Article: Training Provider of the Year: who made the shortlist? Written by CMI Insights Tuesday 24 March 2026 Share Share to LinkedIn Share to Facebook Share via email This award celebrates the training institutions that are having a concrete impact on learners’ knowledge, experience, development and performance. Here are the five centres that are in the running. With the world of work evolving so quickly, it’s vital to equip learners with a wide range of management and leadership skills. That’s why CMI’s training partnerships are so important. Our Training Provider of the Year award celebrates outstanding partners that demonstrate a concrete impact on the knowledge, experience, professional development and performance of their learners through their collaboration with CMI. Here are the centres of learning that made the 2025 shortlist. Activate Learning Activate Business School offers training designed to help managers and leaders navigate the key real-world challenges they face today – including AI, digital transformation, multi-generational teams and sustainability. Since 2018, it has developed over 1,000 leaders across more than 70 organisations, from NHS trusts to high-profile car manufacturers and the University of Oxford, through programmes that combine CMI’s Professional Standard with practical application. Find out more The winners of the CMI Awards of Excellence will be announced in spring 2026. Read up on all the categories and shortlisters at the link below. Let's go CMI’s award judges highlighted how Activate’s Operations Manager and Team Leader programmes have a 100% first-time pass rate. They also praised the school’s use of AI, automation and new technology, as well as its flexible learning methods and dedicated support for learners leaving the services and taking civilian roles. [Winning this award would be] true recognition of the hard work which we have done regarding our new programmes to align with current and trending transformational leadership Boo Coaching and Consulting Boo Coaching and Consulting describes itself as “a small yet mighty team”, united by the belief that “life is too short to be unhappy at work”. It offers coaching and other support in areas such as leadership development and workplace wellbeing. The Boo team said its partnership with CMI gave the company the ability to create “meaningful, future-focused learning experiences”. Our judges praised Boo’s journey from a small organisation to a “successful partner with a passionate approach to delivery”. They highlighted its agile and adaptive work within the NHS and third sector, noting how its focus on coaching and mentoring has addressed critical skills gaps and empowered a new generation of “better-led managers” in the North of England. Winning the award would mean an enormous amount to us as a small, niche centre dedicated to developing coaching cultures in workplaces. It would recognise that our size is our strength – allowing us to innovate, respond quickly to changing learner needs and design learning experiences that are deeply human, relational and impactful Corndel Corndel’s vision is to “expand minds, unlock potential and shape a future where people and technology work together”. It does this via programmes in AI, data and leadership, and its offer of enterprise-level partnerships and expert one-to-one coaching. The Corndel team credits its CMI partnership with “strengthening programme credibility and progression” and “giving individuals confidence that their learning is recognised, relevant and valued”. Keep reading – who else made the shortlist? 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.
