Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development insists Jackie Orme was unanimous first choice for chief executive’s job

Jackie Orme was a unanimous choice to be the new chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the body has insisted.

President Vicky Wright moved to quash rumours that Orme was given the top job after another senior HR figure turned the role down.

Leading human resources professionals previously told Personnel Today that Chris Bones, principal of Henley Management College, was offered the top job earlier this year.

But Wright said: “I must take this opportunity to confirm in the clearest possible terms that Jackie Orme was the unanimous first choice of the selection panel for the post of chief executive of the CIPD.

“Jackie’s appointment was unanimously agreed by the board, and she was the only person offered the job.”

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Orme’s appointment was greeted with surprise by many in HR. Despite being chief personnel officer at the UK and Ireland division of food and drinks firm PepsiCo, she is a relatively unknown figure.

But Wright added: “We are delighted to have secured Jackie as our new chief executive. She was the outstanding candidate in a strong field, and I am looking forward to her taking up the post in March.”