2025 LINE-UP

Employee engagement remains a huge challenge for organisations across geographies and industries. This session explores tools to create meaningful connections, fosters company culture, and drives engagement through intuitive social experiences. Learn how organisations are leveraging technology to break down communication silos, celebrate employee achievements, and build vibrant workplace communities that boost morale, productivity, and retention.

Delve into the essential capabilities of modern HR and Payroll systems, highlighting what organisations should expect in today’s fast-paced business landscape. We will explore the integration of automation, analytics, and self-service tools to enhance accuracy, compliance, and employee satisfaction. Attendees will learn how these systems can drive efficiency, enable data-driven decisions, and support a seamless employee experience. From managing complex payrolls to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, this session outlines the critical features that empower HR teams to adapt to evolving workforce needs while delivering measurable value to the organisation.

Leaders today must recognise their role in driving the EDI agenda within organisations. In order to do this successfully, leaders must first consider their own unconscious biases and become aware of how to:

• Demonstrate authentic approaches to EDI leadership where all employees feel valued
• Recognise that not everyone has the same experiences and may face different challenges
• Challenge the status quo to redefine practices and replace them with ones that advocate for those from underrepresented groups.

As businesses embrace remote and hybrid work models, HR leaders and managers must rethink workforce planning to drive efficiency, engagement, and compliance. In this fireside chat, Deel will share insights on how companies successfully scale global teams while simplifying hiring, compliance, and operations. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for workforce expansion, navigating international labor laws, and fostering a high-performing distributed culture.

Whether you're an HR generalist, business leader, or line manager, this session will equip you with the tools to scale global teams efficiently while maintaining agility and compliance.

Strengthscope’s latest research shows how feedback is the missing piece of the puzzle for teams and leaders to achieve the highest levels of success. In this session, we’ll dive into the reasons why and we’ll share simple solutions to build this into a team culture.

Many organisations unknowingly accumulate engagement debt, relying on short-term perks instead of building a sustainable culture. This approach leads to quiet quitting, burnout, and costly turnover, with disengaged employees impacting productivity and profitability. Research shows that managers—not just leadership—drive engagement, yet many lack the tools to foster commitment.

This session explores how AI-powered insights, real-time tracking, and personalised engagement strategies can predict and prevent disengagement. As Gen Alpha enters the workforce, companies must shift from transactional perks to meaningful, data-driven engagement models. The future of HR lies in treating engagement as a business-critical KPI—or risk running up a balance they can't afford to pay back.

Dr. Amy Pressland, Head of Talent and Performance at not-for-profit private healthcare provider Benenden Health will share brand-new research and analysis on the incoming generation of workers, Generation Alpha. From personal health needs to company benefit requirements, Benenden Health's findings will lay the foundations for your future health and wellbeing strategy.

Sarah Armstrong-Smith, Chief Security Advisor at Microsoft will explore what it takes to lead effectively during uncertainty and crisis. A globally recognised expert in resilience and crisis management, Sarah will share actionable insights on making critical decisions under pressure, strengthening workplace culture, and supporting people through challenging times. As a senior female leader in STEM, she will also highlight the importance of diverse leadership, ensuring every voice is heard.

This session explores a unique challenge that football clubs face and few other organisations do: how to build a unified culture of recognition and belonging when only a small portion of the workforce lives in the spotlight.

While the first team may be the public face of Fulham FC, hundreds of employees across operations, HR, DE&I, facilities, community engagement, and more contribute to the club’s success every single day. In this conversation, we’ll dig into how Fulham FC approaches talent management beyond the pitch: How do you ensure everyone feels valued? How do you balance rewards, visibility, and progression for both the seen and the unseen? And what can business leaders learn from football’s approach to team culture, pride, and purpose?

On many fronts, workers in the UK enjoy a relatively favourable position. For example, the fact that 85% work only one job, compared to 77% of people worldwide. The UK also has the second-highest proportion of employees in the world who say they’re happy to stay in their current job with no desire for change.

But after a period of intense cost-of-living pressures and amid signs of an increasingly uncertain labour market, how do Britain’s workers really regard their roles, careers and the dynamics that are changing the world of work? What do they value, and what practices do they wish employers would prioritise?

ADP UK’s Senior HR Director Annabel Jones is on hand with the answers, informed directly by UK workers themselves.

ADP Research’s People at Work 2025 study captured the views and voices of almost 38,000 workers worldwide, in 34 markets across six continents. Annabel will share our findings on topics covering everything from on-the-job training and pay to AI and discrimination.

Recent events in the U.S. and their global impact have reignited debates on the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). While frustration is understandable, this moment calls for reflection, not retreat.

Professor Binna Kandola OBE, founder of Pearn Kandola, and Dr Jo Kandola, CEO of Kandola+, draw on 40+ years of experience to challenge conventional DEI approaches. In this session, they will explore:

• The hard truths about where DEI is failing
• Why some initiatives backfire - and what to do instead
• The three pillars essential for DEI’s future: Growth, Inclusion, and Safety.

This is not about abandoning DEI but making it more effective. Attendees will leave with clear, actionable insights on where to focus efforts for real progress.

• What truly characterises effective leadership?
• How has the idea of leadership evolved? 
• How can leaders demonstrate responsible leadership? 
• What can leaders do to future proof their skill-set?

