Institute Of Leadership & Management

Name

Institute Of Leadership & Management

Legal name

City & Guilds Limited

Website

https://i-l-m.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Leadership Qualifications

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Human Resources, Organizational Behavior & Leadership Institutes (EDAHAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Strategy, Consulting & General Management Institutes (EDAHAHAI), Assessment-Integrated eLearning & Practice Modules (EDAGAEAE), Leadership Potential, High-Potential & Succession Assessments (BPACAMAH)

Keywords

• Leadership qualifications
• Management apprenticeships
• Coaching certifications
• End-point assessment
• Training accreditation

Headquarters

HQ city

Burntwood

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Qualification Fees: ILM charges fees for qualifications delivered through their network of approved centres. These include registration fees, assessment fees, and certification fees. Centres pay fees based on qualification type and learner volume.
2. Apprenticeship Services: ILM generates revenue from apprenticeship endpoint assessment services. For EPA, customers pay a learner registration fee upfront and the balance when EPA is completed. Apprenticeship funding caps determine typical contract values (£5,000-£22,000 per apprentice depending on level).
3. Centre Approval and Support: Training providers and centres pay fees to become approved ILM centres. Centres receive ongoing support, guidance, and access to resources as part of their partnership.
4. Consultancy Services: ILM's management training consultancy helps organisations design and build effective management programmes. Expert consultants map internal training programmes, support quality assurance, and provide additional guidance to programme assessors.
5. ILM Assured Recognition Services: Organisations can have their in-house leadership training programmes validated and quality assured by ILM, receiving recognition and digital credentials for their internal training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ILM develops, assesses and accredits leadership and management qualifications at Levels 2–7, delivered through a global network of over 2,000 approved training centres. The company provides end-to-end management apprenticeship solutions (Levels 3–7), end-point assessment services via the Proficient platform, coaching and mentoring qualifications, specialist sector qualifications, and bespoke consultancy. Complementary offerings include ILM Assured validation of in-house training programmes, digital credentials, post-nominals, and armed forces accreditation.

