The Institute
of People
Management
The Institute of People Management (IPM) Is a professional membership body representing the human resource and people management fraternity. We are a not-for-profit, independent body with official professional recognition from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
We dedicate our efforts to providing knowledge and tools for strategic and operational people management and development that contributes to the growth, profitability and sustainability of businesses. Our values are member-centricity, integrity and advocacy.
IPM Founder
Isobel White would have been long forgotten in South Africa had it not been for her vision and
perception of the needs of personnel practitioners. Drawing on her understanding of the role of
the Institute of Personnel Management (IPM) in Great Britain (as it became), of which she was a
member. She set about urging practitioners in the Port Elizabeth area to meet on a regular basis.
They drafted a constitution modelled on the British IPM and in August 1945 became the first
branch of the Institute of Personnel Management in South Africa and an affiliate of the British
IPM”. (IPM archives)
White’s vision of the IPM was that of branches throughout the main centres of the country. Her
enthusiasm led to utilisation of her research visit to Johannesburg to arrange social contacts to
discuss with personnel practitioners in the city the establishment of Johannesburg branch. She
called a meeting of interested persons to discuss the matter. In 1994 Dr Francis Pinky Hill was
elected as a chairman of Johannesburg branch.
Our Founding Purpose:
* To uphold professional standards for those responsible for managing people in the workplace.
* Provide a authoritative voice** on matters of labour relations, employment practices, and
workplace development.
* Offer knowledge-sharing, networking, and continuous development** for practitioners.
* Influence progressive people management policies** that contribute to both business
effectiveness and fair labour practices.
Evolution and National Role:
Over our more than 75-year journey, IPM has evolved alongside South Africa itself. We have
been an integral part of the national conversation, guiding members through the complex
transition of the workplace during and after the apartheid era. We played a key role in helping HR
professionals interpret and implement transformative labour legislation, promote diversity and
inclusion, and build workplaces that are both productive and equitable.
Our commitment to being the professional body for HR in South Africa was further solidified by
our official recognition from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
Today, as IPM South Africa, we remain steadfast in our original mission—to advance the
profession—while leading our members through the future challenges of the digital economy,
remote work, and building sustainable, human-centric organizations.
IPM: Shaping the Future of HR, Grounded in a Legacy of Professionalism
Our Vision & Mission
OUR VISION
The IPM vision is to be a global portal of thought leadership in HR and people management.
OUR VISION
IPM – SA’s most empowering body representing people management and the HR profession
IPM OVERARCHING STRATEGIC RESULT
Providing members with easy access to the latest information, expertise, knowledge, training and development, systems, processes and networks in people management to enhance the capabilities of the HR Professional in the work environment regionally, nationally and internationally.
Our values are member centricity, integrity and advocacy.
The Institute of People Management (IPM)