Who We Are: Celebrating iVentiv's Global L&D Community

iVentiv have been bringing you together to innovate and problem-solve on your biggest problems for over 15 years. In this blog, we want 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.

Company logos

What makes iVentiv events different?

When you attend large conferences, filled with hundreds of people of varying seniority, and are packed into halls to sit and listen to presentation after presentation, do you feel like this is truly the most effective way to learn?

We didn’t think so.

In 2008, Russell Butler, CEO and Founder of iVentiv, built a company designed to break away from the traditional death-by-PowerPoint conference format, and create events that focussed on connection, peer-to-peer discussion, and collaboration to truly drive learning.   

Every iVentiv event is built around interactivity. In place of endless PowerPoints, an iVentiv Knowledge Exchange puts you in conversation with peers for meaningful collaboration. Instead of crammed exhibition halls, you’ll go in-depth with an exclusive group of no more than 40 senior executives to talk about challenges that matter the most to you.

And you’ll walk away, not only having learnt a few things, but having made new connections and friends too.

A Finger on the Pulse of Global L&D, Talent, and Leadership Trends

From San Francisco to Singapore, Australia to the UK, France to Dubai, iVentiv is a truly global community with a footprint that spans four continents, and 20+ countries, bringing together CLOs from some of the world’s biggest and best-known companies.

Since 2008, iVentiv has welcomed over half of the Forbes Global 2000, catering to over 500 of those organisations in 2023 alone. Almost 21 million employees have been represented in the last year at iVentiv events, from organisations including Prada, GE, Burberry, Shell, Standard Chartered, Citi, Frasers Group, Tesco, The Kraft Heinz Company, and more. 

Each of the Global Heads, VPs, and Directors who have come together over the last 15 years has shared similar challenges, dealing with many of the same roadblocks, and operating with the same large-scale, long-term lens, often without even realising it. 

Having your input when designing iVentiv events is what makes the learning outcomes truly impactful. To make sure we have our finger on the pulse of learning trends, we put together the iVentiv Pulse Report, gleaning insights and fresh perspectives in the world of L&D from leading experts in the field.

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 data suggests that there are a few things at the top of your list when considering whether or not an event or conference is worth your time. What ranked topmost was the quality of idea exchange; 97% of you said you want to ensure you walk away with new implementable ideas for your organisations, and by bringing you together to collaborate on key issues, you were able to walk away having gained real insight to help propel your L&D and Talent functions forward.

A Global Community of L&D Leaders from the World’s Best-Known Companies

The global community that we’ve been building over the past 15 years has given us the unique opportunity to bring together insights, expertise, and experience from Global Heads at some of the world’s leading organisations. We’ve been able to gather the iVentiv community both in-person and across the ether through our virtual event offerings. Assembling this global audience from a wealth of backgrounds means our events are able to transcend the standard corporate conference.

In 2023, we were hosted by Citi – the fourth largest bank in the US - in New York. Joining us for those two days were Global Heads of Learning from industries spanning, not only banks, but retail, manufacturing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, construction and more. Bringing together this varied group means that conversations were rich, engaging, and offered fresh perspectives that may not have previously been considered between industries. Shared challenges, and reciprocal knowledge exchange helped to challenge the status quo and drive innovation. 

The variety of industries collaborating through iVentiv’s mix of workshops, peer coaching, and breakout conversations gives you a better chance to think about ideas and innovations in new ways. VR in the workplace, for example, has been used by the aviation industry for years in flight simulations, but corporate L&D teams are utilising the technology more and more in technical, onboarding, and leadership training. The iVentiv format makes this kind of cross-industry idea sharing easier and more meaningful. 

Don’t just take our word for it. Speaking about Learning Futures New York in 2023, the Global Director of Learning and Development at Burberry said: “I was challenged to think differently, and bigger. I was exposed to brave new ideas and technology. I shared and commiserated with others on the challenges we all face in this space. Oh yes, and I had fun making new friends along the way!”

Another crucial advantage to bringing different industries together is also the understanding that, regardless of which industry you belong to, whether it be retail or construction, the key aims remain the same. Our data suggests that throughout 2023, leadership and executive development (53%), and reskilling and upskilling (45%) remained the topmost topics on the minds of the Talent, L&D, and Leadership Heads who join our events. The variation of learning application and innovations across industries could be instrumental in furthering the progress for you and your peers. 

