Kath Fontana, managing director of ISS Technical Services, has been elected to the role of senior vice president of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Kath will take up this position in addition to her role at ISS and will become the first facilities manager and the third woman to lead the profession. Standing at the forefront of technological progress in property, Kath is a strong proponent of the Internet of Things and the opportunities that a networked built environment can bring to businesses and people.
Kath leads a team of over 1000 employees in ISS to deliver mobile engineering, energy management and compliance services across the UK, having joined from BAM FM where she was MD for the company’s FM business.
“ISS is delighted to support Kath’s appointment which is great for the industry and also for Kath personally who has worked hard to raise the profile of Women, FM and RICS. Kath will continue to lead our Technical Services business which is a fundamental part of our service delivery and I have no doubt that she will continue to push the boundaries of the built environment for the future.” said Matthew Brabin, CEO of ISS UK and Ireland.
Commenting on her election, Kath remarked: “I am thrilled to have been elected as RICS Senior Vice President. This industry is on the cusp of a technological and social revolution which will fundamentally change our profession and usher in radical new business models. RICS professionals must be ready to embrace this change – ready to enable a sustainable built environment through values driven technology and a people focussed approach. Not only will this ensure a better built environment but also a better life for those that live and work in it.
“I will also be a championing the continuing drive for greater diversity within our profession and the wider built environment. It is vital all genders, races and backgrounds are properly represented, supported and proactively elevated within our member firms. This isn’t just the decent thing to do, it’s good business.”