IWFM joins forces with member organisations to launch 'Resilience Alliance’

News

On Tuesday 22 September, IWFM and three other leading professional membership organisations took part in a press conference to launch the Resilience Alliance - a new professional relationship aimed at developing and promoting resilience globally. 

IWFM will work alongside Airmic, ASIS International and the Business Continuity Institute to collectively promote the importance of resilience and establish best practice ‘resilience’ initiatives. Each body has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to demonstrate that risk professionals across the spectrum believe that resilience is a team game and that by collaborating they are stronger.

The Resilience Alliance will address the implications of the changes and sudden disruptions already faced by organisations in 2020, whilst also aiming to develop and promote a common mutual understanding of what is meant by the term ‘resilience’.

Our Chief Executive, Linda Hausmanis, said of the launch: ‘We are excited to be a part of the Resilience Alliance and look forward to building on our existing collaborations towards a knowledge exchange platform that will benefit all of our members. COVID-19 has underlined the importance of resilience as organisations have needed to be adaptive and flexible in the face of challenging and uncertain circumstances. Resilience will continue to be paramount in the coming months as we emerge from the crisis; likewise, flexibility will remain key to any newly laid plans as we continue into the unknown.

‘Workplace and facilities management professionals have never been more central to the country’s fortunes: the pandemic has shone a light on the importance of our profession in keeping buildings clean, safe and operational, enabling people to do their best work wherever they are, and leading the safe return to work. If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we need to come together for the greater good. The Resilience Alliance exemplifies this principle and we look forward to working with our partners.’

Each member organisation of the Resilience Alliance has developed its own lens and approach to the subject of resilience based on its unique purpose, activities and individual member interest. However, they also recognise that many resilience challenges are faced and shared by all. The Resilience Alliance will undertake joint communication, thought leadership initiatives and research projects on the good practices organisations can develop and adopt to better prepare themselves for the impact of sudden disruptions or crises.

Members will also be encouraged to share their professional knowledge, supporting the collaboration of the respective professionals in a complex, connected and high velocity world.