A smiling Ban Sofroniou, CMI learner with NLT Training Services

CMI learner Ban Sofroniou

“CMI helps avoid the risk of becoming an ‘accidental manager’….[CMI Level 3] pushed me to think again, challenge myself and engage properly with learning. I now feel ready to step into management.” Ban Sofroniou

Ban Sofroniou is a commercial specialist at Medartis, a leading global manufacturer and provider of medical devices.

Based in the company’s Derby office, Ban’s role spans debt management, fleet coordination and supporting strong cash flow across the business.

After graduating in 2020 with a degree in forensic accounting, Ban built his career within finance functions, developing practical, on-the-job expertise. In 2025, driven by a clear ambition to step into a leadership role and manage his own team, he enrolled on the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 3 Principles of Management and Leadership course with NLT Training Services.

Balancing a full-time role with life as a new father, Ban completed his Level 3 diploma in just six months.

We caught up with Ban to learn more about how he found the course, and how it has shaped his approach to learning, management and career progression.

What prompted you to embark on the CMI Level 3 qualification?

I studied forensic accounting at university, but when I graduated, the career routes were quite limited. I didn’t want to relocate to London or Manchester, and I found it difficult to secure a role directly linked to that degree.

I moved into accounts payable and have now worked in accounts for around seven years. Over time, I realised I wanted to progress into management.

I enjoy working with people, being part of a team and taking on more responsibility. I want to become a team leader, and I recognised I needed the skills and knowledge to support that move.

How did the opportunity to study CMI come about?

My direct manager identified the course. We both liked that it focuses on the fundamentals of management. It felt like the right starting point.

CMI helps avoid the risk of becoming an ‘accidental manager’. My employer is very thorough and wouldn’t put someone into a leadership role without the right preparation. Supporting me through this qualification shows they see the potential in me but also want to make sure I have the right foundations in place before I move into a management position.

How did you approach studying alongside work and family life?

I completed the course in my own time, usually in the evenings between feeds with my newborn daughter.

It was a challenge balancing everything. Professionally, you want to develop, but family time is equally important. Once you get into a rhythm and push through that initial phase, it starts to fall into place.

Becoming a father has definitely motivated me to improve and move forward. You can’t stagnate.

What was your experience CMI’s learning and assessment style?

At the beginning, it was a mix of shock, excitement and a bit of dread, but once I understood how it worked, I really got into it.

The self-learning aspect stood out. You’re given the question and expected to find the answer yourself. There are plenty of resources available, and you learn how to filter and prioritise information.

The word counts in the units were challenging. I tend to go into detail (some would call it waffling), but the course forces you to be concise and focus on what matters most. That’s directly relevant to management. You don’t have time to consider everything, you need to focus on the key points – very like management.

What CMI resources were available to support your studies?

There was a wide range of resources available through CMI. Each unit came with structured guidance, reading materials and case studies that helped frame the topic.

The platform gives you a starting point, but it also expects you to explore further. You’re not just handed the answers, you have to go and find them, which makes the learning more practical. I personally found Google really useful, doing online research for current examples and up-to-date thinking. The key was filtering everything down to what was actually relevant to the assignment.

In what way did the course reflect real management situations?

The course forces you to prioritise. You’re presented with broad topics and a large amount of information, but the assessment criteria and word counts mean you can’t include everything. You have to decide what actually matters and focus on that.

That is exactly what management requires – filtering out noise and concentrating on what drives outcomes.

How did you find the support from NLT and your mentor?

I worked with Simon Temperton, who was excellent. We agreed our way of working early on. What suited me was to work through the units independently and then submit them for review. It was similar to how I worked at university; complete the work, receive feedback, refine and submit.

Simon would provide detailed feedback on what needed improving and how to strengthen my answers ahead of submission. That structure suited me.

What impact has completing CMI Level 3 had on you?

It has completely re-inspired my approach to education.

With work, it’s easy to fall into autopilot. This pushed me to think again, challenge myself and engage properly with learning. I now feel ready to step into management. I understand the responsibility that comes with it – supporting a team, ensuring people are comfortable, and making sure everyone is contributing effectively.

What are your next steps?

I’m now considering progressing onto Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) to formalise my management accounting knowledge.

The CMI qualification has given me the confidence to continue developing. It’s changed how I see both education and my career path. It’s given me a clear foundation for leadership.

I now have the structure, the mindset and the confidence to move forward into management, rather than stepping into it unprepared.

Discover more

To learn more about NLT can help you incorporate CMI’s industry-recognised Leadership and Management courses into your business or career, call Sarah Temperton on 0333 8803540 or contact us here.