Highlights – 11 June

In an age when people seem to be crying out for skilled and able leadership, management issues are never far from the news. Take the UK government’s announcement that Level 7 apprenticeships for learners over 21 are going to be defunded from next January. That’s a dramatic change that will leave nine in ten Level 7 apprentices ineligible for support. 

Petra Wilton, CMI’s director of policy and external affairs, has pointed out the oversight in the decision, which “wipes out virtually all funding for the senior leader apprenticeship” and “does not address the UK’s ongoing skills gap in management capability”. 

We can’t overstate how critical this is. CMI chief executive Ann Francke OBE CMgr CCMI has appeared in the press a couple of times lately addressing the issue of why British employees no longer see management as an aspirational career path. One key reason she gives is that people lack confidence and training. 

Priceless investment

In this week’s newsletter, we’ve gathered yet more testimony as to why investing in development and training is invaluable. Charlie Marchant ACMI fCMgr, CEO of digital marketing agency Exposure Ninja, describes herself as a classic accidental manager: she thought she’d always be a writer, having joined the agency as a freelancer. Here, she shares her rapid transformation – from unexpectedly managing a couple of writers and “learning on the fly”, to becoming COO and now CEO. 

For an early career perspective, we also hear from Jess Duguid, who’s studying for the CMI Dual Accredited BA (Hons) in Fashion Management at Nottingham Trent University. Jess shares how she has gained practical skills, built industry connections and deepened her understanding of the business. “Management accreditation will just put me one step higher,” she says.

And it’s not just the individual who benefits. A London Daily News article on thriving workplaces has referenced a 2024 report by CMI. In our research, 72% of UK business leaders agreed that a people-focused strategy has a direct impact on company performance.

Other paths

The good news is that other routes to personal development – and greater employee engagement – remain open. Take volunteering. On the back of another inspiring Volunteers’ Week, we spoke to two CMI regional board members, Dr Steven Egan fCMgr and Donna Goodall CMgr MCMI, about the transformative impact that giving their time to CMI has had on their lives and careers. 

Finally, to another decision that the CMI community may find increasingly pressing in this changing work landscape. More and more people seem to be swapping the tireless pursuit of a dream job for a more flexible gig that allows for greater fulfillment beyond work – whether through family, exercise or other pursuits. 

But is that a sacrifice worth making? Find out the CMI community’s consensus here…

Best,

Matt Roberts CMgr FCMI

Director of membership and professional development, CMI