History of Cambridge Marketing College

Cambridge Marketing College was established in 1991 to “enhance the careers of marketing executives and improve the marketing of their companies”. The College was started by three Cambridge marketing directors - Ian Brownlee, Charles Nixon and Mike West - who had experienced at first hand the poor state of professional marketing education in the FE and HE College sector and believed that professional marketers deserved and needed a better service.

From an initial in-take of 12 delegates in Cambridge the College grew rapidly in the early years. College delegates won Student of the Year for 4 successive years. In 1996 the College was the recipient of one of only 13 CIM Quality Awards. In 1997 we opened our second Study Centre - in Guildford - and became one of the first to establish a website to support our growing number of delegates around the UK and offer online enrolment. An article on the early history of the college can be viewed here. The College enshrined its early success in the phrase "Marketing Knowledge" which has become a standard in the industry.

Since then the College has added new Study Centres in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham. In response to demand we also introduced evening classes for Professional Services delegates in London. Delegates come from a wide range of companies, organisations and institutions, including SMEs, large and multinational corporations, the Cabinet Office, National Government, Local Government, Charities, Arts Institutions and Universities.

We also have many overseas delegates. They come from over 100 different countries around the world and we are the largest marketing college in Europe. In response to the growing demand for our courses from overseas delegates the College launched a World Service Programme in 2010 and has established 5 overseas distance learning study centres in Germany, The Netherlands, The Middle East, Romania, Thailand, and Hong Kong.

Over the years the College has also broadened the range of courses offered including the introduction of distance learning programmes and a range of specialist courses aimed at delivering more targeted programmes. These include courses for Agri & Rural Business, Arts, B2B, Charities, Hi-Tech, Pharmaceuticals, Professional Services and Sports Marketers as well as a programme of short courses. Most recently we have become one of the first Colleges to offer all of the CAM Digital Diplomas and launched the Cambridge Chartered Programme for aspiring Chartered Marketers. The College is now accredited to deliver CIM, CAM, CIPR and MRS courses. Throughout the years our growth has been founded on quality and innovation and we have pioneered the use of technology to support our delegates with Podcasts, RSS Newsfeeds, Blogs, online tutorials and web-based research resources.

In 2010 the College opened a new Research & Administration Centre in Swavesey just outside Cambridge to house the College's growing administration, research & publications teams as well as our library and research centre.

The College is guided by constant feedback from delegates and by an Advisory Panel. The Panel consists of representatives from delegates, tutors and alumni together with professional marketers including Dr Paul Fifield and academics including Professor Emeritus Malcolm McDonald who is our Principal Academic Consultant.

In keeping with our original aims the College continues to support its delegates after graduation through the Cambridge Marketing Association. The CMA provides publications and networking opportunities as well as organising the Annual Cambridge Marketing Lecture each year which has featured noted academics (including Professors Philip Kotler, Hugh Davidson and Malcolm McDonald) and businessmen talking on the future of marketing.

Cambridge Marketing College Mission Statement 

• Purpose - To enhance the careers of marketing executives and the quality of marketing of their companies
• Vision - To be the premier Professional Marketing College in Europe. Respected for its quality and innovation
• Values - To foster the development and success of our delegates for they are the lifeblood of the College. Honesty, integrity and openness in our dealings with our delegates and suppliers.