Rupert Hargreaves, Managing Editor at City AM and MCA Awards Judge shares his insights of judging the Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC) of the Year category for the MCA Awards.
The Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC) Award is undoubtedly a substantial milestone in any consultant’s career. The Award is designed to consider each entrant’s commitment to quality and professionalism in their work and beyond.
Since its introduction in 2021 by the Management Consultancies Association (MCA), the ChMC accreditation has formalised and awarded the hard work and professionalism showcased by the top consultants in the UK.
The chartered accreditation is awarded to the sector’s most involved and committed management consultants, who are dedicated to upholding the sector’s quality and professionalism. While it’s only a few years old, and only a small handful of individuals have been recognised, the accreditation is already having a broad impact on the industry. Events such as the MCA Awards ceremony, are helping to build visibility and showcase the benefits of the chartered accreditation.
The ChMC Award goes a step further. It celebrates the individual and the profession’s commitment to going above and beyond, building the professional rapport and confidence required for a long-term relationship.
The world has changed rapidly over the past four years. Changes initiated by the pandemic have continued, and workplaces have had to deal with tremendous challenges. These challenges will undoubtedly continue with the rise of artificial intelligence and changes to working patterns.
As a result, the need for trusted, accredited professionals will only increase. The ChMC accreditation and Award recognise each individual’s ability to navigate the changing world, balance technology with people, and embrace change.
After all, it’s the people that matter in any business, no matter how much companies use advanced AI tools.
Achieving a ChMC accreditation is, in itself, a landmark moment for consultants, but it’s not an endpoint. The accreditation is the first step on a journey within the consulting profession. It’s a springboard that recognises a minimum standard for excellence, opening the door to additional training and development with the MCA.
During my experience judging the ChMC Award, I witnessed first-hand the level of professionalism displayed by accredited consultants and their commitment to quality. One thing that stood out with all entrants was their desire to go above and beyond in the profession, working with clients and staff members to develop human resources initiatives and train the next generation.
Candidates have also shown a real passion for developing and building outcomes that work for all stakeholders in what could be described as complicated circumstances. As I touched on above, these qualities are only going to become increasingly important as disruptive technology takes an increasingly important role in the day-to-day working landscape.
I saw how ChMC accreditation instils in its holders the desire and drive to push the best of the industry to the forefront. All of the individuals who made it through to the finals of the ChMC Award showed how consulting can be a fulfilling and sustainable career choice with a clear path for growth and development.
This was clear across experience levels, from those who’d spent decades in the industry to those who’d only just started their careers.
The qualities I’ve observed illustrate just how vital accreditation and awards are to the industry in a period of uncertainty and change.
One of the key challenges businesses will have to navigate in the coming years is articulating a clear plan during times of change and uncertainty. Building a clear plan that takes into account the needs and wishes of all stakeholders requires a clear vision, experience, and trust, as well as a desire to continually learn and develop new skills.
All finalists showed these qualities, a testament to the ChMC’s process and accreditation process. All of the finalists expressed pride in upholding the ChMC’s qualities and acting as representatives for the body as it continues to grow and develop.
Every year, thousands of new consultants enter the industry, some at the beginning of their working lives and others with more experience. All of the Award finalists showcased a desire to pass on their skills to the next generation, leading by example and building on the already high standard set by the ChMC and expected from the accreditation. In most cases, the finalists had already started this process of passing on their experience.
Judging the awards has illustrated just how much of a difference the ChMC accreditation makes to the sector and drives consultants forward in an ever-changing world. The shared commitment to excellence, progress and desire to represent the industry positively, illustrate the benefits.
Find out more about the Chartered Management Consultant Award.