Recognising leadership with Chartered Manager

I’m in a unique position, quite often you get managers and procurement specialists, and then you have technical people, and they have to pair up together to go and visit suppliers. Often the procurement people don’t understand the chemistry and the chemists don’t understand the contractual and negotiation side, so I think that is a unique blend. There’s the chemistry, the procurement and the management all together and balancing it is a natural equilibrium.

There are days where you are using the chemistry side a lot more; yesterday I was visiting a client that we may use for some work, so it was very heavy chemistry discussions on chemical synthesis, purity and specification. Today I might be trying to discuss a contract for IT services and I won’t use the chemistry at all. So it’s a kind of ‘use as needed’ basis, but to be able to draw on those skills is good for the company as they only need one person in the role not two, and balancing the leadership – you find a natural equilibrium yourself.

Why did you decide to apply for Chartered Manager? How did you find out about it?

I actually found out about it a few years ago, I looked at the pathway to becoming a Chartered Manager and it was arduous – repeating a lot of the things I’d already done to get to Chartered Scientist, Chartered Chemist and FRSC. I just thought while it’s an important, professionally recognised status, it would have involved a lot of time, probably a year’s work. When I saw the RSC had hooked up with the Chartered Management Institute and delivered a more accessible pathway in, I thought ‘ah!’ – I dusted off what I started to do a few years ago and then found out what I needed to do. I talked to my company and they said they were happy to support and sponsor me through the process, which was good. It was actually 24 hours’ worth of work to get to CMgr status and I didn’t know it at the time but it did give me the time to reflect and plan for the future. 

Why do you think it is important for the RSC to be offering CMgr to our members?

I think offering CMgr now gives people something else to develop. Lots of chemists that are my age are in management roles, coaching roles, leadership roles, mentoring roles, and they’re not doing chemistry 24 hours a day. I think it’s important for the RSC to recognise that and offer other development opportunities. I see that as a positive for the RSC, to see that they have moved into the modern day and are working with other societies to promote people’s education, training and professional qualifications.

How did you feel when you completed the process and were awarded the designation Chartered Manager?

Relieved! I’ve never failed an exam in my life so I didn’t want to start. I felt very proud  because it’s unclear what standards they are looking for, but some of the feedback they shared during the interview process was it’s ‘one of the best prepared applications’ they have seen and just little hints that makes you think ‘maybe it’s not so bad then’.

I’d say it’s been recognised within my company. People are complimentary about it inside the company and HR, and the president of our group said congratulations.

You now hold a combination of designations – CChem, CSci, CMgr, MCMI and FRSC – what do they mean to you and why are they valuable?

It’s a good record of what you’ve achieved in your career and it’s maintaining those standards: I’m learning more now than ever before. I don’t often show a lack of confidence but it can be there inside anyone, All of those qualifications have helped to give me more confidence and I’d say define my ability to go into discussions with colleagues internally or externally with confidence greater belief in myself and my skills.

What are your next steps in terms of your ongoing professional development?

When my children get a little bit older I will have more time and it will be good then to do my part for the RSC, either in one of the divisions, local sections or interest groups. It’s the same for the Chartered Management Institute, they have positions locally or nationally and it’s nice to give something back to both professional bodies.