Jacob Alahan
CEO, Corporate Event Solutions

Sarah Jo Loveday
Founder & Chief Helper Peoplekind

Nelson Sivalingam
Co Founder & CEO, 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.

Executive Health Screening – Investing in the health of your business leaders

Doctor Safia Debar – BSc, MBBS, MRCGP, DCH, DRCOG, MRCGP, DipOccMed, MPH

Abstract: Mayo Clinic is top ranked in quality more often than any other healthcare organisation and is top ranked in more specialties than any other hospital in the US by U.S. News & World Report in 2023-2024.

Research by the Mayo Clinic in the US in 2012 found that 53 per cent of patients had new and clinically important diagnoses discovered through the health screening programme, 51 per cent of which might not have been picked up by traditional screening guidelines.

Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London offers comprehensive Executive Health screening, private GP services and second opinion services with access to our world-leading consultants, advanced imaging and diagnostic suites and easy access to leading specialist cardiology and gastroenterology teams.

Located in a purpose-built healthcare facility, the team are supported by the latest technology and Mayo Clinic’s unrivalled global network of world-leading experts across every medical specialty.

Bio: Voted one of Tatler’s top GPs, Dr Debar is an experienced private GP and forms part of the Mayo clinic executive health team. She is Benson Henry Institute certified to run the Harvard affiliated SMART (Stress Management and Resiliency Training) course. Combining stress management, neuroplasticity, attachment theory, epigenetics, mindfulness practices and a functional medicine approach, this course is a deep dive into the neuroscience of stress and wellness. Dr Debar runs courses for individuals, groups and for numerous companies in the corporate sector.

 “I believe in a functional holistic approach to health with the patient being central to the patient-doctor partnership. Relationship and continuation of care is important as health is multidimensional. An integrative approach is key with the pillars of neuroscience, medicine and somatics.”

Jo Pick
Chief People Officer, Wincanton

People-centric AI

Abstract: Jo will share her insights and expertise on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in building the best teams in the supply chain industry. From people-centric AI deployments to ethical guidelines, Jo will explore how AI can enhance accuracy, fairness, and accountability in HR practices.

Biography: Jo Pick is Chief People Officer at Wincanton, the UK’s premier partner for supply chain solutions, working with clients of all sizes and sectors, from the world’s leading corporations to the most beloved British brands.

As well as leading a team of over 170 HR professionals who support over 20,000 colleagues. Jo drives the development and retention of talent across the Wincanton Group. She also chairs the Wincanton social value steering committee, championing wellbeing, community, and diversity and inclusion.

Previously Jo worked as HR Director in both the food industry and healthcare at Greencore and Johnson & Johnson respectively. She has a strong commercial business partnering background, undertaking many transformational change initiatives including mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.

Chris Chesterman
Head of Sales, Hownow

Abstract: The skills conversation is booming—and for good reason. Skills are fast becoming the common language that connects individuals with personal growth, team performance, technology & organisational performance.

Join this roundtable to connect with other HR leaders and discuss how to turn potential into performance. You’ll :

1. Find out where you are on the skills journey (don’t worry, there’s no ‘right’ answer)
2. Identify how to spot the skills gaps and strategies for closing the gap and building a skills-first workforce

This is about real, practical advice that you can apply immediately.

Ready to bridge the skills gap?

Anamaria Tudor CHRO
SVP Global Human Resources Director, Global Blue

Embracing Flexibility: Navigating Global Workforce Dynamics

Abstract: This session, “Embracing Flexibility: Navigating Global Workforce Dynamics,” will explore the strategies and best practices for implementing and managing flexible working policies across diverse geographical regions.

Participants will gain insights into the benefits of flexible working, including increased employee satisfaction, and the ability to attract and retain top talent. The session will also address the challenges and solutions related to coordinating flexible work schedules, maintaining team cohesion, tracking productivity and ensuring compliance with varying local labor laws.

