Many senior directors think that they are too busy to receive training, and over one third of directors don't think training is relevant or necessary. Well that's what their HR directors think they think, according to a survey by the Institute of Directors.

However, although 43 per cent of HR directors felt that their senior directors were too busy at work to receive training, one quarter of HR directors (25%) said that all their senior directors had received some kind of training during the last twelve months. Only 7 per cent of HR directors said that none of their senior directors had received any training at all.

The increasing importance in developing human capital was also seen as one of the main business issues to have become more important over the last twelve months. Other issues seen as growing in importance over the last twelve months included pressure for improved productivity, pressure to cut costs and succession management.

Other findings

- 65 per cent of HR directors now said that they had a succession plan.

- 30 per cent still feel that they have a 'leadership gap'.

- 44 per cent of HR directors outsource areas of the HR function.

- 52 per cent feel that outsourcing does not affect the implementation strategy or culture.