After five and a half years as Chief Executive of FMANZ, Gillian Wess departs the association tomorrow to take up her new role as Chief Executive for the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand.
In thanking Gillian for her leadership, “especially over the last two years as we have learned to live with COVID-19, and the impacts this has had on the Association, our members and sponsors”, Board Chair Bruce Kenning said Gillian has seen the association grow steadily over the last few years. “We now have just over 100 corporate members, 533 individual members and another 833 corporate staff members with whom we engage. We also have strong support from our loyal sponsors.”
He added that “with Gillian at the helm, we have introduced a number of key initiatives.”
These initiatives include:
- Increased national membership reach with the establishment of new branches in Otago and Manawatu.
- The introduction of tiered membership and post-nominals to support FM professional development and education pathways.
- The realignment of Certified membership with a revamped professional competency framework.
- The introduction of a Continuing Professional Development programme.
- The introduction of Aotearoa’s first entry-level university qualifications in facilities management with the establishment of Massey University’s Diploma and Graduate Diploma in Facilities Management.
- An increased profile for FM as a career.
- The introduction of a mentoring programme.
- Strengthening ties with FMA in Australia through the Trans-Tasman Facilities Management Alliance (TTFMA).
- Enhanced relationships and Government advocacy through membership of and participation in the New Zealand Construction Industry Council.
- Stronger relationships and partnerships with the wider FM industry and allied industry organisations.
(For a detailed breakdown of FMANZ activities over the last few years, please refer to the 2019 AGM report available in the member only resources.)
During Gillian’s tenure, FMANZ has also benefited from some very successful national FM Summits and Trade Expos, “so much so that we outgrew our vineyard location close to Auckland airport and moved to the Cordis Hotel in central Auckland”, Bruce said. “We also held a very successful Summit at Te Papa Wellington.”
The Board has commenced its recruitment of a new Chief Executive. Until an appointment has been made, the management team will be monitoring the ceo@fmanz.org inbox and reporting to Bruce as Board Chair. Please contact him via Bruce.Kenning@mbie.govt.nz if you have any high-level inquiries about FMANZ activities or queries regarding the CEO position.
The Holocaust Centre is based in Wellington and is the national institution for Holocaust education, remembrance and commemoration. The work of the HCNZ attracts politicians, diplomats, civic, human rights and faith-based communities, educators and members of the public, and has become an integral feature of the nation’s capital and wider New Zealand museum, tourist and cultural landscape. They are establishing a second Centre in Auckland, an initiative Gillian will lead.