Trust and engagement are linked. As engagement levels continue to fall across the UK workforce, now’s the time to focus on how to build trust within teams. Join Insights Head of People David Bowes through an exploration of practical and effective ways to create a stronger foundation for collaboration, performance and a more positive work environment.

Hear from the digital leader in global sports media, DAZN, on their partnership with Zensai as the two brands work together to empower thousands of employees with the right tools for creating Human Success across their global teams. You can’t become the world’s largest, fastest-growing sports streaming service without highly engaged employees. Join this session to learn more about what Human Success is, and how Zensai’s suite of employee engagement tools work right in Microsoft 365 to set your organisation up for success. 

Join Nebel Crowhurst, Chief People Officer and Chief Appreciation Officer, for an insightful exploration of Reward Gateway | Edenred’s latest wellbeing research report. Nebel will reveal how we can navigate the current state of wellbeing among the UK workforce, where 40% of employees admit that workplace concerns have impacted their wellbeing, as well as share actionable insights and an innovative holistic strategy to enhance employee health, boost productivity and fuel the growth of both your people and organisation.

Join Beth Samson, People Director at Investors in People as she sits down with entrepreneur and TV personality Jamie Laing, for a thought-provoking discussion on why businesses should prioritise hiring for skills, mindset, and cultural fit over traditional experience. Together, they’ll explore how fostering a workplace that values adaptability, growth, and learning from mistakes leads to stronger teams and long-term success. Expect candid insights, real-life examples, and practical advice on how investing in people—not just their past—can drive a company forward.

This provocative fireside chat explores the seismic shifts in corporate leadership, trust, and culture—and what they mean for the future of HR. From controversial comments around "masculine energy" to declining investment in EDI, this session investigates how HR professionals can adapt, lead with transparency, and rebuild trust amid turbulent times.

Expect rich insight into:

• evolving power dynamics in global business
• the future of employee trust and ethical leadership
• how HR can take a more strategic, data-driven seat at the table.

• Is the current Equality Act truly fit for purpose? 
• Is current legislation helping or hindering HR practices?
• Will recent legislative changes drive a fairer, more inclusive, working environment for all?
• What areas of focus need to be considered to future-proof the Equality Act?

In an era where workforce dynamics are evolving faster than ever, HR leaders are uniquely positioned to drive performance through the power of connection. This session will explore how the fusion of AI and behavioural science is transforming the workplace dynamics and allowing leaders to unlock new levels of engagement, productivity, and leadership effectiveness.

• The work we have to do as leaders to re-engage our workforce.
• How we can use AI to increase employee productivity?
• The importance of connection with a team and how this can benefit your entire organisation. 

A very common scenario in many organisations is that a highly skilled and technical individual is promoted to a role with people leader responsibilities due to their personal success and development within their current role. With minimal training or support, they can become quickly overwhelmed, stressed, and demotivated, affecting not only their performance but also that of the team. Without intervention the chances of the person exiting the business grows, leaving a demotivated team. The organisation will take a hit on the bottom line having to recruit and upskill a new leader as well as losing a talented and previously engaged individual. Technical experts gain authority through their skills and knowledge, but leadership roles demand different capabilities. Many new leaders lack the necessary people management skills and the training required to enhance team performance. This interactive session looks at how to bridge that performance gap  both from a strategic and tactical perspective.

Women’s health and the confidence it fuels greatly impact careers and economic participation. In this session, we’ll explore how to advocate for inclusive support, build women’s self‑belief at every level and open doors to leadership roles where they can truly own their power.

This session includes:

• how women’s health and confidence can drive career growth and leadership potential
  
• fostering a culture of inclusion that amplifies women’s voices 
  
• establishing supportive policies
  
• allowing flexibility that suits the needs of individuals.
  

HR is no longer just the department that delivers — it's becoming the one that drives. In this session, we explore how HR leaders use data to speak the language of the board, use culture to drive organisational change and move from reactive support to proactive strategy. Whether you’re starting to gain traction or still advocating for visibility, this is your roadmap to not just having a seat at the table, but leading the conversation.

• Learn how to move beyond awareness to build truly neuroinclusive cultures, processes, and tools.
• See how Ingeus is supporting both employees and service users through inclusive technology.
• Leave with a clear, actionable framework to start or scale neuroinclusion in your own organisation.

The shelf-life of skills is diminishing, creating a pressing challenge for business leaders. With technological advancements accelerating the emergence of new roles and labour market conditions remaining unpredictable, securing the right talent with the right skills has never been more critical. This session explores the role and requirement for business and HR leaders to stay ahead of the curve by navigating an ever-evolving skills landscape, address current skills shortages and discover how to better anticipate and prepare for future demands.

In this session, we’ll explore how to bridge the knowing vs. doing gap using innovative learning strategies. Key topics will include:

1. Gamified learning - transforming traditional training to boost engagement and real-world application

 2. AI in learning - leveraging AI for personalized experiences, deeper engagement, and accelerated skill development

3. Impact data - measuring gamified learning outcomes to show how skill development drives business performance and growth.

Join us to discuss how gamified learning, AI, and data-driven insights can drive measurable capability and business impact and close the knowing – doing gap.

The new Labour government prioritises working with trade unions as part of their ‘Make Work Pay’ agenda. But how do you introduce trade unions into your workplace to work in harmony with your management?

Making the case for employee wellbeing can sometimes feel like a tough sell - especially when targets, efficiency and outputs dominate the agenda. But what if the real driver of performance has been hiding in plain sight?

