Scores of individuals and teams were celebrated in spectacular style on Monday night as the best of workplace and facilities management was recognised at the inaugural IWFM Awards.
Hosted by BBC comedy star Hugh Dennis at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, 2019’s occasion was the first since the Institute’s name change last year and the nineteenth since it all began 2001. A sparkling evening spot-lit the lucky thirteen individuals and organisations driving innovation and creating impact through a range of projects, products and partnerships and honoured them before peers, partners and friends.
A new Profound Impact award, recognising an individual whose contribution has had a positive and lasting impact on the profession went to Samantha West, a transgendered female, celebrated for how she had turned a deeply personal journey into an open conversation inspiring others to live their own truth, and sparking an industry-wide movement for changing attitudes and embracing diversity.
In his first formal Awards engagement since taking up the position in the summer, IWFM Chairman Martin Bell said:
“Occasions like tonight, where we focus on our best, really help us to evidence our impact to those beyond our world; championing the difference that excellence in workplace and facilities management can make and demonstrating our contribution to broader organisational success.
“Our profession is about people. The people we enable through our best work, to do their best work. As we adapt to a fast-changing, more integrated world, understanding, encouraging and embracing our diverse talents can only be an asset.
Bell also named two charities, the National Autistic Society and the Ethical Property Foundation, the former adopted by the Chairman for his tenure and the latter selected as the IWFM’s charity partner for a five-year term.
The extensive range of winning entries whittled down on the night from a shortlist of forty-five, underlined the considerable reach of this key sector, its influence on the way we work today and, as the nature of work evolves, the potential for it to do much more.
The evening also spelt farewell to outgoing Chair of Judges Steve Gladwin, who steps down after six years. He said:
“We celebrate forty-five outstanding organisations and individuals tonight, who represent what makes our profession so fantastic, and why I will miss this position so much!
“We judges have worked hard over the years to ensure that a robust and transparent process surrounds this prestigious competition. We take pride in our approach which stands as a mark of quality for its independence and objectivity and which sets the IWFM Awards apart.
Of 45 finalists in thirteen categories across the themes of Impact, Innovation and People the winners were:
Impact
Recognising those making a difference not only in the workplace and facilities management profession but also wider society in the areas of customer experience, the environment, organisational performance and social value.
Impact on Customer Experience
- Savills RISE, Savills UK
Impact on Organisational Performance
- Transformation of facilities operations at Rolls Royce, Rolls-Royce and Mitie
Impact on Society and Social Value
- Creating Profit for a Purpose, Eric Wright FM
Impact on the Environment
- Project Ceres Plastics Reduction, ISS with a big four professional services firm
Innovation
Celebrating stand-out products, services and relationships that help to improve processes, including service delivery, as well as assisting with challenges facing the profession.
Innovation in People Development & Empowerment
- Empowering people through ENGAGE, Interserve and E.ON UK
Innovation in Products and/or Processes
- The IMPACT Programme, OCS Group UK
Innovation in Supplier Relationships
- Property Team, Direct Line Group
Innovation in Technology and Systems
- Waterless Urinal Technology, WhiffAway Group
People
Highlighting the humans making a difference to the profession, the teams, the newbies, the managers and leaders whose talent and dedication underpins it all.
Team of the Year
- AstraZeneca Macclesfield Campus FM Team
Newcomer of the Year
- Maddie Hayes, Mace Macro
Manager of the Year
- Fiona Stewart, Student Living by Sodexo
Leader of the Year
- Chris Kenneally
Profound Impact Award
- Samantha West
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