Closing soon: Applications for the Deborah Rowland Scholarship close on Monday 30 June 

News

Introduced last year to provide disadvantaged young talent with financial and mentoring support, the Deborah Rowland Scholarship, backed by the IWFM Foundation, offers recipients the opportunity to become tomorrow’s leaders.  

Applications for this year’s scheme – open to UK citizens only – close on Monday 30 June. Those selected by the scheme’s judges receive funding to study for and obtain an appropriate IWFM regulated qualification.  
  
For 2025 the scheme is boosted by support from Xenon Group, an IWFM Recognised Centre. Director Chris Morris said, “We’re thrilled to support the Scholarship with a contribution of two regulated qualifications and four annual subscriptions to XenZone - our new online training portal. We look forward to seeing how the entries and assessments progress, and to welcoming our first two scholars onto the programme later this year!”    

The Scholarship is the brainchild of Deborah Rowland, Director of Public Affairs at Sodexo UK and former IWFM Facilities Manager of the Year. Rowland, who has been diagnosed with an advanced cancer, instigated the initiative with a donation of her own money. Of the scheme’s 2024 launch Rowland said: “I was astounded by the support given by the WFM community and from my employer, Sodexo.    
   
“This year we can widen the net. We have more time and more Scholarships to award. We need to get the message out far and wide to those not necessarily part of the WFM community but who wish to be. I need help to spread the news to colleges, carers, SMEs, VCSEs, veterans, ex-offenders, care leavers etc.”   
   
“Thank you again to everyone involved, I am looking forward to the applications for 2025. It is truly the best legacy someone can have.”   

Linda Hausmanis, IWFM CEO said, “I was both humbled and honoured to have worked with Debi last year to launch the Scholarship, helping to cultivate some of WFM’s most promising talent, helping some to get a foot on a rung of their WFM career ladder which will ultimately benefit the sector. Having seen the progress of last year’s recipients, it’s again an honour to support the Scholarship and to see it grow and expand to create an even bigger impact. I encourage prospective applicants to apply, for willing donors to contribute what they can and for the community to spread the news of this exciting scheme far and wide.”  

Applications close on Monday 30 June.   

Click here to read about the origins of the Deborah Rowland Scholarship and how to apply.   

Before applying, please take note of the eligibility criteria: 

The Scholarship awardee does not need to come from an academic background but must be a UK citizen and resident. Please be aware that all materials and assessment are in English, so you will need a good understanding of the language. You must be able to demonstrate, via the application process: 

• That you are passionate and motivated to get on in the sector 

• Have the necessary work ethic to achieve your goals 

• Have access to a laptop in order to access the learning platform(s) 

• Prove that you are not in a position to fund your own personal professional development by other means 

• Ensure you do not work for an organisation that can fund your learning and development