At the 2025 Employee Engagement Summit, Caroline Abercrombie, Chief People Officer at ProSapient and Fiona Hogg, Chief People Officer, Health Workforce at NHS Scotland shared their perspectives on the evolving world of work. Despite representing very different sectors—private technology and public healthcare—their conversation revealed striking similarities in how organisations can prepare for the workforce of tomorrow.
Caroline opened by addressing one of the most pressing issues facing organisations today: the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and digital platforms. At ProSapien, these tools are being used to reduce repetitive administrative tasks and free up employees for higher-value work.
She acknowledged that AI often provokes anxiety around job security but argued that it should be seen as an enabler of human potential. By shifting routine tasks to technology, people can focus on meaningful, strategic contributions that deliver value to themselves and their organisations.
Fiona provided insight into how NHS Scotland is reshaping careers to reflect modern expectations. Gone are the days of the predictable, linear career path. Today’s workforce seeks flexibility, variety, and lifelong learning.
NHS Scotland has responded by investing in “earn while you learn” models, offering staff opportunities to build skills without stepping away from their roles. They are also rethinking job design to create more adaptive, fulfilling career journeys.
Both speakers emphasised that the future of work is not just about skills and technology—it’s about people’s wellbeing.
Caroline highlighted how ProSapien places mental health and personal growth firmly on the leadership agenda. Fiona underscored the importance of emotional support in healthcare, where burnout is a well-documented challenge. The message was clear: resilient, engaged workforces are built by leaders who prioritise wellbeing alongside performance.
Adopting new technologies is not only a technical challenge but also a communication one. Caroline described how younger employees at ProSapien initially feared that AI tools would displace them. The leadership team tackled this by showing staff how these tools could help them do their jobs better and even boost earnings in performance-linked roles. By personalising the message, fear was replaced with enthusiasm.
Leadership itself is undergoing transformation. Caroline argued that tomorrow’s leaders must be both tech-savvy and emotionally intelligent. She shared her own experience of learning emerging technologies to connect more effectively with younger team members.
Fiona added that inclusive, compassionate leadership is vital, especially in multigenerational workplaces. Leaders must adapt to different communication styles, life stages, and personal needs. Importantly, they must ensure every role is valued—whether frontline, clinical, or support—so that no part of the workforce feels overlooked.
In their closing reflections, both speakers emphasised adaptability as the defining feature of future-ready organisations. This means:
The workforce of the future will not be defined solely by technical expertise. Instead, it will thrive on resilience, curiosity, collaboration, and care—qualities that bridge sectors and industries, and that ultimately shape organisations where people and technology grow together.
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