Press Release
Date: 1 March 2012
Ismena Clout elected as BIFM Chair
Ismena Clout is to be the 11th Chair of BIFM, after being elected by the BIFM Board
on 23 February 2012. Clout will officially become Chair on 12 July 2012 at the BIFM
Annual General Meeting (AGM), taking over from current Chair Ian Broadbent, and
start a two-year tenure leading the Institute.
Speaking on her appointment, Clout said “I am very excited and honoured to have
been voted as the next Chair, it is a real privilege and opportunity. The next two
years are going to be fascinating as the economy continues to play such a dominant
part in all our lives, and BIFM will continue to support, develop and inform members
as together we strive to advance the profession. Working with Gareth, Liz, and the
BIFM Head Office team will be a pleasure; we already have good working
relationships and know that we can continue to build on those and put into practice
the new leadership roles that will take the Institute forwards.”
Clout will spend the next few months working closely with Broadbent to ensure a
smooth transition into the role. Having been Deputy Chair for the past two years,
Clout is accustomed to stepping into the role of Chair as and when necessary and is
part of the Board which has developed the Institute’s strategy.
BIFM can also announce the appointment of Liz Kentish as Deputy Chair, a role
which will also become effective on 12 July 2012. At the 2011 BIFM AGM, members
voted in a constitutional change to have one Deputy Chair from 2012, a break from
previous years where traditionally there had been two Deputy Chairs.
On her appointment Kentish commented “I am excited and delighted that the BIFM
Board have voted me in as Deputy Chair. I am really looking forward to this
challenge and to supporting Ismena in her great work. This role will help me give
back to an industry which has given me so much. I would encourage members to get
in touch with me during my term, as I recognise it is their Institute.”
Gareth Tancred, CEO of BIFM, said “I, and the BIFM Head Office team are delighted
with the appointment of both Ismena and Liz. They are not only great ambassadors
for BIFM, but they are great ambassadors for the facilities management profession.
Collectively as a new CEO, new Chair and new Deputy Chair, we will be picking up
the mantle of the great work already done and carry on the momentum of
implementing the strategic plans that we’ve all developed together as a Board, to
really advance the facilities management profession. These are exciting times for the
Institute and the industry.”
----Ends---About Ismena Clout:
Ismena Clout is the current Deputy Chair of BIFM and Key Account Manager for
powerPerfector, a role she has had since June 2009 where she focusses on
partnering with Facilities Management companies around the UK. Prior to that she
worked as a client side operational Facilities Manager for over 10 years and in that
time was Property Manager for Lend Lease Europe and Facilities Manager for
HarperCollins Publishers, Hat Trick Productions and iTouch plc. Ismena has been
volunteering for BIFM for almost 6 years and in that time has chaired the London
Region and founded and chaired the Rising FMs SIG, as well as being a nonExecutive Director for a year before becoming Deputy Chair.
Ismena is extremely passionate about the Facilities Management industry and her
combination of facilities management experience and current sales expertise, gives
Ismena a good balance between understanding the needs of facilities managers and
also the facilities management industry.
Outside of work Ismena has raised over £11,000 for charity by running the New
York Marathon and completing the London Triathlon (Olympic distance).
About Liz Kentish:
Liz Kentish is an FM Coach, working with FM teams that recognise the ever-evolving
role of FM requires greater people and leadership skills. A qualified coach, licensed
trainer and public speaker who has specialised in the service sector for over 20
years, she strives to make a difference to the lives of her clients and trusted friends.
Highly motivational, Liz’s energetic and inspiring nature is infectious, helping to boost
business performance and achieve results quickly. She is highly regarded within
both the FM and coaching industries, and is currently Chair of Women in FM, a
national special interest group of BIFM (British Institute of Facilities Management)
and non-Executive Director of BIFM.
Liz is the Managing Director of Liz Kentish Coaching Limited, where she has brought
together a team of professional coaches, trainers and keynote speakers, that will
help you and your teams become more effective communicators, managers and
leaders.
About the British Institute of Facilities Management:
The BIFM is the professional body of facilities management in the UK and represents
the interests of over 12,000 members – both individual professionals and
organisations. Founded in 1993, the Institute is focussed on supporting and
developing those responsible for the services that support business, including
business continuity, health & safety, space planning, energy management,
maintenance and catering. Providing information, qualifications, education, training
and networking services to the FM sector.
Press contact
For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Karen Weeks on 0845 058
1356 or email karen.weeks@bifm.org.uk.