CIOB proposes to phase out incorporated membership within five years

“The CIOB’s view is that we want to see the members being the best they can be,” added Blythe. “Those that eventually get round to doing it say they wished they had gone for it earlier. This way if they can’t use any letters after their name until they become MCIOB it gives them a nudge.

“Also, incorporated creates a language issue – it’s confusing, particularly overseas,” he said.

Blythe said there was no specific timescale against phasing out the member grade but five years was being considered.

He added that there were no plans to abolish the associated membership, so there would still be an option for those who did not have the educational requirements to achieve full chartered status. “The shake-up of the grading structure is part of our modern process to create better value for the membership,” he said.

The CIOB announced far-reaching plans in January this year to modernise the professional body, including dropping the professional review interview and giving formal credit to some development courses carried out by companies.

So far 80 responses have been received from the membership – but the proposal has been endorsed by the CIOB’s 80 strong membership forum which helped draw it up.