The Deborah Rowland Scholarship (the Scholarship) provides financial and mentoring support to individuals starting out in their WFM careers. The Scholarship will fund the undertaking of an IWFM regulated qualification at an appropriate level (2, 3 or 4) via IWFM Direct.

This year we can announce that Xenon Group will support the Scholarship by offering two IWFM regulated FM qualification places at either level 3 or 4. Xenon Group has also offered access to a professional development programme via its XenZone 30+ Online Facilities Management Training Courses | XenZone for applicants who were not awarded a scholarship but wish to progress with a programme of learning. Study for an IWFM qualification will require between 18 to 24 months and includes monthly mentoring sessions with experienced professionals.

The Scholarship is open to additional funding through the IWFM Foundation from individuals or organisations seeking to drive social impact, enabling even more people to have a head start in a WFM career.

Who is Deborah Rowland?

Deborah Rowland, Director of Public Affairs at Sodexo UK and Ireland, where she has worked for the last seven years, was recognised as Facilities Manager of the Year 2013 (when IWFM operated as the British Institute of Facilities Management). Deborah’s goal is to help more individuals establish themselves within the WFM profession. Diagnosed with metastic paplillary carcinoma of the thyroid at 21, which progressed in 2019, Deborah has created this Scholarship as her enduring legacy.

“The FM world has been the most fantastic environment to grow and learn in, I cannot recommend it enough to someone at the beginning of their journey. I have always striven to ensure that this is a profession to be proud of and attractive to future talent. By providing this Scholarship I hope to be able to give others the chance to improve their chances and compete at a higher level – onwards and upwards no matter what their starting point – they just have to demonstrate the desire and passion to achieve their goal.” Deborah Rowland