The iVentiv Pulse: What Are The Top Priorities for Heads of Learning and Talent in 2025?

As we step into 2025, the landscape of Learning and Talent Development is evolving at an unprecedented pace. 

The 2025 iVentiv Pulse report sheds light on the key priorities and challenges that Heads of Learning, Talent, and Executive Development are grappling with. This comprehensive report, based on iVentiv pre-event questionnaire responses from 563 leaders across 448 companies, offers a unique glimpse into the future of work and the strategies that will shape it.

You can download the full report here, or read on for a summary of the top five topics:

 

A graph showing Leadership Development (60%), Reskilling and Upskilling (53%), Artificial Intelligence (41%), Learning Culture (40%), and Change Management (32%) under the heading 'What are the Biggest Priorities for Your Function at the Moment? (with % change since last year)'

1. Leadership and Executive Development 

Selected by: 60% of Respondents (+4% compared to 2024)

Leadership and Executive Development continues to be the most selected topic overall, reflecting the onus that L&D leaders are placing on leaders when it comes to navigating the complexities of today's business environment. Leaders are not only expected to steer their organisations through economic uncertainties and technological disruptions, but also to foster a culture of curiosity and continuous learning. 

2. Reskilling and Upskilling: Building the Skills-Based Organisation

Selected by: 53% (+8%)

The rise of Reskilling and Upskilling as a top priority underscores the urgency organisations and Learning teams feel to equip their employees with the skills required to adapt to new technologies and ways of working. The shift towards skills-based organisations is another key factor, with leaders emphasising the importance of flexible and inclusive talent practices that can meet the demands of a dynamic workforce.

3. Artificial Intelligence: Can L&D Lead?

Selected by: 41% (+41%)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking a lot of the headlines and Learning & Development is clearly no different. The report reveals a growing interest in leveraging AI to augment learning experiences, provide personalised learning, and support workforce transformation. 

4. Learning Culture: Curiosity, Continuous Improvement, and Change

Selected by: 40% (+1%)

Learning Culture was the fourth most popular topic among respondents this year, with Learning Executives concerned about remaining competitive and innovative. The report highlights the perceived importance of leaders in setting the tone for a learning culture that encourages self-led, on-the-job learning. For Heads of Learning and Talent, this approach is particularly vital in times of upheaval and change, where the ability to adapt and learn quickly can make the difference between success and failure.

5. Change Management: Underpinning Everything?

Selected by: 32% (+9%)

The rapid changes impacting businesses and Learning teams are everywhere, with some level of change underlining the focus on each of the other top topics detailed in this report. Whether it’s technology, a restructured learning team, or political disruption, L&D leaders clearly feel that navigating and driving change will be a big priority for them in 2025. 

The iVentiv Pulse 2025 report provides a rare insight into the priorities and challenges facing Learning and Talent leaders today. As organisations navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape, the focus from L&D executives on leadership, skills development, AI integration, learning culture, performance management, and employee engagement. By embracing these priorities, organizations can build a resilient and adaptable workforce ready to meet the demands of the future.

Read the full report for a detailed analysis of the data, with expert reflections from Nigel Paine, Stefaan van Hooydonk, Vidya Krishnan, Jay Moore, Brian Murphy, and Gary Kildare.

Download here.
 

Thumbnail: 
News category: 
Latest Trends in Learning

More Insights

In this exclusive interview, Vidya Krishnan (CLO, Ericsson), and Nigel Paine (Event Chair, Co-Presenter, Learning Now TV & Former Head of People Development, BBC) talk all things skills, tech, and the future of work.

Watch the video in full here.

At iVentiv's Executive Development Knowledge Exchange at the KPMG HQ in London this week, iVentiv CEO & Founder Russell Butler took some time out with a small group of attendees to discuss why collaborating with experts and leaders from similar companies and partners can be such a valuable exercise. Watch the full discussion for a taste of the conversations that make an iVentiv event unique.

When it comes to organisational development, Heads of Learning often see learning culture as a key component that shapes the trajectory of a firm's innovation, adaptability, and success.

How can you ensure that the learning culture within your organisation not only exists but thrives, fostering an environment where continuous improvement is not just encouraged but is a fundamental aspect of your organisational DNA?

This blog delves into why Global Heads see learning culture as so important within organisations, and explores strategies for their cultivation, as well as the implications on teams. Read more.

In the ever-evolving global business landscape, organisations face constant challenges and opportunities driven by technological advancements, market pressures, and changing consumer preferences. For business leaders, the ability to manage change effectively has emerged as a key capability for organisational resilience and long-term success.

What is the role of the Learning and Development (L&D) function in managing and driving this kind of organisational transformation? In this blog, we look at why the role of L&D in change management is on the radar of more and more Learning teams, explore the benefits that well-orchestrated teams are finding, and highlight the risks that L&D needs to watch out for. Read more

Ahead of his session at Learning Futures London in March 2024, Dean Cannarozzi, Head of Sika Global Business School, talked to us about his work to reposition Learning and Development (L&D) within Sika as an organisation that has traditionally focused primarily on Talent Development.

The Sika Business School manages a range of learning and talent programmes for Sika, often branded with "leadership" in their titles, which are central to the development of the company's General Managers (GMs), who typically have participated in these programs themselves.

However, Dean highlights a concern: while these talent programs are highly regarded and impactful for those who participate (about 2% of the organisation), there is an underlying issue regarding the engagement and development of the remaining 98% of the workforce.

Dean's goal? To address this disparity and explore solutions for broader employee development.

Watch the video in full here.

iVentiv have been bringing you together to innovate and problem-solve on your biggest problems for over 15 years. And we wanted to take some time to reflect on the global community that join us time and again, in incredible spaces around the globe. Most importantly, we wanted to reflect on why we do what we do, and how our events bring you together with your peers for a truly unique experience. Read more.

Before every iVentiv event, we ask you to tell us what areas you're focusing on, and what questions you want to ask your fellow participants. In the iVentiv Pulse Report we've brought together the views of 824 Global Heads of L&D, Talent, and Executive Development to understand the key trends and priorities that are driving Learning and Talent in 2024. This blog summarises the key takeaways, and the full report includes commentary from experts in learning, talent, and leadership.

In this instalment of our Five Minutes with series, we spoke to Matt Kershaw, Global Head of Talent and Capability at Domino's Pizza Enterprises, who provided insightful reflections on the transformative approach to learning and development within the organisation, particularly regarding gamification and the strategic use of data and analytics.

How has Matt coupled gamification and data analytics to transform the way his workforce learns? Read more and watch the full interview here.

In a world grappling with unprecedented change and challenges, the importance of building a skilled workforce is high up on the CLO agenda. Recently, we sat down with Simon Gibson, the Group Head of Learning and Development at Marks and Spencer (M&S), to delve into the heart of what defines a skilled workforce, not just for M&S but for the broader business landscape. Read more and watch the full interview here.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful force reshaping industries and revolutionising various aspects of our lives. One of the areas where AI is making a significant impact is Learning and Development (L&D).

In this blog, we will explore the nature of AI in Learning and Development initiatives, the key concepts surrounding it, and the challenges L&D leaders are raising when it comes to implementation. Read the full blog here.

Pages