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Sir John said that he will use his role as president of the only chartered professional body providing support for managers and leaders across the UK to call for more focus on the higher skills needed to build UK global competitiveness, as raised in the Leitch Review of Skills.

In line with the Institute’s goal for 50 per cent of managers to be qualified to level 4 or higher by 2020, he will highlight the value of high-quality, continuous professional development for the long-term performance and productivity of UK organisations.

Working alongside Mary Chapman, chief executive of the Institute, Sir John plans to drive forward the issue of equipping managers with the appropriate skills and competencies to succeed.  This will include calling for:

• the commitment of UK organisations to urgently develop management and leadership skills
• the need for UK business to work in partnership with further and higher education providers to ensure a skills base which meets their needs in the future.
• the uptake of the ‘Chartered Manager’ programme, a nationally recognised benchmark highlighting the impact that professionally qualified managers can have at work

On becoming the President of the Institute, Sir John said, “The UK cannot compete with emerging economies like China and India on price, so it must gain a competitive advantage through its skill base."

“Management skills and competencies are key to the success of British industry. The UK needs not just more graduates, but individuals with the management and leadership skills to drive performance. I look forward to building on the work of my predecessors and the executive team at the Institute in pursuit of this goal.”

Sir John has been with Cadbury Schweppes since 1968 and was appointed Chairman in May 2003. In addition to this role, he is non-executive director of Barclays plc, deputy president of the Confederation of British Industry, a director of the Financial Reporting Council. He is also an advisory board member of Ian Jones and Partners and of Trinsum Group, an associate member of BUPA and a governor of the Court of Henley College.  Sir John was knighted in the Queen’s birthday honours in June 2006.

In assuming the role, Sunderland becomes the Institute’s 32nd President. He succeeds Tim Melville-Ross, chairman of Bovis Homes plc.

Related links

• Chartered Management Institute
• Cadbury Schweppes plc