About us

Your learning and development partner.

We are Collaborative Passionate Dynamic Expert Bold

CPL Learning, an Access company, work closely with clients, using collaborative and innovative methods to meet and exceed their learning and team engagement needs. We are proud to have long-standing working relationships with these organisations and look forward to establishing equally successful digital solutions for our future clients.

Our Mission

To unlock potential through our pioneering approach to learning and development.

Our Vision

To be the world’s leading learning and development partner to hospitality and retail.


What we do

At CPL Learning we are committed to unlocking the potential of your teams through our pioneering approach to learning and development.

As the learning and development partner of choice for the hospitality and retail sectors, we work closely with our clients to meet and exceed their learning and engagement needs and ultimately help our partners achieve their unique goals.

Each organisation is different, and therefore we provide a completely tailored approach to learning and development with the ability to cater to all sizes and budgets. Specialising in digital tools, learning content and delivery methods that engage, inspire, and deliver results.

Our expertise and ability to provide learning activities and courses in all forms are what sets us apart. From a comprehensive catalogue of digital online courses to market-leading tutor-led training and workshops, our learning resources are accessed by hundreds of thousands of users each year. We believe that blended is the key to L&D.

When combined with our intuitive and trailblazing learning management system, our clients benefit from a holistic learning and development experience tailored to them.

With almost 30 years of experience in delivering training to hospitality and retail, CPL Learning is always developing to meet the ever-changing needs of the sector landscape. Now more than ever before, we are leading with data-driven insight and are wholly committed to making learning accessible for all as we navigate the future.

Our history

division and CPL Training, the tutor-led training arm, both of which were respective experts in their fields.  

This bringing together of both companies was initiated post-acquisition of both CPL business by CGA, the data and research consultancy of choice for the out-of-home food and drinks market.   

It created a unique and exciting opportunity to create a new entity that would provide transformative learning and development solutions for the hospitality and retail sectors. 

CPL, in its various forms, has been delivering training since 1991, initially providing weekend training courses for those wanting to run their own pub business.  

The first significant change for CPL came in 2000 with the publication of the Government’s White paper ‘Time to Reform’, which proposed a radical reform of the alcohol licensing law. The introduction for a mandatory, nationally recognised qualification for those wanting to become a personal licence holder provided CPL with the opportunity to meet demand and deliver market-leading training.  

In 2005, we expanded rapidly across England and Wales, and our training centre network was established. In 2008 Scotland also reformed their licensing system and once again CPL were there to assist those looking to gain this qualification.  

We have always strived to deliver products and services that support our clients to reach their objectives. So, in 2010, CPL Online was established. Building upon the fantastic work in traditional classroom-based training, we branched out into digital e-learning. It was a phenomenal success, and fast became the leading learning technology provider to the hospitality sector, with a market-leading learning management system and range of digital engagement tools.  

In 2018, having worked closely with CPL Online for many years, CGA acquired the business and welcomed the team into the CGA family. At the time, Phil Tate, CGA Chief Executive, said “This is a great addition to our CGA family. CPL Online strengthens and extends our offer in UK hospitality while positioning us well for growth in new sectors and territories. We are fortunate to benefit from a strong management team, an excellent wider team in the Birkenhead offices and an extensive suite of products and services, all of which have an excellent reputation in their respective markets.” 

Then in 2019, CPL Training was also brought into the CGA group. “From the moment we bought CPL Online, there was a compelling logic to maximise the opportunity by then acquiring CPL Training. Of course, the time had to be right for both parties. I am delighted that that time is now,” said Phil Tate, Group CEO of CGA.  

“We now map and measure the hospitality and consumer retail market and support clients even better with training and development, licensing, human resources and retention. This acquisition demonstrates CGA’s commitment to driving growth and innovation while supporting one of the most vital parts of the out-of-home industry: its people,” added Tate.

Careers

Find out how you can join our growing team and see the benefits package we offer.

Partners

See the businesses and organisations we collaborate and integrate with. 

Get in touch

If you’d like to discuss your learning and development needs in more detail then get in touch with a member of the team today.