Product overview

ILM (Institute of Leadership & Management) is the UK's leading provider of leadership and management qualifications, offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services under the City & Guilds Group. The core offering consists of regulated qualifications from Level 2 to Level 7 available as Awards (10-120 hours), Certificates (130-360 hours), and Diplomas (370+ hours), spanning Leadership and Management, Coaching and Mentoring, and Specialist sector qualifications. The qualification suite includes newly refreshed skills-focused and knowledge-based pathways. Management Apprenticeships (Level 3 Team Leader, Level 5 Operations Manager, Level 6 CMDA, Level 7 Senior Leader) provide end-to-end solutions combining on-programme learning with end-point assessment. Supporting products include T Levels for Management and Administration, Scottish (SCQF) and Welsh qualifications, Studying Membership with The Institute of Leadership providing access to MyLeadership platform and resources, Digital Credentials and Post-Nominals for professional recognition, and the Walled Garden administrative platform. Additional services encompass ILM Assured for validating internal training, Skills Workshops for short-course delivery, Consultancy Service for bespoke programme design, Armed Forces Accreditation for military-to-civilian transitions, and Dual Accreditation for university partnerships. The EPA Service delivered through the Proficient platform supports apprenticeship endpoint assessment across all levels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Leadership and Management Qualifications Industry-recognised qualifications from Level 2 to Level 7 for team leaders, middle managers, and senior leaders, available as Awards, Certificates, or Diplomas. New suite includes skills-focused and knowledge-based pathways aligned to career progression.
• Coaching and Mentoring Qualifications Qualifications from Level 2 to Level 7 designed to develop coaching and mentoring skills for team leaders, managers, senior professionals, including Executive Coaches and Coaching Supervisors.
• Management Apprenticeships End-to-end apprenticeship solutions including Level 3 Team Leader, Level 5 Operations Manager, Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA), and Level 7 Senior Leader, combining on-programme learning with rigorous end-point assessment.
• Specialist Qualifications Tailor-made qualifications for specific sectors including Construction and Built Environment, Equality and Diversity, Facilities Management, School Business Management, Service Improvement, Social Care, and Volunteer Management.
• T Level Technical Qualification for Management and Administration Technical qualification for 16-19 year olds developed by ILM and City & Guilds, equivalent to three A-Levels with 45-day industry placement and 80% classroom, 20% work structure.
• Scottish Framework Qualifications (SCQF) Credit-rated leadership and management qualifications at SCQF Levels 5-9 covering Leadership and Management, Business and Enterprise, and Specialist areas. Registered until August 2022 with certification available until closure date.
• ILM in Wales Qualifications Qualifications available for delivery in Wales with Welsh language documentation support, including Level 2-5 qualifications mapped to Welsh educational framework requirements.
• End-Point Assessment (EPA) Service High-quality EPA service for Management Apprenticeships Levels 3-7, delivered through the Proficient platform covering the entire EPA journey from registration to results.
• Consultancy Service Bespoke management training consultancy helping organisations design and build effective management programmes, map internal training, and support quality assurance.
• ILM Assured Validation and quality assurance service for organisations' internally developed training programmes, enabling learners to receive ILM certificates and digital credentials.
• Skills Workshops Pre-written three-hour short courses covering topics including Coaching Skills, Managing Effective Change, and Enabling High Performance, scalable and cost-effective for employer networks.
• Armed Forces Accreditation Civilian accreditation for military training in leadership and management, with qualifications mapped to Army, RAF, Royal Marines, and Royal Navy courses including Army Accreditation Offer (AAO) funding.
• Dual Accreditation Service allowing universities and partners to map degree programmes to ILM Diplomas, enabling students to gain both degree and ILM qualifications without extra study.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of learners apply skills to day-to-day job and recommend ILM
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• European Mentoring and Coaching Council UK (EMCC UK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILM partners with EMCC UK to provide newly qualified coaching and mentoring learners with access to Council membership at a 25% discount for up to three years or until qualification completion. This collaboration supports the professionalisation of coaching and mentoring in the UK.
• The Institute of LeadershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILM collaborates with The Institute of Leadership to provide complimentary studying membership to ILM learners and tutors. The Institute provides research, knowledge, professional membership, and online resources including interactive tests, guides, journals, webinars, and events. Community includes over 50,000 leaders.
• Education Training Foundation: SEND Excellence GatewaysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerILM and City & Guilds, in partnership with the Education Training Foundation: SEND Excellence Gateway, developed Inclusive Curriculum Toolkits to support inclusive learning. Toolkits provide guidance on how disabilities and difficulties can present in learners and how to best support them.
• City & GuildscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILM is a business of City & Guilds, one of the world's most trusted skills and learning organisations. This relationship provides global distribution capability, international recognition, and shared infrastructure including Walled Garden platform, E-volve assessment system, and EPA services.
• Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILM and City & Guilds were awarded by IfATE and the Department for Education to be the delivery partner for T Level technical qualifications in Management and Administration from September 2022. IfATE also oversees apprenticeship standards that ILM delivers.
• British Army (Army Accreditation Offer)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Army Accreditation Offer (AAO) funds mapped ILM qualifications for serving British Army personnel (Regular and Reserve) and those who left within the past two years. Covers the cost of qualifications mapped to Army courses from Lance Corporal through Warrant Officer levels.
• Royal Air Force (RAF)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorILM qualifications are mapped to RAF training content and assessment, helping personnel make the most of accreditation opportunities. Qualifications available at RAF Halton, Defence Academy RAF, and RAF Officer Training Academy Cranwell.
• Royal MarinessupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorILM qualifications complement Royal Marines' leadership training at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM), enabling personnel to showcase achievements to future employers in a recognisable format.
• Royal NavysupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorILM qualifications enhance leadership training provided by the Royal Navy, allowing personnel to present accomplishments to future employers through recognised credentials at various career stages.
• Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Services (ELCAS)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerELCAS provides enhanced learning credits for Armed Forces personnel at Level 3 and above. ILM qualifications are available through this government-funded learning support programme for military personnel.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development): UK's professional body for HR and people development, offering qualifications and chartered membership. Comparable as a UK-based awarding organisation serving employer development needs in leadership, people management, and organisational capability with similar target audience.
• Chartered Management Institute (CMI): UK's only chartered professional body for management and leadership, offering Chartered Manager status and management qualifications. Most direct competitor for management and leadership credentials with overlapping learner and employer audience in the UK market.
• SFJ Awards: UK-based awarding organisation specialising in workforce development qualifications for policing, fire, security, and broader workforce sectors. Comparable as a direct peer in the UK vocational qualifications space with similar awarding body model and EPA delivery.
• Highfield Qualifications: UK-based awarding organisation providing vocational qualifications and apprenticeships. Direct competitor in the UK awarding body market with similar apprenticeship delivery model and centre network serving overlapping employer segments.
• NCFE: UK-based awarding organisation offering vocational qualifications across multiple sectors. Comparable business model as an awarding body with similar centre approval and qualification delivery infrastructure for vocational education and apprenticeships.

Broad incumbents

• Pearson: Global education company offering BTEC and other vocational qualifications. Comparable as a much larger awarding body with broader portfolio spanning multiple sectors and geographies, including competing qualifications in management, leadership, and professional development.
• BPP: UK professional education provider offering programmes in law, accounting, business, and management. Comparable as a professional development education provider with management and leadership offerings for working professionals and similar apprenticeship delivery model.
• The Open University: UK's largest university offering distance learning including business and management qualifications. Comparable as a major UK provider of professional development education with overlapping learner audience and degree apprenticeship offerings including CMDA-level programmes.

Emerging players

• CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants): UK-based professional body for management accountants offering globally recognised qualifications. Comparable as a UK chartered body offering specialist management-focused qualifications with overlapping professional audience, though with more specialised finance/accounting focus.
• Association for Project Management (APM): UK's chartered body for the project profession, offering project management qualifications and chartered status. Comparable as a UK-based professional body offering specialist management qualifications with similar awarding and assessment infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ilm_uk
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ILMinvideo1
• Facebookfacebook.com/ilmuk1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/i-l-m

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Institute Of Leadership & Management