New research from Employment Hero draws a clear line between how people feel at work, and how they perform. In this session, we’ll challenge the idea that wellbeing is about perks and freebies, and show why feelings like recognition, purpose and being valued are anything but “soft.”

These human factors don’t just make people feel good - they drive real results. And the best part? They’re free, and already within reach.

It’s time to put feelings back on the bottom line.

The Employment Rights Bill was introduced within 100 days of the new Government coming to office, to help deliver “economic security and growth to businesses, workers and communities across the UK”. It sets out pivotal changes to employment law in Great Britain, that once in force are going to have a significant impact on organisations of all sizes.

As the Bill moves forward on its journey to become law, we learn more about the details of the changes to the law it proposes, as it is debated and amended in Parliament and subject to public consultation on several of its key provisions.  

So, what does this all mean for your business?

By the end of this session, you will:

-understand the latest legal updates and how to manage these in your organisation

-know what else may be in store for employment law and HR in 2025 and beyond

-learn what you can now to prepare for these future reforms.

Hear from leading fashion retailer, New Look Retailers, about their implementation of Dayforce. Join this session to gain insight into Board sign-off for a new HRIS, why Dayforce was chosen, HRIS implementation lessons and reflections, and the benefits New Look Retailers are experiencing 10 months post go-live with Dayforce.

The concept of ‘being woke’ is one that has been placed front and centre of many conversations surrounding EDI. However, this term can often be misinterpreted. Being aware of the language we use and how we interpret it is key in creating a workforce that is focused on creating a sense of belonging. This session will explore:

• How can you ensure your workforce truly understands inclusive language? 
• 'Cancel culture’ - how does this affect workplace relations? 
• Engaging with different perspectives to amplify marginalised voices and promote inclusivity.

100% of HR leaders are seeing employees struggle with change fatigue, while 73% are facing moderate to high stress levels. It’s no surprise then that 54% of those impacted by change are looking for a new job – people have simply been burned one too many times by poor transformation management. So how can you ensure your people are change ready? And what does change readiness actually mean?

Join this session to learn how you can ensure your people have the skills and tools to approach change with confidence. We’ll explore the role of mindset, agility and innovation, focussing on supporting the human side of change to make the greatest impact.

Join us for a dynamic, hands-on Think Productive session designed to tackle today’s biggest workplace challenge: low employee engagement. 

Nearly 6 in 10 employees are “quiet quitting” (Gallup)—putting in the bare minimum effort to keep their jobs but no longer going the extra mile. This disengagement is costing businesses billions in lost productivity, innovation, wasted talent, and increased turnover. 

From poor communication in meetings, to habitual absenteeism, lost momentum on projects, poor customer service, resistance to change, apathetic reactions, and a general lack of execution, all these manifestations of disengagement weaken your strategy, hurt your bottom line, and can spread like contagion. 

But here’s the good news: this trend is not inevitable. While the world continues to change, the fundamental principles of human motivation stay the same. By understanding the 7 work-based emotional needs that drive engagement, your Managers and Team Leaders can proactively transform their team's energy, happiness, and performance.

Unlock global talent, risk-free: from recruitment to retention discover how to tap into the world's best talent without the compliance headaches. This workshop explores the entire journey, from attracting international talent to ensuring long-term engagement, revealing strategies for streamlined global employment and focusing on growth.

When it comes to meeting the unique health needs of employees, digital solutions are opening up a whole new world of care. But with thousands of mobile apps available to support physical and mental health, it’s hard to know which tools can best meet people where they, simplify care navigation, and ultimately move the needle on engagement and outcomes. This session explores strategies for creating a personalised approach to whole-person health and insights for evaluating new technology to expand access to quality mental health support.

Discover the incredible ways AI is transforming HR and revolutionising frontline work! Learn how even non-tech-savvy employees are using AI in real time to make a big impact on daily operations. Explore how one of the UK’s most recognisable brands is harnessing the power of AI, and gain invaluable insights into the latest advancements in natural language processing that are shaping the future of HR.

With economic instability, global conflicts, changing political landscapes, the ‘talent crunch’ has been exacerbated, creating significant challenges for businesses, economies and employees. Organisations are having to come up with a multifaceted approach to securing their talent pipelines. In this session we will discuss:

• The power of aligning your career development programs with your talent pipeline strategy to secure future roles
• Creating a proactive succession plan that identifies key positions and prepares high-potential employees for future leadership positions
• Conducting talent mapping to identify current and future skill gaps across the organisation enabling targeted recruitment and development strategies. 

No one loves a laugh more than we do—but even the best banter can backfire. Workplace culture shapes everything from Monday morning motivation to Friday afternoon productivity, and humour can be the glue that holds teams together—until it unravels. When does a quick quip at the coffee machine tip from connection-builder to career-limiter? This practical, interactive session from Laughology helps you spot the tipping points before they become trip hazards and explores why it’s changing.  Helping you build the confidence to navigate those “maybe not” moments, understand where the line is (and why it moves), and develop clear, inclusive guidelines that keep the workplace positive, helps people challenge when it does become hurtful—without forcing everyone to communicate in formal emails or reporting to HR.

We’ll explore how humour, when used well, can boost morale, strengthen teams, and create a culture where respect and belonging are more than just corporate clichés. Expect real-world strategies, plenty of laughs, and a fresh perspective on how psychological safety and humour can (and should) go hand in hand.

