Article: “In a competitive landscape, Chartered status is a great way to differentiate” Written by Rosalie Minnitt Friday 10 April 2026 Share Share to LinkedIn Share to Facebook Share via email Chris Brown CMgr CCMI ChMC, our Chartered Companion of the Month, explains how we can all demonstrate leadership every day In his current role as market leader at cybersecurity company NCC Group, Chris Brown CMgr CCMI ChMC sits at the intersection of technology, trust and leadership. From finance to sales and consulting, his impressive career spans a wealth of experience. “I describe my career in three chapters,” he says. He started off in finance as a Chartered Accountant with one of the Big Four before moving into technology, spending nine years at IBM, and finally ending up at NCC Group. His current role, he reflects, is a culmination of this professional journey. Chartered status – a seal of approval What’s clear is his deep commitment to professional standards and accountability – especially in a rapidly changing digital world. After all, it was this relentless desire for professionalism and accountability that drove Chris to pursue Chartered status, he says. “[Chartership] is a signal of quality and experience,” he explains. “It’s a seal of approval in terms of your level of expertise in a competitive marketplace. “But more than that,” he emphasises, “it’s about accountability.” What is a Chartered Companion? A select group of the best leaders around the world, CMI Chartered Companions help shape our activities by providing thought leadership and directly supporting policy, research and product development. Find out more Chris’s focus on responsibility and ethics reflects a keen awareness of the challenges posed in the modern, digital world – especially in an age of AI. As he explains, “There’s a big shift that we’re seeing in the marketplace in terms of AI and what it means for business. It’s a huge responsibility that we have as professionals to make sure that AI has the right consequences, not unintended consequences.” The possibilities are far-reaching, but so, he recognises, are the possible challenges. Fortunately, Chris remains optimistic. As he points out, “It’s about recognising that it’s such a fantastic opportunity for society in terms of the productivity that AI can drive. But it needs to be done in an ethical and responsible way.” Keep reading – more from Chris Login or register below for Free Instant Access Login If you are already registered as a CMI Friend, Subscriber or Member, just login to view this article. Confirm your registration Login below to confirm your details and access this article. Log in Register for Free Access Not yet a Member, Subscriber or Friend? Register as a CMI Friend for free, and get access to this and many other exclusive resources, as well as weekly updates straight to your inbox. Article Our extensive range of articles are designed to keep you in the loop with all the latest management and leadership best practice, research and news. Members See More CMI Members have access to thousands of online learning and CPD resources. Learn more about our membership benefits Join The Community CMI offers a variety of flexible membership solutions, tailored to your needs. Find out more and get involved in the CMI community today.
