Agenda

packed with insights from over 250 expert speakers across six specialised topic stages and a main stage, featuring cutting-edge case studies and discussions on the latest trends.

3000+ ATTENDEES

250+ PRESENTERS

6 TOPIC STAGES

MAIN STAGE

Dates:

Wednesday 20 May 2026

08:55 - 09:00

Main Stage

Welcome to 2026 Engage Employee Summit

Introduction

The Talent Agenda: Stability, Risk & Workforce Planning

As we open the Engage Employee Summit, Charlotte welcomes you to two days dedicated to the real challenges and opportunities facing today’s HR and engagement leaders.

In this opening address, she’ll set out what you can expect from the Main Stage and across the summit - the themes shaping the agenda, the conversations that matter most right now, and how you can make the most of your time with us.

Whether you’re here to strengthen culture, sharpen leadership communication or rethink how engagement supports performance, this session will provide context, clarity and a strong start to the days ahead.

Speaker:

Charlotte Dahl

7 Seas Culture Consultancy

Managing Director

Charlotte is Managing Director of 7 Seas - The Culture Consultancy.

At 7 Seas we see culture as ecosystem. We work with you to nurture that ecosystem, so your people thrive, your culture stays healthy, and your strategy succeeds. We help leaders engage and inspire, lead through change, and link strategy to everyone’s daily reality.

We combine expertise in culture, change, communications, and leadership with an impact-led, creative approach that engages people and delivers results.

Our clients span complex, diverse organisations including global financial services, to healthcare, via automotive, energy and some globally recognised brands. We work with them in long standing partnerships on foundations of mutual trust. It’s then that the magic happens.

We swim against the tide, challenge your thinking, and leave a positive indelible mark on you, your people, and your business.

In addition to her day job, Charlotte also hosts a podcast with Lorna Leeson - The Deep C Dive, presents and hosts conferences and writes about culture, communications, change and leadership.

09:00 - 09:25

Main Stage

The Talent Agenda and the Trust Imperative: Why the Workplace Matters More Than Ever

Opening Keynote

The Talent Agenda: Stability, Risk & Workforce Planning

As political and social divides continue to widen, Edelman's latest Trust Barometer research reveals a powerful and timely insight: the workplace remains one of the few institutions capable of building trust across difference.

In this exclusive session, Francesca Woodhouse unveils the latest findings from the newly released research, exploring what they mean for today’s talent agenda. From leadership credibility and employee expectations to organisational responsibility in an increasingly polarised world, this keynote will challenge HR and business leaders to rethink the role of work in creating connection and stability.

This is more than a research reveal. It’s a strategic lens on why trust is now central to attracting, retaining and engaging talent - and why organisations that get this right will be better placed to thrive in the years ahead.

Speaker:

Francesca Woodhouse

Edelman

Managing Director - UK Workplace Advisory

Francesca is Edelman ‘s UK Workplace Advisory Lead. She has worked across the entire communications spectrum in a career spanning two decades but has developed specialisms in change communications and culture transformation work.

Passionate about supporting people in a positive way through change, Francesca has advised some of the world's largest businesses on major digital transformations, team restructures, employer brand and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to name but a few.

Francesca’s background is varied, which she believes helps in her work to bring people together, provide compelling workplace and employee experiences and solving complex situations for some of the world’s biggest businesses.

Francesca is a dual national and speaks French, German and Italian.

09:25 - 09:50

Main Stage

Building Brands from the Inside Out — How Aviva and Royal Mail Use Storytelling to Drive Employee Engagement

Panel Discussion

The Talent Agenda: Stability, Risk & Workforce Planning

What does it take to build an internal brand that truly resonates with employees? In this panel discussion, Workvivo customers Aviva and Royal Mail share how they've developed distinctive internal communications identities to drive meaningful employee engagement, across diverse workforces.

From Aviva's seamless alignment between external brand and internal communications, to Royal Mail's beloved "Robin" platform, both organisations have taken bold, creative approaches to connecting with their people. Despite operating in very different environments, they share a common philosophy: smart tactics get employees through the door, but compelling storytelling keeps them engaged.

Join Joe Welland, Strategic Customer Success Manager at Workvivo, alongside Ashleigh Carter-Adams (Aviva) and Paul Smith (Royal Mail) as they explore the challenges, strategies, and future ambitions behind building internal brands that genuinely move the needle on employee engagement.

Speakers:

Paul Smith

Royal Mail

Strategic Campaigns & Planning Manager

Paul has worked in Internal Communications at Royal Mail since 2018, with his main responsibility being managing several employee channels across digital, social and print. Most recently, this has seen him take an enhanced role as Workvivo Product Owner, following Royal Mail launching the platform in May 2025. That came alongside additional responsibilities for Corporate Affairs Paul has taken on for his Director, leading on strategic campaigns and planning across the functions of four key departments. Previously, Paul was a journalist at numerous local newspapers and a sports correspondent for a national press agency with a particular expertise in multimedia. That played to the dad-of-three's passion with sport, particularly football and cricket, where he gets most of his enjoyment from life.

Ashleigh Carter-Adams

Aviva

Head of Internal Communications, Group and Functions

I lead the Group and Functions internal comms team at Aviva, covering everything from financial results to big all colleague campaigns and the regular cycle of people comms. Before life at Aviva, I was at Unilever, Disney and M&S Food, so I’ve seen first-hand how loved brands build trust. I’m passionate about creative, clear storytelling that colleagues understand, care about and connect to.

Joseph Welland

Workvivo by Zoom

Strategic Customer Experience Manager

As a Strategic Customer Experience Manager at Workvivo, Joe partners closely with HR and Internal Comms teams to bring measurable impact to their employee experience programs. Drawing from years of experience working with organizations across diverse industries and sizes, he brings practical insights and a global perspective to the evolving challenges of employee engagement in hybrid and remote-first workplaces. His mission: to help organizations build more connected, motivated workplaces aligned with their core values.

09:50 - 10:20

Main Stage

Building a Workforce Ready for What’s Next

Panel Discussion

The Talent Agenda: Stability, Risk & Workforce Planning

With static hiring, restructures and uneven global talent markets creating ongoing pressure, workforce planning has become one of the most critical elements of the talent agenda. Leaders must manage short-term risk while still preparing for long-term capability.

In this panel, senior leaders will share how they are responding to constrained hiring environments, shifting structures and evolving business priorities. From addressing skills gaps and strengthening succession plans to navigating workforce risk with greater confidence, this session will explore how organisations are building talent strategies that remain steady under pressure yet adaptable for the future.

What you’ll gain:

Insight into responding to static or constrained hiring markets
Practical approaches to managing workforce risk and organisational change
Clearer strategies for closing skills gaps and planning future capability
Real examples of balancing short-term pressures with long-term talent priorities

Speakers:

Dawn Moore

Murphy

Group People and Communications Director

Dawn is Group Director of People and Communications for Murphy, overseeing the People and Communications strategy and activities for all of Murphy operations across the UK, Ireland and North America. Dawn has 30 years of professional experience and is also an experienced non-executive director, having held roles in the public, private and third sectors.

Dawn has received numerous awards over the last 5 years for her work on culture change, people strategy, learning and development and diversity and inclusion – work which has made a tangible difference to the organisations she has worked for and which others have learned from. In 2024, Murphy won numerous awards for its People strategy, including the CIPD’s Best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative and the Investors in People Award for Learning and Development.

Outside of work Dawn enjoys time with her two young daughters and mentoring aspiring executives from a variety of backgrounds to help them achieve their potential.

Mathew James Dutton

Space NK

Chief People Officer

Mathew Dutton is the Chief People Officer at Space NK. After supporting Space NK through their high-profile acquisition by US powerhouse Ulta Beauty in 2025, Mathew was appointed to a permanent executive role in 2026 and is responsible for leading the People and Culture Strategy for the business during its sustained high growth across the UK and IRE. Mathew has extensive experience as a HR practitioner in PE backed high growth consumer businesses (retail and tech), spending a number of years with Charlotte Tilbury Beauty during its rapid global expansion and majority stake acquisition by Puig, a multi-brand international retail portfolio holder. He has also worked with other brands such as Stella McCartney, Superdrug and Gumtree & Motors/Cazoo.

Since joining Space NK in early 2025, Mathew has developed a new scalable people agenda to support commercial aims, growth and performance, with a targeted investment on people growth and development, people technology and employee experience.

Kaylee Darkins

OAK Global

Chief People & Communications Officer

An accomplished HR leader with a proven track record in driving business results through people strategies. Has gained extensive experience in multiple sectors and large global, matrix organisations. With a proven ability to align HR initiatives with business objectives to drive growth, enhance employee engagement, and foster a high-performance culture in complex and fast-paced environments. Adept at leading transformative organisational changes and developing global talent strategies.

Has a deep understanding of HR practices, including; talent management, organisational design and effectiveness, HR technology integration, leadership development, business and cultural transformation. Known for driving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives while championing employee wellness and career development across diverse geographies.

A trusted advisor to the CEO, Leadership team and the Board. A member of the global HR Leadership team, and multiple executive committees, including the UK executive committee and the governance committee.

A results orientated, strategic thinker, with the ability to flex into operational focus. Has strong interpersonal skills, high self-awareness, and the ability to motivate and influence teams. Adaptable to the ever-changing business landscape, ensuring the organisation's human resources are positioned to drive success.

10:20 - 11:00

Main Stage

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Step away from the Main Stage and make the most of our exhibition space.

This break is your opportunity to engage with sponsors, explore new tools and services, and exchange insights with fellow attendees. Whether you’re looking for solutions, inspiration or new connections, the exhibition floor is where conversations come to life.

Top Tip: Use the Event App to pre-book meetings with those partners and peers that matter most.

11:00 - 11:25

Main Stage

From Insight to Impact: How Lloyds Banking Group Is Transforming Engagement With AI: In Conversation with Stuart Martin, Human Resources Director: Business & Commercial Banking, Lloyds Banking Group

Interview

Connection in Complex Workplaces

Lloyds Banking Group is reshaping the colleague experience by turning intelligent insights into meaningful action. This session will explore how the organisation is using AI to better understand what matters to its people, streamline everyday processes, and enable more responsive, personalised support. From automating routine tasks to empowering leaders with richer data and smarter tools, AI is helping colleagues work more efficiently, stay more connected, and feel more engaged. Attendees will gain a behind-the-scenes look at the practical steps taken, the cultural shifts required, and the measurable impact seen so far – showcasing how thoughtful, responsible use of AI can elevate engagement across a complex, diverse workforce.

Speaker:

Stuart Martin

Lloyds Banking Group

People Director: Business and Commercial Banking

An international expert in Cloud enabled Business Transformation, Agile Organisation Strategy, Digital HR, Shared Services and Operations and leveraging GEN AI enabled HR solutions.

With extensive experience in the successful deployment of large scale business transformation programmes, based on SuccessFactors, Workday and Salesforce.com I have lived and worked in the UK, South Africa, India, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey and Poland. My areas of focus include the integration of AI and automation in the workforce, HR Op models enabling GenAI and employee experience.

11:25 - 11:50

Main Stage

The Myteva Journey – Continually Advancing to a Smarter, Connected, Ai‑Ready Experience

Presentation

Connection in Complex Workplaces

The story of myteva isn’t a one‑time transformation - it’s a continuous journey. Each phase prepares us for the next and every improvement brings us closer to a smarter, connected, AI‑ready workplace.

In this session, we will take you through the ongoing evolution of our myteva employee experience platform, a journey that never truly ends.

What began in 2020 as an effort to simplify a fragmented internal‑channels ecosystem has grown into a multi‑phase modernization program that adapts to our people, our business, and the technologies shaping the future of work.

Speakers:

Kfir Melamed

Teva Pharmaceuticals

Senior Director, Head of Global Digital Channel Strategy

Kfir leads Teva’s global digital communication channels' strategy, defining the long‑term vision, governance frameworks, and experience standards across the ecosystem. An experienced digital marketer with a strong ability to drive strategy and enable business transformation, he oversees the strategic direction of internal and external channels, advancing a cohesive, user‑centric, and data‑informed omnichannel architecture. Kfir partners across the enterprise to establish unified guidelines, elevate UI/UX excellence, and align channel capabilities with Teva’s corporate priorities, reputational goals, and digital innovation agenda. Prior to joining Teva, Kfir held several senior management and strategic roles across leading verticals, building a broad digital skill set and deep industry understanding.

Greg Stortz

Interact Software

Director of Engagement

Greg has over 15 years of experience in digital workplace transformation, working with companies like Lush Handmade Cosmetics and Best Buy Canada. As Director of Engagement at Interact, he connects industry trends with practical solutions, focusing on employee engagement, internal communications, and digital workplace design. He believes authenticity is key to effective communication, helping organisations build trust and foster a more connected workplace culture.

11:50 - 12:20

Main Stage

Beyond the Town Hall – Building Real Connection Across Dispersed Workforces

Panel Discussion

Connection in Complex Workplaces

Building genuine connection across hybrid teams and dispersed workforces is increasingly complex. Leaders must navigate information overload, operational pressure and shifting priorities - while ensuring communication remains clear, human and trust-building.

This panel will explore how organisations are making connection land at scale, including within frontline environments where access, time and context look very different. From strengthening leadership visibility to aligning messaging across diverse teams, panellists will share practical approaches to cutting through noise and embedding meaningful engagement across the whole workforce.

What you’ll gain:

Insight into driving connection across hybrid and disperssed teams
Practical strategies for keeping communication clear, consistent and relevant
Real examples of engagement approaches that work across complex operating models

Speakers:

Jane Garnsey

Skipton Building Society

People COO Colleague Listening & Engagement

Jane Garnsey MCIPD is an experienced people transformation leader with over 20 years’ experience shaping employee engagement, communications and organisational change. Currently People COO for Colleague Communications, Listening & Engagement at Skipton Building Society, Jane leads enterprise-wide engagement and communications strategies that strengthen culture, align leadership messaging and drive measurable improvements in colleague experience.

Jane is best known for translating strategy into authentic, high-impact internal communications and listening approaches. She has led significant engagement transformations, including delivering sustained improvements in employee eNPS at both Skipton Building Society and TalkTalk. Her work spans major change programmes, digital listening platforms such as Peakon, leadership communication, employer brand and inclusive engagement strategies.

A qualified coach, Jane brings a pragmatic, human-centred perspective to engagement and communications—combining commercial rigour with a deep belief in the power of storytelling, trust and two-way dialogue to unlock performance. She is passionate about helping organisations move beyond “broadcast” communications to meaningful connection, especially during periods of change.

Nicola Marshall

Welcome Break

People Director

People Director at Welcome Break and member of the Applegreen Senior Leadership Team, Nicola has forged an award-winning career in People Development and HR spanning two decades – bringing her expertise to the UK’s leading hospitality organisations in senior leadership roles across Whitbread, Greene King, and Travelodge.

