Innovation, Insight and Industry Leaders to Unite at HR Technologies UK 2026

LONDON: HR Technologies UK has revealed new details for its 2026 event, which will return to Excel London on 29-30 April 2026 for its biggest edition yet. Bringing together senior HR and talent leaders from across the UK and beyond, the event will deliver two days of industry insight, innovation and practical solutions shaping the future of work.

As the UK’s only tech-focused event dedicated to senior HR and People professionals, HR Technologies UK continues to spotlight the tools, ideas and partnerships transforming how organisations attract, develop and support their workforces.

Conference sessions and live demonstrations will explore HR’s role in transformation, digital upskilling, ethical AI and the shift from managing human capital to unlocking human potential. Alongside the keynote stages, the event will also feature four seminar streams providing dedicated sessions where solution providers can share insights, advice and learned experience with attending HR leaders.

The event is on track to welcome a record number of exhibitors, including global leaders such as HiBob, Oracle, Zellis, Sage, and Workday. The 2026 edition will showcase solutions spanning digital enablement, people analytics, AI-driven recruitment, workforce planning and employee wellbeing.

Learn about the solutions driving the future

100 exhibitors are expected to attend HR Technologies UK 2026 to showcase innovative solutions, host live demonstrations, and share practical insight into how HR teams can navigate today’s fast-changing workforce landscape and future-proof their organisations.

This year’s show floor will feature major players, including HR Path, CIPHR, Dayforce, SAP and ADP, underscoring the event’s position as the UK’s leading destination for enterprise HR technology. Alongside these established brands, fast-growth innovators will demonstrate how AI, automation and data-driven insight are transforming how organisations hire, engage, pay and develop their people.

Among the highlights, Zelt will preview its AI-powered Applicant Tracking System, connecting employee performance data with recruitment workflows to deliver context-sensitive, anonymised candidate insights. Greenhouse Software will showcase structured, data-led hiring methodologies and AI-enhanced workflows, while Dayforce will present its a single AI-Powered HCM platform, combining core HR, Payroll, Time, Talent, Planning and Analytics.

In leadership and development, Cayus will unveil its enhanced HR Dashboard and next-generation Leadership Maturity Scoring. Built natively within Microsoft 365, Cayus uses advanced behavioural analytics to deliver unbiased, real-time insights into leadership performance. Clarity4D will demonstrate its Jungian-based personality profiling, designed to drive culture change and team performance through fully bespoke profiles which leverage advanced algorithms through cloud-based technologies.

With compliance high on the agenda, the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals will share expertise spanning qualifications and consultancy, while Zellis and Level FT highlight integrated payroll.

Conversations defining the future of work

Across two keynote theatres, HR Technologies UK 2026 will bring together influential voices from business, technology, policy and academia to explore the trends reshaping HR strategy – from AI transformation and future-ready leadership to inclusion, wellbeing and the evolving political landscape.

Christine Armstrong, Author, Speaker and Vlogger at Armstrong & Partners, will open the agenda with her welcome address, ‘Setting the scene: what are the challenges, pressures and opportunities driving trends and investments?’ (Day 1, 09:30), framing the key themes shaping HR in 2026.

Following this, Alex Mahon, Former CEO of Channel 4 and CEO of Superstruct Entertainment, will deliver the highly anticipated opening keynote on change navigation and future-ready leadership (Day 1, 09:50), sharing first-hand insight into leading transformation at scale. At 10:30, David Wilson, Founder and CEO of Fosway Group, is set to present ‘Hype vs Reality in the HR Function’, examining the true progress and impact of HR tech transformation and AI adoption, differentiating between innovations that are genuinely driving success.

Later, the panel ‘The Future of Work: Anticipating Upcoming Trends in People and HR Technology’ (Day 1, 11:30) will feature Rosalyn Rudran of The Salvation Army and Rob Winson of UK Health Security Agency, chaired by Sven Elbert of Fosway Group, exploring the opportunities, barriers and challenges of using technology to maximise human potential, looking at continuous real-time assessment, blockchain technology, VR and AR and artificial intelligence

A brand-new initiative for 2026, HR Heroes will bring together the industry to celebrate professionals driving meaningful change within their organisations. Recognising HR leaders at all levels who go above and beyond to create more engaging workplaces, the awards will shine a spotlight on those making a tangible impact.

Day two turns its focus to the human aspect of transformation. Alice Darbyshire, Founder of Alice Darbyshire Ltd, opens with ‘The Future is Human: Leading in the Age of AI’ (Day 2, 10:00), exploring the mindset and behaviours defining effective leadership in a world that is increasingly dominated by AI.