What will your organisation look like in a year's time? Growth, renewal and transformation are the buzzwords of modern business, yet the result is often disruption and confusion. In this inspiring talk, organisational psychologist and futurist Graham Norris draws on research into the psychology of change to provide a framework for you to prioritise what's important and stay connected to the future ambitions of yourself, your organisation and your team. 

By the end, you will:

• understand how different personalities view change
• have started cultivating the "futurist mindset" needed to navigate uncertainty
• feel more a confident leader of yourself as well as others.

How do we learn best in today’s fast-paced world? Are formal learning methods outdated, or does hands-on experience offer the ultimate path to growth?

Join Debate Mate for a lively, interactive showcase exploring the motion: "This House believes the best way to learn is by doing." Delve into diverse perspectives on leadership, creativity, and bridging skills gaps. Can on-the-job training unlock our potential, or do structured programs provide the foundation we need?

This thought-provoking debate will challenge assumptions and inspire fresh insights into how we thrive through learning.

According to research done by the Institute of Internal Communications, a company with higher rated internal communications, also scores higher in trust of senior management. So why is internal communications so often overlooked?

As the working, and wider, world continues to go through rapid change, we look at how internal communications can be a valuable tool.

Some conversations in the workplace can be difficult, and without a trusting and inclusive environment, employees might not feel safe to speak up or speak out. 

Line managers are more responsible than ever for the wellbeing of their teams, and an open and honest workplace boosts productivity, improves staff retention and makes for a better place to work. 

So how do you create a safe space in your workplace that welcomes sensitive discussions? 

Our panellists will discuss how line managers can:

• Build trust in their teams through safe spaces
• Lead with empathy in all conversations
• Welcome diverse perspectives across your team to create an open dialogue

The University of Oxford has undertaken progressive initiatives, backed by significant investment in its people, to transform its organisational culture. These efforts aim to establish the University as an exceptional place to work. Recognising the need for a step-change, Oxford has introduced a forward-thinking approach to foster behaviours and leadership that champion academic and professional excellence, inclusion, and transformation.

By redefining the employee value proposition and driving change at pace with active colleague engagement, the University strives to create an outstanding employee experience. Already a global leader for academics and researchers, Oxford aspires to extend this reputation to all staff, positioning itself as a top employer in both local and international markets.

Discover how modern recognition and benefits programmes can transform engagement, retention, and productivity to help you become an employer of choice. Drawing from our latest research, this session will show you how to: 

• navigate economic and legislative challenges while enhancing the employee experience  
• tailor benefits for a multi-generational workforce 
• boost engagement and retention with flexible, scalable rewards 
• personalise recognition to foster loyalty and drive productivity 
• simplify programme management without sacrificing impact
• achieve measurable ROI with cost-effective, high-impact solutions.

This illuminating CIPD Trust session will feature an expert panel able to describe the tangible opportunities and spaces that exist within prisons to create learning, training and development interventions.  Our experts will be able to draw on their own experience of employers who have successfully created real talent pipelines, pre-employment training, and encouraged even more people to enter into the labour market, having already had a taster of a future role. This session will give you all the practical know-how to start your own engagement pipeline, drawing on key examples from HR leaders within the CIPD Trust community.

Join this session to gain exclusive insight into how strategic leadership development can become a genuine competitive advantage.

Hear directly from GXO, the world's largest pure-play logistics provider, and Fuel Learning, leadership and management development specialists, who share their approach to developing and deploying talent at speed, and how this accelerated talent development methodology has built a sustainable pipeline of exceptional leaders delivering consistent results across diverse sectors. 

With panel members representing a 14-year partnership, the discussion reveals proven strategies that transform good leaders into exceptional ones, building generation after generation of high-performing leaders in the most demanding industries. Learn how to build your own renewable source of leadership talent and competitive advantage that can energise your organisation's growth trajectory.

If you have ever faced the challenge of how to empower a diverse, global workforce to drive real impact, then make sure to join this session.

Avon, with 1.7 million representatives worldwide, are tackling this challenge head-on. Join Nick Winfield, Global Sales Training Manager at Avon, and Helen Marshall, Chief Learning Officer at Thrive, as we explore how Avon is leveraging learning, communication, and technology to engage, upskill, and support their reps, regardless of location, language, or experience.

We'll discuss how Avon is creating scalable learning experiences that drive confidence and capability, the role of digital tools in fostering a sense of community and belonging, and how their approach ensures every representative has access to the right knowledge at the right time.

Expect insights on learning empowerment, practical takeaways on engaging a dispersed workforce, and a look at the results so far.

If you're facing the challenge of engaging and developing a large, distributed workforce, don’t miss this session.

Over the last five years we have seen major changes in the modern work environment, an evolving employment relationship and a new wave of digitalisation shaping how and where we work. But with that, is there a need to evolve our thinking on what it means to have a voice in the workplace, creating value for the organisation, but fundamentally enhancing job quality for the employee? What role must people professionals, people managers and business leaders play in creating a culture of voice and ensure appropriate and effective mechanisms are available for your people to speak up.

Is your health and wellbeing strategy effectively supporting all your people across the workforce? Any diverse workplace will have people scattered across different stages of the employee lifecycle, facing multifaceted wellbeing challenges and requiring different levels of support. Whether it's supporting working carers, or offering menopause support - is your health and wellbeing policy set up to tackle specific issues that allows your talent to thrive?