Nicola currently leads the global People functions across Welcome Break in the UK, ROI, and US – meticulously crafting the People strategy and vision to deliver impactful results that support over 6,000 team members. As Chair of the Welcome Break Charitable Fund, Nicola’s direction helped raise £1 million in 2024 to support its charity partners and local communities.

At home, Nicola leads the charge as a dedicated mum to Harriett (16) and Cockapoo Woody, and wife to Pete. She’s often found running, cycling, or swimming, and loves to challenge herself with athletic events – enjoying some well-deserved cake and prosecco as a reward!

Nicolette Roses-Agoro

Workvivo by Zoom

Service Delivery Manager

Nicolette Roses-Agoro is a Service Delivery Manager at Workvivo, where she partners with organisations to deliver impactful employee experience and internal communications strategies. She brings a people-centred approach to helping teams build stronger connection, engagement, and culture through the Workvivo platform.

12:20 - 12:40

Main Stage

Audience Debate: Should Leaders Prioritise Trust Over Control?

Q&A

Speakers:

Charlotte Dahl

7 Seas Culture Consultancy

Managing Director

Charlotte is Managing Director of 7 Seas - The Culture Consultancy.

Lorna Leeson

7 Seas Culture Consultancy

Managing Director

Lorna Leeson is Joint Managing Director of 7 Seas, The Culture Consultancy, where she works with leaders to navigate the choppy waters of culture, change and transformation.
Lorna helps CEOs and senior teams build cultures that can adapt, communicate and perform when the future feels uncertain. Her work focuses on the human side of change: how people experience disruption, pressure and rapid technological change, and what leaders can do to create the trust, clarity and psychological safety people need to move through it.

12:40 - 14:00

Main Stage

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

14:00 - 14:25

Main Stage

Beyond Policy: How Culture Really Shows up for Women: In Conversation with: Carly Stanley, Chief People Officer at JCDecaux

Interview

Wellbeing & A Human-Centred Approach

What does it really look like when an organisation backs women with more than words and policies? In this session, Carly Stanley, Chief People Officer, shares her personal story of being promoted to the C suite while on maternity leave - and what it revealed about culture, leadership and trust.

She will unpack the concrete cultural practices, leadership behaviours and people processes that made this possible, and contrast them with the subtle barriers that typically stall women’s careers at key life stages. Expect a candid, practical conversation about designing cultures where women don’t have to choose between progression and parenthood.

Speaker:

Carly Stanley

JCDecaux

Chief People Officer

Carly is the Chief People Officer at JCDecaux UK Ltd, leading the company's people strategy, culture, and talent agenda. Since joining JCDecaux UK Ltd in 2017 as Head of People - Business Partnering and Operations, she has rapidly ascended through the ranks, becoming People Director within a year and now holding the Chief People Officer role. A relentless advocate for diversity, inclusion, and a thriving workplace culture, Carly is driven by a deep commitment to empowering colleagues. She champions bold strategies that elevate employee engagement, well-being, and professional growth, ensuring that people remain at the heart of the company's success.

14:25 - 14:50

Main Stage

The Future of Frontline Communication Is Manager-Enabled, Not Manager-Dependent

Presentation

Wellbeing & A Human-Centred Approach

UK employees say they’re engaged, yet nearly half may look for a new job within the next 12 months. At the same time, 62% to 76% say they have missed important updates, while 77% of managers report communication challenges.

In this session, Nathan Lowis, VP & Managing Director, EMEA at Firstup, will share insights from UK workforce research, followed by Ken Leitch, Communications Director at BAM UK & Ireland, who will outline how BAM moved from fragmented channels to a more structured, manager-enabled approach with Pulse. Learn how to support managers as trusted communicators - without making them the whole system.

Speaker:

Ken Leitch

BAM UK and Ireland

Director Of Communications, UK and Ireland

Ken Leitch is a seasoned global communications leader with more than 25 years of experience shaping strategy, reputation, and engagement across complex organisations. As Communications Director for BAM UK & Ireland, he leads communications that help connect people to the company’s vision, purpose, and impact across construction and infrastructure. Before joining BAM, Ken held senior communications and advocacy roles at bp, Castrol, and Premier Farnell, building deep expertise in strategic communications, public affairs, crisis management, internal communications, brand, and stakeholder engagement. He is known as a trusted advisor to leadership teams and a communicator who helps businesses tell clear, compelling stories that drive alignment and change.

14:50 - 15:20

Main Stage

Performance Without Burnout: Building Sustainable, Human-Centred Leadership

Panel Discussion

Wellbeing & A Human-Centred Approach

Sustained pace and high expectations mean senior teams must think differently about how performance and wellbeing coexist. This panel will explore how organisations are preventing burnout, strengthening manager capability and embedding inclusion and belonging into everyday leadership practice.

Expect a practical and commercially grounded discussion on building environments where people can perform at their best without compromising wellbeing.

What you’ll gain:

Practical approaches to supporting wellbeing while maintaining performance
Stronger manager capability and confidence
Clearer links between wellbeing, inclusion and belonging
Real examples of people-centred leadership in action

Speakers:

Lowri Williams FCIPD

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Chief People Officer

A Chief People and Culture Officer of 25 years, Lowri joined Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2024 to lead the University’s change and progression programme. In what continues to be difficult and challenging times for the Sector, at the heart of all endeavours is her continued commitment, alongside Executive Group colleagues, to ensure that the Cardiff Met community - staff and students – progresses a culture of high performance and an active voice, in stewardship of its future. An accomplished, result-driven leader, Lowri has held a number of Chief Officer, Director and transformation roles to good effect across all areas of the public sector, most recently within Senedd Cymru (the Welsh Parliament), and the NHS in England. Always inquisitive, and as a mother of two, Lowri augments her executive roles with a series of non-executive and trustee positions, mainly with charity organisations focussed on advancing the education of young people. A fluent Welsh-speaker, Lowri loves the business of business, is enthusiastic about people, her profession and all its touchpoints, and likes nothing more than the co-creation of a bright idea.

Annisha Taylor

Ofcom

Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Annisha is a pioneering culture and change strategist with a career spanning 15+ years across the public, private and voluntary sectors. She brings a wealth of experience in embedding equity and fairness into large, complex organisations. With leadership roles at the BBC, Ofcom, and the John Lewis Partnership, she helps shape inclusive behaviours and systems that work across media, regulatory, retail and community spaces.

Annisha’s approach is grounded in collaboration, accountability and real-world impact. Whether supporting teams, advising boards, or working with grassroots organisations, she helps businesses move beyond statements and into sustainable, sector-wide change. Outside of her professional roles, Annisha is a dedicated community leader, trustee and advocate for inclusive education, culture and business.

15:20- 15:45

Main Stage

Leading with Purpose: Culture, Inclusion and the Role of Modern Leadership — In Conversation with: Joyce Idoniboye, Chief People Officer, Oxfam

Interview

Wellbeing & A Human-Centred Approach

What does it take to move from leading people strategy to leading an entire organisation? In this session, Joyce Idoniboye reflects on her journey from Chief People Officer to Acting CEO at Oxfam GB and the lessons learned along the way.

From leading through significant organisational change, to building trust, navigating complexity and decision-making, Joyce will explore why the skills traditionally associated with HR leadership are increasingly vital in today's CEO role.

Speaker:

Joyce Idoniboye

Oxfam

Chief People Officer

Joyce Idoniboye is a seasoned HR professional with a diverse industry background in the field. She has held leadership roles in a variety of organisations including Oxfam where she is currently Chief People Officer, DDB part of the Omnicom Group, CBRE, HarperCollins Publishers, Pearson International, News UK, and Charles Russell LLP. In these roles, Joyce has been responsible for driving the people and culture agenda, employee engagement, talent management and organisational design and development.

Outside of work Joyce enjoys time spent with friends and family, travel, keeping fit especially Spin, watching basketball and roller skating.

15:45 - 16:05

Main Stage

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

16:05 - 16:30

Main Stage

Clarity Environmental Case Study: Award Winning Secrets for Creating a Great Place to Work

Case Study

Talent & Culture & Employee Expectations

Hear from Clarity Environmental’s CEO, Natalie Rea, on the secrets behind winning three prestigious awards at the Engage Awards 2025, including the highly regarded Great Place to Work Award.

The judges shared: “Clarity demonstrates a truly outstanding approach to developing employees as whole people and achieving measurable life-improving impact.”

From talent acquisition and development tips to leadership essentials, wellbeing initiatives and reward strategies, join Natalie to gain Clarity’s secrets to success, with more than 97% recommending Clarity as a place to work.

Speaker:

Natalie Rea

Clarity Environmental

Chief Executive Officer

Natalie is CEO of Clarity Environmental, winner of the Engage Great Place to Work Award 2025 and Engage Best Employee Wellbeing Strategy 2025. Named in the FEBE growth 100 list 2 years in a row, an annual ranking highlighting the 100 fastest growing privately owned businesses in the UK, Clarity Environmental celebrates an enviable 99.6% customer retention, demonstrating how forward thinking and futuristic people and culture strategy,
directly transforms customer experience and financial performance.

Natalie is a Great British Entrepreneurial Award Winner, approaching her CEO role from an HR background and will share her case study,
detailing how Clarity’s unique people strategy developed a culture of “People with purpose, finding joy in the job, turning visions into victory.”

As a speaker, Natalie openly shares the core methodologies driving award-winning employee engagement of 97% of employees agreeing they would recommend Clarity as a place to work and how this engagement strategy achieved more than 58% profit growth in 2 years.

16:30 - 16:55

Main Stage

Building a Culture That Delivers: From Intent to Impact

Panel Discussion

Talent & Culture & Employee Expectations

As employee expectations continue to evolve, organisations must move beyond aspiration and ensure their culture is actively shaped by behaviour, leadership and everyday experience.

This panel will explore what it takes to build a culture that delivers real impact - from aligning leadership actions with stated values to embedding accountability across teams and translating strategy into lived experience. Panellists will share practical examples of how they are responding to rising expectations around development, flexibility, inclusion and transparency while keeping performance and purpose connected.

We'll discuss:

Practical approaches to turning cultural intent into tangible action
Insight into aligning leadership behaviour with organisational values
Real examples of embedding culture into operations and performance
Perspective on making culture a collective responsibility

Speakers:

Charlotte Grant

Samsung Electronics UK Ltd

Head of People Experience

A seasoned HR professional with over 25 years of experience, Charlotte has driven strategic initiatives across Diversity & Inclusion, Internal Comms, Internal Events, and Health & Wellbeing. Her expertise lies in fostering inclusive workplaces, leading cross-regional collaborations, and managing high-impact projects. Charlotte is known for optimising communication channels, producing company-wide events, and enhancing colleague engagement. She has a strong global track record of collaborating across diverse teams to achieve organisational goals. Charlotte is also deeply involved in Health & Wellbeing, co-founding Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and the Mental Health First Aiders programme. As a founding member of the Global D&I Taskforce for Samsung, she supports global communications and continues to serve as the Head of People Experience, focusing on the employee journey and life-cycle.

Kirsty Lee

BBC News

Global HR Director, BBC News

Kirsty Lee is the HR Director for BBC News & Current Affairs, leading a global HR team and shaping the people strategy for one of the world’s most trusted news organisations. Sitting on both the News Divisional Board and the BBC HR Leadership Team, she provides strategic leadership that enhances organisational effectiveness while ensuring people and culture remain central to decision‑making. A qualified leadership coach, Kirsty recently completed a Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School and brings a people‑centred, insight‑driven approach to transforming workplace culture.

16:55 - 17:00

Main Stage

Closing Remarks

Wellbeing & A Human-Centred Approach

Speaker:

Charlotte Dahl

7 Seas Culture Consultancy

Managing Director

Charlotte is Managing Director of 7 Seas - The Culture Consultancy.

17:00

Main Stage

Summit After-Party at The Engage Inn

The Night Summit

08:55 - 09:00

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Welcome to 2026 Engage Employee Summit

Introduction

Values & Employee Voice

As we open the Engage Employee Summit, Nick welcomes you to two days dedicated to the real challenges and opportunities facing today’s HR and engagement leaders.

In this opening address, he’ll set out what you can expect from the Organisational Culture & HR Leadership Stage and across the summit - the themes shaping the agenda, the conversations that matter most right now, and how you can make the most of your time with us.

Whether you’re here to strengthen culture, sharpen leadership communication or rethink how engagement supports performance, this session will provide context, clarity and a strong start to the days ahead.

Speaker:

Nick Brice

Soul Corporations

CEO

Nicholas Brice is an international keynote speaker, consultant and author who helps organisations build the human capability, culture and customer experience needed to thrive in a fast-changing world. As founder of Soul Corporations® and author of The Mindful Communicator, he works with leaders and teams to strengthen clarity, communication, judgement, connection and everyday behaviour. Drawing on neuroscience, behavioural insight, culture change and theatre, Nicholas helps organisations create more aligned cultures, more consistent customer experiences and more meaningful performance.

09:00 - 09:25

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

When Work Works: How Family‑Friendly Culture Drives Engagement, Retention and Performance

Opening Keynote

Values & Employee Voice

Employee engagement doesn’t fail because people don’t care – it fails because work is still designed around outdated assumptions about who has a life outside the workplace.

Drawing on insight from Working Families’ work with employers, policymakers, and thousands of working parents and carers each year, this keynote explores what a genuinely family‑friendly culture looks like in practice – and why it is now central to engagement, retention, and performance.

Jane van Zyl, CEO of Working Families, will challenge leaders to move beyond policies and perks, and instead focus on the systems, behaviours, and leadership choices that shape everyday employee experience. From flexibility and workload design to measurement, accountability, and senior buy‑in, this session shows how organisations can create cultures where people can do their best work without burning out or opting out.

Attendees will leave with practical insights into the cultural blockers that undermine engagement, how leaders can role‑model flexibility, and what organisations should be measuring to understand whether work is truly working for their people.

Speaker:

Jane van Zyl

Working Families

CEO

Jane joined Working Families as CEO in September 2018. She has held senior leadership positions at a number of UK charities, including Samaritans and Sands. She believes in the value of a fulfilling, balanced working life and its transformative power to create social connections, build self-esteem, and impact the wider community. She is a passionate advocate of equity of opportunity for all.

She spent her childhood in the UK (Norfolk) and South Africa (Cape Town & Johannesburg) and is a University of Cape Town graduate (Industrial Sociology and Industrial Psychology).

09:25 - 09:50

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Engagement vs.performance Is a False Choice: Connect the Dots to Drive Impact

Presentation

Values & Employee Voice

Too often, companies treat engagement and performance as separate priorities. That’s a mistake. Sustainable high performance requires both an engaging culture and performance confidence; for people to feel connected to the company and their work and believe in future success. Measure those two, and you get a clear, forward-looking read on whether your culture will deliver results. This session will show you a simple way to measure both, identify where you are today, and take practical steps to move your culture forward.

