Since the programme began in 2019, at least 62 participants, out of 124, have been promoted to HR director or chief people officer roles, the CIPD has reported.
We asked commentators how HR professionals can get ahead and progress in their careers.
Senior leaders should take the time to understand the barriers that HR professionals may come across in their careers, explained Sally Eley, head of the CIPD Trust, which exists to create more inclusive workplaces.
She told HR magazine: “Organisations should encourage leaders to take the time to understand the barriers individuals may face at work. Leaders should be proactive about engaging in conversations with a range of HR professionals at different levels, from different backgrounds, to understand what the main barriers to career development are. This can help to create a more inclusive working environment.”
Read more: Just a third of HR professionals happy with current role
When HR professionals contribute to the strategy of the organisation, their careers will start to accelerate, added Asad Husain, HR executive for the consultancy AH Consulting.
Husain told HR magazine: “The best business leaders understand a simple truth: when HR professionals contribute to strategy, their careers naturally accelerate. But this requires intentional action from the top. Too many organisations relegate HR to administrative functions while wondering why their teams struggle to advance beyond operational roles. The solution starts with making HR genuine strategy partners from day one. Strategic exposure develops strategic thinking, which leads to greater contribution and opens doors to executive advancement.
“However, none of this works if HR remains buried under transactional work. Invest in technology that automates routine tasks, so they can focus on workforce strategy instead of processing paperwork. HR career progression isn't an HR problem, it's a leadership opportunity.”
The CIPD’s Leading with purpose: opening doors to senior HR roles report, also published today (5 June), showed that in the 2023 to 2024 cohort of the Aspiring HRDs programme, 78% of mentees experienced improved self-confidence. Some 94% also felt better equipped to advance in their careers.
Read more: Half of HR report burnout, wanting renewed job focus
Mentoring is a crucial part of supporting HR to get ahead in their careers, added Tehmina Ansari, learning and organisational development lead at healthcare regulatory body Health and Care Professions Council.
Speaking to HR magazine, Ansari said: “Mentorship is crucial for HR leaders' career progression, providing strategic guidance that bridges the gap between technical HR skills and executive leadership capabilities.
“An experienced mentor can offer insights into organisational dynamics, stakeholder management, commercial awareness and business strategy that formal training often lacks. These are critical skills for any HR professional seeking to progress. Mentors help HR professionals navigate complex workplace challenges, develop executive presence, and build influential networks.”
For its Leading with purpose report, the CIPD interviewed 20 HR professionals (11 mentors and nine mentees) who participated in the programme over the past five years.
