The proportion of businesses choosing human resources (HR) outsourcing has reached almost a third, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) has revealed.

In research compiled by Leeds University Business School it was found that 29 per cent of the organisations surveyed were now outsourcing their HR activities, with just under half of these stating the move had been successful in some areas.

Indeed, it was revealed that such moves had allowed HR to take a more strategic role within the companies.

And Vanessa Robinson, CIPD head of HR practice, said she expected these figures to rise further.

"With HR outsourcing certain to be a growing reality, the profession needs to ensure it has the skills, capabilities and self-belief to adopt a more strategic role," she added.

Meanwhile, the Education Funding Council for England recently claimed that HR in higher education had been transformed over recent years, thanks to increased funding.

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