Speaker:

Devshree Bhatt

Culture Amp

Lead People Scientist

Devshree Bhatt is a Lead People Scientist and registered Organisational Psychologist at Culture Amp, where she has worked across customer, product, and commercial teams since 2022. She specialises in applying behavioural science and people analytics to help organisations understand the tangible value of employee experience — translating complex people data into actionable insights for senior leaders. With nine years of global experience across SaaS, financial services, consulting, and enterprise HR, she has led listening programmes for 50,000+ employees and built people analytics capability at scale. Devshree holds a Bachelor Degree in Psychology (Honours) and a Master of Organisational Psychology.

09:50 - 10:20

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Living Your Values & Turning Employee Voice into Everyday Culture

Panel Discussion

Values & Employee Voice

Many organisations have well-crafted values on the wall, but employees’ day‑to‑day experiences tell a different story. This panel brings together leaders who are working to close that gap by treating employee voice as a strategic asset, not a survey result. They will explore how to listen in smarter ways, respond with transparency, and ensure that values are visible in decisions, behaviours and leadership accountability.

What to expect:

Practical examples of how organisations are turning employee feedback into concrete culture and policy changes.
Honest lessons on where values and reality have clashed – and how leaders responded.
Ideas for strengthening employee voice mechanisms beyond the annual survey, including continuous listening and two‑way dialogue.
Strategies to ensure values are consistently role‑modelled by leaders and understood at every level of the organisation.

Speakers:

Shane Ashby-Roche

The White Company

Head of Organisational Development & Culture

Shane is Head of Org Development and Culture for The White Company, taking responsibility for shaping company culture and driving performance through leading the Learning and Development and Communication and Engagement teams. In 2024 Shane and the team were recognised as the ‘People Development Team of The Year’ at the Retail Bulletin’s People in Retail Awards, recognising their dedication to nurturing talent and leadership. A qualified Executive Coach, Shane specialises in Leadership Development, People Strategy, and Project Management. His focuses include illustrating how strong leaders are integral to shaping business direction, championing leadership development and succession planning with a core focus on individuals ‘Leadership Shadow’ and promoting inclusive and diverse cultures, through adopting a ‘Purpose First’ philosophy.

Caroline Abercrombie

Experienced Chief People Officer

Caroline is an experienced Chief People Officer with over 20 years of international People & Talent leadership experience across both established organisations and high-growth scale-ups.
She is known for building high-performing, scalable people functions within tech-enabled businesses, with a strong focus on driving commercial outcomes through people strategy.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, Caroline is passionate about innovation, creativity, and creating cultures that enable both performance and growth.
In her most recent role, she was part of the Executive Team of a global expert network, partnering closely with the CEO to scale the organisation and embed a high-performance culture.

Emma Woodford

LV=

Chief People Officer

A commercially driven and strategic HR Director/CPO with a track record of delivering consistently strong results in both unionised and regulated environments and across a range of industries. A clear and effective communicator, leader and relationship builder, who focuses on continuous improvement to define, shape and deliver a flexible & robust HR proposition, designed to align fully to the strategic agenda and drive the delivery of the plan.

With over 20 years’ experience in HR, specific areas of expertise include: Business Partnering, Talent Development & Succession, Organisational Design, Remuneration & Nominations matters, Culture & Engagement, Policy and Employee Relations.

10:20 - 11:00

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

11:00 - 11:25

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

HM Revenue & Customs Case Study: Making Employee Experience ‘How We Do Things Here'

Case Study

Culture, Trust & Engagement in Real Time

HMRC embarked on an insight-led approach to how it delivers HR in 2020, with the acquisition of an employee experience platform central to how we capture insight from nearly 70,000 colleagues. This has begun to transform how HMRC drives change that really impacts our colleagues, utilising moments that matter and regular pulse surveys to capture numerous data points to identify how we improve employee experience. This is not done in a vacuum either, as the link to productivity and effectiveness of our colleagues is a driving force in why employee experience matters, especially as we recruit significant volumes of new colleagues and look to make them as engaged and contributing as soon as possible. This session will highlight the steps taken by HMRC to drive employee experience throughout the organisation, explaining how this has led to the People Analytics & Insight directorate being identified as a top quartile performer globally in its vision and execution of employee experience.

Speaker:

Ian Wallis

HM Revenue & Customs

People Analytics & Insight Director

Ian Wallis joined HMRC six years ago to create the People Analytics & Insight directorate. Having worked in data and analytics for his entire career across 20 organisations in both the private and public sector, Ian has extensive experience in how to deliver value and deliver transformation through the effective use of data to solve business problems. Leading an insight-led approach to employee experience, Ian has driven a shift in HMRC from a focus on employee engagement to track moments that matter and key drivers of change.

Ian started his career in marketing analytics and brings many of the concepts of marketing to his work, including data storytelling, building information capability and focusing on the goal to ensure that analytics is delivering optimal value. Having worked in analytics functions in a dozen industry sectors, Ian is also aware of the impact of culture and the importance to drive change holistically within the organisation for colleagues to be able to see the shift in focus and drive to become more responsive to employee feedback. Using an employee framework of listen-learn-act-communicate, Ian is enabling HMRC to ensure it closes the loop on identifying the key areas for focus but also to drive through to be seen to act and communicate to deliver employee-led change.

11:25 - 11:50

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

The Motivation Myth: What Leaders Still Get Wrong About Culture, Trust & Engagement

Presentation

Culture, Trust & Engagement in Real Time

Too many organisations still rely on outdated assumptions about what drives employee motivation, often investing in surface-level initiatives that fail to deliver real impact. In this session, we’ll challenge the biggest misconceptions around culture, trust, and engagement, and explore what actually influences performance and retention in today’s workplace.

Through real-world examples, our speakers will highlight where leaders commonly get it wrong, from overvaluing perks to underestimating the role of trust, clarity, and meaningful work. We’ll share practical approaches used by high-performing organisations to build stronger cultures, improve engagement, and create environments where people can do their best work.

Speakers:

Venessa Okonkwo

Dock & Bay

Head of People and Culture

Christina Anderson

The Unforgettable Travel Company

Head of HR

11:50 - 12:20

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Using Data to Drive Culture & Leadership

Panel Discussion

Culture, Trust & Engagement in Real Time

This panel explores how organisations are moving beyond annual surveys to use real-time data, listening and insight to understand trust, engagement and cultural health - and how leaders are turning that intelligence into sharper decisions, stronger performance and improved retention. Our panellists will share how they combine qualitative stories with quantitative metrics, what they track (and what they ignore), and how they communicate insight in a way that inspires action rather than defensiveness.

What to expect:

Real examples of how data on trust, engagement and culture is shaping leadership decisions and investment.
Insight into the tools and listening approaches organisations are using beyond the annual engagement survey.
Practical ideas for combining data with narrative so colleagues feel seen as people, not just numbers.
Advice on using culture and engagement data responsibly, including transparency, privacy and building confidence in the process.

Speakers:

Janina Norton

AXA

Global Head of Culture

Janina Norton is the Global Head of Culture at AXA, where she leads the strategy for organisational culture, employee experience, hybrid working, and global employee listening. With extensive HR leadership experience across financial services, mining, arts and film, and water management services, Janina focuses on building purpose-driven, high-performance cultures that enable people to thrive. She brings a practical, evidence-based approach, helping organisations connect culture with business outcomes.

Amber Panting

Wolf & Badger

Head of People

Amber is a people-centric leader passionate about attracting, growing, and retaining high-performing teams that help businesses scale. She is Head of People at Wolf & Badger, a fast-paced, mission-driven business connecting conscious consumers with 2,000 independent fashion and lifestyle brands through its online marketplace and flagship stores. Amber partners closely with senior leaders to ensure the company’s values and B Corp commitments are reflected across all people practices, relationships, and processes. With a proven track record of driving engagement and performance, she is dedicated to building workplaces that enable every team member to thrive.

Lukas Foglar

LutherOne

Chief Product Officer

Lukas is the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at LutherOne, a people analytics platform helping organizations better understand their people through data. He is passionate about creating exceptional experiences for customers, users, and employees, and specializes in building digital products and forward-thinking strategies that strengthen collaboration, improve performance, and drive meaningful business results.

12:20 - 13:40

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

13:40 - 14:00

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Erste Bank Poland Case Study: Total Experience - When Employee Experience Drives Customer Satisfaction

Case Study

Culture, Trust & Engagement in Real Time

Total Experience (TX) is a comprehensive business strategy and big global trend. This approach means successful management of three interdependent experience areas in one systemic way: customer experience, employee experience and potential customer experience.

The case study will present – with a strong focus on the people & culture dimension – a multi year journey of designing and implementing TX direction, along with the key insights that helped us build one of the strongest EX models in the country as well as one of the most recommended banks in Poland.

Speaker:

Nick Brice

Soul Corporations

CEO

14:00 - 14:25

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Culture, Confidence & Change in HR: In Conversation with Maxine Granville, Head of HR UK & Ireland at KIKO MILANO

Interview

Leading Through Change, Uncertainty & Transformation

In an environment of economic uncertainty, shifting customer expectations and ongoing transformation, HR is being asked to provide both stability and momentum. In this interview, Maxine, will share how she’s leading people through continuous change while protecting culture, performance and wellbeing. Expect practical insight on balancing head office decisions with frontline reality, supporting managers through ambiguity, and keeping employees focused on opportunity rather than fear when the future isn’t fully clear.

Speaker:

Maxine Granville

KIKO MILANO

HR Director UK and Ireland

Experienced Head of HR with a demonstrated history of working in the retail, e-commerce and manufacturing industry.

14:25 - 14:50

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

The 2026 AI Talent Map: High-Velocity Sourcing Beyond the M25

Presentation

Leading Through Change, Uncertainty & Transformation

UK tech hiring has hit a breaking point. With increasing demand for specialized AI skills and London’s housing crisis pricing out talent, HR leaders must pivot. This session reveals how to bypass local bottlenecks by targeting high-density AI clusters beyond UK borders, e.g. in Southern Europe or Egypt. Learn to transition from administration to "Workforce Orchestration," leveraging remote, borderless hiring to secure the best AI talent for 2026.

Speaker:

Ryan Cross

WorkMotion

Global Onboarding Advisor

Ryan is a global talent strategist and specialist in workforce design, helping organisations rethink how and where they hire in an increasingly borderless world. With deep expertise in international talent acquisition and high-growth tech hiring, Ryan partners with HR leaders to move beyond traditional recruitment models and build distributed, high-performance global teams. At Engage Employee 2026, he’ll share insights from the frontlines of global AI hiring, showing how organisations can bypass local talent bottlenecks and adopt a “Workforce Orchestration” approach to secure the skills they need for the future.

14:50 - 15:20

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

From Turbulence to Traction: HR Leadership in Times of Change

Panel Discussion

Leading Through Change, Uncertainty & Transformation

Change used to be a project; now it is the backdrop to everyday work. In this panel, our experts will explore what it really takes to lead through ongoing uncertainty and transformation while keeping employees informed, confident and engaged. They will discuss how they balance difficult messages with honesty and hope, how they equip managers to support teams through ambiguity, and how they sustain culture and performance when the goalposts keep moving.

What to expect:

Real‑world examples of how leaders are communicating and role‑modelling through prolonged change and uncertainty.
Practical ideas for supporting managers who are under pressure to “make it make sense” for their teams.
Approaches to maintaining trust, culture and engagement when transformation is continuous rather than one‑off.
Honest reflections on missteps, surprises and the lessons leaders have learned about people during change.

Speakers:

Deniz Aydin Wober

Sony Electronics

Strategic HR Business Partner Europe

Deniz is a Senior HR Business Partner at Sony Electronics Europe, working closely with senior leaders to align people strategy with business priorities across European markets. With 17 years of international HR experience, she has supported organizational transformations, workforce planning initiatives, and leadership development in complex, fast changing environments.

She believes in practical, business focused HR that creates clarity during change and supports both performance and people.

Deniz values authentic leadership and building teams where individuals feel trusted, supported, and empowered to grow.

Natalie Rea

Clarity Environmental

Chief Executive Officer

15:20 - 15:45

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Don’t Let Workforce Transformation Outpace your Employee Experience

Presentation

Leading Through Change, Uncertainty & Transformation

New global research from WTW highlights a key inflection point that can’t be ignored.

Organizations attempting to optimize everything, everywhere all at once are at higher risk of slowing execution, delaying progress and weakening performance.

Against a backdrop of rapid transformation, the problem isn’t lack of effort; it is lack of focus.

We studied 7,000+ employees and 500+ organisations globally to see how employee experience is changing, what drives measurable performance and how this is delivering business results in a new world of disruption.

What to expect:

Insights on the four critical gaps limiting return on EX investment
Data on how High Impact Employee Experience organisations outperform their peers
Practical frameworks for creating the conditions for creating a High Impact Employee Experience
The business case for moving from engagement to impact to deliver results in a changing a world

15:45 - 16:05

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

16:05 - 16:30

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Diversity is About Impact Not Lanyards

Presentation

Why People are the Engine of Culture

Diversity and inclusion are nothing without a purpose. They are not something that we do, but the way we do something. We don’t need a business case for diversity; we need a diversity case for business. Investing in diversity and inclusion is about investing in talent. It’s a way of increasing fairness and opportunity.
And yet, it has become divisive. For too many colleagues, “EDI” has either the damaged brand of lanyards, Pride, and perceived unfairness through positive discrimination on the basis of identity, or for others, it has become a sacrament, imbuing the fight against oppression with an unchallengeable nobility – “the right thing to do.”
In this session, Simon will provide you with practical ways to root your diversity work in your organisation’s purpose, so that you avoid that divisiveness and maximise its impact on performance and collaboration.

Speaker:

Simon Fanshawe OBE

Diversity By Design

Co-Founder

Simon Fanshawe OBE is one of the UK's most respected voices on diversity, inclusion and organisational change. He co-founded Diversity by Design who support organisations to create ‘a diversity case for their business’ with clarity, confidence and change.

He hosts the top ten business podcast Fearless Diversity with Rachel Cashman.

In 1989, Simon was one of six co-founders of Stonewall, the equality campaign that helped shape the legal journey towards equal marriage. His 2021 book The Power of Difference was named the Chartered Institute of Management's Book of the Year in 2023, and HR Magazine inducted him into their Hall of Fame that same year. His 2024 report Flying Flags and Ticking Boxes. What Went Wrong With EDI. And How Leaders Can Fix It offers an examination of where EDI has stalled and what genuine progress requires.

He currently serves as Rector of the University of Edinburgh, Chairman of Hexagon Housing Association and on the Board of Powerful Women. He holds an OBE for services to Higher Education and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Sussex for services to diversity and human rights.

16:30 - 16:55

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Culture Powered by Everyday Behaviour

Panel Discussion

Why People are the Engine of Culture

Many organisations invest in frameworks, values statements and culture programmes – but it’s the everyday choices of leaders and managers that people actually feel. This panel explores why culture is ultimately shaped by behaviours on the ground rather than slides or slogans. Panellists will discuss how the capability, confidence and consistency of HR and people managers directly influence engagement, trust and performance, and what organisations are doing to build this capability at scale.

