Our history

Our ability to understand managers’ needs was evident from the start in the 1950s when we developed the UK’s first diploma in management studies. We’ve continued to be at the forefront of management training.

And just as an advocate should, we’ve pushed the cause for professionalising management ever since.

So it’s no wonder that it’s us that now sets the UK’s standards for management and leadership.

Unsurprisingly, we have been through a number of name changes, beginning with the British Institute of Management, and subsequently, in the 1990s, the Institute of Management.

In 2002, our excellence was recognised with Chartered status, as the Chartered Management Institute. These days we're best known simply as CMI.

Think of it as a kitemark for quality. We do.