Why does the question of L&D's return on investment refuse to go away, decade after decade? What does it really mean to measure success as a learning and development function — and are we often measuring the wrong things entirely? And as organisations transform at pace, what will businesses be asking of L&D professionals in five years' time that they aren't asking today?

Jo Squires, CIPD Learning Designer, is joined again by David James, Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning and host of The Learning and Development Podcast, where in part two of this two-part special, they explore how L&D can build credibility and prove its impact, the enduring skills that will keep the profession relevant, and what lies ahead for L&D as the world of work continues to change.

Recorded: 7 August 2026

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Additional resources:

L&D tools: Building your business case – a practical pathway

L&D tools: A performance-led approach to skills and capability planning

Article | Performance focused L&D business partner

Your next listen:

HR People Pod – Ep 55: L&D – From order-taker to strategic partner - with David James

CIPD Podcast 202: Evidence-based L&D – Asking the right questions

The Learning and Development Podcast with David James

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HR People Pod – Ep 56: L&D – Proving impact and preparing for what's next - with David James

CIPD

HR People Pod – Ep 56: L&D – Proving impact and preparing for what's next - with David James