Acknowledging Excellence: CMI's President’s Dinner recognizes UK's leaders

London, November 21, 2023:

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) has celebrated outstanding leadership and management at its annual President’s Dinner, honouring some of the UK’s most high profile leaders.

This year's event was hosted by CMI’s new President, Fiona Dawson CBE, who succeeds Lord Mark Price in the role.

The Gold Medal award for outstanding achievement was presented to James Timpson OBE DL, CEO of Timpson Group, in recognition of his remarkable leadership in helping the business to grow, notably through his commitment to a culture of trust and kindness in the company’s approach to recruitment.

Dame Anne Richards DBE, was awarded CMI’s Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledging her dedication to financial services, women , education, and science and ongoing work in embedding inclusive cultures across the workplace.

The event, honouring the UK's most inspirational leaders and managers, follows the release of CMI's groundbreaking new study, Taking Responsibility: Why UK plc Needs Better Managers, which exposes the scale of damage being caused to the UK economy by the lack of training within Britain’s managerial ranks.

In her inaugural year as CMI President, Fiona Dawson CBE commented on the evening:

James Timpson OBE and Dame Anne Richards stand as exemplary role models, embodying integrity, diligence, and compassion throughout their diverse careers. Their commitment to opening doors for others and inclusive management practice makes them very worthy of tonight’s awards.

In these challenging economic times, the impact of better led and managed organisations is more important than ever. I take immense pride in the impactful work CMI has published this year to make this case. Our insights have significantly contributed to the public conversation about the role of good management and leadership, not only within workplaces but across society as a whole.

Ann Francke, CEO of the CMI, said:

All of tonight’s nominees embody CMI’s commitment to developing confident, inclusive leaders. They are role models, from a range of industries and in both the public and private sectors, who demonstrate the positive impact that professional management skills can have. We hope their example encourages others to explore their own professional development, culminating in Chartered Manager Status, the ultimate management accolade.

CMI’s ongoing better managers campaign is aimed at highlighting the damage that bad managers are doing to their teams, their organisations and the wider economy. Following a series of high-profile management failings which saw bad behaviour and toxic workplace culture flourish, CMI is highlighting the need to improve the quality of management and leadership in the UK. Getting this right would deliver a growing economy, invigorated public services and a healthy, inclusive society with opportunity available evenly for all.

James Timpson commented: 

I'm truly delighted to accept the Gold Medal Award from CMI. It's a great honour to have our work recognised. This generous award strengthens our belief that effective leadership revolves around both recognising and respecting each person's uniqueness, identifying their capabilities, helping them to find their spark, and uniting around a common goal.

Dame Anne Helen Richards commented: 

I am delighted to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and am particularly honoured that CMI has recognised the time I have spent advocating for more inclusive workplaces. I believe building a workplace culture where everyone can feel that they belong is important not just because it is right, but because it makes sense for our business - it brings new ideas, builds better teams and ultimately enhances our ability to be brilliant investors and give a better customer experience.

Other Awards were made to:

• Outstanding Apprentice of the Year: Will Burchell CMgr FCMI
• Outstanding Student of the Year: Ellie Pickering CMgr MCMI
• Outstanding Training Provider of the Year: South Eastern Regional College
• Outstanding HE Partner of the Year: University of Exeter
• Chartered Manager of the Year: Jennifer Baines CMgr MCMI
• Chartered Management Consultant of the Year: David Orr ChMC
• Volunteer of the year: Kirsty Watson CMgr FCMI