A partnership deal with the Institute of Directors means members of the British Computer Society and others could be eligible to sit a new chartered qualification that could lead to them becoming company directors.

David Clarke, chief executive of the BCS said the Diploma in Company Direction is for aspiring executives and senior managers who want to make the next step up, as well as for experienced and newly-inducted IT directors.

He said: "We see this as a fantastic opportunity to combine the BCS's representation of professionalism in IT with the insight into board governance as provided by the IoD. Working together for the benefit of all our members can only improve and build upon our existing products, services, and reputation.

"It comes at a time when the effective use of IT is increasingly becoming recognised as critical to every business and is now starting to be more widely represented at board level. IT must also be seen in its proper context as a key enabler in strategic business operations as a whole."

Similar partnerships have been set up between the IoD and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).