Kent Branch

Welcome to our branch area

The garden of England covers a large area so the CIPD Kent branch offers people professionals who live and work here three geographical groups providing local activities. Read on to find out more.

I am proud to be the chair of Kent branch and to introduce myself here is a little bit about my background; I qualified as an HR professional in 2008 whilst serving in the police force and joined the CIPD Kent branch in 2009, running the Mid Kent CPD group. In 2011 I was elected as vice chair and then stepped into the branch chair role in 2012. Between 2011 – 14, I also contributed to the work of the CIPD professional conduct and ethics team and in 2019 was honoured to be awarded the branch Outstanding Contribution to HR award.

CIPD Kent branch has run conferences, awards evenings and many CPD events across the county and will hope to bring you more of these and cover topics our members want to hear about. Please contact the branch with your suggestions and ideas or to find out more about joining the branch committee who put together our annual program of activities.

Sonia Lassnig, Chartered FCIPD
Branch chair

Learn about our branch

The Kent branch offers local CIPD members three geographical groups. Wherever you are in Kent and whatever your professional needs, we hope that we have the answer. Events are held across all three geographical areas each welcoming all CIPD members along with potential members working in HR, OD or Learning and Development.

We regularly partner with organisations and businesses across Kent and thank all those who offer their time and premises to the branch.

Kent has an enthusiastic branch committee that supports the geographical groups and Kent members.

The Kent branch aims to offer a wide variety of events to aid continuing personal development - many are free for members and are great opportunities for CPD and networking. We also offer smaller, focussed groups, Self-managed learning groups (SMLs) and Special interest groups (SIGs).

Get involved

Kent branch are keen to hear from anyone interested in joining the branch committee or helping to run one of the special interest or regional groups. We also welcome your contributions and ideas or potential speaker suggestions for our events. Please contact us the Kent branch for more information about how you can get involved and contribute.

Email us

CIPD Kent HR&D Awards

Our annual CIPD Awards, celebrating HR and L&D excellence in Kent, began in 2017, and have proved to be a key celebration of the people professional. The pandemic has put plans on hold for the 2020 awards, but we hope to return in 2021.

For the latest news or to see the list of winners and photographs of previous awards, visit our CIPD Kent Awards site

Regional groups

Mid Kent

The Mid Kent Group covers the geographical areas from Faversham to Sittingbourne and Swale through 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 runs CIPD activities in the area that includes Canterbury, Deal, Thanet, Dover, Folkestone and Ashford. The small, keen and passionate committee who 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. They aim to attract not only current CIPD members but anyone with an interest in the HR arena, from HR professionals to local business owners.

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.

Special interest groups

Consultants Forum

Over recent years we've seen an increase in individuals becoming consultants specialising in HR, recruitment or L&D. This group meets quarterly and is gaining momentum. It is a vital support for professionals who work for themselves and led by its members.

For more information, please email the branch.