How I became a Fellow: Amanda McKay

I’ve worked in quality since 1988 so I have almost 29 years’ experience. My current role is quality director for Balfour Beatty Major Projects.

I became a Fellow when the CQI was still the IQA (the Institute of Quality Assurance) – the process now is quite different. I wanted to become a Fellow partly to gain professional recognition for my work in quality and partly because wanted to do more at branch and special interest group (SIG) level.

My ‘outstanding commitment to quality’ has been twofold. Firstly, it is about promoting the quality function and quality professional in the nuclear sector and secondly, it’s about mentoring the next generation. I was a founding member of the Nuclear Special Interest Group and helped to promote and grow the SIG and its influence in the Nuclear sector.

I believe it’s important to pass on my knowledge to the next generation and to have a succession plan. I’m looking for my successor and potentially my future boss

Developing young people is a passion of mine. I have spent a lot of time in the development of quality training schemes, particularly in the energy and Nuclear sector. I also helped with the creation of the Graduate Apprentice Quality Engineer scheme which started last year at Sellafield in Cumbria.

Being a member of the CQI Board has been a big commitment for me and helping the organisation change and grow is hugely rewarding and essential for the profession.

I have helped many quality professionals over the years from simple mentoring and support. Over the past few years I have created training places for quality engineers, developed competence and training models and now I actively support and mentor quality trainees within my own organisation.

LinkedIn is a great tool for mentoring and I have used it to supported trainees in other countries. I believe it’s important to pass on my knowledge to the next generation and to have succession plan. I’m looking for my successor and potentially my future boss.

The process for becoming a Fellow has changed over the years. Fellows should be actively involved in the profession and in developing people. Get involved at branch and SIG level, and network with others in your sector and across sectors to gain a broader understanding of quality.

Fellows don’t have to be senior managers or directors but we do have to lead the debate and champion the profession

My advice is to volunteer with a charity and help them improve their governance, assurance and improvement activities. Getting involved with the CQI Board and Advisory Council will also help you gain a better of understanding of leading in quality. And I’d also suggest contributing to Quality World magazine, the Knowledge section and the CQI Networks email to share your ideas and knowledge.

Keeping up to date with your continuing professional development (CPD) is very important – make sure your CPD is not just quality related but also includes management and leadership activities.

Fellows are leaders of the profession. We don’t have to be senior managers or directors but we do have to lead the debate and champion the profession. However, an important part of leadership is humility – every leader is there to serve and support their team so humility is a prerequisite.

A desire to learn is vital, we should never stop learning new things to maintain our capabilities and increase our knowledge.

The quality profession is crucial for business success but we need to have the drive and passion to keep it high on the agenda. Innovation must be at the heart of what we do to continually improve.

As the leaders of the profession we need to share our knowledge and experience with the next generation, to help them develop and drive the profession in the future.