CIPD Qualifications
CIPD (The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) is the UK-headquartered chartered professional body for HR, L&D, and people professionals, offering qualifications, memberships, and learning products to ~165,000 members and 45,000+ students across 130+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1913
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
CIPD Qualifications firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CIPD Qualifications
- Legal name
- The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
- Website
- https://cipd.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1913
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- CIPD (The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) is the UK-headquartered chartered professional body for HR, L&D, and people professionals, offering qualifications, memberships, and learning products to ~165,000 members and 45,000+ students across 130+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CIPD Qualifications industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Body Membership and HR Qualifications
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Education Professionals (Teacher/Administrator CE, CPD) (EDAAALAE), Professional Certification & Training Content Publishing (Exam Prep, CE/CPD) (MPAJACAL)
Keywords
Where CIPD Qualifications is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices10 records
Markets served
CIPD Qualifications business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Membership subscriptions: CIPD generates revenue through multiple membership tiers including Affiliate, Student Member, Foundation Member, Associate Member, Chartered Member, Chartered Fellow, and Chartered Companion. Each tier provides different levels of access to resources, community, and professional recognition.
- Qualification programmes: Revenue from CIPD qualifications at Foundation (Level 3 Certificate), Associate (Level 5 Diploma), and Advanced (Level 7 Diploma/Advanced Higher) levels. These globally recognised qualifications lead to different membership levels and support career progression in HR, L&D, and people practice.
- Learning courses and masterclasses: CIPD Learning offers short courses, masterclasses, and training programmes including Introduction to AI for HR, Employment law for Managers. Members receive 15% discount on courses. The Learning Hub offers nine new courses expanding the catalogue.
- Events and conferences: Revenue from CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition, Festival of Work, regional events, webinars, and the CIPD HR Awards in Ireland. Conferences like the Festival of Work feature 150+ sessions with speakers including CEO addresses.
- Publications and bookshop: Partnership with Kogan Page for CIPD bookshop offering textbooks, professional titles and toolkits. Members save 20% on purchases.
- CIPD HR-inform Pro subscription: Self-service online subscription product for HR professionals with accompanying advice line. Operated as partnership between CIPD and Croner.
- Business journals database: Member-only access to over 200 leading HR, L&D, business and management journals through EBSCO Information Services partnership.
- Advisory and consulting services: Services for organisations including advisory services, capability assessment, HR function development aligned to Profession Map, training programmes, and bulk membership. Delivered by associates who are CIPD members.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Affiliate Membership - instant access without study requirements |
| Subscription | Annual | Student Membership - for those studying CIPD qualifications |
| Subscription | Annual | Foundation, Associate, Chartered Member/Fellow - professional membership levels |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels9 records
Marketing channels10 records
CIPD Qualifications product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CIPD Qualifications delivers tiered professional membership, CIPD-validated qualifications at Foundation, Associate and Advanced levels, and continuing professional development for HR, L&D and people professionals. It also runs the CIPD Learning Hub, the HR-inform Pro subscription, events and conferences, a bookshop partnership with Kogan Page, and proprietary standards such as the Profession Map, awarding chartered status (MCIPD, FCIPD) under its Royal Charter.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CIPD Membership Tiered professional membership for HR, L&D, OD and people professionals offering access to resources, community, learning discounts, events, publications, and chartered status. Available to individuals globally and as corporate/enterprise packages to organisations.
- CIPD Qualifications Globally recognised HR and people practice qualifications at Foundation (Level 3 Certificate), Associate (Level 5 Diploma) and Advanced (Level 7 Diploma) levels, leading to corresponding membership tiers and career progression. Delivered via approved study centres across 130+ countries.
- Experience Assessment
Quantifiable outcome
- 96% of Experience Assessment candidates gain the membership level they were looking for
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use CIPD Qualifications
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
CIPD Qualifications technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature4 records
CIPD Qualifications partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ministry of JusticecoreLandmark HR Leaders Development Project - building leadership capability, cohesion and mutual trust across the Ministry of Justice's HR leadership team. Example of government partnership for HR professional development.
- NHS EnglandcorePeople Development Partner status. NHS partnered with CIPD to develop people professional capabilities across the health service organisation.
- Royal Air ForcecorePartnership for HR and people development within the Royal Air Force.
- UK Ministry of DefencecorePartnership targeting workforce planning capability. CIPD working with MOD on building HR professional capabilities.
- NatWest GroupcoreOperating model partnership - working with CIPD on HR and people development strategy and implementation.
- Powys County CouncilcoreAchieved CIPD People Development Partner status, demonstrating commitment to HR professional development.
- Leeds City CouncilcoreUsed CIPD's People Impact Tool to share key HR benchmark data. Supported by Local Government Association.
- BiffacorePartnered with CIPD to achieve full endorsement of new management development programme.
- Skillnet Ireland / CIPD SkillnetcoreLaunched Sustainable People Practice Framework in Ireland. Partnership to advance sustainable HR practices.
- Irish Civil ServicecoreCase study partnership showcasing people development practices in government.
