Association hook-up aims to ‘kick-start the future of facilities management’

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Facilities Management Group has signed new cooperation agreements with the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) and the Building Futures Group as it seeks to ‘kick-start the future of facilities management’ in the UK. The three organisations plan to work together to promote best practice. According to CIBSE its agreement with the BCIA will focus on raising awareness of how building controls can help buildings perform better while its agreement with the Building Futures Group will set out to promote best practice in building services management and maintenance. The three groups signed the agreements last week, which will also see them working together on a number of supporting initiatives and joint events. The partner organisations claim the agreements are a response to the rapid pace of change in the sector.

Geoff Prudence, chair of CIBSE Facilities Management Group, said: “CIBSE has long recognised the benefits of collaborating with other organisations, and championed the virtues of pooling knowledge and talent. These collaborations with leading industry organisations will increase the power of both parties to shout about what they do, and to shape the future of facilities management. There is rapid change underway in all areas of the built environment, and working together with other organisations will ensure we are prepared to meet those challenges. Sharing this knowledge will also allow all three organisations to serve their members better, and add value to the services they provide.”

Steve Harrison, BCIA President, said: “The BCIA is very pleased to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with CIBSE. Geoff Prudence has been a great supporter of our Association recognising the benefits of collaboration, by working closely with CIBSE we can raise awareness of how building controls and BEMS make buildings perform better. I look forward to working with the CIBSE FM Group over the next two years, and to building on our successes so far.”

Sarah Bentley, Chief Executive of The Building Futures Group, said: “The Building Futures Group are very pleased to continue our collaboration with CIBSE, both our organisations share a passion to increase building services knowledge, and raise standards through education and training. Our partnership will help to continue to promote the role of building services as an essential component of the economy. By continuing to work together TBFG and CIBSE will amplify our influence and raise awareness of the vital role everyone working in the built environment provides to every person in the UK.”