How IWFM Retired Membership keeps you connected to your professional community

News

A 44-year career earns anyone the right to take things a little easier. But when Steve Cook FIWFM retired at the very top of the workplace and facilities profession, he wanted to stay connected to the industry. So when he handed in his pass as Director of Facilities Management for an international bank, with responsibility for facilities across Europe, MENA and Africa, Steve chose to remain a Retired Member of IWFM.

Over four decades, Steve became an influential and respected figure in our industry, ranked among the Institute’s Fellows – those few members entitled to use the FIWFM post-nominal letters. He held senior leadership roles with responsibility for global facilities strategy, operational delivery and workplace transformation across a complex international portfolio. His career has been defined by a commitment to professional excellence, advancing workplace and building engineering standards, and contributing to the recognition of facilities management as a strategic discipline.

In retirement, he now brings his experience to bear as a consultant, a professional mentor, an assessor and an advocate for IWFM’s Professional Standards, ensuring that new generations of IWFM members can benefit from his insight and expertise.

‘Fellowship in retirement isn’t just about looking back at what I have achieved – it’s about staying part of the journey, as our profession continues to grow and evolve.’

But beyond the purely professional benefit, Steve talks about the personal fulfilment that comes from remaining part of our close-knit community:

‘Personally, I have found that staying engaged has kept me intellectually stimulated, connected with colleagues and friends and enabled me to continue contributing to the profession, in meaningful ways.

‘I’m also sure, that ‘stepping away’ and letting your IWFM Membership lapse, could feel like closing the door on your FM career and the regular access to your FM friends. But by keeping your membership active and attending events, even at a lighter pace if it works better for you, it keeps your voice in the conversation and ensures that your vast level of workplace and facilities management experience, still makes an impact.

‘As a retired member, you’re entitled to a Concessionary Membership rate in retirement. It’s a small but meaningful benefit, and I think that it’s important that more people are aware of it. Also, if you’re considering your next steps, or approaching retirement, it’s worth exploring with IWFM what ongoing involvement might look like, personally and professionally.’

To find out more about Retired Membership of IWFM, you can join this webinar on 25 September, when you’ll be able to meet Steve  and hear about his experience.