Big Brands Hosts Driving L&D Forward

Over the years, iVentiv has built solid relationships with some of the world’s biggest brands, with experts including Jay Moore (CLO, GE), Charles Jennings (Co-Founder, 70:20:10 Institute), Marianne Schenk (MD, global Head of Leadership Development, Julius Baer), Prof. Nick van Dam (Former CLO, McKinsey & Co.), and Laureen Rwatirera (CLO, ASML), joining us to lead the conversations.

Some of these brands have even hosted the iVentiv community at their headquarters. We have had the pleasure of bringing you together in a plethora of amazing spaces – from the McDonald’s Hamburger University in Chicago, to Zendesk and Diageo in Dublin, Toyota in Texas, and Cognizant in India. Each space held its own unique magic that made those events impossible to forget. 

To take one example, in 2018 Learning Futures Chicao took place at the McDonald’s Hamburger University, courtesy of then CLO Rob Lauber. At the time, the iVentiv cohort was the first group to be welcomed in since the facility opened. This was a chance to see innovation take physical form; from the design of the building itself, to its immersive history and glass cabinets filled with happy meal toys of old, to the conversations led by Event Chair Kimo Kippen, and speakers that included Kevin Oakes (i4cp), Jay Moore (CLO, GE), and Shelley Longo (Cardinal Health). 

But what does it mean to be a Host? For Martin Caine, “being a host allows you to bring together the ever-growing iVentiv family, to network, and deliberate […] in a dedicated space where fun and great conversation were had.” Bringing Global Heads together in similarly incredible locations all over the world enriches conversation and encourages an openness of conversation.

In 2024, we’ll be taking the conversation to brand new locations, including the HQs of Novo Nordisk, Microsoft, Ericsson, Ubisoft, Majid Al Futtaim, and USC Marshall Business School.   

Connection, Community, and Collaboration 

The close relationships that the Global Leaders in L&D, Talent, and Leadership who attend iVentiv events build with one another mean that every iVentiv event is a chance to understand the spectrum of ideas and connect with experts who are driving the industry forward.  

This is an endeavour that united the whole iVentiv community. When talking about the connections she made with learning and talent providers at our events, the Senior Director of Learning and Development at Prada said she appreciated “the fresh approach to bringing learning professionals together to learn, ideate and reflect while also having time to connect with vendors based on our interests and needs!” 

iVentiv events provide the ideal platform for honest, open conversations between LXPs, business schools, e-learning providers, and corporate clients in a way that aims to drive the whole industry forward.

More Insights

When HU-X Founder Tia Katz first attended an iVentiv event, it marked the start of a relationship that would help shape her business, her thinking, and her sense of what’s possible in Leadership Development. Having first attended as a delegate in a corporate role at Citi, she now attends regularly as a sponsor, helping her connect with the iVentiv community of senior leaders in Learning and Executive Development.

“I was just so pleasantly surprised by everything,” she says. iVentiv events are “professional, of course–but also so human and so connecting.”

In this newly released case study, Tia reflects on her journey with iVentiv, from first-time delegate to multi-session sponsor, and shares how these experiences redefined her approach to learning, organisational development, and executive growth. 

Download the case study, and watch the interview now.

“You need to change the people, and changing the people goes through leadership.”
– Christophe Vanden Eede, Global Head of Talent Management, bpostgroup

As the demands on global organisations evolve in the face of disruption, digitalisation, and competitive reinvention, Christophe Vanden Eede’s work at bpostgroup offers a powerful case study in how leadership can catalyse transformation, not just through top-down mandates but by reshaping the very DNA of leadership across every layer of the organisation.

In a recent conversation with iVentiv, Christophe reflected on the seismic changes taking place within the Belgian postal service and how he’s leading an integrated transformation strategy rooted in leadership behaviour.

Christophe will be leading the conversation at Learning Futures Eindhoven on 10-11 June. Watch our interview and get involved, now.

The work of the Chief Learning Officer has always been dynamic. But the conversations captured across iVentiv sessions in Cologne, New York, London, and Copenhagen suggest we’ve entered a new inflection point—one where learning is more visible, more measurable, and more central to strategy than ever before.

This isn’t about checking-off trends. It’s about what’s happening right now inside global organisations that are restructuring the way they define skills, leadership, culture, and capability. Across breakout conversations, fireside chats, and iVentiv’s trademark Collaborative Café, senior learning leaders have reflected openly on what’s working, what’s evolving, and what’s next.

Read on for a detailed and nuanced synthesis—an exploration of facts that are shaping the L&D profession in real time.

“Are we spending too little on L&D?”

