By Peter Cheese, CEO, CIPD

There's little doubt that we'll all see a lot of change in the next 10 years. Much is uncertain and hard to predict, although we can see many of the drivers for change now. From the acceleration of technology in all aspects of business and in our lives, to significant social and political shifts that are happening. I am reminded of a quote by Bill Gates that, ‘We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don't let yourself be lulled into inaction.’

The big agendas this year

It's been an unsettling time in the political world everywhere. In the UK and Ireland, Brexit negotiations will continue and our dedicated Brexit hub will be updated with the latest information and guidance over the coming months, alongside other anticipated policy and legislative changes that we will also provide guidance on.

As your professional body we will continue to engage with the major policy agendas, and work with you all to provide a strong voice for our profession. In particular this year we will be pushing harder on collaborating and campaigning on the principles of good work and corporate governance and transparency, of well-being and mental health, in promoting flexible working, inclusion and safe and supportive workplace cultures, and on core skills and paths in to work.

Supporting you all

As has been said many times, this creates great opportunities and need for our profession and for each of you, but as a profession we have to step up and to acknowledge how we also need to change. We must invest more in our skills and capabilities, to be the change we want to see in terms of our own diversity across the profession, and to be prepared to challenge, to innovate, and to experiment.

The launch of the new Profession Map signalled some of those shifts in how we see the skills and knowledge that we need as a profession. It has been very encouraging to see how the new Profession Map has been positively received, and at the CIPD we are working hard now on providing learning and content in support of the core skills and behaviours called out. Much of this we expect to provide as part of your exclusive membership benefits and will be launching shortly.

Increasing demand on the profession is driving the importance of professionalisation and accreditation and there is a growing appetite amongst organisations to work with the CIPD in assessing and building skills and to professionalise the function. We are building more capabilities to support these organisational relationships and partnerships nationally and internationally.

Investing and building for the future

Across the CIPD we are working on exciting and far reaching programmes to transform our digital capabilities, in membership support, marketing, learning, and content. We expect to progress this year many examples of this in enhancing our connections with you all, better structuring and access to content, and in digital learning and CPD. These aren’t just nice to haves, but essential in how we grow and build our community, our collaborative partnerships, and the value that we want to ensure we are consistently providing in to the future.

I’m very proud of the work CIPD members do every day to champion better work and working lives, so here’s to a great year ahead. I look forward to working with you all to progress these important agendas in 2020 and beyond.