FMA News & Press Releases
All systems go for merger of Asset Skills, CSSA and FMA
Published: Tuesday 27th August 2013
Source: FMA
27 August 2013
All systems go for merger of Asset Skills, CSSA and FMA
BIFM withdrawal allows 3 parties to accelerate plans
Asset Skills, CSSA and FMA today announced that the three parties are now accelerating their plans to merge following calls from industry to provide greater rationalisation and better representation.
This follows confirmation today that BIFM has decided to withdraw from the merger discussions.
Richard Sykes, Chairman of the FMA and chair of the merger group steering committee, explains: “We are disappointed that BIFM have decided not to pursue the merger in the short-term as we continue to believe that it presents a fantastic opportunity to bring the industry closer together and to provide a more consolidated voice and greater benefits both for corporate and individual members.
Asset Skills, CSSA and FMA will continue with our planned merger as strategically this provides synergies and further benefits to all our members. We anticipate the three bodies being able to move to a merged body, with a developed robust strategy, at a faster pace now that the approval process has been shortened.”
Sarah Bentley, Chief Executive of Asset Skills, comments: “We are progressing with our detailed plans which have been prepared collectively in order to create a consolidated offer which we believe meets the needs of employers who will need to approve the offering.
Through our on-going consultation with industry we have developed plans, which fall into the following core areas: sector skills education, supported by the delivery of training, and a membership offering, delivered by a trade body. Together this offering will enable the merged body to drive and shape the industry’s future.”
“We are all still really excited going forward, as we plan to meet the needs of employers and offer them the guidance and representation which they require.”
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Notes to Editors:
Press contacts
For media enquiries please contact:
• Asset Skills: Jess Watson on 07827 947519 or email [email protected].
• FMA: Katie King on 07525 727288 or email [email protected]
• CSSA: Steven Proudfoot on 0207 920 9632 or email [email protected].
About Asset Skills
Asset Skills is the employer-led skills body for facilities management, housing, property, planning, cleaning and parking. We ensure apprenticeships and training are meeting the needs of people and businesses in these industries. Our work is shaped by leading employers across the UK and includes:
• The UK Academy network – a one-stop-shop for employers to access training and skills support.
• Apprenticeships and occupational standards development.
• Project management and delivery – we deliver workforce development programmes.
• Green Deal Skills – we work to ensure the right skills are in place to deliver the Green Deal.
• Insight – we deliver insight and intelligence.
For more information, visit www.assetskills.org or call 0845 678 2 888.
About the Facilities Management Association
The Facilities Management Association (the FMA) is the UK’s leading representative trade body for employers in the FM sector engaged in delivering non-core services to a broad range of public and private organisations. The FMA's goal is to support member companies in their pursuit of ever increasing standards of service and value on behalf of their clients and to assist them in improving their trading positions through innovation and thought leadership.
Visit our website - http://www.fmassociation.org.uk/
Follow the FMA on Twitter @FMAssociation
About the Cleaning and Support Services Association
The CSSA is a membership association for the cleaning and support services sector. It is the customers' guide to quality and reliability in the UK cleaning and support services market. Its dedication to training, marketing and the representation of its members' interests has already made it one of the most respected trade organisations in the country.
Many companies would like to contract out their support services, but are unsure of how to go about it. Look out for the CSSA logo on a contractor's letterhead and business correspondence. It is your warranty that a contractor is ethical, professional and provides good value for money. CSSA membership means that an organisation has been independently vetted and is required to adhere to its Code of Practice. Set up by the leading companies in the industry to monitor standards and ensure proper representation, the CSSA exists for the mutual benefit of the industry and its customers.