The Institute of Facilities Managers was launched early last month and says that it intends to establish professional standards and status for those involved in the management of commercial premises. The Institute, based in Orpington, Kent and originally part of the Institute of Administrative Management, will promote the role of facilities managers, sponsor research, and encourage relevant training and skills programmes. Individuals or firms wishing to join are vetted by a committee, and are expected to conform to a code of ethics. The cost of joining depends on the type of membership. An associate must have at least three years experience, and a member must have a minimum of five. The first costs UKP37, full membership is UKP55, and there is an initial subscription of UKP20. Since it was launched, the Institute has received over 300 enquiries, and hopes that large companies like British Gas and Hoskyns FM will wish to join it.
