question of whether a
facilities management trade
association is a solution looking
for a problem. Perhaps it goes
to the heart of the identity of the
profession itself.
During our recent name change
IWFM went through a process of
redefining its purpose. We went back
to first principles and re-articulated a core
mission which is built on professional excellence;
enabling and empowering professionals to have the
best career possible; collectively creating the conditions for
the profession to thrive and grow. The profession, that is, the
135,000 people who work in it, is our core audience and focus.
Does that mean IWFM does not engage with the industry? Far
from it. We work hand in glove with the industry. Corporate
members, play a huge part in our community, bringing
innovation and fresh perspectives to everything we do. Our
thought leadership work benefits greatly from partnerships with
its major industry players.
We help them to engage with their target markets, and in
realising best practice and leading- edge thinking. But we’re
more than facilitators. We don’t just connect our members to
best practice, we acknowledge its trends and push it to the
forefront, challenging with ideas and tools – enabling its wider
implementation.
We’re at the heart of many conversations on ethical
procurement, contract templates, social value and much more;
and we are committed to supporting outsourcing as a valid
model for the important role it can play when done well - but
this is all done from the point of view of the professionals
carrying them out and ensuring best practice is front
and centre.
So, to trade association or not? Ultimately,
this is in the hands of industry. As an
organisation which has just undergone
a core purpose reassignment, we have
learned that if something doesn’t
already exist, its invention needs a
solid rationale – not to say sustainable
backing.
Professional bodies have a distinct
purpose and IWFM’s is clear; not to
represent a business sector but instead
to be the voice to show how a profession
can excel. If industry wants to have its interests
collectively protected, then that can only come
from them and that will take concerted action and
investment.
FM CLINIC
With the establishment
of a UK IFMA chapter,
FMs can now choose from
three professional bodies;
RICS, IFMA and IWFM to
help them develop their
skills and enhance their
careers. However, with all the
negativity around outsourcing
which has tarnished facilities
services, do FM suppliers urgently
require a Facilities Management trade
association to represent the sector?
And if so, how can this be achieved?
Chris Moriarty
ADVICE & OPINION
Representing the
industry’s interests is not our
role; professionalising the
industry is – ensuring that
facilities professionals excel at
their profession.”
– Chris Moriarty