- 3 out of the 4 largest consultancy firms are now automatically offering ChMC to all their graduates and apprentice intake in a major step change for the industry
- Over 720 Chartered Management Consultants from 50 firms have already been awarded the title, with over 4,000 on the ChMC journey
KPMG UK has announced a major commitment to the Chartered Management Consultant Award (ChMC) and is now offering the new award to all its new graduates and apprentices as part of its learning and development programme. KPMG will onboard approximately 200 graduates and apprentices within its consulting practice this year and they will all have the option to work towards becoming chartered from their first year in the firm.
This now means 3 out of the 4 largest consultancy firms including EY and PwC are now automatically offering ChMC to all their graduate and apprentice intake in a major step change for the industry. KPMG’s commitment to the ChMC award underscores its dedication to its people and high standards of training and development.
KPMG joins a growing list of companies – including IBM Consulting, Arup, Moorhouse and Arcadis – who have adopted the new standard for the consulting industry along with many other leading smaller consulting firms.
The ChMC award has been developed to recognise consultants who have achieved Chartered status, raising the standards across the industry and inspiring higher levels of confidence.
Over 720 Chartered Management Consultants from 50 firms have already been awarded the title, with 4,000 on their ChMC journey. 22 firms are now accredited to offer the ChMC award across the industry. There has been a 30% growth in consultants adopting the new award in the past year.
The ChMC award is not limited to any specific sector or discipline within consulting and benefits consultants whatever their area of expertise, including digital technology experts, as it recognises high levels of professional competency and achievement in the management consultancy profession.
Officially launched in 2021, KPMG, EY, PwC, and eight other leading firms were all involved in the pilot stage in developing the award with the Management Consultancies Association (MCA) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
The ChMC award has been backed by the UK government and has the goal of securing greater recognition for the professionalism of management consulting, ensuring that it is valued and respected by the industry, as well as by clients seeking professional and qualified consulting support.
David Rowlands, Head of Consulting at KPMG UK, said:
“Learning and development is critical for consultants at every stage in their careers, which is why we’re giving our new graduates and apprentices the choice to work towards becoming chartered from their first year and encouraging our more experienced consultants to become accredited.
“We’re passionately committed to improving social mobility within our firm and qualifications play an important part in this. Becoming chartered provides consultants with a well-earned vocational qualification to be proud of, irrespective of their entry route into the profession.
“When we continuously up our game, our clients get the best results. ChMC provides a framework which recognises the rainbow of talent and skills needed in consultancy, raising the standards of our profession and giving clients further confidence in the abilities and experience of the consultants they work with.
“I’m delighted that the award is bringing standardisation and professionalism to our profession, and I look forward to seeing more of our people take it on this year.”
Tamzen Isacsson, Chief Executive of the Management Consultancies Association (MCA), said:
“This announcement presents a terrific opportunity for the next generation of consultants entering our industry to be given a professional career journey and to achieve Chartered Status as a management consultant. KPMG’s strong commitment to CHMC underscores its commitment to its people and high standards of training and development. Chartered is important to our industry as it is about setting high standards for ourselves and our clients and maintaining a relentless drive towards excellence and continuous professional development.”
Ann Francke OBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Management Institute, said:
“Increasing the number of consultants undertaking the Chartered Management Consultant award reflects KPMG’s continued focus on learning and transforming professional standards across the industry. CMI is delighted that many leading firms are now offering this important Chartered Status award to their people, especially as clients continue to turn to consultants during this critical period to drive growth, productivity and to help them adapt to the increasingly changing global environment.”
The ChMC award provides a quality assurance mark for consultancy services and becoming chartered offers consultants a respected vocational qualification. It is a significant stride towards standardisation and professionalism in consulting, with KPMG being among the firms that helped develop the award and have consultants who have achieved it through the experienced route.
For more information about MCA Chartered accredited firms, please go to: https://www.mca.org.uk/chmc-members