Step into the wonderfully quirky world of Alex Horne, the creative genius behind the hit show Taskmaster. In this unique session, Alex will lead an exclusive on-stage Taskmaster challenge, bringing all the hilarity, ingenuity, and friendly chaos of the series to life. The task will encourage people to think laterally, creatively and on their feet, whilst also ensuring hilarious entertainment for the whole group or audience. 

Following the challenge, Alex will sit down for an engaging fireside chat to discuss the origins of Taskmaster, the creative process behind the show’s iconic tasks, and the lessons learned from turning a festival idea into an international sensation. Alex will also share personal anecdotes, insights into what makes the show so universally loved, and how embracing humor and unconventional thinking can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

Matthew will explore the psychological and cultural factors that drive high performance in individuals and organisations - an overview of growth mindset, how people think and conceptualise success and where high performance comes from;

• The power of practice versus talent 
• The impact of and contrast between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
• What does a fixed or growth mindset look like and how these different mindsets affect and drive different behaviours and organisation performance
• Different attitudes to failure and how creating a learning mindset and culture drives continuous improvement
• How leaders’ thinking and behaviours can encourage or suppress collaboration, innovation and growth
• The importance of psychological safety in order to increase learning
• How leaders can drive the right culture and behaviours to foster growth mindset to drive higher levels of performance.

Using compelling examples from different industries, Matthew will highlight how to implement a growth culture and the difference that that can have on performance – both at an individual level and at an organisational level.

The traditional career ladder is evolving into a dynamic, agile journey that demands more than annual reviews and incremental progress. This session will provide insight and guidance to empower you to take charge of your career development in 2025 and help you achieve your career goals.

Based on our insight and experience, we will show you how you can learn how to embrace accountability, seize opportunities, and design a career path that reflects your ambitions and how you can achieve them in the fast-paced realities of today’s workforce.

Join Culture Amp’s Senior People Scientist, Stephanie Kukoyi, as she explores what the data reveals about the common myth that "people don’t quit companies, they quit managers" - and shares actionable steps to leverage leadership to enhance the employee experience.

Awareness of neurodivergence has grown exponentially in recent years, with increased focus on the strengths and opportunities of neurocognitively diverse teams, particularly around creativity, problem solving and specialist expertise. However, our protocols still hinge around the medical model of diagnosis and 121 provision, leaving many employers wondering how to cope with the tsunami of demand. In this talk Dr Doyle will present a triage model to take us forward, which leverages universal design, self-development and improving manager competence. When we decouple neurodiversity from expensive assessments, we have room to focus on optimising performance and facilitating ambition for this group of talented, yet vulnerable employees.

What’s next for the people profession? Attention on the profession has increased significantly in recent years with topics such as hybrid working, skills shortages, wellbeing and inclusive practices necessarily dominating corporate discourse. Reflecting on the last decade to the present day we will unpack the technological, social and cultural shifts that have shaped the profession and explore the outlook for the profession in the near and longer term.

The Leadership Pipeline Institute is joined by one of their highly valued clients, Norwegian Air Shuttle, where they will share how they have successfully integrated the full Pipeline architecture, ensuring that both people leaders and specialists are equally nurtured and developed – helping them to work towards their vision of becoming Europe’s most loved and trusted airline. During this session, you will learn how to identify leadership as both specialist leadership and people leadership, how to discern the different levels and the advantages to your organisation of developing all types of leaders, all the of the time.

This eye-opening session unveils the truth behind the wellness and benefits disconnect in today’s workplaces. Backed by fresh data, our panel examines why traditional offerings are failing to meet employee expectations—and how this mismatch is silently impacting engagement, satisfaction, and retention.

HR leaders will walk away with actionable strategies to:

• listen more effectively to employee needs
• design tailored, inclusive wellness and benefits programs
• turn wellbeing into a competitive advantage—not just a checkbox.

In high-pressure industries, leadership isn’t just about meeting deadlines—it’s about cultivating a culture where employees feel supported, engaged, and motivated to perform at their best. In this panel discussion Investors in People’s People Director, Beth Samson is joined by industry leaders to explore how supportive management can drive retention, productivity, and workforce wellbeing. Through real-world insights, the panel will discuss strategies for building trust, developing resilient teams, and embedding a culture of leadership that ensures long-term success in demanding environments.

• Redefining roles and skills - where are we on the journey?
• Explore how AI will transform existing jobs, emphasising the shift from repetitive tasks to roles requiring creativity, emotional intelligence, and advanced technical skills.
• Where will we see the biggest workforce displacement and where will be the new AI driven jobs and professions? 
• Upskilling for this shift -  the importance of lifelong learning, reskilling, and working with partnerships to prepare workers for future jobs.
• Examining the equity and inclusivity challenges of using AI.
• What are the policy and ethical considerations to support workers and business? 

• Explore how effective communication can unlock true flexibility in the modern workplace. This session highlights the evolving role of employee engagement in supporting hybrid and flexible work models. 
• Discover practical strategies for fostering alignment, strengthening connections, and empowering employees—no matter where they work. 
• Learn how smarter communication can transform flexibility from a policy into a catalyst for performance and well-being.

