Chartered bodies urge government to champion professional standards to rebuild trust in public services
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) has joined a group of professional bodies representing more than 1.5 million people to write to the Government calling for stronger backing of Chartered and professionally registered status across key sectors, arguing it is essential to rebuilding public trust and driving economic growth.
In an open letter to Pat McFadden, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Chartered Week Alliance, a coalition of over 40 Chartered and professional organisations, asks ministers to take a lead in expecting and promoting professional registration and Chartered status, including within the civil service.
The Alliance argues that Chartered bodies are uniquely placed to support national renewal: raising standards, widening access to professional careers, strengthening ethical practice and underpinning confidence in public and business services.
The call comes ahead of the second annual Chartered Week (23–27 February 2026), a campaign highlighting the role of professional standards in public accountability and economic competitiveness.
The letter states that partnering more closely with Chartered and professional bodies across disciplines, from science, technology, engineering and maths to environment, law, accountancy, leadership, management and procurement, will help ensure public policy has long-term credibility.
It also highlights that active membership of a professional body represents a clear pledge of public accountability, underpinned by codes of conduct and ethical commitments – a safeguard the Alliance says is “critical in the AI age.”
Jason Davenport, the CEO of The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals, said: “For The CIPP, this week is about raising the profile of professional
standards across the pay communities. We are the beating heart of the UK economy,
contributing £473.8 billion in income tax and National Insurance. During the
pandemic, payroll was recognised as critically important, evolving from an invisible
back-office function into a strategic, high-stakes pillar of business survival and
financial stability. We hope Chartered Week provides a voice for our industry and
raises the importance of professional standards.”
Sharron Gunn, CEO of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, added: “Chartered status is not a badge for a minority at the top of their profession, it is a public commitment to competence, ethics and accountability. In the age of AI and digital transformation, that commitment matters more than ever.
“If we want the public to trust the systems that shape their lives, whether it’s public services or private digital infrastructure, we must champion professional standards at the heart of government itself.”
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