Press release: CMI congratulates Andy Burnham and calls for investment in management skills Tuesday 21 July 2026 Ann Francke OBE, CEO of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), said: The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) congratulates Andy Burnham on becoming Prime Minister. Mr Burnham has long championed the importance of a skilled workforce attuned to the needs of local employers, allowing people from every background to find high quality employment close to home. At CMI, we know that Local Skills Improvement Plans across the country highlight that gaps in management capability are holding back those regional growth opportunities. Across every priority area - whether it is tackling the NEETs crisis, delivering on plans to upskill 10 million workers in AI, meeting house-building targets or supporting UK businesses to scale up and grow both domestically and internationally - skilled managers and leaders turn ambition into results. We urge the new Government to back those employers who are investing in upskilling their managers at every level. For the growing crisis of youth unemployment in particular, it will be skilled frontline managers who will ensure young people don’t just find a job, but that they are supported to stay in employment and find a career path in which they thrive. We look forward to continuing to work with Government to support the upskilling of the UK’s managers and leaders to deliver the growth and productivity that will benefit every corner of the UK. - Ends - Media contact: CMI Press Office 07753844875 press.office@managers.org.uk Notes to editors About the Chartered Management Institute (CMI): CMI is the only Chartered Body for management and leadership. Working with employers and approved education partners, CMI sets the standard for professional excellence through qualifications, quality assurance and Chartered pathways. With a community of over 252,000 members, CMI supports better management and leadership in the UK and internationally.
