BCS and CMA merge

The Communications Management Association, a trade body for the communications and ICT industry, has ratified its decision to become a subsidiary of the British Computer Society.

Both bodies said in a statement that the move is designed "to underline the convergence of professionally managed IT and telecoms technology to their respective memberships and the public at large".

With the formalisation of the merger, the CMA underlined that it was still a separate legal entity with its own brand, board and accounts.

"This will give us as communications professionals access to a wider IT community," said Glenn Powell, chief executive officer of the CMA. "This is important because of the increasing convergence of IT and telecoms. Communications and IT are now part of the IT department [in many companies]. The process of the convergence of IT and telecoms is ongoing — the two disciplines will become forever closer and more entwined," Powell added.

BCS chief executive David Clarke said: "The merger of our two organisations is a natural fit and reinforces the BCS's agenda to represent professional accreditation across the broader information technology and communications profession. The telecoms sector has long been viewed as part of the IT profession, so it seemed only natural for our respective memberships to combine." A formal agreement document has now been signed by both parties, and all future CMA representations and activities will now continue under BCS stewardship, he added. Both organisations will continue to sign members separately — with members of one being granted affiliate membership of the other. The BCS will also establish a communications management forum, which will be run through the CMA.

CMA members will be able to "take advantage of the process of personal development [enjoyed] by BCS members, including CITP accreditation. The CMA has never previously had resources to support members in that way", said Powell.

BCS chief executive David Clarke said: "Information, technology and communications disciplines are continuing to converge at an ever-increasing rate. BCS is delighted to be working with CMA to develop an integrated approach, which will enable us to collectively meet the needs of both organisations and individuals much more comprehensively in the future."