Chris founded EP is 2005 with the objective of bringing industry leaders together to debate and discuss the leading issues of the day. The core principle was to build a strong community of leaders, share knowledge and develop progressive agendas in support of industry.

Sofie Hooper leads on the IWFM’s wider policy and public affairs work, helping to raise the voice of the Institute, its members and the wider workplace and facilities management sector. She engages with stakeholders to ensure best practice is taken on board and concerns affecting workplace and facilities professionals are mitigated.

Covering a wide range of activities and areas, sustainability, workplace and building safety form the core agenda. Sofie has been leading on IWFM’s Building Safety Manager work programme, feeding into the legislative process towards the Building Safety Bill.  She provided the Secretariat for the Competence Steering Group’s Working Group 8, which developed the Building Safety Managers competence framework. 

In addition to being the co-author of the Group’s report, Safer people, safer homes: Building Safety Management, she is a regular contributor to Facilitate. Building on WG8’s recommendations, Sofie is a part of the Interim Executive of the Building Safety Alliance, a cross sector collaboration which is working to improve holistic building safety competence across the occupation phase. She is also a part of the Steering Committee for the DLUCH sponsored PAS 8673, which is setting the competence specification for Building Safety Managers.

Mark joined Sodexo as Managing Director (Cyprus Ltd) in 2016 following 5 years with Serco Defence, latterly as Director Estates and FM. In late 2017, he took on the expanded role of Managing Director Defence & Government Services, Sodexo UK & Ireland, (including overseas territories e.g. the Falkland Islands), as well as retaining the role of Managing Director Cyprus. Subsequently, in 2021, Mark was appointed Chief Operating Officer, Sodexo Government.

Mark left the RAF after a career that spanned over 31 years. His last appointment was as the Military Head of NATO, EU and UN Policy, policy advisor to Chief of the Defence Staff and also as non-resident Defence Attache in Dublin. Earlier highlights included multiple command and flying tours at RAF Kinloss, Scotland on the Nimrod MR2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and an exchange flying tour with the United States Marine Corps in California as a flying instructor. His last leadership role in the MOD before deploying to Afghanistan was as the MOD Sponsor and Senior Responsible Owner of the Nimrod MRA4 maritime patrol aircraft programme, Astute nuclear submarine and Merlin maritime helicopter.

In 2009, he was appointed Commanding Officer 904 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) at Kandahar Air Base Afghanistan with responsibility as Commanding Officer Camp Bastion airfield as well as being the Commander Royal Air Force Afghanistan and Deputy Air Component Commander Middle East. Mark returned to a place at the Royal College of Defence Studies in Belgrave Square, London where he studied International Strategic Studies for a year.

Mark has two daughters living in Dubai and Northamptonshire and lives in Hambledon, Surrey. His passions are travel, skiing, golf, good food and good wine.

An experienced Estates and Facilities Management professional operating at Director and Senior level. A career spanning several years within the FM industry working for not for Profit, Special Health Authority, Charity, and Higher Education sectors. Experience of managing a varied property portfolio ranging from large heritage, grade 1 listed buildings and properties of BREAM modern design.

A Certified member of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management, obtaining a Master of Science in Facilities Management Degree, and NEBOSH qualification. Board Member for the London Universities Purchasing Consortium between 2018 to 2022.

What I love about FM, it must be the variety and making a difference within the Workplace and the privilege of being responsible for some awesome buildings. My favourite pinch me moments during my career would have to be meeting Stephen Hawking, NASSA Astronauts, and Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Challenges along the way – when I first started my FM career, it was having to break a few glass ceilings along the way, and in recent years realising the importance of being my true authentic self.

What I do in my leisure time, I would like to say a runner, sadly not so much these days, completing the London Marathon back in 2012, and other significant races under my belt, like the Great North Run, Silverstone, and Budapest Half Marathons. Finding time to bake and practising Yoga as my relaxation techniques, and not forgetting walking my dog, Charlie the Beagle.

 

 

Sunil is the founder of Acclaro Advisory, which provides policy, corporate and project support across a wide range of sustainability issues affecting organisations. With 25 years of experience within the built environment, he is uniquely experienced throughout the lifecycle of developments, delivering sustainability solutions at the design, planning and operational stages.