The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has appointed Mike Watts as professional development director.

Watts, 47, will be responsible for leading strategies for the growth of CIPD membership and for maintaining and developing the relevance of its professional qualifications and their application.

He has worked in HR and development for 17 years, joining the CIPD from the Cabinet Office where he was director of HR Transformation.

Speaking of his new post, Watts said: “The CIPD has built an enviable position and we need to ensure it is, and remains, the must-belong institute for all those involved in the management and development of people. I am committed to maintaining and building on its position of strength."

Mike Watts' career to date:
1990 Joined Black Horse Life, the life assurance division of Lloyds
Bank, where he held a variety of business development roles.

1995 Became Head of Learning and Development, and then Head of
HR at Black Horse Life.

1998 Becomes Head of Group HR Projects at Lloyds TSB, managing
the people aspects of post-merger projects.

1999 Seconded to Scottish Widows during their merger with Lloyds
TSB, to manage the people aspects of the merger at Scottish
Widows. Appointed to the permanent role of HR Director at
Scottish Widows during this time.

2000 Appointed HR Director of the whole Insurance and Investments Division at Lloyds TSB.

2004 Director of HR Transformation, UK Civil Service, based in
Cabinet Office. Responsible for accelerating progress in securing value from people management practices across the civil service.

2007 Joins CIPD as Professional Development Director.