The Gap: We need to better realise more value from innovation by having better management systems in organisations and mature innovation management competencies and capabilities. Those tasked to deliver innovation do not have clear career pathways, nor a professional institute to support and connect them.
The Inflection Point: The requirements for an innovation management system (ISO 56001:2024) creates a common language foundation for standards‑aligned capability and body of knowledge development.
The Answer: The Institute of Innovation Management (IIM) is a practitioner‑led institute that brings knowledge and competencies training, accreditation, and community; together to connect, grow and professionalise innovation management across the UK and beyond.
Our strength lies in the people who shape and drive our mission. We are a practitioner‑led, standards‑informed community, built openly and collaboratively across industry, academia, and the public sector. Founded by a group of experienced innovation management professionals who recognised the urgent need for a professional home for those who manage innovation day in and day out. The IIM has been shaped by the insight and commitment of this diverse group of practitioners and leaders from across sectors. These contributors, alongside many others, have given their time, expertise, and vision to ensure the IIM is grounded in real needs, shared expertise, and sustained engagement.
Victoria Milne – Founding Director
Strategic innovation management leader and entrepreneur, Victoria heads the UK’s Delegation to ISO TC 279 and has actively shaped the ISO 56000 family of standards. With deep expertise in Body of Knowledge development, competency frameworks, and capability building, she couples policy‑level influence with hands‑on delivery.
The IIM has been built openly and together.
The journey started with the BSI Innovation Day 2022 and ISO plenary in London, deepened through the BSI Mirror Committee strategy workshop (September 2023), and was energised at BSI Innovation Day - November 2024, where momentum from practitioners led to the creation of The Innovation Management Society of the UK LinkedIn group (circa 250 members).
Ongoing discussions with BSI and Innovate UK’s Business Growth team, alongside the publication of ISO 56001 (Sept 2024), provided the standards-informed foundation and national relevance.
Since the 4th April 2025, we convened a monthly IIM scoping meeting with a group of highly experienced innovation management practitioners (~24 volunteers) to shape the Institute’s purpose, proposition and offer, business model, governance, policies and budget; supplemented by one-to-one sessions with leaders of other professional institutes to learn from best practice.
We will be governed by a diverse board drawn from the practitioner community, with governance and transparent and accountable decision-making.
We will be collaborative and actively networked across industry whilst protecting our impartiality and accreditation.
Responsible innovation, accessibility, environment and societal benefit are our cornerstones.
Founded on ISO 56001, committed to evidence, systems thinking, and ongoing performance evaluation and improvement.
We will operate with integrity, openness, and a commitment to position the UK as a global leader in innovation management.
Internationally recognised standards of practice and Body of Knowledge in innovation management.
That shares knowledge, nurtures talent, and is empowered through learning and accreditation.
While safeguarding ethics, inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
Through diverse revenue streams, strong partnerships and trusted advocacy.