Building inclusive and supportive cultures remains central. Joeli Brearley of Pregnant Then Screwed and Growth Spurt and Elliott Rae, Speaker and Author and Social Changemaker, lead ‘Building a Manifesto: What Does it Mean to Employ Parents and Carers in 2026 and Beyond?’ (Day 2, 11:10), which will be an interactive presentation challenging employers to rethink support frameworks. A dedicated case study, ‘Developing a Menopause Policy’ (Day 2, 12:30), will see Jacqui McBurnie of NHS England share practical guidance on policy design and implementation.

Inclusion through technology takes centre stage during ‘Rewriting the Workplace: Tech-Driven Inclusion for your Neurodiverse and Disabled Workforce’ (Day 2, 13:10), chaired by Lucy Ruck of Business Disability Forum, featuring Christopher Patnoe, Lead for EMEA Accessibility and Disability Innovation at Google and Marc Powell, Global Accessibility CoE Lead at Unilever.

Later, ‘From Awareness to Adoption: Swarovski’s Experience of Building an AI-Ready Workforce at Scale’ (Day 2, 14:30) will be led by Aleksandar Lombard, Head of Data and AI Excellence at Swarovski International Holding, sharing real-world lessons in embedding AI capability across a global organisation.

Together, the 2026 keynote programme reflects the central challenges facing HR today, harnessing digital development responsibly, navigating change with confidence, and unlocking the full potential of people in increasingly complex workspaces.

Meet the rising stars of HR and recruitment technology

The Innovation Hub will shine a spotlight on the next wave of HR and recruitment technology pioneers. Designed as a launchpad for emerging providers and fast-growth disruptors, the Hub offers visitors a first look at breakthrough platforms tackling some of the most complex and evolving challenges facing today’s organisations.

From AI-powered talent solutions and advanced people analytics to tools enhancing employee experience, wellbeing and workforce agility. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage directly with product leaders and explore how these innovators are reimagining work through technology.

Returning for 2026, HR Technologies UK will once again host its popular Start-Up Zone and Start-Up Showdown, a dedicated platform celebrating the most exciting emerging businesses in HR technology.

Positioned at the heart of the Innovation Hub, the Start-Up Zone provides a focused space for high-growth companies to connect directly with HR leaders, generate new business opportunities and build visibility within the industry. This year’s exhibitors include WorkFlex, Nartio, nCore HR, Skillvue, Performerly.ai, FairShot AI, Cayus, Omveo and Cooplay, each showcasing innovative solutions designed to solve evolving workforce challenges.

Start-ups within the Zone will also have the opportunity to compete in the highly anticipated Start-Up Showdown, a live competition judged by a panel of respected industry experts. Designed to amplify visibility and accelerate growth, the Showdown gives founders the chance to present their technology to HR decision-makers and investors.

The overall winner will secure a complimentary stand at HR Technologies UK 2027, providing a valuable platform to scale their presence at next year’s event. In addition, the winning company will receive exclusive advisory support from renowned industry expert Bill Boorman, offering strategic guidance to help refine positioning, strengthen market impact and unlock further growth opportunities.

Co-located with Learning Technologies

HR Technologies UK will be co-located with Learning Technologies, Europe’s leading workplace learning event held by CloserStill Media. The events are interlinked, with visitors at HR Technologies UK also gaining direct access to Learning Technologies.

Nicki Morris, Group Exhibition Director at HR Technologies UK 2026, said: “HR is operating at the centre of workplace transformation. In 2026, the conversation moves beyond adopting new systems to truly reimagining work through technology and unlocking the full potential of people.

From data-driven decision-making and people analytics to future-ready leadership, wellbeing, and the people experience modernisation, we are bringing together global technology leaders and emerging innovators who are shaping what’s next.

We’re proud to create a space that champions collaboration, cross-functional excellence and responsible innovation. As businesses continue to balance transformation with culture, performance and corporate responsibility, this year’s show will provide the leading platform to find the insight, partnerships and inspiration needed to lead with confidence into the future of work.”

To find out more information and to register to attend, visit the HR Technologies UK 2026 website here: https://www.hrtechnologies.co.uk

For more information, including details on exhibiting or attending, please visit https://www.hrtechnologies.co.uk/ or contact the HR Technologies UK team.

HRD Connect Curators of the New Business Landscape. HRD Connect produces industry-recognized content for senior HR leaders. Through articles, case studies, Q&As, podcasts, events, and more, we offer truly progressive and cutting-edge insights designed to help people leaders address core HR challenges and add greater value to their business.

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