What is the difference between the ILM and the Institute of Leadership & Management?

What does it mean to members, employers and training providers?

At the end of 2015 it was announced that the body called the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) would devolve into two separate entities – one to be known as the ILM and the other as the Institute of Leadership and Management. The change took place in December 2016 and the two organisations are now completely separate.

However, there is still some confusion over the activities of the two bodies especially as their names remain very similar and they work closely together. Here we set out to clarify the position and explain the differences:

ILM

‘ILM’ is not an abbreviation but is the full official name for the accreditation body, which is part of the City & Guilds Group. It is known as a City & Guilds Group business and is the UK’s leading provider of leadership qualifications.

The ILM is dedicated to improving leadership development, both in the UK and worldwide, ensuring businesses and individuals are equipped for the working world now and in the future.

The ILM works with employers and training providers to deliver a range of apprenticeships and qualifications to professionals. The ILM specialises in leadership and management, coaching and mentoring, but also a range of sector and skill-specific qualifications. An ILM Award (qualification) is one of the most popular leadership and management qualifications with 70,000 managers registering to study a qualification each year.

The ILM website – www.i-l-m.com – offers a host of information to employers, training providers and ILM participants who are studying one of its qualifications. Guidance on completing an assessment, training resources, apprenticeship support, as well as how to find a local approved training provider, fees and funding can be found. The website also offers research reports, webinars (giving an overview of the qualifications) and blogs on industry related topics and case studies. The ILM exhibits at leading industry events like the CIPD’s Annual Conference.

All ILM qualifications are awarded by the City and Guilds of London Institute, which was founded in 1878 and is incorporated by Royal Charter. On achieving an ILM qualification, you will receive a certificate from the ILM.

The Institute of Leadership & Management

The Institute of Leadership & Management is the official name for the membership entity. It is a specialist membership organisation that focuses on raising the professional standards of leaders and managers and is the ILM’s strategic partner.

Professionals who sign up to study an ILM Award receive a year’s membership of the Institute of Leadership & Management. This membership gives access to networking industry events which enable managers to connect with their local leadership community. The Institute also publishes ‘Edge’ for its members, which is a quarterly magazine full of valuable advice from thought leaders and experts; exclusive interviews and membership news and reviews.

The Institute of Leadership & Management’s website – www.institutelm.com – also offers valuable resources in the form of research and whitepapers as well as support to its members.

What does it really mean for training providers?

As an ILM-Approved Training Centre, Impellus is reviewed annually by the ILM to ensure that its course content, Award assessment guides and support programmes and ILM branded materials meet the accreditation body’s guidelines.

Our regular contact in terms of fees, registration of ILM participants, processing of participants’ assignments, qualification certificates and marketing is with the ILM organisation. Since the split of the two organisations, Impellus receives Edge magazine and industry updates from the Institute of Leadership and Management.

What does it mean for me if I want to study an ILM Award?

If you choose to study an ILM qualification as a result of attending an open course delivered by an ILM-Approved Training Centre, you will be supported by that training provider to help you achieve the qualification. Most of your contact will be directly with the training provider but you will receive a year’s membership from the Institute of Leadership & Management and, on completion, you will receive your qualification certificate from the ILM. You can, of course, access the resources that both organisations provide to members and ILM participants via their websites.

Your ILM Award in leadership and management will be recognised around the world as a leading qualification and you can continue your personal membership of the Institute of Leadership and Management as long as you wish.