The Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) is delighted to announce that Sian Heatley, House Manager at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, has successfully achieved the prestigious Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation.
This globally recognised certification represents the highest standard of professionalism in club management and is a testament to Sian’s unwavering dedication to excellence in her field.
Sian’s achievement marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first female Certified Club Manager in Wales, and only the fifth female CCM across Europe and the Middle East. The CCM designation is awarded to club managers who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of club operations, leadership, and strategic management through a rigorous education and assessment process.
Torbjorn Johansson, CEO of CMAE, commented:
“We are incredibly proud of Sian and her accomplishment. Her commitment to professional development and the pursuit of excellence is exactly what the CCM designation represents. Sian’s success will no doubt inspire others in the region to aim high and invest in their own growth.”
Sian Heatley shares her thoughts on this momentous achievement in an exclusive Q&A:
Well done on achieving the CCM, How happy are you right now?
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. I’m incredibly happy and proud to have achieved the CCM. A big thank you to everyone who supported me throughout this.
First female CCM in Wales, Fifth female in CMAE – a great accomplishment. What are your views on that fact and how do we encourage more women to become CCM’S?
Being the first female CCM in Wales and the fifth female in CMAE is a proud achievement for me. It’s exciting to see more women achieving this, but it also makes me aware that there is still a lot we can do to encourage more women to pursue this path.
To encourage more women to become CCMs, we can start by offering strong mentorship and creating spaces where women feel supported in their professional development. It’s also important to highlight the success of other women in the industry, showing that it’s not only possible but also incredibly rewarding. By sharing the opportunities and benefits of becoming a CCM, we can inspire more women to take that step and achieve the certification.
You sat the CCM review course in April. How was that experience to normal training?
The CCM review course in April was an incredibly valuable experience. Compared to normal training, “The Professors” made it focused and specific to the exam, which made it feel more tailored, and they were on hand for any questions or worries, which was great. The course provided a review of the core competencies, giving me a deeper understanding of the areas I needed to focus on. I had done a lot of preparation in the weeks in the lead up and it certainly gave me the confidence I needed going into the exam.
What about your CCM journey, what will you remember the most
Looking back on my CCM journey, what stands out the most is the people I’ve met along the way. The friendships I’ve formed, are something I’ll always remember.
The sense of accomplishment each time I reached a milestone, but the people I met have truly made this journey special. Learning from their experiences, sharing challenges, and celebrating achievements together made the entire process feel less like something I was doing on my own and more like a shared experience. The relationships built throughout this journey have been invaluable, and I’ll carry those friendships with me for years to come.
You have been at Royal Porthcawl for 10 years – what is your biggest challenge right now?
One of the biggest challenges right now is maintaining world-class quality in F&B while managing rising costs, and in a private members club, that expectation for excellence never goes away.
We’ve been reworking menus to highlight seasonal, locally sourced ingredients that offer great flavour and presentation, but also make sense financially. At the same time, we’re reducing waste and using every part of the product creatively.
Anything else you want to share with people thinking about becoming CCM?
Reach out to others who have become CCM for support– and prepare really well for it.
