In today’s consulting landscape, credibility and breadth of experience are more vital than ever. As the first to complete the new Senior Leader Route for Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC) accreditation, I’ve seen firsthand how this recognition elevates both individual consultants and the profession.
My career spans decades and sectors—from nuclear defence and social care to broadcasting and international advisory. I’ve led departments, mentored consultants, and managed complex programmes for clients including the BBC, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, and the UK Fire Services. The ChMC framework gave me a rare opportunity to reflect on this experience and consolidate it into a recognised professional standard.
The Senior Leader Route was introduced to address time constraints faced by senior consultants. It maintains rigorous standards while streamlining the process. For me, it coincided with a short gap between roles, allowing me to pursue it—and I’m glad I did.
ChMC isn’t just a badge. It’s a framework that encourages ethical practice, reflection, and continuous development. It recognises that management consultancy is a broad discipline, encompassing strategy, delivery, and leadership. The accreditation helps define what it means to be a consultant today—someone who can navigate complexity and deliver value across diverse contexts.
For firms like Mott MacDonald, ChMC accreditation signals quality and professionalism. It supports talent development and provides a clear career path for new joiners. It also reassures clients that our consultants meet high standards.
Personally, the process was rewarding. It made me revisit projects I hadn’t thought about in years—like re-designing the BBC’s training systems or advising on satellite performance. These experiences shaped my career, and ChMC helped me articulate their value.
I believe chartership should be earned through experience. It’s not something to rush into early in one’s career as the full accreditation reflects genuine breadth and depth.
Looking ahead, I see ChMC becoming an industry standard. As more firms adopt it, the professionalism of our sector will rise. For clients, it offers reassurance. For consultants, it offers recognition. And for the industry, it offers a path to excellence.
I encourage fellow senior leaders to consider ChMC. It’s a meaningful investment in your team, your clients, and your own professional journey.
You can find out more about the Chartered Management Consultant Award at Chartered Management Consultant Accreditation – MCA
ChMC Senior Leader Route – new for 2025
The senior leader route is only available to firms that have expanded accreditation in place. This involves a mapping specialist working with the firm to establish an understanding of the criteria that senior leaders within the firm are expected to meet thereby defining from which level of seniority the new route can be offered.
To be awarded ChMC, the senior leader must evidence that they are professionally active with a proven track record of 5+ years’ management consulting, have the right breadth and depth of experience to meet the requirements of the ChMC competencies, be committed to continuing professional development and an ethical way of working, and have two sponsors who will support their application. Assessment can take as little as two hours to complete.