F ID I ASSO C I ATI O NS Raising the standard FIDIs FAIM Supervisory Committee (FSC) oversees the progression of the certification and maintenance of its industry-leading reputation. FIDI Focus speaks to its Chair, Mark Burchell, about the importance of FAIM and recent and future developments Mark Burchell, Chair of FIDIs FAIM Supervisory Committee (FSC) FAIM Supervisory Committee members: Mark Burchell, Chair Aulina Mithal Sood Andrew Cummins l For more information about the FIDI FAIM and FIDI DSP Certification programmes, please go to fidi.org/quality Can you explain the role of the FSC in the development of FAIM? The ongoing development of FAIM is managed by John Prooij and his team at the FAIM Coordination Centre. Of course, the overall direction for FAIM comes from the FIDI Board, which also assesses direct feedback, recommendations and input from the membership. Meanwhile, the primary role of the FAIM Supervisory Committee (FSC) is one of oversight and acting as a final point of escalation where and when compliance issues arise, and when changes to the current audit programme warrant further discussion, approval, or rejection. Whats the perception of FAIM among FIDIs membership and beyond? I believe the perception of FAIM is still very strong for both FIDI members and corporate customers around the world. It is recognised as the leading quality standard for international moving and now also speaks to the standards members must attain and maintain in cybersecurity, digitalisation and sustainability which are very important areas for every kind of customer group. I think the EY audit programme and process, and EYs global brand, add significant validity to the high level of integrity for both members and customers. How important do you think proven quality (or quality certification) in the sales process is to corporate customers? I think it is still important and relevant on at least a couple of levels from a corporate perspective, and particularly in the US and Europe. For larger contracts, procurement and legal teams from the corporate client are going to want to see documented evidence of the applicable quality standards and commitments as part of the formal contracting process. And, of course, from a sales process standpoint, FIDI members still need to be able to articulate the value FAIM brings to the corporate client and how it addresses the clients specific needs and requirements. How does the process differ when it comes to selling to direct consumers? There is a different selling proposition to direct consumers, which, of course, would be based on their individual and specific needs, and how FAIM is able to address these. As an industry, we need to be able to articulate the value of FAIM, and of FIDI, to the individual needs of direct consumers. This will be increasingly important as more corporate transferees become direct consumers through the growing prevalence of cash allowance policies. Should FAIM be ahead of compliance developments in the corporate world, or should it follow todays requirements? The answer is probably somewhere in between. Compliance already means different things to different companies and leaders, and, in some cases, the location you primarily do business in will drive different regulations and standards. I really applaud the position that FIDI has taken with the 28 FF312 Dec_Feb 23 pp28-29 FIDIAssociations.indd 28 11/12/2023 15:45