The Institute Consulting (IC)
In 2007, the Institute of Consulting (IC) was created by the merger of the long-standing Institute of Management Consulting and the Institute of Business Advisers. The IC has members across the UK – consultancy firms and individual advisers/consultants who have met the strict criteria of experience, professionalism and qualifications to operate under the Institute of Consulting banner.
The merger saw the IC become part of the Chartered Management Institute, the professional body dedicated to the development of management and leadership.
Globally-recognised standards and qualifications
On the broader stage, the IC is a member of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI) – the global association of national management consulting institutes from around the world. As such, the IC administers, in accordance with world-class standards, the international Certified Management Consultant (CMC) certification. Businesses and organisations need consultants with knowledge, skill, competence and trustworthiness, and the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) award is the only globally-recognised accreditation that guarantees these characteristics. The evidence-based, rigorous and continually re-assessed award is accessible to consultants across the country. 1300 UK individuals hold the full CMC award.
The Institute of Consulting also offers the Certified Business Adviser’s award (CBA) as an acknowledgement of the high level of professional recognition that business advisers can achieve in today’s demanding business environment. The CBA award has been mapped to the SFEDI National Occupational Standards for Business Advisers, and enhanced by the IC to reflect current market needs.
All of which is of benefit to businesses, who can source the best qualified support for growth and profitability from amongst IC member consultants/advisers. When a client engages an IBC member or practice they are guaranteed, as a minimum, a consultant committed to maintaining professional standards of business delivery and recognised for their competence and professionalism.
A trusted partner in the business economy
The IBC understands the needs of large organisations through to small business, and is active in ensuring these needs are met.
Amongst a portfolio of national strategic activity, the Institute of Business Consulting has recently contributed to a Westminster-led manifesto that suggests practical ways that small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) can help revive the UK economy.
Membership grades and criteria for the Institute of Consulting
Affiliate
Individuals interesting in business consulting or those starting a career
Student
A Student may become a member if the course of study which they are undertaking is related to consultancy or business advice. If the course is an Institute course the registration fee will include membership to the Institute for the duration of the course. Once a student has finished their course of study they will be considered for an upgrade to a higher grade according to their qualifications and experience.
Associate
• Be a practising consultant or business adviser
• Have been actively practising for at least one year
• Have at least a first degree and/or at least 3 years experience (as appropriate) as one of the following:
An owner-manager of a small or medium sized enterprise
A senior or middle manager with responsibility for business performance
A technical or professional specialist
Present an appropriate range of client references
Undertake CPD that will position them for upgrade to Member within five years
Member
• Be practising as a consultant or business adviser
• Have been actively practising for a minimum of three consecutive years
• Have a first or a higher degree or a qualification recognised by the Institute as appropriate for membership or 10 years experience as one of the following:
An owner manager of a small or medium sized enterprise, a senior or middle manager with responsibility for business performance,
A technical or professional specialist
Successfully complete an appropriate assessment
Show evidence that they have kept up to date with relevant current thinking in their professional area through 3 years CPD records
Fellow
• Satisfy the entry criteria for Member grade
• Have worked at a senior level for a minimum of 10 years
• Demonstrate that they have made significant contribution to their particular profession over and above their normal work. This could be through writing articles, mentoring others, teaching or lecturing in their specific professional area, providing thought leadership to the profession or the wider community
or
• Demonstrate that they have sustained over a significant period of time work which has had important impact for clients and through which they have gained recognition and acknowledgment.
• Submit evidence in the form of a reference from a senior client which confirms the applicant works to the highest professional standards and has contributed as detailed above to the wider profession.