What to expect:

Lived examples of how managers’ day‑to‑day behaviour has strengthened or undermined the culture leaders wanted.
Practical approaches to building people-manager capability and confidence at scale, not just in pockets.
Ideas for aligning HR processes (hiring, performance, development) with the culture you’re trying to create.
Honest reflections on where frameworks and values statements fell short – and how behaviour change closed the gap.

Speakers:

Tanu Anand

Medivet

Colleague Experience and Engagement Lead

Tanu Anand is an internal communications and employee engagement leader with over 17 years of global experience designing communication strategies that sticks, especially when organisations are growing and changing fast. She is currently Colleague Experience and Engagement Lead at Medivet, a role she stepped into after several years embedded in the organisation as a consultant. Her work focuses on introducing business partnering models for a predominantly frontline workforce, evolving communication channels, and creating structures that support colleagues through large-scale transformation across a 4,000-strong organisation. Previously, Tanu led global communications at The&Partnership, where she built the agency’s first integrated communications strategy and led PR and digital communications, strengthening leadership visibility and driving measurable engagement growth. Earlier in her career at Save the Children International, she helped launch large-scale global campaigns across 90+ countries and supported major international advocacy moments, including UN summits, contributing to global efforts to advance child rights. Her earlier roles at Which?, Infosys and Oracle laid the foundations of her approach - combining impactful employee engagement tactics, large-scale workforce communications, strong stakeholder management and a willingness to experiment with storytelling to drive results. She is also the founder of Star Storycrafters, a consultancy helping organisations simplify complexity and communicate with clarity. Tanu is known for her people-first approach, practical storytelling and ability to turn strategy into action.

Chris Lincoln

The Guerrilla Collective

Organisational Development Consultant

I’m a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and experienced People Director with over 15 years leading culture, transformation and workforce strategy across fast-growth and complex organisations. I care deeply about building environments where people can do their best work and where culture is felt in the everyday experience, not just described in values statements. In recent roles I’ve led significant engagement and retention improvements, while supporting large-scale growth and organisational change. I’ve also been fortunate to contribute to community impact initiatives, including programmes that helped over 2,000 people into sustainable employment. I’m motivated by purpose-led leadership, high standards delivered with humanity, and ensuring that as organisations scale, they do so without losing their integrity or heart.

17:00

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Closing Remarks

Why People are the Engine of Culture

Speaker:

Nick Brice

Soul Corporations

CEO

17:00

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Summit After-Party

The Night Summit

08:55 - 09:00

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Welcome to 2026 Engage Employee Summit

Introduction

Mental Health, Resilience & Sustainable Work–Life Balance

As we open the Engage Employee Summit, Chrissie welcomes you to two days dedicated to the real challenges and opportunities facing today’s HR and engagement leaders.

In this opening address, she’ll set out what you can expect from the Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion Stage and across the summit - the themes shaping the agenda, the conversations that matter most right now, and how you can make the most of your time with us.

Whether you’re here to strengthen culture, sharpen leadership communication or rethink how engagement supports performance, this session will provide context, clarity and a strong start to the days ahead.

Speaker:

Christina Lewis

Herizon

Founder

Christina has over a decade of experience scaling some of the fastest-growing tech companies, including at Deliveroo and Bolt.

A Cambridge-certified coach and sought-after speaker, she has received multiple accolades, including being named a WiTHL "Woman to Watch" and winning "Best Use of Employee Voice" for her gender equity work.

Her company, Herizon, delivers consultancy, talks, and coaching focused on how emotional intelligence and gender-diverse leadership drive workplace performance in tech.

09:00 - 09:25

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Work With the Brain, Not Against It

Opening Keynote

Mental Health, Resilience & Sustainable Work–Life Balance

Our brains evolved for threat, tribe and survival – not for notifications, back‑to‑back meetings and always‑on work. In this provocative opening keynote, Sean will explore the growing gap between how human brains are wired and how modern workplaces operate, and what that means for wellbeing, inclusion and performance. Drawing on neuroscience and real organisational experience, the session will unpack why so many “resilience” efforts miss the point, and what needs to change in how we design work, leadership and culture if we want people to think clearly, feel safe and truly thrive at scale.

You’ll gain:

A fresh, science‑based perspective on why current ways of working are burning people out
Insight into how HSBC is rethinking wellbeing and inclusion through the lens of how the brain actually functions
Practical ideas to take back into your own organisation to better align workload, expectations and environments with human limits and strengths

Speaker:

Sean Tolram

HSBC

Head of Mindfulness

Sean is a mindfulness teacher with a difference. He combines his corporate experience with principles of mindfulness and neuroscience to help people succeed in the modern workplace. He is currently the Head of Mindfulness at HSBC and the Founder of My Trained Mind. He is also a certified mindfulness teacher and has an ICF accreditation in brain-based coaching. Sean’s mission is to change the way we think about work. He believes that by understanding more about our brains, we can create the conditions where we can be at our best, and more effectively achieve our goals and ambitions.

09:25 - 09:50

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Neurodivergence and High Performance: At What Cost?

Presentation

Mental Health, Resilience & Sustainable Work–Life Balance

Many neurodivergent employees appear to be performing well, exceeding expectations, delivering results, and holding it all together.

But that performance is often being sustained by a significant amount of unseen effort, overworking, masking difficulties, and relying on pressure to get things done. Over time, this isn’t sustainable.

This session explores the gap between what’s visible on the surface and what it’s taking behind the scenes, and why this is so often missed. What looks like strong, consistent performance can quickly shift into burnout, disengagement, or a sudden drop in output, often taking managers by surprise.

Lauren will share insight into what’s really going on beneath the surface for many neurodivergent employees, and how this impacts wellbeing, consistency, and retention.

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what to look out for, and practical ways to support performance without relying on unsustainable levels of effort.

Speaker:

Lauren Smy

Lauren Smy Coaching

Neurodiversity Coach, Trainer & Consultant

"Lauren Smy is a neurodiversity coach and workplace consultant. She works with organisations who recognise the importance of neuroinclusion and want to create environments where neurodivergent talent can perform without relying on unsustainable coping strategies.

Helping organisations understand how neurodivergence shows up in practice, and what needs to change, Lauren supports them to move beyond awareness and make meaningful, day-to-day changes that improve performance, wellbeing, and retention.

Alongside this, she coaches individuals with ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence to navigate challenges and make the most of their strengths at work.

Lauren is an ICF-accredited coach and Advanced ADHD Coach, with a background spanning corporate finance, education, and over a decade of self-employment. Diagnosed with ADHD in her 40s, and as a parent to neurodivergent children, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work."

09:50 - 10:20

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Beyond Burnout – Rethinking Resilience and Balance

Panel Discussion

Mental Health, Resilience & Sustainable Work–Life Balance

Employees are asking for more than one‑off initiatives; they want work that is sustainable, human and mentally healthy over the long term. This panel explores how organisations are rethinking mental health, resilience and work–life balance in the face of ongoing pressure, change and complexity. Panellists will share how they are moving beyond reactive support to redesign work, build psychological safety and equip leaders to have better conversations about capacity and boundaries. Expect a practical, honest discussion about what’s really working, what isn’t, and how to support different needs across your workforce.

What to expect:

Examples of how organisations are redesigning work, roles or rhythms to make wellbeing more sustainable.
Practical ideas for building resilience without slipping into “cope better” narratives that ignore workload and pressure.
Approaches to helping leaders and managers talk about mental health and boundaries in a confident, respectful way.
Reflections on balancing individual support (benefits, tools, services) with systemic change to how work gets done.

Speakers:

Stella Gavinho

Entain

Group Head of Wellbeing

Stella has spent over a decade designing and delivering wellbeing strategies and programmes for large, complex, global organisations.
She specialises in building healthy, high-performing cultures by taking a holistic approach to people’s wellbeing - her mission is simple: help people and businesses thrive.
Her work sits at the intersection of sustainable human performance and business outcomes.
Stella is currently Global Head of Wellbeing for a workforce of 30,000 across more than 20 countries.

Jake Sanders

Diageo

Global Health and Wellbeing Manager

Jake has worked across Health Insurance, Health technology providers & as an in house wellbeing lead for the last decade, building a balanced view on what drives impactful wellbeing strategies within organisations.

Strategies that are measurable, while focussing on how we:

- Drive engagement at an individual level

- Foster collective accountability across teams and leaders

- Design supportive organisational work design.

Steve Cottle

Lyra Health

Director, Global Partnership

Steve is a renowned mobility leader with 20 years of experience in global mental health and currently holds the position of Global Partnership Director at Lyra Health. A Bachelor of Business, Steve has spoken at international conferences around the world, highlighting the cultural differences and associated stigma of mental health.

10:20 - 11:00

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Mental Health, Resilience & Sustainable Work–Life Balance

11:00 - 11:25

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Designing Cultures for Every Mind: Aviva’s Neuroinclusion Journey: In Conversation with Ori Chandler, Group Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Aviva

Interview

Wellbeing, Security & Confidence at Work

Neuroinclusion is no longer a niche issue – it’s fundamental to wellbeing, belonging and performance at work. In this interview, Ori Chandler, Group Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Aviva, shares how Aviva is designing cultures that work for every mind. We’ll explore why neuroinclusion matters, how Aviva is building a joined up neuroinclusive ecosystem – and what it takes to move beyond awareness to practical, everyday inclusion. The conversation will also examine Aviva’s GenAI inclusion pilot and how thoughtfully designed tools can act as levellers, supporting neurodivergent colleagues to thrive. Expect honest reflections, real examples and practical insights you can take back to your organisation.

Speaker:

Ori Chandler

Aviva

Group Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Ori Chandler is Group Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and leads Aviva’s DEI strategy across its core markets in the UK, Ireland, and Canada. A seasoned DEI practitioner and strategist, Ori brings deep expertise in designing and delivering impactful inclusion initiatives across both private and public sectors. She’s particularly passionate about applying behavioural science to DEI - using data-driven, evidence-based approaches to foster cultures of curiosity, collaboration, and belonging.

Before joining Aviva, Ori worked in DEI consultancy, partnering with organisations in financial services, tech, and legal industries. She previously served as Managing Director at INvolve, a global consultancy and network championing diversity and inclusion in business. Outside of work, Ori is mum to 2 young children who fill her days with joyful chaos. She finds balance and inspiration in the outdoors - whether hiking, surfing, or experimenting on an aerial trapeze.

11:25 - 11:50

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Why Smart, Successful People Still Feel Broke

Presentation

Wellbeing, Security & Confidence at Work

For many people, on paper, everything looks good. People have good incomes, their careers are progressing, and life is...fine.

So why does it still feel like there’s never quite enough? Why does it feel like there is still more to do/achieve and accomplish?

This session dives into the uncomfortable truth behind modern financial behaviour that sits under every financial wellbeing conversation. Whether that is a conversation had within HR teams, between team members and line managers, between colleagues, or perhaps these are the conversations that never happen (but should?!) - the truth is it's not always just about how much we earn, but how we think, feel and act around money. From unconscious habits to social pressure and silent comparison, we explore the patterns keeping even the highest performers financially unsettled.

Expect a candid, interactive session that challenges familiar narratives, surfaces hidden behaviours and leaves people thinking differently about what “doing well” with money really looks like.

Speakers:

Keerti Baker

Lifetime

Group Marketing Director

Keerti Baker is a Marketing Director with over 25 years’ experience across healthcare, retail and highly regulated sectors, specialising in brand strategy, communications, audience engagement and commercial growth. Her cross-sector background gives her a distinctive perspective on how people think, behave and make decisions, particularly in complex, regulated environments where trust, clarity and communication are critical. Keerti is known for questioning conventional approaches, focusing not just on outcomes, but on the behavioural patterns and real-life pressures that shape those outcomes. At the Engage Employee Summit 2026, Keerti will present a session on embedding financial wellbeing into HR strategies. She will share practical, actionable insights on how organisations can integrate financial education and tools into the workplace in a way that drives genuine engagement, resilience and long-term employee wellbeing.

Natalie Jutla

Perkbox

Head of Financial Wellbeing and Workplace Strategy

Natalie Jutla is Head of Financial Wellbeing & Workplace Strategy at Perkbox and a leading voice in shaping how organisations can create truly inclusive, people-centred benefits. With over 25 years’ experience in reward and wellbeing, Natalie focuses on helping employers embed financial resilience and holistic wellbeing into flexible, modern employee experiences. She is a passionate advocate for reimagining benefits that flex around individuals, recognising that true workplace flexibility means meeting people where they are, not offering one-size-fits-all solutions.

11:50 - 12:20

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Women’s Health in the Workplace – From Taboo Topic to Business Imperative

Panel Discussion

Wellbeing, Security & Confidence at Work

Women’s health remains one of the last workplace taboos, yet it has a direct impact on absence, productivity, progression and retention – and therefore on business performance and risk. From menstrual health and fertility to miscarriage, baby loss, menopause and longer-term conditions, many women are managing significant health issues in silence or stepping back from roles they could otherwise thrive in. As new legislation from 2027 will require large employers (250+ employees) to have Menopause Action Plans in place, “best in class” menopause policies and practice are rapidly shifting from differentiator to baseline expectation. This panel will explore how leading organisations are treating women’s health as both a business and employee imperative: measuring impact, co-designing support with employees, and building menopause approaches that are robust enough for future regulatory requirements while still human, practical and lived.

We’ll explore:

Business impact: how women’s health and menopause support (or the lack of it) shows up in absence, performance, progression, retention and employer brand – and how to measure it credibly.
Employee impact: what women actually say they need across different life stages, how safe they feel to speak up, and where the biggest gaps are between policy and lived experience.
What “best in class” menopause policy and practice look like in 2026 – governance, training, adjustments, data, and co‑creation with colleagues.
How large employers can prepare now for the 2027 requirement to have Menopause Action Plans, using it as a catalyst for a broader, joined‑up women’s health strategy rather than a tick‑box exercise.

Speakers:

Bethany Heesom

Engagement Expert

"Bethany Heesom is an Employee Engagement professional with a solid background in L&D and HR, focusing on building positive, people-centred workplaces cultures. In her role as Senior Engagement Manager at bet365, she works on initiatives that aim to enhance employee experience, wellbeing, and engagement, striving to ensure that every team member feels valued and supported.

Having previously worked as a Registered NHS Clinician, Bethany brings her clinical expertise to her interest in workplace wellbeing. She lead the development and implementation of bet365's Menopause policy, eLearning modules, and Menopause toolkits, and has recently shifted her focus to organising events that connect employees through shared experiences.

Bethany takes a balanced approach, combining strategic insight with practical efforts to create inclusive and collaborative environments where employees can thrive. She values strong communication and relationship-building, engaging with teams at various levels to support meaningful change and a sense of belonging. Passionate about human-centred leadership, she aims to help organisations grow while ensuring that employees feel inspired and empowered. Outside of work, she enjoys advocating for wellbeing and professional development, sharing insights to assist others in creating supportive workplaces. "

Ellie McCluskey

VML

Head Of People, VML UK.

