Organisations often invest heavily in benefits and perks to attract and retain talent. Yet, research shows that workers feel these strategies often fail, not only in addressing their most important needs, but in enhancing their overall employee experience. In this session, we’ll discuss how a people-centric focus can enable organisations to align with what matters most to employees, how recognition can foster positive mental health practices and how to redefine their programs, ensuring that employees feel seen, valued and cared for.

Attracting and keeping top talent is harder than ever – especially for startups competing in a fast-moving, global market. This masterclass unpacks practical strategies to stand out to high-quality candidates, build a fast but effective hiring process, and retain top performers long-term.

Learn how to tap into global talent pools, strengthen your employer brand, streamline onboarding, and create a culture that drives engagement – especially across remote and hybrid teams.

Scaling quickly while maintaining a strong culture is one of the toughest balancing acts for growing companies—especially when expanding internationally. In this customer fireside chat, we’ll share the strategy behind building a global People function that supports business growth without compromising the employee experience. Expect a walkthrough of the shift from scrappy startup to global operator, the key inflection points in their People roadmap, and the real tactics they used to address challenges like headcount planning, compliance, and performance management across multiple countries. This will be an honest, tactical discussion—highly relevant for any People leader navigating scale, complexity, and culture in a high-growth, global business.

In the wake of large-scale restructures and cost-cutting initiatives, organisations are grappling with the unintended consequences—ranging from ‘survivor syndrome’ to declining engagement and retention challenges. While economic realities demand ongoing cost optimisation, employee expectations remain high, and dissatisfaction can simmer beneath the surface.

This Think Tank will explore the delicate balancing act between financial imperatives and the human impact of workplace change. How can HR leaders right-size their organisations with fairness and empathy while maintaining trust and long-term talent sustainability? From evolving workforce models to shifting employee value propositions, our panel will unpack strategies for navigating economic pressures without sacrificing culture and engagement.

Leadership has always been about guiding teams through change, but today’s leaders must navigate more than just technological disruption—they’re facing profound shifts in social dynamics, workplace expectations, and community values. As organisations adapt to evolving societal norms, frontline and executive leaders alike must be equipped with the right skills, tools, and frameworks to lead with empathy, clarity, and impact.

This interactive discussion will explore the changing role of leadership in today’s dynamic environment, focusing on how HR leaders can support and empower managers at all levels. We’ll discuss practical approaches to leadership development beyond traditional programs, how we can better empower our leaders with timely and relevant data, innovative ways to measure and foster performance, and strategies for simplifying information flow to enable leaders to act decisively.

As the world of work transforms, so too must the HR profession. But what does the future hold for HR leaders, and how can we ensure our discipline remains relevant, strategic, and impactful? Where are we adding most value to our businesses?

This interactive discussion will explore the evolving role of HR in the face of emerging workforce challenges and dynamics.
How do we balance being ethical stewards of an organisation with the risk of crossing into advocacy? How do we move away from transactional compliance to strategic direction? And crucially, how do we reinvigorate HR professionals who have weathered turbulent years of crisis management, only to face the next wave of disruption?

Join us for a candid conversation on what it will take to future-proof HR, redefine our leadership profiles, and build resilience within our own teams—ensuring we don’t just adapt to change, but actively shape what comes next.

Psychosocial safety continues to emerge as a critical issue for organisations, with many experiencing a rise in whistleblowing, work health and safety complaints, and a skyrocketing number of psychological claims which can be incredible complex and nuanced in nature.

This Think Tank will give HR leaders a forum to explore how they are addressing these challenges as an organisation, from legislative changes to the practical impact on employee engagement, resilience, and wellbeing. With rising premiums and a growing obligation on businesses to act, what steps are organisations taking to create a safer, more supportive environment for their people? How do we navigate the dynamic between HR and Health and Safety Teams in managing claims?

This session will explore key strategies for managing risk, fostering a holistic approach to employee wellbeing, and understanding the broader implications for organisational health and safety.