British management on trial – does a royal management institute deliver value?
BATTLE lines are being drawn in Malaysia around a global dispute over management qualifications and their value in the modern world. On one side is the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), a British royal charity, which aims to defend its reputation...
A high-stakes legal battle is brewing in Malaysia over the value of British management qualifications and certifications. The Chartered Management Institute (CMI), a British royal charity, is defending its reputation as a world leader in management and leadership qualifications and certification. On the opposing side stands Dr. Geoffrey Williams, a prominent British academic economist who challenged the CMI's claims, stating that stakeholder feedback does not support the organization's marketing and promotional assertions.
The Ministry of Higher Education and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency have investigated these claims, resulting in losses of over £2 million (RM11.6 million) for the CMI as Malaysian universities severed contracts with the charity. The High Court will hear arguments from the CMI over four days, from September 21-24, 2026, defending Williams' published articles containing data from a small survey of Malaysian universities, which suggested low customer satisfaction levels.
The CMI argues that Williams' data and analysis are flawed and that they have surveys and stakeholder feedback to prove their programs are among the best in the market. The case against Hunter has been dropped for now, and hundreds of pages of documents, including 300 pages of witness statements, will be examined. CMI executives like CEO Ann Francke, CFO Lucy Greggains, and Charity Secretary Elaine McClain will testify online, while Williams will present his own defense.
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