- Healthy IrelandcorePartnership on Healthy Ireland Workplace Wellbeing Framework - promoting wellbeing in workplaces across Ireland.
- ESB (Electricity Supply Board)corePeople Development Partner status. ESB committed to HR professional development standards.
- Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann)coreCIPD Partnership with People Development Partner status. Also hosts CIPD Ireland podcast and annual conference highlights.
- CronercorePartnership for CIPD HR-inform Pro - self-service online subscription product for HR professionals with advice line. CIPD provides brand and content, Croner provides technology and operations.
- EBSCO Information ServicescorePartnership providing CIPD members access to curated library of over 200 leading HR, L&D, business and management journals and magazines.
- Kogan PagecorePartner for CIPD Bookshop offering textbooks, professional titles and toolkits. Members receive 20% discount.
- Haymarket Media GroupcorePublishes People Management magazine on behalf of CIPD. Also handles some CIPD conferences and events ticketing.
- Business Disability ForumminorPartnership on disability workforce reporting guidance and resources. Created The Case for Disability Workforce Reporting together.
- Local Government AssociationminorSupported Leeds City Council and other councils in using CIPD's People Impact Tool for HR benchmark data sharing.
- CIPD TrustcoreCharitable arm of CIPD harnessing expertise and talents of the profession to tackle barriers to better work. Supported 1,110 people facing barriers to work with 360+ volunteers.
- National College of IrelandcoreLaunched Ireland's first HR apprenticeship programme. Partnership advancing vocational HR education in Ireland.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CIPD Qualifications competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Chartered Management Institute (CMI): UK-based chartered body awarding management credentials (Chartered Manager) with similar Royal Charter structure, qualifications portfolio, and membership-based revenue model. Closest UK analogue to CIPD's professional body structure.
- WorldatWork: US-based professional association for compensation, benefits, and total rewards professionals. Direct adjacency in HR specialisation with certifications, research, and community focus similar to CIPD's L&D offerings.
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): US-based chartered professional body for HR with global membership, certifications (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP), and policy advocacy. Direct comparable in scale, mission, and credentialing model, competing for international HR standard authority.
- Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM): UK-based leadership and management qualifications and training provider, part of City & Guilds group. Directly competes with CIPD on management qualifications, training programmes, and accredited learning for HR-adjacent professionals.
- Association for Talent Development (ATD): US-based professional association for talent development and L&D practitioners offering certifications (CPTD, APTD), memberships, and learning programmes. Directly overlaps with CIPD's L&D qualification and community offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Coursera: Global online learning platform partnering with universities and companies to offer credentials and degrees, including HR specialisations. Represents the broader digital credentialing ecosystem competing with traditional chartered body models.
- LinkedIn Learning: Microsoft-owned subscription learning platform offering HR and L&D courses at scale with employer integrations. Competes with CIPD Learning Hub on price, convenience, and content breadth, particularly for self-directed professional development.
Others
- Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB): UK chartered body for construction professionals with Royal Charter, membership tiers, and qualification programmes. Comparable as a UK-anchored chartered professional body with similar governance and member-service economics.
Regional players
- Australian HR Institute (AHRI): Australia and APAC-focused HR professional body with similar membership, certification (AHRI Certified HR Practitioner), and standards-setting role. Key regional competitor in CIPD's Asia expansion markets.
- Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM): Nigeria and West Africa chartered HR body with similar credentialing and membership structure. Comparable as a regional chartered body competing for influence in emerging HR markets where CIPD is expanding.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CIPD Qualifications social profiles
Digital presenceCIPD Qualifications financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CIPD Qualifications leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
CIPD Qualifications subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
CIPD Qualifications funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CIPD Qualifications M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CIPD Qualifications
What does CIPD Qualifications do?
CIPD Qualifications delivers tiered professional membership, CIPD-validated qualifications at Foundation, Associate and Advanced levels, and continuing professional development for HR, L&D and people professionals. It also runs the CIPD Learning Hub, the HR-inform Pro subscription, events and conferences, a bookshop partnership with Kogan Page, and proprietary standards such as the Profession Map, awarding chartered status (MCIPD, FCIPD) under its Royal Charter.
Is CIPD Qualifications a public or private company?
CIPD Qualifications is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CIPD Qualifications founded?
CIPD Qualifications was founded in 1913. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is CIPD Qualifications based?
CIPD Qualifications is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does CIPD Qualifications make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Membership subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are qualification programmes, learning courses and masterclasses, events and conferences, publications and bookshop, CIPD HR-inform Pro subscription, business journals database and advisory and consulting services.
Who are CIPD Qualifications's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Chartered Management Institute (CMI), WorldatWork, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) and Association for Talent Development (ATD). Broad incumbents are Coursera and LinkedIn Learning. Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is listed as an others. Regional players are Australian HR Institute (AHRI) and Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM).
Does CIPD Qualifications have an API?
No public API is recorded for CIPD Qualifications.
What industry is CIPD Qualifications in?
CIPD Qualifications's product category is Professional Body Membership and HR Qualifications. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDADACAF, Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies, with a secondary code of EDAAALAE, Education Professionals (Teacher/Administrator CE, CPD). Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.