Jacob Alahan
CEO, Corporate Event Solutions

Sarah Jo Loveday
Founder & Chief Helper Peoplekind

Chris Chesterman, Head of Sales
HowNow

The Secret to using AI to Close Skills Gaps.

Abstract: Forget everything you thought you knew about AI in HR and L&D. This is not just a talk; it’s a wake-up call. In just 30-minutes, you’ll learn HOW to put AI to work to solve our biggest skills challenges NOW. This session will help you: 1. See how AI is delivering impact today 2. Dive into how AI can identify, assess, and bridge skills gaps 3. Understand why AI’s role is a paradigm shift in learning 4. Build strategies for leveraging AI to swiftly adapt HR initiatives Join this session to learn how to move beyond the hype and harness AI to close your skills gaps and future-proof your workforce.

Chris Britton,
People Experience Director at Reward Gateway | Edenred

Has traditional workplace wellbeing run its course, and is a holistic approach the only way forward?

This roundtable will explore how taking a holistic approach to wellbeing is now essential in meeting the pillar needs of mental, physical and financial wellbeing in our employees’ lives.

Kenneth Pennington
People Strategy and Engagement Director

Anusha Patel
Associate People Business Partner at SITA

Lions being led by Cubs:  Perspectives from Young Talent

Bio:

Throughout my career, I have been delivering People strategies, leadership coaching, and idea facilitation within a wide range of organizations seeking to be different and creating greater value for their employees.  My greatest accomplishments have created sustained employee engagement and been resonate with leaders well beyond the project launches

I believe in the power of positive disruption.  Evoking the concepts of managerial courage, adaptable attitudes, and curiosity, I have helped organizations find their new realities.  Delivering critical initiatives for Fortune 500, top-tier consulting firms, and organizations striving for evolution.  My best days are when I see cultures change, leaders engage, and new ideas delivered to market.

My experiences in media and content, pharmaceuticals, and emerging technologies have provided opportunities to shine on stage, facilitate tough strategy workshops, and work individually with leaders and executives to accelerate the future.

Rupert Brown
Former People Director Digital Virgin Media O2

A better way to lead change  

Abstract:

The way we lead change in organisations isn’t working despite this being a fundamental expectation of leaders today. Our experience and resistance to change offers insights to the conditions necessary for this to be improved. During this talk Rupert will highlight some of the common pitfalls leaders find themselves in and how that manifests in poor change adoption. Rupert will then outline an alternative human centered approach considering the mental, emotional and relational aspects of leadership leading to a better change experience.

Bio:

A Chief People Officer fascinated by change. With 25 years’ international Board experience, managing complex digital transformation to design, deliver and enable new structures and capabilities. Background in large corporates going through change (including mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures) and scale-up PE backed businesses across a variety of sectors including Digital Telco, Software, FMCG, Logistics and Education. Rupert was most recently People Director at Virgin Media O2 focussed on the build out of digital transformation capabilities following 15 years living and working abroad in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Darren and Andrew DNA Britain got talent finalists 

Phil Askham
Head of Organisational Change and Employee Experience Montfort

Trust, loyalty and engagement in 2030

• In 2030, Gen Z will be the dominant generation demographic in the workforce?
• how will their attitudes to work impact employee retention, innovation and productivity?
• is employee engagement still relevant, or is there a more useful outcome measure to aim at?
• How do CEOs and CHROs best navigate the new demographics of work?

Bio:

Phil has over 20 years’ experience helping global corporates and public bodies become more productive, purposeful and fulfilling workplaces. As a former Global Head of Employee Communications at HSBC, Phil played a major part in strengthening the firm’s risk culture. He also helped propel O2 to become the UK’s number one mobile provider by transforming its employee experience. During his time at Montfort, he has planned and delivered communications for two major M&amp A transactions.

Hamira Riaz Executive Talent & Assessment Director
People & Places at Lloyds Banking Group 

From traditional to non-traditional vectors

Bio:

Hamira Riaz is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist & Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society.With two doctorates and specialism in neuropsychology, her 35yr career includes neuroscience service provision within the NHS and MoD and strategy consultancy at YSC (part of Accenture). She was previously VP Strategic Leadership at Volvo Group with a remit spanning Talent, DEI and Leadership Development. She joined Lloyds Banking Group as Executive Talent & Assessment Director in 2023. She’s a regular media commentator on a wide range of subjects from post-pandemic leadership, resilience and the psychology of success in times of radical uncertainty.

Alastair Ball
Senior Recruitment Manager at Amazon

The future of Talent Acquisition.

Abstract:

The focus of this session is to highlight some of the factors that are impacting how, where and when we recruit for talent.

Bio: 

Over the past 20 years, I have built an extensive career in talent acquisition, primarily within the EMEA region.  Initially starting in an agency, hiring into the Investment Banking sector, I moved into an in-house role in 2009, before joining Amazon in 2012.  Throughout my Amazon career I lead teams that have delivered into Operations business.  With the hyper growth within the company I have been required to demonstrate strong leadership, stakeholder management, and strategic planning skills in order to deliver for my customer.

Draw prizes include:

Prize 1 Apple ipad
Prize 2 Apple watch
Prize 3 Apple Home Pod Mini