Learning and Development Delivers Results but Boardrooms Still Aren’t Listening, Finds Rise Up Report
Lack of boardroom approval and shrinking budgets suggest L&D programmes are overlooked despite their proven impact on workforce transformation and business growth
Despite demonstrating clear results, Learning and Development (L&D) leaders face a tough truth: most of their strategies never make it past leadership. This is one of the key takeaways from the 2025 State of Learning report published by Rise Up in partnership with People Management Insight.
The survey, conducted among 300 senior L&D professionals across the UK, found that 40% of respondents say less than half of their initiatives are approved by senior management, showing little improvement from last year. However, perceptions of L&D’s strategic importance have grown, with 48% now stating it is central to their business strategy, up 7% from 2024.
The benefits of L&D remain evident. While 55% reported improved engagement - a slight decline from 64% in 2024 - more respondents noted positive impacts on productivity (31%) and innovation (30%), suggesting that L&D is increasingly tied to tangible business performance outcomes. One person was quoted as saying: “I focus on leadership and management and the grievance level has decreased while the skill level has increased.”
Despite this, many still face barriers in terms of shrinking budgets and lack of boardroom approval. While the benefits for people have been well received, the metrics that matter from a business perspective - revenue, customer satisfaction and innovation - are less evident. This may be impacting buy-in at the leadership level. One respondent said: “Tough times in the industry, increased costs because of National Insurance hikes, a close eye on resources and costs means that any substantial new spend for training and L&D is on the back burner.”
The report goes on to highlight how investment in L&D has stagnated or declined over the last twelve months. While 23% of organisations reported increased L&D budgets, the majority of those surveyed have limited resources. This shows a persistent disconnect between L&D teams and the boardroom, with consistent financial backing still a challenge.
Frédéric Hebert, CPO at Rise Up, commented: "When done right, L&D is not a cost centre, it is a growth engine. The evidence is clear: investment in learning drives engagement and innovation, future-proofing your business performance and enhancing your competitive advantage. But, are L&D leaders being equipped for success? Too often they face stalled budgets, delayed board approval and patchy buy-in from the top. Underinvesting in learning doesn’t just risk losing talent, it also jeopardises a company’s competitive edge.”
The report also explores developments in AI within the L&D space. Adoption is growing, with 18% of leaders rating AI’s contribution as excellent or good. The number of people rating it as “limited” has fallen from 55% to 35%. Common applications include content creation (52%) and process automation (30%), though both have declined slightly from last year, reflecting challenges in scaling adoption. Key barriers remain: 62% cite lack of knowledge, 55% lack of skills, and 48% insufficient budget.
Despite these challenges, the findings indicate a gradual shift in mindset: L&D is increasingly recognised as a core part of business strategy, though professionals continue to face boardroom blockage.
For more information, see Rise Up’s 2025 report here.