How chartered status helps consultants celebrate and improve their work

19 September 2023 Consultancy.uk

As the Chartered Management Consultant award continues to go from strength to strength – with half of the Management Consultancies Association’s member firms having now joined the drive to chartered status for the industry – it is becoming a major career milestone for many professionals. Ellie Wilkes, a director at EY, explains how the accreditation has brought a new standard for quality to the consulting industry.

Unlike in accounting, where qualifications have long existed as an established norm, the consultancy sector has lacked an official recognition of the skills and expertise that professionals bring to the table. But as a senior leader, going through the Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC) accreditation process has finally allowed me to reflect on my career accomplishments, and the value I bring to clients and the market, as a consultant.

It helped me identify areas for personal development and gave me a framework to promote myself and the consultancy industry better. ChMC serves as an essential accreditation for aspiring consultants, providing a clear path to excellence and the evidence required to attain it.

How the ChMC helps consultants celebrate and improve their work

For me, ChMC has been instrumental in focusing on key areas like ethics and codes of conduct. It helped articulate my strengths and areas for improvement, encouraging continuous growth and effective leadership. The accreditation has transformed my thinking, leading me to embrace the 54 competencies and adopt a structured approach to leadership.

Within EY, we see the value of ChMC in setting training standards for our best performers across various domains, such as inclusive leadership, change management, and transformative leadership. We use the competencies to map training and development programmes for our graduates, making sure they embody the qualities of being chartered.

Being ChMC-accredited has filled me with pride, reflecting 12 years of hard work in serving clients and the industry. Professionally, it has provided a stamp of accomplishment, boosting my LinkedIn profile and affirming my commitment to quality and industry standards.

Growing support

I actively advocate for ChMC within EY, and the positive impact has been visible as more individuals express interest and seek career growth through the accreditation. As senior leaders embrace ChMC, it elevates the entire industry, making it an attractive and dynamic field to work in.

Embracing ChMC as a proactive part of our development, rather than an afterthought, will empower consultants to champion the public interest and serve the greater good. Adopting ChMC principles ensures a similar standard of service for our clients, strengthening our businesses and the future of our industry.

Our profession can only benefit from integrating ChMC into our operations and making it an integral part of our consultancy practices. The introduction of the ChMC accreditation marks a pivotal moment for the consultancy industry, particularly in the public health sector.

As a director at EY, I have personally experienced the transformative power of ChMC in recognising and promoting the skills, expertise, and ethical practices of consultants. Through this accreditation, professionals can reflect on their achievements, identify areas for development, and lead with a structured approach to excellence.

The ChMC framework not only benefits individuals but also elevates the industry as a whole. As more firms and senior leaders embrace ChMC, it will create a dynamic, progressive, and attractive environment for consultants, ultimately shaping a future where consultancy serves as a driving force in advancing public health and beyond.