IWFM AGM 2023: building value for members and society; staying the course for chartership

News

After a year which ‘saw collaboration, consolidation and investment in operations, infrastructure, propositions to ready the Institute for the next strategic phase,’ CEO Linda Hausmanis summed up the mood as ‘cautious optimism’ for the future as the Institute answered to members on its performance in 2022 at this year’s AGM on Thursday 27 July.

Referring to IWFM’s member-informed strategy for 2023 to 2025 and steps the Institute is taking to reshape its operation for the post-pandemic environment and give members a greater say in its decision-making, IWFM Chair Mark Whittaker was ‘confident that the investment and progress that IWFM continues to make is building value for members and society’.

Members heard that IWFM retained more than eight in ten professional-grade members, registered over 1,600 learners, awarded 755 regulated qualifications, partnered with over a dozen organisations and major brands, and collaborated with the same and volunteers to produce 53 new resources for members – one a week on average, quipped the CEO, which exceeded the 50 developed in 2021, before noting that the Institute’s Insight outputs are a key gauge of the public interest test for chartership.  

No organisation was spared from 2022’s economic pressures; therefore, while total income grew by almost 5%, outperforming the UK economy as a whole, the subsequent profit was eroded by depreciation, resulting in a loss overall.  

‘Growth remains our north star, and we will pursue it with zeal,’ our CEO told the meeting, confirming that the Institute’s leadership was fully focused and fully armed with a plan to address the challenges ahead.

She continued: ‘Our purpose lies in the positive impact we can create for our members and stakeholders, the agents of change, driving progress both in their organisation and in the communities they serve. As we navigate the road ahead, we hold that our success is not measured in a single fiscal year alone. It is a marathon towards excellence, driven by the passion of our team, our volunteers, and the trust of our members.’

At this year’s AGM, members were invited to put questions in advance. The subjects on members’ minds included Institute strategy, Chartered body ambition, equity, diversity and inclusion, membership fees, auditors, GDPR. A full Q&A summary is available in the members’ section of the IWFM website.

Read more in Facilitate here. 

Download the IWFM Annual Review 2022

To find out more about what the Institute and our volunteers achieved together in 2022, read Linda’s message to members and download the IWFM Annual Review 2022 at this link.