Farewell to CIPD volunteering

I wrote this about two months ago, with a lot of mixed emotions and meant on sending this as an email to the community I have started, shaped and led for years before deciding to take a step back from it.

Last month (June '23) I said farewell to the role of Founder and Chair of the Fellows and Senior People Professionals' Network for The CIPD in London . It has been an incredible journey leading this network for over 3.5 years and engaging with each and every one of the people that has engaged with the events and spaces we created, dedicated professionals who have made this community flourish and thrive.

Reflecting upon the time we spent together, I am filled with immense gratitude for the privilege of serving as a Chair and being part of such a vibrant and dynamic network. When we embarked on this endeavour, we had a vision of creating a space where experienced professionals could come together, learn from one another, and shape the future of the people profession. Today, as I look back, I am humbled by the growth and impact we have achieved and the countless events that have shaped the way we looked at HR throughout the pandemic and have brought us internationally renowned speakers and participants to engage in our conversations.

First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation and admiration for the people profession itself. Working in this field for over 20 years has been a privilege and a true source of passion for me, while many of you have told me over the years you have “fallen into HR”, for me it was an intentional choice and an emotional journey. The opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, organisations and societies is and will continue to be incredibly fulfilling. Your dedication, kind words, passion, commitment, and resilience have inspired me throughout my journey.

I still vividly remember the day, 10 years ago, when I first became a member of the CIPD and began my volunteering journey as part of the East London and Docklands branch. It was a turning point that ignited my desire to contribute to our professional community even more than before. From that moment, I have witnessed the power of collaboration and the transformative potential of our collective efforts.

Throughout my career, I have strived to deliver positive results and drive meaningful change within the people profession. It is with immense pride that I reflect on our accomplishments together as a network and professional community. Together, we have not only influenced the profession, its body of knowledge, credibility, and reputation but also contributed to the betterment of society as a whole. Our commitment to “good work” and making a positive impact is truly commendable and for that, I’ll forever be grateful.

Being an ambassador, advocate, and promoter of the CIPD has been an honor and a responsibility I have cherished. Together, we have showcased the value and significance of our profession to the wider community, we have partnered with the Mayor of London ’s office and fed into the Good Work Charter, instigating discussion and debate for the Future of the Profession 2023, and worked with other networks to expand our thinking and influence. I am proud to have been part of a network that consistently strives to raise the bar and set new standards of excellence.

While my career took me away from the CIPD into strategy and the future of HR consulting, and then later in-house to lead people experience and HR transformations, I’ve kept my passion for this network and supported its growth, and in return, I’ve received the honour of being shortlisted as a diversity champion in HR at the British Diversity Awards earlier this year, and being named one of the most influential HR practitioner of 2022 by HR magazine . These acknowledgements are not mine alone, but they reflect the impact that this network has had on me and are a testament to the dedication and commitment of each and every one of you.

Lastly, I want to express my gratitude for the support and encouragement I have received throughout my journey and my progression through my CIPD membership grades, culminating in reaching a Chartered Fellowship, which would not have been possible without the guidance, mentorship, and inspiration from this remarkable community. Your belief in my abilities and your unwavering support have meant the world to me.

While the network will take a short break over the summer period, it will restart in a few months with fresh new ideas and energy. As I pass the baton to my successor, I am confident that this network will continue to thrive and make an even greater impact in the years to come. I encourage each of you to remain actively involved, seize every opportunity to learn and share and continue to drive positive change within our profession. Together, we can create an environment where the value of HR and people professionals is recognised and celebrated.

While I may be stepping down from my role as Chair, I will forever cherish the memories we have created and the relationships we have built. The connections and friendships formed within this network are truly special, and I look forward to maintaining those connections as a member of this community or over LinkedIn.

Kindly,

Ciprian Arhire (He/him/his) – MSc, Chartered FCIPD

Founder and Ex-Chair of the Fellows and Senior People Professionals' Network for The CIPD in London

Global Head of People Experience and HR Transformation at Entain Group

Most Influential HR Practitioner of 2022 – HR magazine

HR Champion of the Year shortlist – British Diversity Awards 2023

Founding Member of Hacking HR 's Experts Council

Speaker, HR Leader, and Podcast Host #FutureOfHR at Leading HR into the Future