• Beyond a buzzword, driving true transformation
• The "So What": Real-world impacts and examples
• Why diversity efforts falter and the importance of PS integration with inclusion frameworks
• Avoiding the pitfalls of weaponised Psychological Safety
• Adapting and translating across cultures

This session will empower leaders with the knowledge to design and implement an effective Objectives and Key Results (OKR) framework to drive high-performing organisations. It explores how OKRs align teams, foster accountability, and enhance focus on strategic priorities. Attendees will gain practical insights into crafting measurable and inspiring objectives, setting ambitious yet achievable key results, and embedding OKRs into organizational culture - focusing on which technologies will assist with this process and how technology can deliver an even more effective OKR strategy.

In this fishbowl session, we will discuss:

• Should organisations be shifting back to in-person learning or is digital training here to stay?
• What is the growing role of AI in learning and how will it transform the way we approach skill development?
• How are organisations rethinking traditional training approaches to ensure learning needs are met?
  

Enabling employees to have a voice in the workplace is a fantastic way to engage them with company values and creating Employee Resource Groups (ERG) can encourage colleague discussions. But what should their role and impact be? 

This panel will discuss:

• how can ERGs work with senior leadership teams to drive positive change?
  
• how much involvement should ERGs have in decision making in your company?
  

In sectors such as education, culture can sometimes give organisations that much needed competitive edge. 

Employees stay loyal to those that look after them, but can we really prove the link between employee happiness and overall commercial success? Why does having a solid suite of wellbeing benefits make a difference to company culture?

• Why employee happiness extends to their work and indeed, society at large.
  
• How does financial wellbeing impact and influence employee happiness?
  
• How do HR leaders implement a benefit like financial wellbeing and how can they measure the impact of this? 
  

In today’s data-obsessed world, HR has been told to “speak the language of numbers.” But what if the most powerful insights come not from what we count—but from what we hear, feel, and understand?

In this provocative and practical session, we’ll explore how reclaiming qualitative data—stories, voices, lived experiences—can unlock deeper insights and stronger business outcomes, especially when paired with quantitative insights.

Through real-world examples and actionable strategies, we’ll show how emotional resonance drives executive action, how hidden patterns in open-text data reveal cultural truths, and how AI can help us scale our storytelling without losing the human heart. You’ll learn how to turn anecdotes into hypotheses, stories into strategies, and employee voices into catalysts for change.

Join this session for a look into the Workforce Management Report 2025, a joint report from Civica and Total Politics.

The session will explore findings on overcoming key barriers such as resource constraints, legacy systems, and employee resistance to change, and how they’re crucial in achieving organisational desire to improve workforce management - particularly in employee retention, leadership development, and operational efficiency.

This CIPD Trust panel session will delve into the work the Trust is doing to support those people professionals who are facing barriers to their progression in HR. Drawing on some of the key impacts and lessons learned from their highly successful mentoring programmes aimed at promoting greater diversity (Aspiring HRD and Future People Leaders) the panellists will also discuss what works in making sure the Profession walks the walk. An opportunity to hear from senior leaders with practical hints and tips on what works in creating a more representative profession, better suited to servicing the diverse communities it represents.

In today’s workplace, there are many complexities that come with leading and managing teams. With line managers having a significant impact on people’s day to day experiences in the workplace, how do you build up capability? This session will explore the core competencies needed to succeed as a line manager, including: 

• encouraging autonomy within teams to guide and motivate employees to succeed
• developing authentic connections through active listening that foster engagement
• building resilience to adapt and overcome potential challenges to drive results.

Is your workforce future-ready? Join us for an insightful session that delves into this crucial question in today's changing world. With 25 years of expertise, Best Companies knows the powerful impact of employee engagement and culture on an organisation’s success. As we look to the future, whilst these will still be key, it's essential to evolve and embrace new ways of working, communicating, and managing. Discover what the future workplace looks like and how these elements can drive performance and success. Don't miss out on learning the key principles that will future-proof your organisation and set you ahead of the curve!

The world’s first Chief Human Success Officer is joining The Festival of Work to share insights on why the old ways of doing HR aren’t cutting it anymore. Join this session to learn about combining learning opportunities with goal-setting and routine check-ins to optimise for individual and organisation-level growth. 

People professionals tread a fine line between being the employee champion and maintaining business alignment with business strategy and senior leaders, often striking a balance between wanting the best for the workforce while managing turbulent and sensitive periods of change. But we’ve also seen an increase in the emotional demands and pressure put on people professionals in recent years, creating unsustainable working practices, raising the expectation on professionals and increases levels of burnout.

Engagement from employers will be vital to ensuring the success of this agenda,  this in conversation session with the CIPD’s Chief Executive Peter Cheese will give frontline HR and learning professionals insight into how they can better understand and work with the government’s efforts to get more people into work.

What if the key to unlocking greater organisational performance lies not in strategy or structure, but in something more personal—your employees’ financial wellbeing?

In this thought-provoking session, award-winning psychologist and bestselling author Gethin Nadin unpacks powerful new research that highlights how low financial wellbeing—exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis—is quietly holding businesses back.

You’ll gain a clear understanding of how financial strain doesn’t just affect individual employees—it disrupts team cohesion, customer satisfaction, brand trust, and even health and safety outcomes.

Through data-rich insights and practical examples, discover how organisations that embed financial wellbeing into their people strategy are building more productive, collaborative, and commercially successful teams. This is a must-attend session for HR leaders seeking to drive meaningful, measurable impact.

