CIPD boosts capacity and capability through Bridge acquisition

16 October 2009

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has acquired Bridge Partnership, who specialise in leadership development, organisational development and strategic transformation, to help build the CIPD’s capacity to lead thinking at the most senior levels of the HR profession.

Bridge have worked with the CIPD over the last 18 months, including on the groundbreaking and future focused “Next Generation HR” research. They will continue to work on this and other insight-led projects designed to engage business leaders and the most senior people in the HR profession, and to lead thinking and establish a credible voice with these business leaders and their peers and colleagues in HR. They’ll do this alongside a continued commitment to delivering the highly valued support and insights they provide to their clients.

Jackie Orme, Chief Executive of the CIPD, said: “In acquiring Bridge, we’re building the CIPD’s capacity to lead thinking at the most senior levels of the HR profession. Bridge brings deep, insight-led thinking and applied expertise in organisational development. We have a shared common focus on driving sustainable performance in organisations. Bridge’s small, high calibre team has the credibility with senior business and HR leaders and their peers to boost the CIPD’s capacity and capability to lead thinking, support our members and ensure the HR profession is equipped to deliver on this shared purpose.”

Dean Royles, Chair of the CIPD Board, added: “By buying Bridge we are accelerating the CIPD’s ability to meet its strategic objectives. We’re also buying a company that is exceptionally well regarded by its globally recognised customer base. Bridge will be a strategic and financial asset to the CIPD.”

Tim Littlehales, Managing Director of Bridge, said: “Over the last 20 years we’ve grown from a charity delivering leading edge youth development programmes to a business that supports senior leaders in some of the world’s most successful organisations. We’ll continue to do this as part of the CIPD family. However, what’s particularly exciting for us now is that with the CIPD’s significant research capability and its unique position at the centre of the UK’s HR profession, we’ll be even better placed to continue developing the insights and innovative approaches that our clients tell us they really value. In addition, we will have the opportunity to apply our knowledge and expertise to CIPD’s mission to boost HR’s capacity to deliver sustainable organisational performance. We already have a track record in supporting the CIPD with this mission. It’s a mission we share with a passion, and an ambition and vision we’re very excited about helping the CIPD deliver.”

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