BIFM and ECA become Partners in FM Excellence

11 March 2009

The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) and the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) have signed a formal 'Partners in FM Excellence' agreement. The agreement was signed today (5th March 2009) at the ECA's headquarters in West London by BIFM Chief Executive Ian Fielder, ECA President Allan Littler and David Pollock, ECA Group Chief Executive Officer.

It follows several months of discussion about ways in which the two organisations can work together to deliver enhanced benefits to their members. The agreement will forge closer links between the ECA and the BIFM, particularly in the provision of information services to members. It will also result in greater collaboration on influencing policy makers in Government and on projects dealing with issues such as sustainability, accreditation schemes and other industry standards.

Commenting on the agreement, Ian Fielder said: "I'm delighted to have reached this agreement with the ECA. The BIFM recognises that facilities management is, by its very nature, a collaborative enterprise. Our members will welcome the chance to access the expertise of the contracting community and to share best practice. This approach is increasingly important to reducing the environmental impact of building occupancy."

ECA Chief Executive Officer, David Pollock said: "In a rapidly changing marketplace we recognise the need to form strong alliances with other prestigious industry bodies with similar aims and objectives. We welcome the opportunity offered by this partnership with the BIFM to share ideas and services and to promote our members’ mutual interests."

The agreement specifically commits both parties to work together to develop and promote excellent FM standards; to provide shared access to member benefits and services; and to collaborate on development issues.

One of the first practical benefits of the agreement will be that members of the two associations will have access to many of the protected features on each other's websites.

Photographs of the signing are available on BIFM’s press office web page and from the ECA.

For further information contact:

The About the Electrical Contractors' Association
The ECA represents the interests of 3,000 member companies involved in electrical installation work. Collectively, the member companies have an annual turnover of more than £5 billion, employ over 30,000 operatives and support 8,000 apprentices in craft training. The role of the ECA is to provide a focus for the electrical industry in terms of safety, training, qualification, technological development and industry performance www.eca.co.uk.

For more information visit www.eca.co.uk