Unique diploma for City Professionals

PROFESSIONALS in town planning and urban regeneration were among the first cohort to graduate from the Institute of Place Management.

Around 25 people were awarded the Introductory Diploma in Place Management, the first step towards a Masters in Place Management at a graduation ceremony in London, jointly hosted by Manchester Metropolitan University Business School and the Association of Town Centre Management.

Established in 2006, the Institute of Place Management is a research institute and professional body which aims to professionalise training and qualifications in the growing field of city centre management, urban regeneration and planning and neighbourhood renewal.

Tina Hanks, town centre manager for Haringey, was among the first to receive the unique Introductory Diploma: "I would recommend it to anyone wanting a thorough grounding in the multi-faceted role of the place manager. From stakeholder engagement to managing finances, the course really did tick all the boxes.

"I feel much better equipped to deal with whatever my job throws at me."

UK and world partners

The event in Central Hall, Westminster, also confirmed IPM approved partners as: University of the Arts (UK) Rutgers University (USA), Emerald Group Publishing (UK), Infonomics (UK), Comurbano (Spain) and MSR (Poland).

The awards ceremony was followed by a Parliamentary reception hosted by Patrick Hall MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Town Centre Management where MPs and high-profile industry delegates expressed interest in promoting the Institute across the UK and abroad.

Director of the Institute Professor Cathy Parker, who recently authored a Parliamentary report on the Future of the High Street, said: "The feedback emphasises the real need for a professional body which can develop and accredit those working within place management today."

For more about the Institute of Place Management, go to www.placemanagement.org