CIPD announces Neil Carberry as new Chief Executive

The CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, today announces the appointment of Neil Carberry as its new Chief Executive, effective from 28 September 2026. 

Neil joins the CIPD after leading the Recruitment and Employment Confederation as chief executive since 2018, and prior to that, he led the CBI’s work on labour market, skills and employment relations issues from 2004. Neil is also Chair of the CBI’s Trade Association Council and a member of the advisory board of the Fair Work Agency. Neil also spent a decade as a member of the council of ACAS and two terms as member of the Low Pay Commission. 

Having operated in the HR field for 27 years, Neil is recognised as one of the UK’s leading voices on business and employment matters and was appointed an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List of 2025 for services to business and the economy. 

His appointment follows the announcement of Peter Cheese’s retirement, after 14 years as CIPD chief executive, last November. 

Commenting on the appointment, the CIPD’s Chair of the Board, Professor Chris Bones, says:

“We are entering a new era of work. Technology, and specifically AI, is bringing the biggest change to work since the revolution of industrial manufacturing in the early 20th century. This requires the profession to think differently, to act differently, and to lead differently to drive organisation productivity and performance through great people management.    

“I’m excited to begin working with Neil. He is a seasoned CEO with experience in the HR sector and the membership body industry. He has been working in public policy, has built relationships with scores of industry leaders, chief people officers, CEO’s and public policy makers. With his expertise and interest in the “future of work” Neil will be able to lead the CIPD through its next era, as AI disrupts and replaces the traditional model of work. It’s an exciting time for our industry, and a doubly exciting time for the HR profession. 

“I’d like to thank Peter once again for his leadership and contribution. Peter has led the CIPD through a period of major growth and transformation, including expanding our international presence and supporting the profession through COVID-19.” 

On his new role, Neil Carberry says:

“I’m excited about the ability the CIPD has to change economies for the better. All our major economic challenges of the past two decades come back to people, productivity and performance. That is only going to get more stark as job markets reshapes around new technology.  Resting on its proud history and professional specialism, the CIPD under my leadership will support people leaders to make visible differences to the organisations in which they work, demonstrating once again that effective people practice is at the heart of economic growth and opportunity.” 

Peter Cheese will be retiring from the CIPD on 30 June 2026. Caroline Stockmann, CIPD Board member and Treasurer will support with the handover as interim CEO until Neil Carberry takes up the chief executive position on 28 September 2026. Caroline was Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers for seven years to 2023. Prior to that she enjoyed a fulfilling career in senior finance, commercial and strategic roles at both not-for-profit and commercial organisations, in the UK and internationally.