21 October 2026 1pm – 2pm Zoom webinar

Overview

Join our panel of women from across the FM sector as they share how their careers have developed, the paths they've taken and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whatever stage you're at in your FM career, this session will show you there's more than one route to get where you want to go. Includes panel discussion and audience Q&A.

For more information on joining IWFM’s Women in FM Network, please click here.

Sponsors

Planon

Planon is the leading global provider of Facility and Property Management software, connecting your buildings, people and processes by eliminating data silos and aligning solutions into one shared information platform. This provides all building stakeholders with actionable and meaningful insights to effectively manage buildings, infrastructure and facilities; saving costs, meeting governance and sustainability goals and creating attractive and engaging workplaces.

Our innovative CAFM and IWMS solutions include maintenance, space planning, lease accounting and property management, services management and sustainability.

Independent market research and consulting firms have consistently rated Planon as a global leader in the market. With over 35 years of experience, Planon has implemented its comprehensive solutions for more than 2,500 clients, supported by offices and partners around the world.

 

Speakers

Laura Birnbaum MRICS, FIWFM

Assistant Director, London Fire Brigade (LFB)
Laura specialises in leading and developing the real estate function within corporate organisations to deliver property strategies, in accordance with wider business plans. As the head of property at the London Fire Brigade, this includes strategic development of real estate scenarios, executing approved projects and transactions, and the delivery of FM. Her previous roles include deputy director for Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Services and JLL transactions lead for multi-national corporations. Laura undertook her RICS training at CBRE and more recently completed her IWFM Level 6 award. Laura was nominated for the Estates Gazette Rising Star award in 2017 and won the IWFM Manager of the Year award in 2018.

Jo Bishop

Head of Integrated Workplace Management, Parliamentary Digital Services

Jo Bishop is Head of Integrated Workplace Management at Parliamentary Digital Services, leading the strategic development of workplace systems that support the UK Parliament. With over 20 years’ experience in estates information, digital transformation and operational innovation, Jo has delivered major IWMS and CAFM replacements, digital twin development, and large‑scale service improvement programmes across the public sector and higher education. An Executive MBA graduate, she is also a Verdantix Vantage Council Member and regular conference speaker. Jo is passionate about smart buildings, digital estates and using data‑driven insight to create efficient, intelligent and future‑ready environments.

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