Bridging the Leadership Gap

The Role of Professional Development & Accreditation

By Dr. Eliza Morgan, FCMI, Chartered FCIPD, Director, Honey & Morgan

In an era where leadership expectations are higher than ever, the ability to adapt, inspire, and drive success has become an essential skill for professionals at all levels. Yet, research continues to highlight significant gaps in management capability – gaps that not only limit business performance but also hinder economic growth. The question is: how can organisations effectively develop leadership potential and future-proof their workforce? One answer lies in structured professional development and industry-recognised accreditation.

Why leadership development needs a rethink

Strong leadership isn’t just about decision-making – it’s about creating environments where people thrive. Companies with well-trained leaders benefit from higher productivity, stronger engagement, and better employee retention. Yet, a 2023 Harvard Business Review study found that only 10% of leadership development spending delivers tangible results. The research concluded that programmes that focus on the whole person, self-reflection, and practical interventions create the greatest impact.

Many businesses struggle with leadership training because they fail to align it with real workplace challenges. This is where accredited development programmes, such as those from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), provide a structured and results-driven approach.

The value of accreditation in leadership development

The CMI is the only Chartered professional body in the field of Management and Leadership. Their qualifications act as a benchmark for excellence, ensuring that leadership training is rigorous, practical, and aligned with real-world business needs. But beyond certification, what makes accreditation valuable?

• Quality assurance – accredited programmes meet industry-recognised benchmarks, ensuring professional credibility.
• Practical relevance – courses focus on applicable leadership skills that directly impact workplace performance.
• Clear progression pathways – CMI-accredited training provides structured development towards Chartered Manager (CMgr) status, a highly respected leadership credential.
• Global recognition – with a network of 143,000+ professionals worldwide, CMI membership connects learners with valuable insights and mentorship opportunities.

CMI President Fiona Dawson CBE CMgr CCMI recently highlighted that “high-quality management and leadership is a key part of the solution to many of today’s business challenges, including stalled productivity and skills gaps.”

The impact on businesses and professionals

A well-trained manager can transform a business, not just in performance but also in culture.

For individuals:

• Accelerates career progression and employability.
• Enhances confidence in leadership and decision-making.
• Expands professional networks and access to industry best practices.

For businesses:

• Develops stronger, future-ready leadership pipelines.
• Creates a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Boosts profitability – Gallup research suggests that strong management contributes up to 48% higher profit than average management practices.

Addressing the North West’s leadership skills gap

The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has identified significant leadership and management skills shortages in the region. Many businesses face challenges in retaining skilled employees and struggle with productivity due to ineffective leadership.

Furthermore, CMI research suggests that if UK organisations invested in leadership development at the same level as Germany, the economy could experience a £76 billion productivity boost. This underscores the economic imperative of investing in structured professional development.

Looking forward – the future of leadership training

The workplace is evolving at an unprecedented rate. Hybrid work models, digital transformation, and new workforce expectations are redefining what it means to be an effective leader. Investing in accredited leadership training ensures businesses stay ahead of these changes.

Beyond productivity gains, leadership development is also a powerful retention strategy. Employee turnover remains costly, with:

• The average cost of replacing an employee at £30,614 per hire (Oxford Economics).
• UK workplace churn rates at 34% (CIPD).
• Recruitment costs amounting to 6-9 months of a new hire’s salary (Centric HR).

Organisations that invest in developing internal leadership capability benefit from greater workforce stability, lower recruitment costs, and enhanced team performance.

Final thoughts

Professional development and accreditation are not just about earning certificates – they are about creating leaders who drive real business impact. With organisations under pressure to deliver greater efficiency, higher engagement, and more sustainable growth, investing in structured leadership training is not just advisable – it’s essential.

For businesses looking to stay competitive, future-proofing leadership through professional development and accreditation is an investment that delivers measurable returns. The question isn’t whether to invest in leadership training – it’s how soon.