HR Technologies UK 2026 Reveals Future-Focused Conference Programme Featuring Leaders from Google, Ipsos, Unilever, the NHS and Five Guys

Designed to educate, collaborate, innovate, and accelerate, the expanded programme brings together senior HR and people leaders for two days of high-impact content. With a mix of headline keynotes, interactive panels, and a multi-stream seminar programme, the agenda is structured to deliver both strategic insight and practical application.

Headline keynotes tackling HR’s biggest questions

At the heart of the event, the keynote agenda offers a compelling exploration of the forces reshaping the future of work, structured around six defining themes. These range from digital enablement and human potential to employee wellbeing, people experience, and future-ready leadership, providing a holistic view of the modern HR landscape.

Day one will open with Christine Armstrong, Author, Speaker, and Vlogger at Armstrong & Partners, who will set the scene with the economic, technological, and cultural pressures influencing HR decision-making in 2026. 

This will be followed by one of the most anticipated sessions of the programme, as Alex Mahon, CEO of Superstruct Entertainment and former CEO of Channel 4, will present “Leading through change: Culture, creativity and the future,” exploring how large-scale organisations can foster creativity, resilience, and innovation while navigating disruption.

Further keynotes on day one will include David Wilson, Founder of Fosway Group, who will discuss “Hype vs Reality in the HR Function”, offering a grounded perspective on AI and HR technology adoption. Andrew Dorsett, Intergenerationalist at Rhabdomancy Consulting, and Venessa Okonkwo, Head of People & Culture at Dock & Bay, will deliver practical insights on building future-ready teams and cultivating positive workplace culture.

Day two will open with Alice Darbyshire, Founder of Alice Darbyshire Ltd, presenting “The future is human: Leading in the age of AI,” exploring the mindset and behaviours defining effective leadership in AI-augmented workplaces. 

Later, Jacqui McBurnie, Senior Programme Manager at NHS England and Founder of the NHS England Menopause Network, will provide guidance on designing inclusive menopause policies, while Aleksandar Lombard, Head of Data and AI Excellence at Swarovski, will share real-world lessons on embedding AI capabilities across a global organisation.

Panels: conversations shaping the future of work

Panels will be a core feature of the programme, bringing multiple perspectives together to tackle pressing industry questions. 

On day one, Rosalyn Rudran, Head of HR Transformation at The Salvation Army, Rob Winson, Director of People Services at UK Health Security Agency, Dr Sven Elbert, Senior Analyst HCM & Talent at Fosway Group and Aleksandar Lombard, Head of Data and AI Excellence at Swarovski will examine the opportunities, barriers, and challenges in leveraging technology to maximise human potential.

Day two will feature discussions addressing both political and workplace inclusion challenges. Dr Jonathan Lord, Senior Lecturer at University of Salford, and Keiran Pedley, Director of Politics at Ipsos UK, will explore the legal, economic, and political landscape affecting UK workplaces. Another panel will focus on tech-driven inclusion for neurodiverse and disabled employees, with insights from Christopher Patnoe, Lead for EMEA Accessibility and Disability Innovation at Google, Marc Powell, Global Accessibility CoE Lead at Unilever, and Lucy Ruck, Taskforces Manager at Business Disability Forum, who will share strategies for building accessible, inclusive workplaces through innovative technology.

Seminar programme delivers practical, hands-on insight

Complementing the keynote agenda, the multi-theatre seminar programme will provide a practical lens on HR technology in action, featuring sessions led by leading solution providers and practitioners.

Across four seminar theatres, attendees will experience technology demos, case studies, and live presentations. Topics will range from recruitment and payroll to employee engagement and AI-driven decision-making.

Highlights include seminars from Sofia Lim-Oliver, Director of Leadership Development at HiBob, who will demonstrate how analytics can guide HR decision-making, and Lindi Teate, Chief People and Corporate Services Officer at Hubexo, sharing lessons from a complete HR system overhaul. Jordan Farry, UK&I Country Manager at Personio, will explore maintaining trust during AI-driven change, Richard Doherty, Senior Director HCM Product at Workday, will discuss AI agents and ROI, and Dale Brodie, Internal Communications Manager at Five Guys Europe, will show how digital tools can transform employee engagement.

Additional sessions will address themes including skills-based recruitment, workforce planning, HR compliance, technology consolidation, and strategies for building future-ready HR teams, giving attendees both practical tools and strategic perspective to transform their organisations.

A complete view of the future of HR

With contributions from major global brands across programme, HR Technologies UK 2026 offers a uniquely comprehensive perspective, combining visionary thinking with hands-on solutions.

The event is set to deliver what organisers describe as “the future of work in just two days.”

“This year’s conference programme goes further than ever in addressing the real challenges facing HR leaders today”, said Nicki Morris, Group Exhibition Director at HR Technologies UK 2026. “We’ve brought together an exceptional mix of global voices, innovative thinkers and practitioners who are not only shaping the future of work, but actively building it.”

“From AI and digital transformation to leadership, culture and employee experience, the agenda is designed to spark new thinking while delivering practical insight our audience can take straight back to their organisations. The aim is for the sessions to create meaningful conversations, and meaningful change, across the HR community.”

Free visitor passes are now available for HR and recruitment professionals looking to explore the technologies, ideas, and partnerships shaping the future of work. Register now via the HR Technologies UK website: https://www.hrtechnologies.co.uk

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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