The Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) is delighted to announce that Ed Plunket-Checkemian, Secretary of the City of London Club, has successfully achieved the Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation, the globally recognised benchmark of excellence in club management.
The CCM designation is awarded to club management professionals who have demonstrated a commitment to professional development and successfully passed an extensive exam covering all aspects of club leadership. It is the highest accreditation in club management and represents years of dedicated learning, leadership, and industry contribution.
Torbjörn Johansson, CEO of CMAE, congratulated Ed on this significant career milestone:
“Ed’s achievement is a fantastic example of persistence, commitment, and professionalism in the club industry. His journey reflects the very purpose of CMAE’s Management Development Pathway – to support and recognise leaders who elevate our profession. On behalf of CMAE, I warmly welcome Ed to the CCM ranks.”
Ed shares his thoughts on this momentous achievement in an exclusive Q&A:
Well done on achieving the CCM, Ed. How happy are you right now?
“Thank you Toby. To be honest, I am so much happier than I thought I would be. This is a very significant achievement, one that has involved a huge supporting cast! It’s been a hell of a journey and the last 12 months have not been the easiest. To have achieved the CMAE pinnacle is a very proud moment and when Nigel called, it was emotional!”
Your career has taken you through some of the City’s most prestigious clubs. What first drew you to the club industry, and eventually to your role as Secretary at the City of London Club?
“My first club role started in 2001. Until then I was hotels through and through. I’d just finished my contract in St. Kitts and came back to London on 7th September 2001 to look for another overseas role. I had 13 interviews lined up—11 of them abroad—from the Caribbean to the South Pacific, Africa to the Maldives. Then 9/11 happened, and within 24 hours, every overseas interview was cancelled. Of the remaining two, I was lucky to be offered the role of Coffee Room Manager at the Naval and Military Club, better known as the In and Out. After three years I moved to Boodle’s as House Manager, and thirteen years later became Secretary of the City of London Club.”
You sat the CCM Exam Review Course in April. How was that experience compared to other training, and would you recommend it?
“I’m sure there are people who’ve been on the pathway longer, but I went on MDP1 back in September 2013. There are days when I’m lucky to remember where I left my car keys, so trying to recollect what I learnt 12 years ago was always going to be a herculean task! Until MDP3 in Budapest last year, I told myself I wouldn’t do the CCM as the amount of revision needed was massive. But when I learned about the review course, especially that it might be held in England, I realised becoming a CCM was actually achievable.”
Your time at the City of London Club has been eventful to say the least—Covid, building works, new kitchens, flooding, even finding human remains! Can you share more?
“When I was appointed Secretary in May 2017, there were no plans for major works—my brief was to ‘keep the Club on an even keel and maximise private dining.’ But when the EHO visited in June, our three kitchens were all but condemned. We soon had projects one, two, and three underway! The Chairman also wanted to modernise one of the dining areas—project four! By September, we started exploring converting the attic into bedrooms. Covid put huge pressure on the Club; the bedroom project, meant to take 9–11 months, took 23! Then last September, one of the baths was left running for nearly two hours, flooding the Dining Room below, which is still under restoration. The Lord Mayor will officially reopen it in September—49 weeks after the flood! And yes, I did find some bones, but I’ll save that story for BMI in September!”
You’ve also just finished your term as Chair of CMAE England. How do you reflect on that?
“You’ve promoted me to President—thank you! But I was Chair of CMAE England for three years, after joining the board in 2016. It was a wonderful experience. I believe every Chairman should leave the association stronger, and with the help of a great board, I think we achieved that. Membership is strong, finances have improved, and North–South collaboration is better than ever. We had fun, but we also moved the Region forward.”
Looking back at your CCM journey, are there any special memories from your MDPs or conferences?
“I started my pathway in 2013 and have seen incredible changes. I won’t forget the Day’s Inn in Bournemouth, where I did both MDP1 and MDP2! The strength of the association has grown immensely, and I’ve had great opportunities—presenting in Marbella, co-hosting in Cascais, attending conferences and MDPs in San Antonio, Marbella, Tenerife, Budapest, Dubai, and soon New York. But the most valuable part is the network of friends and colleagues I’ve built. Education happens in the classroom, but a different kind of learning happens outside of it. You may have heard me say this before: in ancient Syria, important matters were debated twice—once sober and once after a drink or two. MDPs and conferences are much the same, and I embrace both conversations!”
Any final advice for those considering the CCM?
“Don’t hesitate! You owe it to yourself, and I’ve only just realised that. It’s so much more than three letters after your name—it’s recognition of the hard work we all put into our Clubs, day in and day out. Thank you to everyone who helped me get here.”
