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. 

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.

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."