Number of chartered management consultants passes 1,500
The chartered qualification of the UK's consultancy sector has reached another significant milestone with 1,500 professionals having now obtained accreditation. As the industry looks to assure clients of professional standards, a recent survey revealed that 99% of workers in the sector believe the accreditation “acknowledges a proven track record” in management consulting.
Since it was initially created by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and the Management Consultancies Association (MCA) in 2017, the Chartered Management Consultant Award (ChMC) has gone from strength to strength. As firms recognise it as a differentiating mark of quality that can help assure current and future clients of their offering, thousands of consultants have commenced their journey to obtain chartered status – with the number of firms to have become ChMC accredited having risen by 30% in 2024 alone, taking the total to more than 30.
With the number of leading firms enlisting experienced professionals for the process, the adoption of the ChMC as an industry standard continues to accelerate among individual staff. This has led the CMI and MCA to confirm that the number of consultants to become chartered has surpassed the 1,500 mark.
Ann Francke, chief executive officer at the CMI, commented, "Achieving 1,500 ChMCs is a major milestone for the industry. This accreditation highlights not just skilled leaders and consultancy managers but also offers a professional, recognised credential grounded in a top industry framework. The CMI is dedicated to keeping the ChMC accreditation relevant and impactful for the industry and its workforce.”
As the sector’s work is ‘advisory’, historically the consulting sector has existed without a chartered accreditation – in contrast to roles in law, accounting or engineering where such standards are required. However, with competition in the sector growing constantly, and the number independent consultants expanding, having a mark of quality for clients has proven extremely popular among the UK industry.
On a year-over-year basis, the number of Chartered Management Consultants has increased by 64% compared to last year, reflecting a significant 122% growth over the past two years. Partially explaining this, a recent ChMC survey by the CMI revealed that 99% agreed the accreditation acknowledges a proven track record in management consulting. Additionally, 97% felt it showcases integrity and ethical commitment, while 96% believed it enhances their credibility with clients.
Tamzen Isacsson, chief executive officer at the MCA, added, "The increasing number of ChMCs highlights the industry's dedication to raising professional standards and delivering excellent consulting services to clients. We developed this rigorous accreditation in partnership with the CMI for consultants to help them demonstrate their gold standard credentials and commitment to ethics. I hope that every leading consulting firm and consultant will embrace this important award."
