Facilitate in Focus

News

Your regular highlights from Facilitate.co.uk

What we've reported on

Let’s just say that this summer has been particularly sweaty, with soaring temperatures and, of course, beautiful long days outdoors. 

But indoors, where many ply their trade, WFMs are having to factor in increased air conditioning use, providing safe and comfortable working environments and navigating all of the sustainability challenges between. It drives home the point that our sector’s professionals have a massive role to play in the immediate and long-term management of our country’s assets. It’s also uncovering serious concerns about the lack of authority some WFMs have to progress certain projects.

Additionally, follow our ongoing coverage of how the nation and the industry itself needs to approach skills development if we are to have the talented and equipped professionals we need both now and in the future.

You can read these stories and the very latest news here.

What we're working on

 It’s IWFM Impact Awards season again, and this year marks the 25th anniversary of the prestigious industry event. We’re speaking to previous winners, former judges and trawling through the impressive database we have maintained over the past two-and-a-half decades to get a sense of how the profession and sector have evolved – alongside the institute that has always adapted to and frequently led on changes. 

Also, you may recall around four years ago – you remember every edition of Facilitate, right? – when we featured an impressive photoshoot of outgoing and incoming IWFM chairs. At the time, Mark Whittaker was taking over from Martin G. Bell. 

Well, we’re at it again – or Mark is at it again, featuring in the shoot alongside new chair Andrew Hulbert. Our interview with Mark and Andrew provides insight into how the IWFM has evolved during that tricky post-Covid period and where it is heading in the years ahead.

If you read one Facilitate piece…

 Of course, we’d encourage you to read more than one article on Facilitate but perhaps one most demanding of your eyes is the news that the government plans to cut funding of the Level 7 apprenticeship. IWFM’s chief executive Linda Hausmanis voices her concern alongside other leaders of professional bodies. Simply put: this isn’t good for WFM and many other professions in the UK, whose future health and resilience depends on having qualified new blood at the helm.

Where we could use your help

We will forever be indebted to those frequent and familiar voices that appear on our website and in our magazine, but we are always on the lookout for new perspectives. So if you have something to say, disagree with or just want to be heard on a topic that matters to you, please get in touch. 

One thing we have found is the host of the 2002 BIFM / IWFM Awards, which was the missing part of the 25 year awards host jigsaw. Relief! Who is this person, you ask? Check out the upcoming print edition…

You can get in touch with the team at any time via [email protected] - we're happy to talk