Ellie is Head of People at VML UK, and a qualified coach and Menopause coach, with a deep belief in reinvention at work and in life. She brings a human, compassionate lens to HR, creating environments where people and businesses can truly thrive. In her coaching, Ellie supports women navigating midlife, menopause, and moments of change, helping them reconnect with themselves and step into their next chapter with clarity, confidence, and intention.

12:20 - 12:40

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Audience Debate: Are Employees Asking for Too Much?

Q&A

Wellbeing, Security & Confidence at Work

Wellbeing and inclusion are major priorities for organisations. New initiatives, policies and support programmes are appearing everywhere. But as expectations keep growing, a tricky question is starting to surface: can employers realistically be responsible for everything?

While organisations play a critical role in creating supportive and inclusive environments, what responsibility do employees have for their own wellbeing – and for contributing to a culture where others can thrive too?

In this lively audience debate, we’ll challenge the balance of responsibility. What should organisations provide, what should leaders role-model, and what should employees bring themselves?

Speaker:

Christina Lewis

Herizon

Founder

12:40 - 14:00

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Wellbeing, Security & Confidence at Work

14:00 - 14:25

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

How WHSmith Is Using Inclusion and Engagement to Navigate Accountability, Change and Culture

Interview

Inclusion in Practice: Equity, Identity & Lived Experience

At WHSmith, a period of significant change – including new leadership and a renewed focus on accountability – has brought fresh energy and opportunity to how the organisation thinks about its people. In this session, Jessica Dyson shares how a broad remit spanning DEI, Talent, Learning, Employee Relations, Early Careers and Engagement is helping WHSmith build an environment where colleagues genuinely want to show up and do their best work.

With 9,000 store colleagues globally and a head office navigating an evolving landscape, Jessica will explore how active senior leader involvement in networks, and a commitment to meaningful inclusion have kept engagement at the heart of the business. She'll also share what it means to lead DEI on a global stage – including the nuances of operating across different markets – and how WHSmith is having the right conversations to make inclusion real and relevant for every colleague.

Speaker:

Jessica Dyson

WHSmith

Director, Performance and Culture

Jess is the Director of Performance and Culture at WHSmith, having joined the business in September 2022. She brings extensive experience across a broad range of HR disciplines, including Reward, HR Projects, Talent, Early Careers, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI).
Prior to joining WHSmith, Jess held a variety of HR roles within the financial services sector, working with organisations such as BNP Paribas, Royal Bank of Scotland, Coutts, and Towergate Insurance. She later moved into retail, where she was Head of DEI for EMEA at adidas.

14:25 - 14:50

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Driving Employee Engagement: Turning Inclusion into Inspired Action

Presentation

Inclusion in Practice: Equity, Identity & Lived Experience

This session explores the powerful connection between corporate social responsibility and employee engagement. Andrew Troup, Chief Impact Officer at YourCause from Blackbaud, will examine how well‑designed CSR strategies can strengthen culture, increase participation, and foster a deeper sense of purpose among employees. Drawing on research and real‑world examples, the session will highlight how volunteering, giving, and purpose‑driven programmes not only deliver social impact, but also drive higher engagement, connection, and pride in the workplace. Attendees will leave with practical insights for using CSR as a strategic lever to inspire employees and embed inclusive impact into everyday work.

Speaker:

Andrew Troup

YourCause from Blackbaud

Chief Impact Officer

Andrew J. Troup is Chief Impact Officer at YourCause from Blackbaud, leveraging 18+ years of experience to help organisations design purpose-driven strategies that unite philanthropy, inclusion, and technology. He leads efforts to build industry partnerships, advance CSR innovation, and serves as an ambassador for Blackbaud’s own programmes. Beyond his corporate role, Andrew is an active arts advocate, performer, and nonprofit board member, committed to fostering creativity and community impact.

14:50 - 15:20

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

From Words to Reality: Making Equity and Lived Experience Count at Work

Panel Discussion

Inclusion in Practice: Equity, Identity & Lived Experience

Most organisations now talk confidently about inclusion, but many employees still experience a gap between public promises and everyday reality.

This panel focuses on how equity, identity and lived experience are reshaping decisions about who is heard, who progresses and who feels they truly belong. Our panellists will share what it takes to move beyond statements and campaigns into deeper structural change – redesigning processes, power and behaviours so that colleagues with different identities and experiences can succeed on their own terms.

We’ll explore:

How equity differs from equality in practice, and what that means for recruitment, performance, promotion and pay
The role of identity and intersectionality in shaping people’s day‑to‑day experience of culture, beyond headline diversity stats
How to centre lived experience safely (employee voice, storytelling, ERGs) without over‑burdening or tokenising colleagues
Practical moves that shift power and opportunity – sponsorship, decision‑making, data and leadership behaviour – and how to know if they’re working

Speakers:

Claire Maydew

Bupa

Group Head of Inclusion

Claire Maydew is Group Head of Inclusion at Bupa, leading global strategy on accessibility, gender equity and inclusive cultures. She has driven major inclusion initiatives, securing significant investment and embedding governance, advocacy and learning across international markets. Prior to Bupa, Claire shaped the D&I agenda at Marks & Spencer, where she established the organisational framework, developed cross-industry employment programmes for under-represented groups, and led pioneering research on inclusive culture and intersectionality.

Jessica Dyson

WHSmith

Director, Performance and Culture

15:20 - 15:45

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

The Underutilised 20%: Neurodivergent Talent and the Inclusion ROI

Presentation

Inclusion in Practice: Equity, Identity & Lived Experience

Up to 20% of your workforce is neurodivergent. Most are undiagnosed. And in workplaces that weren't designed with neurodiverse employees in mind, many are spending significant energy navigating environments, processes and expectations that don't reflect how they think - suppressing the very traits that make them exceptional at pattern recognition, systems thinking and creative problem-solving.

The cost to your organisation isn't just human. It's measurable. 51% of neurodiverse employees reported taking time off work due to their neurodiversity.

In this session, Eileen Burbidge, Executive Director of Fertifa, challenges people leaders to move beyond adjustments and accommodations and start treating neurodivergent inclusion as an ROI conversation. Drawing on data from Fertifa's platform and real employer case studies, Eileen will discuss:

How to measure ROI
What 'good' support for neurodiversity looks like
Where the gaps in your current approach are costing you talent

The session will also cover practical steps you can take immediately to build a more neuroinclusive culture - one that retains exceptional people and unlocks the cognitive diversity your organisation is already paying for but not yet using.

Speaker:

Eileen Burbidge

Fertifa

Executive Director

Eileen Burbidge is Director at Fertifa, where she applies her passion for inclusive and accessible reproductive healthcare after experiencing her own fertility, reproductive and hormonal health journeys. Eileen is also a Founding Partner at Passion Capital, the pre-eminent early-stage technology venture fund based in London, which led to Fortune Magazine describing her as "The Queen of British VC" and one of London's most influential venture capitalists. She has extensive operational and investment experience gleaned from roles at tech giants including Yahoo!, Skype and Apple. On behalf of Passion, Eileen serves as non-executive director and board representative on a number of successful companies including Monzo Bank, Marshmallow, Butternut Box and others. Outside of Passion, Eileen is also a non-executive director for Currys plc and chair of the ESG Committee for the Board; served for 8 years as the UK Treasury’s Special Envoy for Fintech, appointed by the Chancellor; was Tech Ambassador for the Mayor of London’s office; served on UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s Business Advisory Group; and was the Chair of Tech Nation for 5 years. She was awarded an MBE for services to business in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2015 and holds a BSc Engineering degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

15:45 - 16:05

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Inclusion in Practice: Equity, Identity & Lived Experience

16:05 - 16:30

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Entain Group Case Study: Wellbeing, Inclusion and Return on Value

Case Study

Measuring What Matters: Wellbeing, Inclusion & Return on Value

Most organisations want to invest in wellbeing and inclusion, but many find it difficult to measure success in a way that truly evidences return on value. Too often, the focus stays on cost or short-term outputs rather than the wider impact on people and performance.

In this session, Stella will share how Entain Group is approaching wellbeing differently — recognising it as a value creator, because it is the right thing to do for people, but also because it strengthens the organisation as a whole.

The case study will explore how Entain has identified what matters most in human terms (health, psychological safety, flexibility and support) and linked those measures to hard outcomes such as absenteeism, productivity and engagement.

Speaker:

Stella Gavinho

Entain

Group Head of Wellbeing

16:30 - 16:55

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Proving the Impact of Wellbeing and Inclusion

Panel Discussion

Measuring What Matters: Wellbeing, Inclusion & Return on Value

Many organisations now invest in wellbeing and inclusion, but struggle to prove impact beyond engagement scores and anecdote. This panel will explore how leading employers are defining “what matters” in human terms – health, psychological safety, belonging, progression – and connecting those measures to hard outcomes such as retention, performance, customer experience and risk. Panellists will share how they are building simple, credible people value scorecards, what they report to the Board, and how they balance humanity with hard metrics so people don’t become just numbers.

We’ll explore

How to move from activity metrics (events, logins, attendance) to outcome metrics that matter for people and the business
Ways to link wellbeing and inclusion data to retention, performance, customer outcomes and risk reduction
How to combine quantitative measures with lived experience and colleague voice without over‑surveying or tokenising
Practical approaches to engaging Finance and the C‑suite so people metrics are taken as seriously as financial ones

Speakers:

Jake Sanders

Diageo

Global Health and Wellbeing Manager

Susan Gee

Yorkshire Water

Head of Occupational Health & Wellbeing

Susan Gee is a highly accomplished occupational health professional with over four decades of experience in both the public and private sectors. Susan trained as a nurse in 1980 and has worked in various roles within the NHS and private health.

Susan is currently the Head of Occupational Health & Wellbeing at Yorkshire Water Services Limited, she previously served as Head of Occupational Health and Safety at Bradford Metropolitan District Council for 16 years.

Susan has previously supported a wide variety of private and public organisations, developing, and delivering comprehensive workplace programs for early detection and prevention of disease. She is an experienced occupational health professional and has expertise in the development and implementation of strategies, initiatives, and organisational change in occupational health. Susan was also a visiting lecturer at Leeds Beckett University for 20 years where she taught sickness absence management to OH students.

Susan also has a keen interest in public health issues and how it aligns with workplace health. She is a great supporter of a holistic, person centred approach to supporting worker health. She is a keen researcher, and she enjoys keeping up to date about health-related issues and emerging trends.

Susan is a sought-after speaker at conferences and has shared her insights on workplace health and wellbeing with diverse audiences in the UK and Europe. Susan has also had numerous articles published and contributed to research and academic publications about workplace health. Her media appearances include speaking on BBC Look North, where she provided an insightful analysis on mental health first aid at work. Susan is passionate about promoting health in the workplace

Susan has a private Occupational Health practice, and she has supported a wide variety of private and public organisations:
• Schools, motor industry, social housing, independent builders, social care, finance sector, charities, engineering sector, and retail.

17:00

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Closing Remarks

Measuring What Matters: Wellbeing, Inclusion & Return on Value

Speaker:

Christina Lewis

Herizon

Founder

17:00

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Summit After-Party

The Night Summit

08:55 - 09:00

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Welcome to 2026 Engage Employee Summit

Introduction

Creating a Culture of Appreciation and Connection

As we open the Engage Employee Summit, Martin welcomes you to two days dedicated to the real challenges and opportunities facing today’s HR and engagement leaders.

In this opening address, he'll set out what you can expect from the Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits Stage and across the summit - the themes shaping the agenda, the conversations that matter most right now, and how you can make the most of your time with us.

Whether you’re here to strengthen culture, sharpen leadership communication or rethink how engagement supports performance, this session will provide context, clarity and a strong start to the days ahead.

Speaker:

Martin Hill-Wilson

Brainfood Training

Co-Founder

Martin Hill-Wilson is a long-standing member of the Customer Engagement community. Over his career, he has launched a series of change initiatives using the dynamic of action-based learning – most recently AI for Non Technical Minds. All are designed to disrupt and reset the ‘art of the possible’ using new operating models re-imagined through foundation user education.

09:00 - 09:25

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

It’s Not Just What We Offer, It’s What It Signals: Why Recognition Is Vital to Meaningful Employee Engagement

Opening Keynote

Creating a Culture of Appreciation and Connection

Employees are not just looking at what you're offering, but what those offers say about their value, their work, and their place in the organisation.

This session explores how recognition, both formal and informal, acts as a powerful signal. When employees feel their contributions are seen and their work is rewarded, engagement increases. When they are absent, or not delivered in a meaningful way, engagement plummets.

Drawing on insights from the 2026 Engage for Success Annual Engagement Survey, join me to discuss why rewards and recognition matter.

Speaker:

James Court-Smith

Engage for Success

Board Member & Steering Group Chair

James is a data scientist with expertise in customer and employee engagement.
He worked for the Gallup Organization for 13 years and has been running his business analytics firm Stillae for the last 16 years.
James has been involved in Engage For Success since the Macleod Report in 2010, he is a board member and the steering group chair.

09:25 - 09:50

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

BDO UK LLP Case Study: Embracing the Power of Thank You - Empowering Everyone to Recognise Anyone

Case Study

Creating a Culture of Appreciation and Connection

A look at how BDO transformed their recognition programme to ensure that 'in the moment' recognition was timely, impactful and empowering for all.

As part of a refreshed people proposition and culture strategy (known as The Feel and The Deal), BDO recognised the importance of ensuring appreciation, gratitude, collaboration and empowerment were fundamental to the organisations values and purpose. Moving from an administrative heavy and hierarchical awards system to a fully empowered, technology-led approach ensured that not only were people recognised in the moment, it also had operational excellence at its heart.

Speaker:

Tom Pridmore

BDO UK LLP

Director of Reward, Benefits and Wellbeing

With over 20 years in HR, Tom began his career in finance before developing as a HR generalist in a number of organisations. Over the last 9 years Tom’s focus has been total rewards and wellbeing. Tom is passionate about supporting mental health in the workplace, an advocate of men's mental health, and recognising the commercial advantages of linking reward, benefits and wellbeing agendas. Outside of work, Tom enjoys attempting to play football, visiting theme parks, and spending time with his wife and two children.

09:50 - 10:20

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Beyond Kudus: Why Appreciation as a Cultural Foundation is the Catalyst for Engagement

Panel Discussion

Creating a Culture of Appreciation and Connection

This panel explores how a genuine culture of appreciation – rooted in everyday behaviours, meaningful recognition and real human connection – can transform engagement far more effectively than one-off awards. Panellists will share what they’ve changed in how leaders communicate, how teams celebrate progress, and how recognition links to values and performance, so that appreciation becomes part of the fabric of work rather than a quarterly campaign.

We’ll explore:

Why traditional recognition schemes often fail to move the dial on engagement – and what a culture of appreciation does differently
How to hardwire appreciation into daily conversations, rituals and leadership behaviours across hybrid and frontline teams
The link between feeling valued, speaking up and choosing to stay – and how appreciation supports performance and retention
Practical steps to align your recognition approach with your values, EVP and overall reward strategy so it feels consistent and credible

Speakers:

Michelle Elsworth

Jet2.com

General Manager - Reward & Benefits

I head up the Reward & Benefits function at Jet2.com, where I'm focused on delivering an amazing colleague experience through our reward and benefits offering; supporting colleagues to thrive, inside and outside of work.

