Karl Pemberton, Managing Director of Tees Valley-based Active Chartered Financial Planners, has become one of only 18 leaders in the North East to achieve the Institute of Directors’ (IoD) Chartered Director qualification.
Karl was awarded the prestigious status, held by only 1,400 people in the UK, following two years of intensive training with the IoD. The qualification requires managers to complete a certificate and diploma before working towards becoming chartered, and they must continue to demonstrate their learning in order to maintain the status in the future.
To attain the qualification, Karl was required to develop his skills as a director through course learning, examinations and demonstrating how he applied these new skills in his own business through an ‘Apprentice style’ interview. This included his leadership of, and investment in, employees within the company, as well as strategic development of the business.
Karl Pemberton said: “Personal development is one of the key focuses of Active. When I became Managing Director, the leadership team committed to help the whole team develop and upskill, and it was important for me that we as Directors lead by example.
“Some of the Directors chose to develop further within Financial Planning, however I chose to go down a more business-focused route. I am confident that we already have the best financial minds, and I wanted to complement that with excellent leadership. It was my aim to be a better leader and manager, and this qualification has helped me to do that.
“The Chartered Director qualification has given me valuable knowledge, and support in understanding and implementing roles and responsibilities at a senior level within the company. It also allowed me to reassess the company strategy as we continue to grow year on year.”
Karl added: “The programme has been essential to my development as a leader, and has helped to shape Active as a successful part of the Tees Valley business community. Directors can always learn more to make their company succeed. If you think you know it all, it’s time to retire!”