Annual Report 2007-2008
This annual report spans a period of turbulence in the external world, and transition within the CIPD. The year has seen the credit crunch loom large, and increasing signs of a faltering economy – factors that will also have had an impact on the working lives of our members. Against this backdrop we’ve performed well. We’ve seen membership continue to grow. We now have over 133,000 members, and we’ve welcomed our 50,000th chartered member. Our commercial businesses continue to meet our targets to deliver the income needed to keep membership fees low, while also enabling us to deliver a range of quality services, research, advice and guidance for our members.
Many thousands have registered for our professional qualifications, attended our conferences and courses, and made use of the vast range of information and guidance we offer to our members and to others involved in the management and development of people. This wealth of resources ensures our website continues to go from strength to strength, attracting over 210,000 visitors every month. We’ve now established strong and enduring relationships with over 100 large employers. These relationships provide new ways for us to understand and meet the specific needs of our members working in these organisations as they seek to increase the professionalism of their HR functions, while also better equipping us to meet the needs of the organisations as a whole.
We also saw Jackie Orme join the CIPD as Chief Executive at the end of March. She took over from Geoff Armstrong, who retired from the Institute after over 16 years leading the organisation. Under Jackie’s leadership, the CIPD has embarked on a period of transition. We’re reviewing what we do and how we do it, so that we can be sure we continue to add value for our members. We’re looking at ways to ensure we continue to lead the debate on the future of HR, and its role in shaping the future of the workplace. Fundamentally we’re looking to understand the changing needs of our current and future members, and the contexts in which they work, so we can remain highly relevant and deliver excellent service to the profession, now and in the future. These are turbulent times. But for us, they are also interesting times, and times that offer great opportunities. We’re prepared to meet the challenges we face. And we’re committed to ensuring we’re providing what our members and the wider profession need to meet the challenges they face.