Press Release
Date: 19 June 2013
BIFM confirm Steve Gladwin as new Chairman of the
Judges for the BIFM Awards
The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) is proud to announce Steve
Gladwin as the new Chairman of the Judges for the prestigious BIFM Awards in
facilities management. Gladwin will succeed Oliver Jones (Chairman of the Judges
since 2009) who sees his four-year term as Chairman of the Judges come to an end
after the 2013 BIFM Awards Ceremony on 14 October.
The Chairman of the Judges is responsible for maintaining the success of the BIFM
Awards - ensuring high ethics are met, reinforcing standards and ensuring
coherence of the Awards’ judging process, making the BIFM Awards the industry
gold standard. Furthermore, the role includes the vital annual assessment of award
category and criteria, making sure categories are relevant and reflect changes in the
facilities management (FM) sector. For example, in 2012 a new ‘Learning and
Career Development’ Award was introduced to mirror the greater emphasis being
placed on professional development within FM.
Speaking on his appointment as Chairman, Gladwin commented “I am delighted and
honoured to be selected by the BIFM Nominations Committee as Chairman of the
BIFM Awards. Over the past several years, under Oliver Jones’ leadership, the entire
process of the BIFM Awards has become internationally recognised. That includes
the Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner and the high calibre of entries that we
receive each year. It has been particularly pleasing to see several of our BIFM
finalists receive further recognition at an international level. Building on this excellent
foundation, and together with our large and dedicated team of lead and support
Judges, I look forward continuing to seek the best examples of FM that promote both
our profession and our industry”.
Speaking on his time as Chairman of the Judges, Oliver Jones said "My four years
as Chairman of the BIFM Awards have flown by and have been both educational and
highly enjoyable. On commencement, I set a goal with the judging teams of making
real progress by inspiring the top-performing organisations in facilities management
to stand up and be recognised under increasingly rigorous judging and assessment
conditions. I am delighted that we managed to break new ground in these respects
each year, and the number of superb entries now being received across the Awards
categories is extraordinary. We also set out to ‘raise the bar’ and make the BIFM
Awards the benchmark for excellence, and I am personally very pleased that this has
most definitely been achieved thanks to great enthusiasm and support from the
industry-leading firms who enter. Finally, I am thrilled that Steve Gladwin, for many
years a key member of the Lead Judges, will be taking on the Awards’ leadership …
and both he and I are looking forward to another great celebratory evening in London
on 14 October when this year's results will be announced and the baton will be
passed between us!".
Ismena Clout, BIFM Chairman, said “On behalf of the BIFM Board, I would like to
thank Oliver for everything he has given to the BIFM Awards over the past four
years. Under his leadership the Awards have grown in both strength and stature,
being a finalist or a winner holds great kudos across the sector, being a benchmark
many aspire to. Steve has been closely involved in the Awards for a number of years
with a good understanding of the rigours involved, making him an excellent new
Chairman. I know he will build on the fantastic work of Oliver as the Awards continue
to go from strength to strength.”
Entries across 10 BIFM Awards categories closed on 3 May, with just the prestigious
‘Facilities Manager of the Year’ Award open for entries until 28 June. Winners will be
announced in front of 1,300 FM professionals at the BIFM Awards Ceremony taking
place on 14 October at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Tickets and tables for
this sell-out ‘must-attend’ event are now available through Awards@bifm.org.uk,
www.bifm.org.uk/Awards2013 or by calling +44 (0)1279 712 640.
-------ENDS--------
About Steve Gladwin
Steve has over 20 years’ experience in the facilities management industry working in
Australia, Asia Pacific and UK, and 10 years’ prior experience in the construction
industry. He is a Certified Member of the British Institute of Facilities Management.
He is a regular guest speaker at industry conferences, an Associate Lecturer on
Sheffield Hallam University’s MBA Program, and current Lead Judge of the ‘Learning
and Career Development’ category in the BIFM Awards.
He is a Non-Executive Director of BIFM and the immediate Past Chairman of Global
FM, a Federation of national FM Associations representing over 40,000 facility
managers. He is also a previous past Chairman of the Facility Management
Association of Australia.
Steve is currently a Director of Nodus Solutions, a Facilities Management advisory
company.
Previous positions include Managing Director of HOCHTIEF Facility Management, a
German-based facilities management group employing over 6,500 people in the PFI,
education, local government and manufacturing sectors.
About BIFM
The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) is the ‘natural home’ of facilities
management in the UK. Founded in 1993, the Institute provides information,
education, training and networking services for over 13,500 members – both
individual professionals and organisations. The Institute is inclusive, working across
related disciplines and forming alliances with like-minded professional bodies.
BIFM’s members are responsible for many of the services that support business and
other organisations, including business continuity, health & safety, space planning,
energy management, maintenance and catering.
For more information visit www.bifm.org.uk or telephone +44 (0)1279 712 620.
@BIFM_UK
Press contacts
For more information, images or to arrange interviews, contact Karen Weeks on +44
(0)1279 712 662 or email karen.weeks@bifm.org.uk.