Having been in the wonderful world of reward for over a decade, I am extremely passionate about the role reward and benefits play in helping employees be their best selves. I have experience across the reward remit, from benefits management to pay strategies, and recognition schemes to share plans – and I love the variety this brings to my role and each and every working day!

Laura Haskins

CitNow Group

Chief People Officer

Laura Haskins is Chief People Officer for the market leading automotive software provider, CitNOW Group. With a career spanning over 16 years in human resources, Laura has built a reputation as a strategic and commercial leader who is committed to driving people-focused initiatives that align with the company’s vision, and growth objectives. Throughout her career, Laura has successfully led a number of cultural initiatives that drive employee retention and engagement and works passionately to ensure that every individual has the tools, support, and opportunity to make a difference.

Andrew Laughlan

Uber for Business

Head of Enterprise Partnerships, UK & Ireland

Andrew Laughlan is Head of Enterprise UK at Uber for Business, where he leads strategic growth in corporate mobility and delivery solutions for large enterprise and FTSE 250 clients. With 15+ years of experience across B2B on-demand transport and mobility sectors, Andrew has driven commercial innovation and sales leadership at organisations including Gett UK and Aon’s Future of Mobility group, helping businesses optimise travel spend, enhance sustainability, and improve employee experience through smarter mobility and food platforms. He is passionate about leveraging data, visibility and technology to transform how organisations plan, manage and measure mobility - making transportation more efficient, sustainable and seamless.

10:20 - 11:00

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Creating a Culture of Appreciation and Connection

11:00 - 11:25

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

KeolisAmey Metrolink Case Study: Nice One: How Authentic Appreciation Powers a 24/7 Workforce at KeolisAmey Metrolink

Case Study

Engagement, Motivation and Recognition

Most organisations talk about recognition, but when it doesn’t feel genuine, consistent or culturally rooted, it quickly loses its meaning. For a 24 hour, highly remote workforce like Manchester’s Metrolink network, that challenge is even bigger, with colleagues working different shifts, in different locations, rarely together, and often unseen by the wider organisation.

This session explores how KeolisAmey Metrolink set out to build a recognition culture that feels real, everyday and authentically “us.” From understanding what meaningful appreciation actually looks like for a workforce that keeps the network moving, to creating moments that genuinely reflect who we are and how we work, the session lifts the lid on how recognition becomes more than a programme, it becomes part of the culture. It’s a practical look at how to ensure colleagues feel valued, celebrated and truly seen, no matter when or where they work.

Speaker:

Glenn Grayson

KeolisAmey Metrolink

Senior People Experience Manager

Glenn Grayson is a strategic and creative communicator with over a decade of experience shaping internal communications and colleague engagement across some of the UK’s best known brands, including Selfridges, Missguided and River Island. A natural storyteller and engagement leader, Glenn specialises in crafting powerful messages, memorable moments and award winning campaigns that connect people to purpose, bring strategy to life, and build cultures where colleagues feel inspired and motivated.
With extensive experience across both digital and in person environments, Glenn has a passion for transforming complex ideas into compelling narratives that resonate. After a successful career in fashion and retail, he transitioned into the transport sector and now leads People Experience at Manchester’s Metrolink, where he continues to elevate colleague engagement through innovative, human centred communication strategies.

11:25 - 11:50

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Your Recognition Strategy Isn’t Working (And Deep Down, You Know It)

Presentation

Engagement, Motivation and Recognition

Speakers:

Matt Phelan

The Happiness Index

CEO & Founder

Matt is the co-founder of The Happiness Index and a workplace culture expert, drawing on insights from over 250 million data points across 5 million employees in 180+ countries. A TEDx and DisruptHR speaker, he hosts The Happiness Index podcast and is the author of two bestselling books on employee wellbeing and business success, and also advises organisations on building positive, high-performing workplaces.

Nat Parkin

Pluxee UK

Strategic Marketing & Innovation Lead

With over a decade of experience across employee benefits, incentives and commercial engagement, Natalie helps connect data and creativity to deliver strategies that boost engagement, performance and long-term value in complex organisations.

11:50 - 12:20

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

What Really Drives People to Go the Extra Mile?

Panel Discussion

Engagement, Motivation and Recognition

In a labour market where skills are scarce and expectations are rising, pay alone is no longer enough to keep people committed and performing at their best. This panel will explore how smart organisations are weaving engagement, motivation and recognition together into a coherent experience – one where people understand the impact of their work, feel trusted with autonomy, and are recognised in ways that actually matter to them. Panellists will share how they are equipping managers, refreshing reward and recognition approaches, and listening to their people so that motivation is sustained, not just sparked by the latest initiative.

We’ll explore

The real drivers of motivation today and how they link to engagement, not just compensation
How to design recognition that feels fair, inclusive and connected to purpose and performance
The role of managers and leaders in turning values and EVP promises into day-to-day reality
Practical steps to align engagement, motivation and recognition so they reinforce each other rather than sit in silos

Speakers:

Lewis Rooke

Gymshark

Head of Reward & People Operations

Lewis Rooke is an experienced reward and people operations leader, currently serving as Head of Reward & People Operations at Gymshark, a global fitness apparel brand. Since joining Gymshark in 2021, Lewis has played a key role in shaping total reward strategies that support business growth and employee engagement. Prior to Gymshark, he gained broad reward management experience at Bibby Financial Services, progressing from Graduate Trainee to Reward Manager. Lewis holds a First Class BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance from Keele University, bringing both analytical rigor and practical insight to his work in reward, compensation, and organisational development.

Sophie Parsell

British Red Cross

Strategic People Lead – Reward and Partnering

I’ve worked in HR roles across different sectors and have mainly operated in the Business Partnering space. For the past year I’ve led the Partnering, Reward and People Experience Teams at the British Red Cross. I’m a passionate, pragmatic and progressive HR practitioner. My style is warm, informal, insight-driven and commercially focused.

Mark Probert

Achievers

Managing Director, EMEA

Mark Probert is Managing Director for EMEA at Achievers, where he leads the company’s growth across the region, partnering with organisations to build more connected, engaged, and high-performing workplaces. With a background in scaling international SaaS businesses, Mark has worked closely with senior leaders to tackle some of today’s biggest workplace challenges—from employee engagement and retention to culture transformation in distributed environments.

12:20 - 12:40

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Audience Debate: Do Employees Even Want This?

Q&A

Engagement, Motivation and Recognition

Organisations are investing more than ever in reward, recognition and benefits. Yet if you look at most engagement surveys, the feedback often sounds the same: it’s still not enough.

So what’s going on? Are organisations missing the mark with the recognition they offer, or is the challenge that expectations keep shifting faster than strategies can keep up?

In this lively audience debate, we’ll dig into a simple but uncomfortable question: what do employees actually want when it comes to reward and recognition? Is it pay, perks, praise, progression — or something far simpler that organisations often overlook?

Join the conversation as we ask whether recognition strategies are truly motivating people, or missing the point.

12:40 - 14:00

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Engagement, Motivation and Recognition

14:00 - 14:25

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Beyond Pay & Perks - Wellbeing and the Whole Person Offer: In Conversation With: Deb Jones, L&D Partner and Wellbeing & Engagement Lead at National Deaf Children's Society

Interview

Reward & Benefits Beyond Pay: Financial Wellbeing and the Whole Person Offer

By investing in psychological safety, flexible working, expanded learning opportunities, and a diverse range of emotional, physical and financial wellbeing resources, the charity has created a culture where
individuals feel valued, safe to be themselves, and empowered to thrive. This holistic approach has strengthened belonging, reduced turnover, increased pride in the organisation, and enabled staff to deliver greater impact for deaf children and families.

Speaker:

Deb Jones

National Deaf Children's Society

Wellbeing & Engagement Lead

Over 30 years in leadership positions within the Civil Service and not for profit organisations. Now focused on learning & development with the lead for wellbeing and engagement at the National Deaf Children's Society.

14:25 - 14:50

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Why More Recognition Isn’t the Answer: Interpreting Data to Improve Culture

Presentation

Reward & Benefits Beyond Pay: Financial Wellbeing and the Whole Person Offer

Most recognition companies push the message that more recognition equals more engagement. If only it were that simple. This session challenges the assumption that recognition always leads to improved engagement by sharing real examples, key trends, and the six core indicators of employee sentiment. Attendees will walk away with a clear understanding of which data they need to be looking at, and how to act on it, to improve culture in their own organisations.

Speaker:

Brian Snodgrass

Terryberry

President

Brian is President of Terryberry, where he is redefining employee engagement as a program-driven business discipline—not a collection of tools. He believes the industry has created a sea of sameness, with companies offering platforms or rewards marketplaces that fail to drive real change. Terryberry takes a different approach—designing and delivering comprehensive engagement programs that combine technology, symbolic recognition, rewards, and employee sentiment to produce measurable outcomes. Under his leadership, organizations partner with Terryberry to intentionally build culture and turn employee experience into a competitive advantage. Brian brings over 20 years of experience in technology and product leadership and holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business.

14:50 - 15:20

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Beyond the Payslip: Financial Wellbeing and the Whole‑Person Deal

Panel Discussion

Reward & Benefits Beyond Pay: Financial Wellbeing and the Whole Person Offer

Pay rises alone are no longer enough to protect employees from sustained financial pressure or to show that employers genuinely care about people’s lives beyond work. This panel will explore how organisations are building financial wellbeing into a broader whole‑person offer – one that connects money, mental health, physical health and life‑stage support into a coherent strategy rather than scattered perks. Panellists will share how they are responding to cost‑of‑living and policy shifts, which forms of financial support and wellbeing benefits employees actually use and value, and how they are balancing affordability with impact, fairness and clear outcomes.

We'll expore:

How employers are moving from isolated financial perks to integrated financial wellbeing support that actually helps people feel more secure.
Which elements of the “whole‑person” offer (financial, mental, physical, social, life‑stage) employees are using most, and what they say makes the biggest difference.
How to design reward and benefits that balance affordability with impact, fairness and clear outcomes for both people and the business.
The practical steps leaders are taking over the next 12–24 months to evolve their reward and benefits offer beyond pay without over‑promising.

Speakers:

Ross Marshall

London Borough of Havering

HR Wellbeing Consultant

Ross Marshall is a dedicated Wellbeing Reward and Recognition Lead at the London Borough of Havering, where he plays a pivotal role in the Human Resources & Organisational Development department. With a strong background in administration, employment & training, social enterprise, and PMO, Ross brings a wealth of experience to his current role. He is a certified Mental Health First Aider, known for his exceptional communication and listening skills.

In his role, Ross is responsible for delivering a professional wellbeing service that aligns with 4 strategic pillars of wellbeing (Physical, Psychological, Social and Financial) and positively influences the employee experience. He leads the wellbeing aspects of the total reward approach, including recognition, wellbeing and health, staff forums, and engagement.

Kelly Games

dryrobe Ltd

HR Manager

With over a decade of experience navigating the complex landscape of human resources, Kelly serves as a lead HR voice at Dryrobe. A Level 7 qualified professional and former HR consultant, Kelly has spent the last four years helping scale one of the UK’s most iconic outdoor brands. Kelly thrives in the 'beautiful chaos' of HR, where no two days are ever the same. Outside of work, she is an avid runner and dedicated animal advocate, having rescued two dogs from Cyprus. Whether she is fundraising for animal shelters, cultivating her extensive plant collection, or engaging in local art and writing groups, Kelly brings a passion for growth and community to everything she does.

Tracey Paxton

Perkbox

Clinical Director

Tracey is Perkbox's Clinical Director with 30 years of NHS experience as a clinician and senior hospital manager. She is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Non-Medical Prescriber, with specialist registrations in learning disabilities and mental health, and holds an MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy. Tracey chairs the Royal College of Psychiatrists Advisory Board and Project Board (with the British Psychological Society), and sits on the Accreditation Committee. She has published research internationally and received a national mental health award at the House of Lords.

15:20 - 15:45

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

The Motivation Machine: Designing Recognition Programmes For Maximum Impact

Presentation

Reward & Benefits Beyond Pay: Financial Wellbeing and the Whole Person Offer

What truly motivates employees to perform at their best? Organisational psychologist Sarah Marrs will share new research exploring this critical question. As organisations navigate hybrid working and the growing role of technology, HR leaders are being called to adopt a more human-centred approach—one that supports autonomy, allows for experimentation, and meets the increasingly individualised expectations of today’s workforce. This session unpacks key motivation archetypes and behavioural responses, offering practical insight into how leaders can scale recognition through technology while maintaining a personal, meaningful experience.

Speaker:

Sarah Marrs

Awardco

Organisational Behaviour Scientist & Evidence-Based HR Practitioner

Sarah is a global lead on Awardco’s center of excellence team, advising organizations on managing and evolving their reward & recognition programs. As part of her work, Sarah designs and conducts research on the impact of recognition on employee behavior and subsequent organizational outcomes. Before joining Awardco, Sarah spent nine years at Qualtrics, leading EX solution design and delivery for some of their biggest global customers. As an organizational psychologist, Sarah understands the principles of successfully motivating people at work. As a business leader, she understands the challenges associated with putting these principles into practice. Her work attempts to bridge this gap through well-designed solutions that find a balance between science and practicality. Sarah has over 15 years of experience in organizational research, with employee insights roles at Tesco, Hay Group and Kenexa. She is a member of the British Psychological Society. Sarah holds a Master’s degree in Work and Organizational Behavior from Dublin City University and is completing her doctoral thesis in Evidence-Based HR at Birkbeck University, London.

15:45 - 16:05

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Reward & Benefits Beyond Pay: Financial Wellbeing and the Whole Person Offer

16:05 - 16:30

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

From Numbers to Moments: How British Airways Bring Total Reward and Recognition to Life: In Conversation With Josephina Smith, Director of Reward at British Airways

Interview

Proving Value and Impact: Better Benefits, Smarter Spend

British Airways has been rethinking how it shows colleagues the true value of working for the airline – not just in base pay, but in benefits, recognition and the moments that matter. In this interview, Josephina will share how BA has evolved its total reward statements, including more personalised, digital ways of showing the full package, and how this links to their Above & Beyond recognition programme. She’ll discuss what they have learned about communicating reward to a diverse, global workforce, the impact of recognition on engagement and retention, and how she uses data and storytelling together to shape BA’s future reward strategy.

Speaker:

Josephina Smith

British Airways

Director of Reward

I am someone who wants to lead a purposeful life, make an impact on society and leave a legacy. I'm a People Director with a successful 20-year + career in HR and Reward Management. Professionally, I see myself as a businessperson first who seeks to ensure that HR interventions are grounded in business reality. Previous roles have included visible ‘No 1’ leadership roles with board/executive level interaction across a variety of industries. I'm passionate about all things HR, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, I love helping people grow and making a positive difference whenever and wherever I can.

