Meet the new Fellow: Ian McCabe

Ian McCabe, CQP FCQI, founded NXTGen Quality Solutions. He has more than 15 years of experience in multiple sectors including nuclear, management consultancy and engineering. During his time at Nuvia, he led the creation of an apprenticeship scheme for aspiring quality professionals.

How does becoming a CQI Fellow help you champion the profession?

It legitimises what we do in the eyes of other professions. Raising awareness of quality as a career not a job. It demonstrates that, as with other chartered professions, we have specific learning and development requirements and aim to make a contribution to society.

Why did you decide to establish NXTGen Quality Solutions?

To help individuals and organisations find enjoyment and value in quality. We do this by constantly looking for ways to make quality relevant, accessible and engaging. When that happens our clients are pleasantly surprised and that makes me happy.

Describe your experience of transitioning from head of quality at Nuvia to founder of NXTGen Quality Solutions.

The decision to leave secure employment was difficult but liberating. My family supported the decision and Nuvia supported the transition which helped enormously. I’m enjoying what I do and my family are happy and that’s the outcome I wanted.

What were the biggest challenges?

Putting a value on my time. Deciding where to work and when (I have found that a ‘home office’ isn’t for me). Getting past the ‘start-up’ mentality and making decisions on the basis that ‘this will work’ rather than ‘if this works’.

What key lessons from your previous roles do you apply in your current position?

Be patient and maintain perspective, some days will be great, some won’t but so long as you are making progress everything will be fine. Test your thinking with people you trust but make your own decisions. Chase the opportunities and the experiences not the money.

What motivates you as a quality professional?

Making a positive impact on non-quality professionals, changing negative perceptions, gaining respect for the profession.

What do you think the future holds for the quality profession?

The next 10 years will see a gradual but significant change in how organisations think about the profession, our relevance and our value. Quality will emerge as a legitimate career choice. As a result, the profession will be more diverse and attract more talent than ever before.