The CIPD is a registered charity. Our charitable purpose, as prescribed in our Charter and Bye-laws, is to promote the art and science of the management and development of people, for the public benefit.

CIPD Board members govern the strategic direction of the CIPD and as charity trustees are entrusted with ensuring that it is solvent, well run and delivering on our charitable purpose in compliance with Charity law, as well as our Charter and Bye-laws.

The Board is supported by the CIPD Council and three Committees with delegated powers. The day to day operational management of the CIPD - and development of its strategy - is delegated to the Chief Executive, who is supported by the Senior Leadership Team.

The CIPD Council is an advisory body made up of one representative from each of our branches across the UK and Ireland, as well as the CIPD's Board members. Council meets at least twice per year and is consulted on a range of strategic decisions, including the setting of membership fees, on which it has the final say.

The CIPD Board has three Committees to which it delegates certain powers:

  • The Audit and Risk Committee
  • The Nominations Committee
  • The People, Culture and Remuneration Committee.

Read our Regulations below for more detail on the role of these committees and how the powers of the Institute are put into practice through various terms of reference and governance procedures.

Corporate responsibility

This statement is made on behalf of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (the 'CIPD') pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the 'Act'), and constitutes our group's slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 30 June 2018.

Our business and structure

The CIPD is the professional body for HR and people development. We’re independent, and not for profit and hold a highly respected Royal Charter. We are a registered charity in England & Wales, Scotland and Ireland with public benefit that includes our ability to influence public policy and promote progressive HR and people management practices.

We are the parent company of CIPD Enterprises Ltd and CIPD Asia Ltd. CIPD Middle East FZ-LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CIPD Enterprises Ltd. Across our group we have over 300 employees in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Singapore and Dubai.

Purpose and voice

As an organisation whose purpose is championing better work and working lives, we wholeheartedly endorse the legislation as a crucially important development in tackling slavery and human trafficking and we will not trade or partner with any business or organisation which is involved in this shocking practice however remotely or indirectly.

Furthermore we are the voice of a worldwide community of more than 150,000 members who have a stewardship obligation to demonstrate and promote fair and reasonable standards in the treatment of people who are operating within their sphere of influence.

Our supply chains

Our supply chains include publishing and printing services, IT services, conference and venue suppliers, training providers and consultants, and marketing and PR services. We have reviewed the risks that these supply chains can present and whilst we consider our exposure to modern slavery to be limited, we expect our suppliers and contractors to demonstrate a zero tolerance approach to exploitation.

To this end, all new contracts and those renewing, now include a clause requiring that our suppliers, and their subcontractors, comply with the Act, and include CIPD’s right to terminate in the instance of any breach of this obligation.

Taking action

As part of our procurement process, we will only engage with suppliers and contractors who confirm their compliance with the Act. In 2016 we wrote to our top 160 suppliers who equate to nearly 80% of our procurement spend seeking their confirmation of compliance with the Act. This financial year, we will contact all suppliers where our spend is in excess of £10,000 (top 280 suppliers) to raise awareness and seek assurance of compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Our people

We have promoted to all our employees that Modern Slavery is a global problem that affects us all. We have shared examples of how individuals can unwittingly be part of the cycle. We have highlighted that everyone has a vital role to play in tackling the issue.

We have adapted and re-promoted our existing corporate policies to incorporate modern slavery and human trafficking issues, including our whistleblowing policy which allows employees to report any concerns confidentially. During the last financial year all staff across the entire organisation completed a specific training course to increase their awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking so that they are able to understand, identify and be able to report on these risks.

Louise Fisher
Chair of the Board

As an organisation we’re committed to become more environmentally conscious. We’re working with our staff, members, partners and stakeholders on our approach to sustainability across all our activities, recognising our environmental impact and carbon footprint.

This work is being led by an internal sustainability group, formed of individuals from across the organisation who are passionate and dedicated to minimising our environmental impact. The group is sponsored by a member of our senior leadership team to ensure it has the mandate and support needed to make change happen.

We continue to make changes with sustainability in mind, most recently the repackaging of People Management to improve recyclability.

Our purpose and vision

Championing better work and working lives - because we believe work can and should be a force for good that benefits everyone

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Our Royal Charter

The CIPD is incorporated under Royal Charter and the only professional body in the world that can confer individual Chartered status on HR and L&D professionals

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