Carbon Numbers CEO Neil Fright Appointed Chair of IWFM East of England

A business leader from Essex has been appointed Chair of the East of England region for the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM). Neil Fright, CEO of Carbon Numbers, took up the role this month (April 2026).

Neil will support IWFM members across Essex, Bedfordshire, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Norfolk, helping to strengthen professional networks, encourage skills development and raise the profile of facilities management across the region. The appointment comes as the sector continues to play an increasingly important role in how organisations manage buildings, energy, compliance and workplace performance.

Neil has worked in facilities management for more than 25 years, building his career from helpdesk operations through to engineering, estates and leadership roles. He now leads Carbon Numbers, a specialist business focused on energy management, smart buildings and building performance. He was also awarded an IWFM Fellowship in 2024.

His appointment is expected to bring a strong regional perspective to the role, with a particular focus on making it easier for professionals across the East to access support, events, mentoring and continuing professional development closer to where they live and work.

Neil said: “This is an important region with a huge amount of talent across facilities management, estates and workplace services. I’m looking forward to helping bring people together, strengthening the professional community, and creating more opportunities for members across the East of England to connect, develop, and share expertise.

“There is real value in building a stronger regional network, particularly for professionals who may not always feel closely connected to the wider industry conversation. I want to help create a region that feels active, visible and supportive.”

Neil has also spoken about the importance of engaging schools, colleges and universities to encourage more people into the profession, as well as strengthening local CPD, events and mentoring opportunities.

His appointment is a positive development not only for the profession, but for the wider East of England business community, where facilities management continues to influence operational performance, energy efficiency and workplace experience across sectors including education, healthcare, finance and the public sector.