• Developing an inclusive culture that champions neurodiversity and empowers neurodiverse employees to thrive.
• Designing tailored approaches for each employee and creating open conversations where employees can communicate changing needs.
• Training and developing line managers to foster an understanding of specific needs and creating an environment built on awareness and appreciation.
• Recognising the strengths of neurodiverse employees and how they can help drive innovation and enhance creativity.

The power of authentic, two-way human conversations is key to building stronger relationships at work.

If you want to breathe life into performance management, develop authentic leadership or shift your culture towards greater inclusion and collaboration, we will share 5 key conversations that build trust, engagement and performance.

Facilitated by Maggie Matthews from The Oxford Group by City & Guilds, this interactive session will help you to explore your challenges when trying to shift the dial on this core leadership skill.

Our research shows a mindset of growth is fundamental to higher levels of adaptability, resilience, collaboration and psychological safety. Imagine what could be achieved if everyone had the potential to show up more consistently from a mindset of growth? 

This interactive presentation will share learnings gained from our work with Thales, Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board and the Defence Science Technology Laboratory about how to create a mindset of growth at scale. You’ll get an opportunity to reflect on whether your organisation enables a climate of growth or survival and gain access to the Mindset Practice app - built in direct response to participant feedback for tools to apply mindset practice back in the workplace.

In today’s dynamic workplace, the psychological contract plays an increasingly significant role in shaping employee engagement and organizational success. Employees are increasingly seeking greater alignment between personal values and their organisations purpose, while the finding a balance between work and life has become increasingly critical in maintaining fulfillment and productivity. But what happens when the psychological contract is breached, or expectations are unmet? CIPD research has shown an increasing number of people are adopting transactional attitudes towards work. So, what can people professionals do to better manage the psychological contract more effectively, balancing professional and personal priorities and vitally driving mutual benefit in the employment relationship?

WEALTH at work will share its latest research and valuable insight on:

• The top financial concerns employees are facing and the likely impact of this on work performance.
  
• The financial wellbeing benefits set for growth to create a financially resilient workforce
  
• Practical examples to help employers understand what they need to do now to build strong financial habits among the employees of the future
  

Happiness at work leads to high performance. It’s that simple. 

Research has shown that a state of consciousness called ‘flow’ is what makes our experiences the most satisfying. 

By harnessing this state of focus and meaning in our work life as well, we can unlock the power of peak performance, drive high productivity, and begin to make an impact across our organisations. 

Join applied futurist Tom Cheesewright in this information session, sharing practical advice for HR and business leaders to enable sustainable high performance by making work flow. 

• Examine how budgetary pressures from increased national insurance and minimum wage requirements are influencing employee engagement strategies.
• Analyse whether scaling back perks and benefits is a sustainable approach and its potential impact on workforce morale.
• Discover cost-effective ways to keep employees motivated and committed during periods of financial constraint.
  

For the very first time, up to five different generations are working together in the same organisation. While multigenerational teams contribute a wealth of knowledge, experience, and innovation, how can organisations support leaders to embrace and recognise these opportunities?

Join this session for an engaging discussion to:

• Address common misconceptions and stereotypes that leaders have about working across multiple generations.
• Explore practical ways to break down barriers, through knowledge and understanding.
• Equip your people to feel confident and have the flexibility to lead with greater empathy and understanding.

• Addressing the root causes of toxic workplace culture.
• Equipping leaders with the skills needed to tackle workplace conflict and create healthy cultures.
• Developing effective communication skills to navigate difficult conversations and drive productive outcomes.
• Nurturing a psychologically safe culture whereby employees feel safe to raise concerns or present different perspectives.

The skillset for learning and development professionals is evolving. Learning teams spend much of their time upskilling and developing large swaths of the workforce, but is it time to pause and reflect on how the role of L&D professional is shifting? From an increasing requirement to show proficiency in digital literacy and AI, as well as data analysis, strategic thinking in addition to a growing emphasis on the need for soft skills, join the conversation and unpack why the skillset for L&D professionals is evolving, and to what benefit.

Organisational change is more likely to fail than succeed, so how can you manage your business through change? This session discusses:

• how do you manage change effectively?
• what is the role of internal communications?
• how should you use employee feedback in your period of change?
• how to work with all stakeholders, including HR, to enable success.

Flexible working is an essential part of working life for many employees, but since the pandemic, lines between work and personal life have become even more blurred. The panel discusses:

• Would legislation help employees with work life balance? 
  
• Would the ‘right to switch off’, have been a help or a hindrance for businesses?
  
• How can work life balance tackle the burnout problem?
  
• Is 'always on' culture good or bad for business or managers? 
  

• How urgent are skills shortages currently in the UK? What will the impact of unfilled roles be on productivity?
• Key strategies for reskilling and implementing lifelong learning to address skills gaps.
• Empowering the younger generation - the role of education reform, apprenticeships, and vocational training in preparing young people for future opportunities.
• Identifying the critical skills needed for growing sectors such as green energy, AI, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing.
• Collaboration across sectors - how government, businesses, and educational institutions can work together to create innovative training programs and long-term skill development strategies.

Join Marc Molloy, Associate Director of Leadership Excellence, as he unveils the ground-breaking leadership programme reshaping Britain's largest police force. During this session, you'll gain exclusive insights into how the Metropolitan Police is building trust, transforming culture, and developing tomorrow's leaders – all while maintaining operational excellence.

