The Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) is proud to announce a major milestone, with more than 100 professionals across Europe and the Middle East now holding the prestigious Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation.
Since the launch of the MDP/BMI in 2011, the education programme which provides the pathway to the CCM, CMAE has continued to drive professional standards and career development within the club management industry in EMEA.
The CCM remains the highest level of professional recognition in club management, awarded to individuals who demonstrate excellence across leadership, governance, finance, operations, and member experience. As part of a globally aligned certification framework, the CCM is recognised worldwide, reinforcing its status as a benchmark for excellence within the industry.
This milestone reflects not only the continued growth of the programme, but also the increasing commitment from club management professionals to invest in their education and career development.
A key development in recent years has been the introduction of the CCM Review Week, designed to better prepare candidates for the final assessment. Since its introduction in 2025, the Review Week has significantly strengthened candidate outcomes, contributing to an improved pass rate and ensuring candidates are fully equipped to meet the demands of the final examination.
Torbjorn Johansson, CEO of CMAE, commented:
“Reaching over 100 CCMs across Europe and the Middle East is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the strength and relevance of our education pathway. The CCM is not just a certification, it is a globally recognised standard of excellence that demonstrates a manager’s commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
We are incredibly grateful for the enormous support from CMAA, whose collaboration has been instrumental in developing and delivering a truly world-class certification pathway.
The introduction of the CCM Review Week has been a significant step forward, providing candidates with the structure and focus needed to succeed. We are seeing stronger results, better-prepared candidates, and ultimately a more robust certification process. But achieving the CCM is not the end of the journey. To maintain the designation, CCM’s must commit to continuous development and education. This is not a certificate you earn and then relax, this is where a new path begins. You never stop learning. I am incredibly proud of what this milestone represents for CMAE and for the wider industry.”
Jason Koenigsfeld Chief Learning Officer, The Club Management Association of America
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“Surpassing more than 100 Certified Club Managers across Europe and the Middle East is a defining moment for our profession and a powerful affirmation of the global standards that define the CCM. In an industry that increasingly operates across borders, a single, consistent benchmark of excellence, recognised from North America to Europe, the Middle East and beyond, is essential. The CCM provides that benchmark, and CMAE’s achievement strengthens it for the entire global club management community.
Equally significant is the educational journey that leads to certification. From the foundational of competency learning of the MDP/BMI through to the rigour of the final exam and the introduction of the CCM Review Week, the pathway has been carefully designed to develop well-rounded leaders across governance, finance, leadership, operations and member experience. Each candidate who completes that journey raises the standard for those who follow. CMAA is proud to walk alongside CMAE on this pathway, and we remain firmly committed to advancing a globally aligned standard of club management education for the next generation of leaders.”
As CMAE continues to expand its reach and impact, the association remains committed to supporting the next generation of club leaders through professional development opportunities.
