Jacqui Lees, a Director at AtkinsRéalis, exemplifies commitment to her profession far beyond project execution. She champions professional standards, cultivates talent, and strives for a sustainable future for our planet and its people. This impact has earned her a spot as a finalist in the Chartered Management Consultant of the Year category at the MCA Awards 2024, having been nominated by her firm.
A pioneer in her field, Jacqui is one of the first Chartered Management Consultants (ChMC) in the UK. For over two decades, she has provided exceptional consulting services to an impressive list of public sector clients, all while fostering growth within organisations and among her colleagues.
Jacqui considers the ChMC accreditation essential for the industry. She valued its role in setting significant professional benchmarks supported by a strong competency framework. When she started on her journey to become Chartered, the lack of such standardisation motivated her to seek and promote the ChMC accreditation.
She says:
The ChMC programme encourages crucial self-reflection. As consultants, it’s easy to get caught in a project-to-project cycle, neglecting reflection. The ChMC process encourages us to take stock of successes and learning opportunities, a valuable habit for continuous improvement. We face new challenges daily. Clients value consultants who continually educate themselves, read extensively, seek new experiences, and display curiosity. The ChMC process nurtures this type of continuous learning.
For Jacqui, the accreditation offers career benefits, explaining:
It verifies my commitment to a high standard for clients and colleagues alike. As a leader in my firm, the ChMC designation signifies my dedication to the profession and becoming Chartered marked a significant milestone in my consulting career. Receiving the ChMC certificate provided me with a huge sense of achievement. Working in an engineering consultancy where chartership is the norm, celebrating successes is important. The ChMC designation validates my expertise.
Trust, determination, and honesty are the three core ChMC competencies Jacqui deems essential for success. She says:
“Building trust with clients is paramount. Perseverance is crucial in consulting, and so is maintaining honesty and integrity in client relationships.”
Being a finalist for ‘Chartered Management Consultant of the Year’ extends beyond personal recognition for Jacqui. She explains:
Being a finalist acknowledges my entire career. More importantly, it honours the people who shaped my journey and inspire others, especially working mothers, to pursue consulting. I want to be a role model for my daughter, fellow consultants, and working mums everywhere.
Jacqui’s advice for new consultants? Embrace self-reflection and be open to new directions. “Don’t shy away from opportunities,” she urges. “Lifelong learning is paramount for consultants to advance themselves and their careers.”
The ChMC designation, Jacqui believes, benefits everyone. She adds:
“It assures clients of our quality. For the industry’s reputation to flourish, we need more consultants to pursue this important designation and elevate our professionalism.”
Her experience shows the positive impact of the ChMC accreditation. It enhances not only the personal skills of consultants but also connects the industry through shared norms and principles.
The Chartered community is expanding, and its shared values and high standards can raise the quality of the whole consulting industry, creating a lasting positive effect on clients and society.
Find out more about the Chartered Management Consultant Award.