CIPD definition

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, commonly known as the CIPD, is a professional association for HR professionals. The CIPD is a global organisation with over 135,000 members across more than 120 countries.

Originally founded in 1913 in Wimbledon as the Welfare Workers’ Association (WWA), the CIPD has gone through transformations since its inception and has changed its name several times, including to the Institute of Labour Management (ILM) from 1931 until 1946.

The organisation was awarded chartered status in 2000 and subsequently changed its name to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. The incumbent chief executive is Peter Cheese, who joined the organisation following a long career with Accenture, where he was global managing partner.

The CIPD offers a range of professional qualifications in both general and specific areas of human resource management. Their courses are split into several groups, including Level 3 Foundation Qualifications, Level 4 Intermediate qualifications and Level 7 Advanced qualifications.

The CIPD regularly publishes research is a range of fields related to HR practice, including employee engagement, employment branding, coaching and HR business partnering. The organisation puts on a range of events every year across the country and also represents the public policy interests of its members – its chief economist is currently John Philpott.