16:30- 17:00

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Doing More With Less: The Key to Enhanced Benefits with Smarter Spend

Panel Discussion

Proving Value and Impact: Better Benefits, Smarter Spend

Reward and benefits budgets are under more scrutiny than ever, yet many organisations still struggle to show whether their benefits are genuinely improving wellbeing, engagement and retention – or just adding cost. This panel will explore how leading employers are reshaping their benefits offer and using data, insight and technology to prove value and impact. Panellists will share how they decide where to cut and where to invest, how they measure outcomes such as utilisation, inclusion, financial wellbeing and health, and how they make the business case for smarter spend rather than simply more spend.

We’ll explore:

How to move from a long list of benefits to a focused portfolio that aligns with workforce needs and business priorities.
How technology, platforms and data analytics are helping reward teams optimise spend and evidence ROI.
Real examples of where employers have reduced or redirected benefits spend and actually increased perceived value.

Speakers:

Ross Marshall

London Borough of Havering

HR Wellbeing Consultant

Claire Kennedy

University of Lincoln

Head of Reward and Recognition / Assistant Director

Claire Kennedy is an experienced pay and reward professional with a strategic focus on designing fair, sustainable and future focused reward frameworks. As Assistant Director and Head of Reward and Remuneration, Claire leads on the development and delivery of reward strategies that support organisational performance and long term workforce sustainability.
With expertise across job evaluation, pay and grading structures, market benchmarking, and senior staff reward, Claire plays a key role in aligning reward approaches to organisational purpose and values, working closely with senior leaders, HR colleagues and trade union partners to ensure transparent and evidence based outcomes.
Claire is particularly passionate about the role of reward in enabling equality, consistency and trust, and in supporting talent attraction, progression and retention in challenging labour markets. She brings a pragmatic, insight driven perspective to reward, balancing commercial realities with the need for fairness and employee engagement.

17:00

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Closing Remarks

Proving Value and Impact: Better Benefits, Smarter Spend

Speaker:

Martin Hill-Wilson

Brainfood Training

Co-Founder

17:00

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Summit After-Party

The Night Summit

08:55 - 09:00

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Welcome to 2026 Engage Employee Summit

Introduction

Communicating Through Constant Change

As we open the Engage Employee Summit, Jo welcomes you to two days dedicated to the real challenges and opportunities facing today’s internal communication and engagement leaders.

In this opening address, she'll set out what you can expect from the Internal Communication & Employee Voice Stage and across the summit - the themes shaping the agenda, the conversations that matter most right now, and how you can make the most of your time with us.

Whether you’re here to strengthen culture, sharpen leadership communication or rethink how engagement supports performance, this session will provide context, clarity and a strong start to the days ahead.

Speaker:

Jo Moffatt

Engage for Success

Partnerships & Strategy Director

Jo has been a volunteer with the Engage for Success movement since its launch. As Partnerships & Strategy Director she sits on the Advisory Board and co-hosts the weekly Engage for Success radio show, interviewing guests from across the engagement world. The EFS agenda is absolutely aligned with Jo’s vision ‘to make workplaces better places to be’. As passionate about brands and their power to move people as she is about employee engagement and its vital role in delivering a high performing organisation, Jo put the disciplines together as founder of a leading creative consultancy, leveraging the creative and insight led approach of the advertising world to engage employees inside organisations. Jo becomes almost evangelical about the power a well-positioned and consistently delivered brand has as a catalyst for employee engagement and business success - creating cultures that make workplaces work, for employees as well as shareholders and stakeholders.

09:00 - 09:25

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Research Reveal: The Reality Gap: What the IC Index 2026 Reveals About Communication Today

Opening Keynote

Communicating Through Constant Change

The IC Index 2026 offers a clear employee perspective on how internal communication is really landing inside organisations. This session shares key findings across trust, change, leadership and manager communication, AI adoption, strategy and channels, revealing where misalignment is growing and where organisational risk is increasing. Jennifer will explore what these insights mean for organisations seeking to deliver performance and resilience, and for internal communicators who are being asked to play a more strategic role in enabling trust, alignment and meaningful outcomes in challenging times.

Speaker:

Jennifer Sproul

IoIC

Chief Executive

Jennifer Sproul is the Chief Executive of the Institute of Internal Communication (IoIC), the only professional body solely dedicated to internal communication. She leads IoIC's efforts in setting standards and advancing the profession through qualifications, career development, thought leadership, and best practices.

A passionate advocate for the value of internal communication, Jennifer is a regular speaker and co-hosts the podcast ‘The Future of Internal Communication’.

09:25 - 09:50

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

The Human Behind the Brand: Authenticity and the Skills Shaping the Future of Comms in an age of AI: In Conversation With Sam Bleazard, Employer Branding Lead at Fortnum & Mason

Interview

Communicating Through Constant Change

As AI reshapes how organisations communicate, the pressure on those in communication roles has never been greater - to move faster, personalise at scale, and still sound human. In this interview, Sam explores what that really means as someone with responsibility for an Employer Brand, from the inside of one of Britain's most iconic organisations. From the skills communicators need to stay relevant - storytelling, strategic judgement, and editorial instincts - to how employee voices can remain authentic in an AI-assisted world. Sam shares the honest realities of an evolving, and beloved heritage brand's internal story.

Speaker:

Sam Bleazard

Fortnum & Mason

Employer Brand Content Producer

Sam Bleazard has over 25 years of experience working in communications and marketing: with luxury brand Fortnum & Mason; global engineering and construction firm Laing O’ Rourke; media business Dow Jones; retailer John Lewis; central Government department The Cabinet Office; Royal Mail Group plc, and; FMCG firm Unilever.

He has worked with C-Suite leaders and teams to help develop their communications approach - on business strategy, crisis, and employee engagement.

During the pandemic he launched two podcast shows – interviewing fellow senior professionals on Comms from the Shed (as a human response to Covid-19), and How Can U Just Leave Me Standing? In Search of Prince (inspired by experiences as a freelance music journalist). The latter has been heard in over 130 countries worldwide.

He is currently employed full time at Fortnum & Mason – a 318-year-old business, which is a unique mix of luxury retail and hospitality - helping to establish and develop their Employer Brand from scratch.

Fortnum’s has a unique story whose origins pre-date the industrial revolution, and with an underlying purpose to ‘make joy’, it continues to surprise and delight customers in the UK and internationally.

09:50 - 10:20

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Communicating Through Constant Change: From Noise to Meaning

Panel Discussion

Communicating Through Constant Change

Change has become the backdrop, not the exception – restructures, strategy shifts, tech rollouts and new ways of working often land on top of one another. In this environment, internal communication and employee voice are critical to helping people understand what’s happening, feel safe enough to ask questions, and stay focused on what matters. This panel will explore how organisations are communicating through constant change in a more honest, two‑way and human way – from involving comms early in shaping the narrative, to equipping managers, creating feedback loops and using insight to adapt messages over time. Panellists will share how they balance transparency with uncertainty, avoid sugar‑coating, and make sure employees feel heard rather than just “told at”.

We’ll explore:

The shift from one‑off announcements to ongoing, phased change communication that supports people before, during and after change.
How to move from broadcast updates to genuine dialogue and employee voice during change, including feedback channels and listening tactics.
The role of leaders and line managers in creating psychological safety, acknowledging uncertainty and making sense of decisions.
How IC teams are using insight and sentiment data to adapt messages, spot risk early and prove impact.

Speakers:

Juliet Green

RAC

Head of Internal Communication, Engagement & Culture

Juliet Green is an experienced communications leader with over 15 years’ expertise spanning internal and external communications. She has worked with UK-based and global organisations across diverse sectors, including retail, financial services, technology, and construction.

Juliet specialises in driving impactful communication strategies that support transformation and change, organisational restructures, cultural evolution, and employee engagement. Her work has included leading values design and rollout, shaping company strategy, managing crisis communications, and introducing or evolving communications channels such as intranets and employee experience platforms.

Passionate about the role of internal communications in building trust, enhancing employee experience, and driving culture change, Juliet is also an active mentor with the Institute of Internal Communications (IoIC), helping professionals grow their careers. As an IoIC Ambassador, shechampions internal communications as a rewarding and influential profession.

Linzi Elder-Gibbins

Shoosmiths LLP

Head of Internal Communications

Linzi Elder‑Gibbins is an experienced Head of Internal Communications, leading communication strategy across major programmes including digital transformation, AI adoption and cultural engagement. She specialises in clear, authentic storytelling and works closely with senior leaders to shape impactful messaging and deliver campaigns that connect people to the strategy and vision of their organisation to drive engagement.

Nicole Sarmiento Quevedo

Merck

Project Office & Campaign Lead Global Internal Communications

Dynamic communications and marketing professional with over five years of experience at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Currently serving as Senior Manager for Global Internal & Transformation Communications, I have expertise in campaign management, content development, and good knowledge of social media. Previously, I held the role of Regional Marketing Manager for EMEA, where I led new product introduction campaigns and collaborated closely with sales teams in the region. My journey began as Associate Manager in Multi-channel Marketing within Global Fertility, focusing on digital tool development and integrated campaigns. I am passionate about driving impactful communication strategies and fostering collaboration across teams.

10:20 - 11:00

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Communicating Through Constant Change

11:00 - 11:25

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

ACAMS Case Study: Employee Voice in Practice: From Listening to Action at ACAMS

Case Study

Employee Voice in Practice: From Listening to Action

Too many organisations collect feedback and then stall at the “listening” stage. In this case study, ACAMS will share how it has built practical channels for employee voice and, crucially, how it turns what people say into visible action. The session will explore how ACAMS listens across its global workforce, how insight is fed into decisions on culture, ways of working and development, and how it closes the loop so employees can see where their input has shaped change – and where it hasn’t, and why. This is a candid look at what has worked, what’s been harder, and how ACAMS is strengthening trust by treating employee voice as mission‑critical, not a nice‑to‑have.

Speakers:

Aleksandra Kucza

ACAMS

Senior HR Director

Aleksandra is Senior HR Director at ACAMS, where she has worked since September 2018. Her truly global career spans across various industries, from financial services and education to e-commerce. Before joining ACAMS, Aleksandra has held senior HR/Talent positions at Laureate International Universities and at Vistaprint (Cimpress). She started her career in HR consultancy. Currently based between Barcelona and London.

Rose Dahlan

ACAMS

Global Communications Manager

Rose Dahlan is a communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in strategic communications, media relations, and marketing. Her work focuses on strengthening both internal and external communications, helping organisations connect clearly, authentically, and with purpose.

Driven by a passion for positive impact, Rose specialises in amplifying the voices of mission‑driven organisations, using thoughtful storytelling to expand reach, deepen engagement, and build trust with diverse audiences.

In her role as Global Communications Manager at ACAMS, a certification and intelligence organisation serving the global anti‑financial crime community, Rose leads communications that engage employees internally while elevating ACAMS’ mission externally—to help protect communities from financial crime.

11:25 - 11:50

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

The Visibility Gap: What the Data Says About the State of Internal Communications

Presentation

Employee Voice in Practice: From Listening to Action

Internal communications has never mattered more. Drawing on responses from 500+ IC professionals across 30+ countries, the 2025 Global

State of Internal Communications survey reveals a consistent pattern:

IC teams are small, stretched thin, and sending messages into a void. Nearly half have no way to measure whether their emails are being read. Employees say they want fewer, more relevant communications. Most organizations are still sending the same message to everyone and hoping for the best.

This session walks through what the research tells us about how IC teams are structured, what challenges they rank as hardest to solve, and what separates the teams gaining influence from those losing it.

Speaker:

Faraz Ahmed

ContactMonkey

Communications Lead

Faraz Ahmed is a communications guru with a degree in Communications Studies and over five years of experience working alongside communications professionals. He focuses on helping organizations strengthen their internal messaging and connect more effectively with their audiences. Faraz excels at developing strategies that improve employee engagement and ensure messages resonate across teams. He is particularly skilled at tracking engagement metrics and translating insights into actionable improvements. His work often supports communicators in building strong business cases that secure leadership buy-in. With a practical and results-driven approach, Faraz helps organizations turn communication into a measurable driver of success.

11:50 - 12:20

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Beyond the Survey: Turning Employee Voice into Actions

Panel Discussion

Employee Voice in Practice: From Listening to Action

Surveys, town halls and listening sessions are everywhere, yet many employees still feel nothing really changes when they speak up. This panel will focus on what it actually takes to move from collecting feedback to acting on it in a visible, credible way. Panellists will share how they prioritise what they hear, feed insight into real decisions on work, culture and reward, and then close the loop so people can see what’s changed – and where it hasn’t, and why. The discussion will explore how to join up HR, internal communication and leadership so employee voice becomes a core part of how the organisation runs, rather than an annual exercise or a one‑off campaign.

We’ll explore:

Practical ways to gather employee voice (surveys, forums, digital channels, unions/ERGs, manager conversations) that surface real issues, not just noise.
How to turn insight into decisions and actions, including how to prioritise and avoid over‑promising.
Techniques for “closing the loop” so employees see the link between what they said and what happened next.
The roles of leaders, managers, HR and internal comms in making employee voice part of everyday ways of working.

Speakers:

Charlotte Grant

Samsung Electronics UK Ltd

Head of People Experience

Kelly Newman

Ampa Group

Head of Internal Communication & Engagement

Kelly Newman is a strategic internal communications and engagement leader with over a decade of experience in the public and private sectors. Passionate about connecting people with purpose, she specialises in high-impact communications that drive engagement, alignment, and cultural change.

As head of internal communication and engagement at Ampa Group, Kelly has led innovate strategies that unite employees across multiple brands and locations. A champion of smart, scalable communication, Kelly is experienced in coaching leaders, embedding organisational values, and making complex change feel simple. She has been recognised for her work in digital transformation, employee advocacy, and brand engagement.

12:20 - 13:40

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Employee Voice in Practice: From Listening to Action

13:40 - 14:00

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Audience Debate: Is AI Ruining Internal Comms?

Q&A

Employee Voice in Practice: From Listening to Action

AI is rapidly entering the world of internal communications. It can write messages, analyse sentiment, automate workflows and help teams produce content faster than ever before. But if AI simply helps us broadcast more messages, are we really solving the communication challenges organisations face?

Internal comms isn’t just about producing content. It’s about building trust, enabling dialogue and helping people navigate change. If AI is used badly, it risks creating more noise, more sameness and more polished messages that change very little.

But used well, could AI actually help internal comms teams focus on what matters most?

In this debate, we’ll explore whether AI is just speeding up the old broadcast model, or whether it could unlock something far more valuable for communicators and the organisations they support. Join the discussion as we ask: is AI part of the problem, or part of the solution?

14:00 - 14:25

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

You Probably Shouldn’t Bother Coming Along to This One

Case Study

Cutting Through the Noise: Making Communication Land

Do you think anyone actually cares about your bloody internal comms message? There’s always something more interesting or more important to do, so let’s stop wasting everyone’s time and start asking why.

