Four graduates from the Principals Qualifying Programme (PQP) have been fast tracked to gain Chartered Manager (CMgr) status with Fellowship (FCMI) of the Chartered Management Institute.  This accolade is the ultimate benchmark for practising professional managers in the UK and further recognises the ability of these individuals to lead people and manage change within their organisations. 

The four principals and chief executives to achieve this prestigious award were Frances Wadsworth of East Surrey College, Jacqui Mace of Stanmore College, Martin Penny of Stratford Upon Avon College and Kevin Finnigan of Prospects Group.

LSIS worked with the Chartered Management Institute to create a fast track route for PQP graduates, building on their achievement of PQP in 2008.  The robust and thorough nature of the PQP programme meant that the four were given credit for their continued professional development which would normally be a separate requirement. The submission for Chartered Manager therefore focused on the impact which graduates had made on their organisations – how they led people and managed change.

These are the first principals in England to achieve this triple recognition of Chartered Manager, Fellow of the CMI and PQP.

Kevin Finnigan said "This has been an excellent learning experience, undertaken by the first group of PQP graduates. It has developed and tested our leadership and management practice. I hope it will be an opportunity that other principals will follow."

The award highlights the importance of strong management and leadership skills within all sectors.  This fast track route supports a key government aim for the ongoing professionalisation of the FE workforce whilst also embedding CPD at chief executive level. 

Ruth Spellman, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, says: "Driving professionalism has the potential to be immense and by achieving Chartered Manager status, Frances, Jacqui, Martin and Kevin have shown that they have made a considerable business impact.  Not only have they benefited at a personal level, but the spill-over effect from influencing their colleagues can have a huge effect on performance across the workforce over the long-term.”

The candidates will have to undertake a 3-yearly review, involving submission of fresh evidence of ongoing organisational impact, to retain their new Chartered status. 

Tony Nelson, Director of PQP said: “This triple award recognises their commitment to leadership development at a time of intense change in the sector. I know many other PQP graduates are keen to follow in their footsteps”.

To find out more about the Principals Qualifying Programme please visit the programme page here or contact executive@lsis.org.uk

The PQP is available to start at the following points:

• 4 November 2009
• 1 December 2009
• March 2010.