If you’re in a senior role in Learning & Development, you probably spend a lot of time worrying about this question. It’s a question that resurfaces in nearly every budget review and vendor conversation in the Learning space. 

Whether you’re setting your internal strategy or shaping the offering of a learning solution, the benchmark for a “good” L&D budget has never been more important — or harder to pin down.

That’s why we put together the iVentiv L&D Budget Report 2025: to provide a clearer picture of what companies are actually spending on L&D today — and what those numbers really say about priorities, value, and the future of work.

Based on responses from 126 senior L&D leaders across global organisations, the report dives into both total budget figures and spend-per-employee breakdowns. 

The headline? L&D budgeting is anything but standard.

Download the report now.

At a time when organisations across the world are rethinking the way they develop and retain talent, Sandvik is taking a holistic, integrated approach to talent optimisation. 

Eva Wikmark Walin, Global Head of Employee Experience at Sandvik, sat down with iVentiv’s Content Manager, Hannah Hoey, to reflect on how the Swedish engineering company is building a connected talent ecosystem, and what others can learn from their journey.

Watch our interview with Eva now to see how you could optimise your talent strategy.
 

In a special episode of The Learning Hack Podcast, recorded live at iVentiv’s Learning Futures London Executive Knowledge Exchange at the Shell headquarters, host John Helmer spoke to three of the leading minds in L&D. 

Against the backdrop of a world that feels more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) than ever, this episode explores how organisations are rising to meet the pace of change, and what it really takes to thrive in 2025 and beyond.

Featuring expert insights from:

  • Kevin Oakes, CEO of the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp) and author of Cultural Renovation
  • Kim McMurdo, Head of Organisational Development, Standard Chartered
  • Terry Jones, Head of International Talent Development at Palo Alto Networks

this episode delves deep into the core themes shaping today’s workplace: transforming culture, fostering team-centric leadership in an age of hyper-individualism, and harnessing AI to elevate - not replace - human capability.

Whether you're leading a learning function, evolving your company’s culture, or rethinking the role of performance in a tech-driven age, this episode is a must-listen. Find it here and read on to learn more.

“Learning doesn't necessarily have to just be the partner,” says Stacey VanderHeiden Güney, Global Head of Learning at ArcelorMittal University. “It can actually, I think, be the futurist.”

In an era of relentless disruption and global complexity, Learning is no longer a support function – according to Stacey and many Heads of L&D, it’s a strategic lever for transformation. In this conversation with iVentiv, Stacey shares how the world’s leading steel company, ArcelorMittal, is building a future-ready workforce through agile, scalable, and human-centred learning strategies.

Read more and watch our interview with Stacey now.

In the fast-paced world of Learning, Talent, and Executive Development, finding the right events to attend can be overwhelming. Your inbox is overflowing with conference invites, your calendar is packed, and the challenge remains, which events are truly worth your time?

Enter iVentiv, a global leader in Executive Knowledge Exchanges. In 2025, iVentiv is bringing invaluable conversations directly to you, hosted by top global organisations such as Citi, Shell, KPMG, AXA, Bosch, Visa and more.

If you’re seeking more than just another conference, iVentiv’s events are designed to deliver real impact. Read this blog to find out why an iVentiv event should be on your calendar this year.

As digital transformation reshapes the corporate landscape, organisations are rethinking how they manage talent and skills. At E.ON, AI is at the heart of this evolution, revolutionising skill management, employee development, and internal mobility.

Markéta Alešová, Vice President of Global Talent and Diversity, shares how E.ON is leveraging AI to create a more transparent, skills-based workforce while balancing technological innovation with cultural transformation.

Watch our interview with Markéta now to explore how AI-driven insights, an employee-centric approach, and a shift toward an opportunity marketplace are shaping the future of Talent Management at E.ON.

The world of corporate learning, talent, and leadership is undergoing a period of intense transformation. As organisations strive to build resilient workforces and agile leaders, Chief Learning Officers and Heads of Talent, and Leadership face an array of challenges and opportunities.

The conversations at iVentiv’s recent Learning Futures sessions in Atlanta and Paris highlight the pressing themes that are shaping the future of workplace learning. Leadership and Executive Development, Reskilling and Upskilling, AI, and Learning Culture were the four most popular priorities identified by Global Heads of Learning at iVentiv events in 2024, so it’s no surprise to see all four represented in the top priorities of attendees at last month’s events as well.

These sessions, attended by senior learning executives, surfaced key trends, strategic shifts, and organisational imperatives that will define 2025 and beyond. Read all about what's top of your mind for your peers here.

Pages