After a career in the Civil Service, including membership of the Ministerial Advisory Board for PACE (Property Advisers to the Civil Estate), Ian Harris has taken on the role of chief executive of the British Institute of Facilities Management.
You've worked in a variety of accommodation and workplace management roles within central government. What attracted you to the job of running the Institute?
What attracted me to the job was the chance to play a part in the development of facilities management and to help those who work in the industry. I like the people who work in facilities management. I think they do a very difficult job and need support in doing that job. This position provided me with an opportunity to play a part in that.

The Institute is also at the leading edge of the development of facilities management both here and abroad. And, in addition, I liked the enthusiasm and commitment of its chairman Ian Fielder and his colleagues.

What will your job as chief executive involve?
I will be working on behalf of the facilities management community and Institute members to promote a successful organisation and network.

My role will also be to help develop and promote a professional industry run by well-trained people who receive greater recognition of their importance.

What other areas will you focus on?
I will also be working with key stakeholders to develop standards for facilities management. BIFM works with National Training Organisations and closely with the new sector skills groups — and I can see that increasing. Also I shall look to deliver better value across a range of services to our members.

What is the one thing you would most like to achieve?
To see that we continue to develop a successful organisation that is well regarded. It must be the organisation of choice for more people in the facilities management community.

How do you regard the status of facilities management?
I think facilities management is a bit of an iceberg — an awful lot of work is done out of sight and people don't realise how it holds the organisation together. But the status of facilities management can only get better as the industry grows larger and more visable as a critical business service.

The industry needs to raise its profile among the wider public. I find it alarming for instance that although there are lots of jobs in facilities management, not a single person leaves college with a qualification in facilities management.

This needs to be addressed.

Source

The Facilities Business