Making professional progress on National Careers Month, with IWFM Rising FMs

News

 

Recently, on National Careers Month, IWFM Rising FMs engaged with the workplace and facilities management (WFM) community in London. The event combined insight into WFM career development, news and activities around the Deborah Rowland Scholarship and the Rising FMs AGM.

Speakers included Sodexo leaders Deborah Rowland and Joanna Harris. Debi delved into her professional background, detailing her career progress from newcomer to director, plus the nature and mission of the Deborah Rowland Scholarship. Launched in collaboration with IWFM earlier this year, the Scholarship aims to benefit professionals who are seeking to develop a career in WFM but lack the means to.

The inaugural Scholarship awardees were announced at this year’s IWFM Impact Awards and you can learn more about the Scholarship, including how to support it, by clicking here. Next week, Rising FMs in collaboration with IWFM’s London Region are hosting a mid-show networking event at Anticipate London, where raffle tickets are being donated to benefit the Scholarship. Book tickets here.

Alongside detailing her professional development, Joanna delved into the importance of gender balance in WFM and the need for organisations to promote inclusion. Joanna offered an in-depth examination of the variety of technical job roles and how professionals can shape their career to pursue different specialisms.

Following the speakers, the Rising FMs AGM began, where the Network’s purpose, recent developments, strategy and plans were outlined. Closing the day, the attendees had the opportunity to network and reflect on what they’d learnt, and leave the event with new tools and insights to build the best career possible.

Elliot Valentine,
Chair, IWFM Rising FMs Network