HR is growing its influence by playing an increasingly pivotal role in the business planning and strategy of UK companies, according to a survey from the Scala Group, the ACE Network and supported by international law firm Salans.

The survey shows that 62% of UK companies include HR when undertaking top-level strategic planning. This figure jumps to 80% among firms of more than 7500 employees.

For 59% of respondents, the HR function had contributed to the development of effective business strategies to tackle the recession, against 38% of firms outside the UK.

Janice Caplan, founding partner of the Scala Group, says: “It is pleasing to see such progress in integrating HR into key decisions. People really are our key resource, increasingly so in a ‘knowledge economy’ and a rapidly-changing world.

“Having continuous involvement of HR in strategic decisions will ensure organisations optimise those capabilities. I believe this really does herald the development of a wider talent management approach.”