In this session, you will:

•  master the art of creating high-impact content that resonates across all leadership levels
• discover innovative approaches to blending internal expertise with world-class external resources 
• learn proven strategies for measuring success in high-stakes environments
• unlock the secrets of scaling leadership development without compromising quality.

Lately, we have seen vocal debate challenging, among other things, the value of EDI. While creating working environments where everyone feels safe and empowered to reach their potential shouldn’t be controversial, questions over governance, accountability and responsibility are rising to the surface. It’s vital that efforts on EDI align with core organisational goals and acknowledge business, legal, social and ethical drivers. What roles should people professionals and business leaders play in the future of EDI?

How do you build a leadership culture that’s bold, collaborative, and ready for real innovation, when your future leaders are thriving within strong individual brands, but rarely given the space to stretch beyond them? 

Join Emma, Nick and Eleanor to explore how they designed 'Futures', a leadership development experience that shifted mindsets, broke down silos, and began building a leadership pipeline equipped for complexity, change, and growth.

Built on intentional leadership behaviours, innovation sprints, and reflective ‘micro-pause’ practices, discover how to go beyond learning theory and become a change-maker inside the system itself.

Discover how to embed practices like systems thinking, psychological safety, and coaching to create deep, enduring shifts in mindset and behaviour. Hear how this stretch-based model is building real leadership capability that aligns with Immediate’s commercial goals, and how it continues to ripple outward as participants lead projects, mentor peers, and shape the culture from within.

• Explore the latest governmental updates on apprenticeship policies and discover what these changes mean for employers.
• Implementing apprenticeships as a powerful tool for social mobility, offering young people from all backgrounds a pathway into meaningful careers.
• Discuss effective ways to support and retain young apprentices, including the benefits of partnering with local schools and colleges to create a strong foundation and network for future talent.

Boosting engagement with benefits has the power to boost overall engagement and loyalty from employees. Find out how to move away from simply increasing benefits choice and viewing your offering as a set of features for employees to choose between, to creating a rewarding user experience linked to employees’ goals, values and life events. By creating an engaging and emotive benefits experience, you can make employees feel more valued and supported to boost engagement with benefits in a way that will boost employee engagement and loyalty overall.

Motion: This House believes that leaders cannot prepare for the future

In a world of rapid change and economic pressure, is it possible for leaders to stay ready for what’s ahead?

Join Debate Mate for a dynamic, thought-provoking showcase exploring the motion: "This House believes that leaders cannot prepare for the future." We’ll examine whether leaders can anticipate tomorrow’s challenges, balance productivity with wellbeing in a tight economy, and navigate the rising influence of AI and emotional intelligence.

Can leaders truly prepare, or is adaptability the only constant in leadership today? This lively debate will inspire fresh insights into thriving amidst uncertainty.

Employer relations with trade unions are set for a shakeup, but how can employers effectively engage and work with trade unions moving forward? This session will unpack the need for increased dialogue towards shared goals and business growth, adapting to workplace changes, employee voice, and skills development in preparing workers for future roles.

Developing inclusive cultures is of great importance to organisations today, but often employers don't feel confident in knowing where to start when it comes to disability inclusion. Join this session for an in conversation with Samantha Renke to explore holistic approaches to disability inclusion and discover what it truly means to demonstrate allyship. 

There are many leadership programmes which can seem rather like a sheep-dip; lots of theories and models, and the impact in the workplace can appear negligible.

What if your potential leaders could experience a leadership programme that was personalised for them, customised to meet the values and culture of the organisation, and designed to support them in real-life challenges. Leadership development is not a ‘one-size fits all’ experience.

Come along to hear a different approach to leadership development, and leave with the ideas of a shepherd!

• Uncover practical ways of how you can embed a culture of learning within your teams.
• Measure and demonstrate the benefits that learning can have on performance, personal development and achieving organisational goals. 
• Installing a learning culture that keeps employees engaged in continuous learning throughout every stage of their life cycle.

Employees are now looking for more than just a paycheck—they want to work for organisations that are socially responsible, purpose-driven, and provide meaningful roles. 

Explore how to link roles to your organisation’s purpose and values and build a powerful Employee Value Proposition (EVP) that resonates with these priorities to help to attract and retain talent. 

Everyone should be able to thrive at work, employees and people professionals alike, and a happy workforce, is a productive workforce.

So how do you create a safe place of psychological safety that encourages growth? This session will cover:

• Before burnout: creating a preventative approach to wellbeing
• Psychological safety: safe spaces and being your true professional self

Join us for an inspiring fireside chat with Alex Scott MBE, renowned sports broadcaster, former England defender, and trailblazer in women’s football. From her early days signing with Arsenal as a schoolgirl to captaining the team during one of its most successful eras, Alex has consistently shattered glass ceilings in sport and beyond.

As a pundit and presenter for the BBC and Sky, Alex made history as the first woman to commentate on a men’s World Cup match for the BBC, cementing her legacy as a pioneer in sports broadcasting. In this session, Alex will share insights on breaking down barriers in sport, the importance of diversity and inclusion, and her role in elevating women’s football to new heights.

We’ll delve into the motivations behind her remarkable career, her greatest achievements on and off the pitch, and the lessons she’s learned about teamwork and collaboration. Alex will also discuss her academy in southwest London, which combines education with sport to inspire the next generation of players and leaders.