A charter for the human resource profession.

IHRMO was founded by a coalition of senior HR practitioners, labour economists and university faculty who believed the profession needed an independent, member-led body with a clear remit. From an initial network of chartered practitioners the organisation has grown into a professional community of researchers, chief people officers, chapter leaders and academics working across public, private and third-sector employment. Our charter continues to guide members through the workplace transitions defined by digitalisation, hybrid work, demographic change and the redefinition of the employer-employee contract.

To advance the human resource profession through independent research, professional recognition, ethical standards and a community committed to evidence-based people leadership. We do this by publishing research, setting a Code of Professional Conduct, running competency-based membership assessment, convening senior practitioners and producing benchmarks that give members and employers a shared vocabulary for workforce decisions.

A profession in which every HR leader is equipped with the knowledge, networks and recognition needed to build humane, high-performing and legally sound workplaces. We work toward a profession that is trusted at the executive table, held to a public standard, and connected across the field.

Six principles govern our charter. Integrity: we act in the interests of the profession, not any single employer or vendor. Inclusion: we build a community that reflects the workforce we serve. Excellence: we hold members and staff to a rigorous, published standard of competence. Independence: our research and policy positions are free of paid sponsorship influence. Collaboration: we partner with universities, employer federations and public bodies rather than compete with them. Service: our members and their employers are the beneficiaries of everything we produce.

IHRMO is led by a Board of members elected by the membership on a rotating cycle. The Board is supported by an Advisory Committee of senior practitioners, academics and public-sector leaders. Day-to-day operations are run by the Secretariat under a Chief Executive appointed by the Board.

Members elect the Board and vote on bylaw amendments at the Annual General Meeting. A published Constitution defines terms of office, conflict-of-interest rules and disciplinary procedures. Independent auditors review the annual financial statements, and governance documents — bylaws, minutes, audit letters and financial disclosures — are lodged in the Governance archive and mirrored inside the Member Portal so that members can inspect them at any time.

Our current roadmap is organised around four priorities: a Future of Work research programme covering AI, skills and workforce structure; policy engagement on decent work, occupational safety and non-discrimination; equitable membership expansion into under-served regions and career stages; and a unified digital infrastructure combining the Member Portal, research library and credential verification service.

The IHRMO Code of Professional Conduct sets the standard members are expected to uphold: lawful and fair employment practice, respect for confidentiality, transparent handling of conflicts of interest, competence limits, and a duty to challenge unethical practice. Complaints against members are reviewed under a published disciplinary procedure with a right of appeal, and outcomes are recorded on the members' register.

IHRMO is a not-for-profit body funded principally by member subscriptions, event registrations, publication sales and grant-funded research. We do not accept paid editorial placements or sponsored research findings; all sponsored programming is disclosed. Surpluses are reinvested into research, member services and community development.