New leadership appointment at CIPD: Professor Christopher Bones takes on the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees.
New Chair of CIPD to Focus on AI and Future of Work
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has appointed Professor Christopher Bones as the new Chair of its Board of Trustees. Bones takes over from Valerie Hughes D'Aeth, who has held the role since 2021.
Chris, a former winner of the UK Management Book of the Year for "The Cult of the Leader," brings extensive experience as a senior HR leader and academic to the position. He has held senior roles in Diageo and Cadbury and became a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD in 2002. In 2004, Chris was appointed Dean of Henley Business School. He also co-founded a digital company analyzing consumer insights.
As the new Chair, Chris will oversee the strategic direction of the CIPD amid evolving demands and opportunities brought by AI. His role particularly emphasizes shaping the future of work by helping organizations adapt responsibly and ethically to AI, understanding its impact on skills and roles, and leveraging it effectively.
The impact of AI is recognized as central to any business strategy, and the HR profession will need to engage with its implications. Under Chris's leadership, the CIPD will likely emphasize upskilling, hybrid job design blending human and AI capabilities, and evolving pay and reward systems to reflect these changes. This includes supporting HR’s role in developing flexible, responsive frameworks that recognize new competencies as core rather than specialized, ensuring no segment of the workforce is left behind as AI changes job landscapes.
Chris's leadership role is effective immediately. Valerie Hughes D'Aeth, who has been instrumental in steering the CIPD through the period of Covid and strategic investment in digital and organizational transformation, will continue to be passionate about the profession and has expressed her desire to spend more time with her family.
Valerie's legacy includes the CIPD's growing reach and influence across the profession and in the wider world of work. The outgoing CIPD Chair has shown a positive growth of the CIPD, including growing membership to over 160,000 members internationally. Valerie will continue to be a Companion and leader within the CIPD community and the profession.
The CIPD plays an important role in being a voice for the profession and its membership during significant changes in labor markets and regulation. Chloe Smith, CIPD President, expressed gratitude for Valerie Hughes D'Aeth's leadership and commitment as Chair since 2021. Smith also acknowledged Valerie's strategic insight and passion for the CIPD's mission, which played a vital role in shaping the organization's direction. Smith also thanked Valerie for her acknowledgement of Chris's abilities and his strategic vision for the CIPD.
More information on the CIPD Board and its governance can be found at Our Board | CIPD. As the CIPD is at a critical time in the evolution of work, workforces, and workplaces, Chris's leadership is timely and much-needed. He aims to contribute to the future of work by steering the CIPD to equip HR professionals and organizations with the tools and insights needed for a responsible, adaptive integration of AI, focusing on workforce well-being, fairness, and strategic alignment in a rapidly changing world.
- Chris, in his role as the new Chair of CIPD, will utilize his finance background, leadership skills, and business acumen to steer the organization towards a responsible and ethical integration of AI in the future of work.
- As the CIPD focuses on the impact of AI on the future of work, Chris's leadership will be essential in shaping strategies regarding upskilling, hybrid job designs, and evolving pay and reward systems, all while ensuring no segment of the workforce is left behind.
