Good senior leadership is vital in providing organisations with the right strategic direction and oversight. But what are the skills, capabilities and knowledge that senior leaders should be equipped with? And how can people professionals tasked with selecting, developing or advising on senior leadership positions, carry this out effectively?

The CIPD commissioned research that took an evidence-based approach to understanding current practices to provide practical insight into the following questions:

  • What does good (and poor) senior leadership look like? 
  • What is the link between effective senior leadership and organisational outcomes? 
  • What practices are most effective in selecting and developing senior leaders? 
  • How can HR best support the selection and development of senior leaders? 
  • What organisational structures best facilitate this? 

The resulting takeaways and recommendations will help people professionals influence and establish the right leadership in their organisations in a strategic and informed way. 

Download the report for the full details or our infographic for a summary

Role of HR in selecting and developing senior leaders | Report

Download the report
PDF document 608 KB

Role of HR in selecting and developing senior leaders | Infographic

Download the infographic
PDF document 330.5 KB

CIPD's Senior policy and practice advisor's insights on the report

More on this topic

Data

Data hub

Explore the evidence behind workforce trends

Guide

Employee voice channels: Guide for people professionals

Practical advice for people professionals to maximise the impact of engaging with all employees through employee voice channels

For Members
Podcast

HR People Pod

Listen to episodes of HR People Pod, the CIPD’s fortnightly podcast providing expert insights from HR leaders discussing the topical issues impacting the world of work.

Listen now

More reports

Report

Health and wellbeing at work

The CIPD’s biennial report exploring health, wellbeing and absence management provides invaluable trend analysis and practice insight to help employers and people professionals develop and maintain supportive, productive workplaces

Report

Flexible and hybrid working practices in 2025

Our research explores how current flexible and hybrid working practices are impacting performance, employee engagement and wellbeing

Report

CIPD Good Work Index

The CIPD Good Work Index is an annual benchmark of job quality in the UK, providing data and evidence-based insight on how to improve work and working lives

Report

Resetting EDI and reaffirming inclusion

This report offers a summary and analysis of a collection of perspectives around EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion) from HR leaders and EDI specialists, suggesting areas to consider for improving outcomes for employers and employees alike

See all reports