Welcome to our branch
I am very proud and privileged to be the chair of the Kent branch. I am an L&D professional with over 25 years’ of experience working in the public, private and third sectors. I run an organisation which provides learning and development opportunities, especially for leaders and managers, coaching, mediation, workplace investigations and facilitation. This all helps me to lead on what you, our members, want from the Kent branch.
I have a fantastic committee, with a range of experience who are all so enthusiastic and committed to providing an amazing range of events, both online and face-to-face. We have a holistic approach to our events – supporting you as current and future people professionals, opportunities to network, and keeping you up to date on HR and L&D operational and strategic issues. Plus, we run an event just for student members a mentoring scheme and special interest groups.
Please sign up for our weekly newsletter to hear about our events and join our LinkedIn group for the latest branch news. We look forward to seeing you at our events, and if you have ideas for events, speakers, or venues, then get in contact. We are keen to cover topics our members want to hear about.
Elaine Bolton, Chartered FCIPD
Branch Chair
Come along to
our events
Our members rate their access to a local branch in their top three membership benefits. Come along to our branch events to discover other CIPD benefits. Explore the issues and trends impacting our profession. Network, learn and share ideas with people professionals in our area.
Get involved
Due to the size and shape of Kent, we have three areas: East and South Kent, Mid-Kent and West Kent led by different members of the branch committee. Of course, you can attend any events across Kent that interest you.
Mid Kent
The Mid Kent Group covers the geographical areas from Faversham to Sittingbourne and Swale to Maidstone and the Medway towns. The group chair welcomes ideas for future events and looks forward to seeing as many of you as possible throughout the group's programme.
East and South Kent
This East and South Kent group run CIPD activities in the area that includes Canterbury, Deal, Thanet, Dover, Folkestone and Ashford. The small, keen and passionate committee that run the group enjoy organising events in the East and South Kent area for people professionals of all levels.
The committee are keen to hear from anyone interested in joining the committee or who can offer a venue or relevant and interesting speaker for events.
West Kent
The West Kent Group covers the geographical area including Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. But of course, welcome all visitors.
The group is run by a small committee of volunteers who work hard to put together varied topics for West Kent events. The group chair would be delighted to hear from you if you have an interesting 'story' to tell that would appeal to our audience or perhaps have a venue that you could offer.
The CIPD Kent branch want to hear from you if you have ideas for events, speakers and venues or would like to learn more about joining the branch committee and sharing your skill to help run our programme of local events
Networking and learning
With workshops, round tables, panel discussions and expert speakers, our thought-provoking events cover everything our community needs. Network, learn and stay up to date.
Volunteering
Keen to get involved, give back or raise your profile? Whatever your skills and interests, learn more about branch volunteering.
Support for student members
Just starting out on your career? Want to meet experienced people professionals and keep up to date with all the topics you cover in your studies? We’re here for you as you study for your CIPD qualification.
Member-to-member mentoring
We connect members who want to develop new skills and progress their careers with members who have expertise in coaching and mentoring.
Want to get involved? Got an idea for an event? We want to hear from you!
Email usLearning and development forum
We recognise that L&D isn’t always as high profile as it should be so set up the L&D forum in 2021 – open for people who specialise in L&D, have it as part of their role or are just interested in it. This group meets about six times a year.
HR forum
The aim of the Kent HR Forum is to create a support network of people professionals to discuss and share experience and best practice on HR related topics. We start with a few statistics and recent issues on the chosen topic, followed by a speaker(s) on the legal and other professional responsibilities. We then have facilitated discussion, sharing best practice and learning, with plenty of opportunities for Q and As. This group meets three times a year.
Consultants' forum
Recently, we've seen an increase in people professionals becoming consultants specialising in HR, recruitment or L&D. This group is for them and meets two or three times a year. It is a vital support and sounding board for consultants who work for themselves and is led by its members.
HR leaders
Our HR leaders group connects senior HR professionals with each other and provides a place for debate and discussion on the key current issues facing senior HR professionals.
Coaching circle
Launched in 2023 the Kent coaching forum creates a space for HR, OD, L&D professionals to explore and discuss current challenges and solutions, in a coaching style. In each coaching circle session, different challenges and issues will be explored, with attendees bringing themes and topics.
Get in touch to find out more. And let us know your ideas for other special interest groups.
Stay connected with our community
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