I was pointed recently to a piece from the Times that claims membership of a professional body can provide great economic benefits. Specifically, a report by the Consultative Committee for Professional Management Organisations gives the estimated lifetime economic benefit of holding a professional qualification at £81,000 and being a member of a professional institute at £71,000 and pointed out the benefit of all this extra earning to the public purse at £53,000 additional tax revenues per institute member. Ruth Spellman, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, is quoted as saying: “Being professional pays. It is an excellent investment for individuals and for government.”