Bio: She is the Senior Vice President & Global Human Resources Director and she has held this role since 2021.  In the past, she has served as HR Director, UK, Northern Europe & Benelux Region. Anamaria has over a decade of experience across all facets of Human Resources. Prior to joining Global Blue, Anamaria held executive roles leading HR Departments in the capacity of Head of HR and HR Consultant.

Anamaria holds a Master’s in Human Resource Management from Hertfordshire University, Bachelor (Hons) in Human Resource Management from Middlesex University, and Advanced Level 7 Diploma from Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s (CIPD’s).

Kenneth Pennington
HR Director and Associate Business Partner, SITA

Emily Benge
Senior Consultant HR Business Partner, SITA

Just a Fish: Navigating Life Challenges with Clarity and Confidence

Have you ever found yourself facing a challenge, feeling like you’re drowning in ‘what-ifs’ and lacking the information to steer yourself towards safe waters? It’s like navigating through uncharted seas in the middle of a storm, where everything familiar shifts, and the flood of advice and frameworks feels more like a hindrance than a help. We’ve all been there!

Kenneth Pennington has dedicated his career to delivering People strategies, leadership coaching, and innovative solutions within a wide range of organizations. Believing in the power of positive disruption, Kenneth has helped organizations find their new realities by evoking concepts of managerial courage, adaptable attitudes, and curiosity. His work spans Fortune 500 companies, top-tier consulting firms, and organizations striving for evolution. Kenneth’s best days are when he sees cultures change, leaders engage, and the latest ideas delivered to market. His 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.

Emily Benge is a HR professional with a career centred around driving business impact while enhancing employee experiences and fostering meaningful connections. Emily’s belief in the learning potential of every opportunity is evident in her diverse 6-year career trajectory. She has held pivotal roles in Marketing, Employee Engagement, Wellbeing, Communication, and most recently, Strategic Business Partnership. This breadth of experience equips Emily with the insights and expertise to drive meaningful change across multiple arenas. In this capacity, Emily continues to leverage her skills to create a dynamic and supportive workplace where both employees and the business can thrive.

Jo Carlin
SVP HR Europe First Source

Creating a cross-cultural inclusion movement; one microagression at a time!

Abstract: A story of how you can create shifts in inclusive behaviours across cultures by surfacing what micro aggressions are and how they can impact marginalised groups.  This in turn creates an interruption in individual and group behaviour in a more natural way.

Bio: Jo Carlin is the SVP HR Europe for Firstsource Solutions Ltd where she passionately supports the wider people strategy, alongside being Global Lead for Inclusion & Diversity.  Prior to this she has operated at senior HR Director level across the UK and Europe for over a decade, working across a variety of sectors including Life Sciences, Hospitality, FMCG and Manufacturing for both national and international businesses.  She is a qualified Executive Coach and holds master’s qualifications in both psychological science and business.  In her spare time, she focusses on spending her time with her husband, two daughters and their dog.

Asli Derya
Head of Learning Design, University of Cambridge

Building a culture of innovation in your (L&D) teams

Abstract: : What makes a team innovative? Why can some teams get so much innovation done while others struggle to find the time? This session will explore building a culture of innovation within your teams by focusing on psychological safety, learning to learn, fostering continuous curiosity and adaptability.

Bio: Asli has over a decade experience working in the learning space with extensive knowledge of learning design and digital learning. Previously she worked with in-house corporate learning and development (L&D) teams, including one of the Big Four consulting firms. She has held a number of L&D roles from apprenticeships to business partnering to leadership development before specialising in learning design. In her roles she has led change projects, helped organisations transform their learning through EdTech, built centres of excellence and increased L&D teams’ capabilities.

From 2019 to 2021, she held the position of Board Director for the eLearning Network, where she focused on setting up longitudinal research on the future of L&D. She is a life-long learner herself having completed an MSc in Human Resource Development and Consultancy recently where she completed a research project on developing a leading assessment strategy for professional learners.

Draw prizes include:

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