This is a light-hearted look at how the volume of digital communication in organisations can take us away from the real purpose: to give
people useful information they can actually do something with.

So how do we grab people’s attention to improve the chances of our messages landing? Have we forgotten some of the most important principles of human communication?

There’s no magic or secret formula in this talk. You probably shouldn’t bother coming along.

Speaker:

Joel Turner

Betfred

Head of Internal Communication

Joel Turner has somehow spent 25 years in Betting & Gaming – an industry defined by relentless change, regulation and an unlimited supply of people who think their communication is more important than anyone else’s... Along the way, he’s worked across most of the major UK gambling brands in senior communications roles, including the esoterically titled “Head Storyteller” at Flutter (Sky Bet, Paddy Power, Betfair).

Now happily based in the North of England at Betfred, Joel is helping the 58-year-old independent business evolve from familiar High Street fixture into digital challenger snapping at the heels of much bigger online brands.

A strong believer that attention is earned, not broadcast, Joel spends much of his time asking why, challenging unnecessary comms, and reminding leaders that the most powerful communication will always remain a candid conversation.

14:25 - 14:50

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

How To Turn Your Listening Strategy Into A Two-Way Conversation.

Presentation

Cutting Through the Noise: Making Communication Land

In this session, Nick Court explores how to turn your employee listening strategy into a genuine two‑way conversation. He’ll break down the core elements behind an effective listening strategy and show how communication before, during and after each listening activity drives trust, clarity and meaningful action. With practical insights on reaching deskless teams, overcoming email fatigue and keeping feedback continuous, not just survey‑based, Nick will demonstrate how organisations can create listening approaches that truly connect with their people.

Speaker:

Nick Court

The People Experience Hub

CEO

Nick Court is CEO of The People Experience Hub and has built his career at the intersection of People and Operations, spanning reward and recognition, colleague voice, HR systems and people analytics. He specialises in turning employee listening into meaningful action: asking the right questions, reaching people effectively, and transforming insight into measurable change. Nick has worked with brands including Tesco, Carlsberg and Associated British Foods, and partnered with organisations such as Wagamama, Thomas Cook, Kier, the Post Office and Welcome Break to strengthen employee experience and performance.

14:50 - 15:20

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

From Inbox to Impact: Comms That Actually Land

Panel Discussion

Cutting Through the Noise: Making Communication Land

Employees are drowning in messages, channels and change – which means even the most important updates can get lost, ignored or misunderstood. This panel explores how internal communication and HR teams are simplifying, targeting and humanising communication so it actually lands and drives action. Panellists will share how they prioritise what really needs saying, design comms for different audiences and attention spans, and work with leaders and managers to keep messages consistent without becoming corporate wallpaper.

We’ll explore:

How to decide what truly matters in a crowded communications landscape, and what to stop or strip back.
Practical ways to design messages that are clear, concise and relevant for different roles, locations and channels.
The role of leaders and managers in amplifying key messages in a human, credible way.
How to use data and feedback (opens, clicks, comments, questions) to learn what’s landing and adjust in real time.

Speakers:

Vicky Hicks

Openreach

Head of Internal Comms

Vicky has spent 20 years across the public and private sector, with a varied career leading large operational teams, steering large scale transformation programmes across the UK and owning corporate affairs and communication strategies.

An award winning inclusive and trusted leader, who people depend on to get the job done in the most effective way, Vicky is now Head of Internal Comms at Openreach.

Sarah Fox

Evri

Corporate Communications Lead - Internal

Sarah is an experienced and passionate communicator who has spent the last decade focusing on colleague engagement and communication. During her career to date, she’s worked across a wide range of industries and has recently returned to logistics with a role at Evri Group. A strong advocator for employee voice, she’s introduced champions across three organisations and always puts colleagues at the heart of internal communication. When she’s not working, she enjoys travelling, theatre and watching rugby.

Thomas Rafferty

Blink

Enterprise Implementation Manager

Thomas Rafferty is a Programme Manager at Blink, with 7 years' experience implementing large-scale technology platforms at enterprise organisations. Thomas led the implementation of Blink for McDonald's globally, rolling out to 700,000 employees across 27 countries. He is now responsible for Blink's analytics product, Blink IQ, which provides customers with deep workforce insights.

15:20 - 15:45

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

From Slop to Intelligent Workflows: Unlocking the Next Phase of Workplace AI

Presentation

Cutting Through the Noise: Making Communication Land

Most workplace AI still produces generic output that adds noise instead of value – what many now call “AI slop.” The problem isn’t the AI; it’s the lack of context. We’ll explore how purpose-built assistants, connected to your systems and workflows via MCP, move beyond one-size-fits-all answers to deliver relevant, actionable support – keeping humans in control while unlocking the next phase of truly intelligent work

Speaker:

Edaine Bernadina

Appspace

Sales Engineer

Edaine designs scalable digital workplace solutions that blend business needs with smart digital execution. He has over a decade in IT and entrepreneurship – from leading cloud-first Microsoft 365 projects to scaling up a 500+ SKU e-commerce brand – and brings a strategic eye for growth, user experience, and conversion.

15:45 - 16:05

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Cutting Through the Noise: Making Communication Land

16:05 - 16:30

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Visa Case Study: Stop Explaining Engagement. Start Designing It

Case Study

Measurement & Insight: Proving What’s Working

What does it take to design employee engagement that people actually show up for – when everyone’s busy, leaders are stretched, and your audience is global?

Katie shares the CMS Cares story: an “impossible ask” to hit a 35% participation target in eight weeks, at the end of the fiscal year.

Rather than adding more comms, she redesigned the experience around one insight: meet people where they are – in time, in energy, and in real life.

You’ll hear how pairing volunteering × career access and using leadership as an accelerant helped drive participation to 51% in two weeks – plus the transferable principles for scaling thoughtfully without burning people out.

Speaker:

Katie Klimaytys

Visa

Director, Global Internal Communications, Commercial and Money Movement Solutions

Katie is the Global Director of Internal Communications for Commercial and Money Movement Solutions (CMS) at Visa, based in London. A seasoned senior leader, she brings a strong track record of developing and delivering comprehensive communication strategies for global organisations and household brands.

Katie has worked across a wide range of industries, including automotive, telecommunications, transport, and energy, and is known for designing multichannel strategies that engage and inform tens of thousands of employees around the world.

Recognised for her innovative and forward‑thinking approach, Katie provides trusted strategic counsel to executives and senior leadership teams, helping drive alignment, clarity, and impact at every level of the organisation.

She has led global internal communication campaigns to strengthen employee engagement, support large‑scale change, and connect employees to business strategy through clear, human‑centred storytelling.

16:30- 17:00

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Proof Over Perception: Cracking the ROI of Internal Comms

Panel Discussion

Measurement & Insight: Proving What’s Working

Senior leaders are asking a simple question: what commercial value does internal comms really create? This panel explores how teams are moving beyond activity metrics to prove clear links between communications, employee behaviour and business results. Panellists will share how they define ROI up front, choose the few measures that matter, and build evidence‑based stories that win trust, protect budgets and influence decisions.

We’ll explore:

How to define ROI for internal comms in commercial terms (productivity, retention, customer experience, risk reduction), not just engagement scores.
Practical ways to connect comms activity to behaviour change and business outcomes using a small, focused set of metrics.
How to build simple ROI narratives and visuals that resonate with boards, FDs and non‑comms leaders.
The skills, data and partnerships internal comms teams need to embed ROI thinking into everyday planning and reporting.

Speakers:

Sue Lewis

British Red Cross

Head of People Strategy

Sue Lewis is the Head of People Strategy and a senior leader dedicated to shaping organisational culture, enhancing employee experience, and building future‑ready people strategies. She has a strong track record in leading transformational HR and organisational development initiatives, modernising ways of working, and cultivating high‑performing, inclusive teams.

Now in her 11th year with the British Red Cross, Sue leads on creating the conditions for the organisation to achieve its People Strategy. Her work focuses on enabling all People functions to progress critical capabilities, embedding strategic planning and performance, and supporting the evolution of the organisation as it moves towards realising Strategy 2030.

Sue has also played a central role in shaping the organisation’s values and behaviours, providing leadership in embedding these across the British Red Cross to strengthen culture, connection, and shared purpose.

Alongside her professional work, Sue brings a vibrant personal energy to everything she does. A budding stand‑up comic, she’s at her happiest finding humour in the everyday and sharing it with others. Outside of work, she loves climbing mountains, seeking out adventures by the sea, and embracing her passion for music — often found dancing in a field with strangers during her downtime.

Throughout her career, Sue has championed people‑centred approaches that align culture, capability, and organisational ambition. She is known for her thoughtful leadership, collaborative style, and passion for enabling people and teams to reach their full potential.

At this conference, Sue will share insights drawn from her experience developing people‑centric strategies, leading organisational change, and shaping the future of work.

Jonathan Elliott

Sky

Head of Leadership Communications

Jonathan Elliott is the Head of Leadership Communications at Sky; overseeing the engagement strategy for Sky’s CEO and Executive Management Team. Jonathan joined Sky in December 2024 to lead the delivery of a new company narrative, growing clarity and confidence in the organisation’s direction, whilst transforming to ensure Sky is fit for the future. Prior to Sky, Jonathan spent almost a decade with the BBC, initially to develop the response to the Dame Janet Smith report, before leading the communications for the launch of BBC Studios as a commercial entity, the merger with BBC Worldwide, and the company’s Covid communications plan. Jonathan also led the internal communications for the launch of A BBC For The Future vision and Value for All strategy work. Jonathan also spent seven years with Santander, starting with the bank during the global financial crisis in 2008, and working on the acquisitions of and mergers with Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley. Across his career, Jonathan has gained experience in internal and external communications, marketing, and CSR.

Hanna Blad

Hive Streaming

Product Manager

Hanna began her career in HR before transitioning into product development, giving her a unique perspective on how internal communications and live video impact employee engagement at scale. As a Product Manager at Hive Streaming, Hanna is a key part of shaping the future of internal communications and Hive’s communication intelligence products.

17:00

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Closing Remarks

Measurement & Insight: Proving What’s Working

Speaker:

Jo Moffatt

Engage for Success

Partnerships & Strategy Director

17:00

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Summit After-Party

The Night Summit

08:55 - 09:00

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Welcome to 2026 Engage Employee Summit

Introduction

The Digital Workplace Experience

As we open the Engage Employee Summit, Jo welcomes you to two days dedicated to the real challenges and opportunities facing today’s internal communication and engagement leaders.

In this opening address, she'll set out what you can expect from the Internal Communication & Connected Workplace Stage and across the summit - the themes shaping the agenda, the conversations that matter most right now, and how you can make the most of your time with us.

Whether you’re here to strengthen culture, sharpen leadership communication or rethink how engagement supports performance, this session will provide context, clarity and a strong start to the days ahead.

Speaker:

Jo Dodds

Chirpy Heat & Engage for Success

Director of Operations, Communication & Culture & Advisory Board Member

Jo is proud to be part of the leadership team at Chirpy Heat, the UK's leading independent heat network specialists in the housing sector, helping to create an environment where their people and the organisation can thrive. She started her career in retail HR in regional and national roles, from large organisations to startups, and then started her own consulting business in 2005 where she developed her skills and experience in digital marketing, business management and productivity. She returned to the HR world in 2012 specialising in employee engagement and she continues to volunteer as co-Strategy Director and Advisory Board Member for the Engage for Success movement. She is a regular conference chair and awards judge specialising in employee engagement, internal communications and culture.

09:00 - 09:25

Communication & The Connected Workplace

The Future of Internal Communication - How Internal Communicators Can Help Organisations Perform in a Changing World

Opening Keynote

The Digital Workplace Experience

An informal discussion about how internal communication is crucial to the success of organisations because it is best placed to give them what they need to thrive. Dominic will draw upon the recent IoIC white paper on the future of internal communication, the 2026 IC Index and his experience working with leaders to discuss factors and trends shaping the future of work, and the opportunities these present for internal communicators to have a real, positive impact on their organisations and demonstrate value. He will argue that internal communicators have a unique ability to bring clarity, build relationships, foster communities and facilitate conversations, all of which will be essential for organisational survival.

Speaker:

Dominic Walters

Institute of Internal Communication

President

Dominic Walters - has specialised in internal communication and learning and development for over 30 years. He has worked in senior in-house roles and as a coach and consultant in the UK, Europe, Asia and the US, supporting leadership teams across a range of sectors.

Dominic has featured in print, TV and audio promoting effective communication and is the co-host of the Future of Internal Communication podcast. He is also author of the IoIC audiobook ‘Leading Inside Out’.

Dominic is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and Fellow and President of the Institute of Internal Communication.

09:25 - 09:50

Communication & The Connected Workplace

In the Driver’s Seat: How ZIGUP Successfully Communicated Through Change and Increased Employee Confidence

Presentation

The Digital Workplace Experience

ZIGUP has transformed communication with their 6,500-strong workforce spread across the UK and Ireland. Following a merger and rebrand, it was time for ZIGUP to overhaul their internal communication strategy to reach and engage all employees, wherever they are. ZIGUP is a leading integrated mobility solutions provider operating across a range of specialist businesses in the UK, Ireland & Spain. They help businesses and individuals with specialist vehicle hire, fleet management, accident support, repairs, servicing and maintenance. This diverse service offering means that many colleagues are often on the road or “on the tools”, without access to company emails.

Join Beth and Liza from ZIGUP as they chat with Ryan from Oak about how their internal comms and engagement strategy has motivated and aligned a growing workforce of desk-based and deskless colleagues during a key milestone for the business. They have successfully delivered strong outcomes that continue to demonstrate the impact of effective internal comms including an increase in employee confidence.

Speakers:

Beth Addenbrooke

ZIGUP

Senior Internal Communications Manager

Beth Addenbrooke is Senior Internal Communications Manager at ZIGUP. She’s passionate about clear, honest communication that cuts through the noise - helping colleagues understand what’s happening, why it matters, and the role they play. She championed and designed our award-winning intranet that has quickly become the go-to information hub for colleagues. She also supports the clear articulation of ZIGUP's group strategy externally through our social media channels, which helps our external stakeholders understand what we stand for and our growth plans.

Liza McNamara

ZIGUP

Head of Communications

Liza McNamara is Head of Communications at ZIGUP, specialising in helping organisations communicate with purpose during moments that matter. With over 20 years’ experience working with organisations in the FTSE 100 & 250 across internal and external communications, she helps businesses protect and strengthen their brand by communicating clearly, honestly, and with purpose. Liza works closely with leaders to connect strategy to real‑world impact, shaping messages that build trust, support people through uncertainty, and strengthen reputation with colleagues and external stakeholders alike. She’s passionate about communication that feels human, creates clarity, and drives confidence in the future.

Ryan Huggon

Oak

Customer Success Manager

Ryan is Customer Success Manager at Oak and works with national and international brands such as Glory Global Solutions, Burger King UK and Air General. He works closely with internal comms and HR teams running their company employee engagement platforms, providing support, guidance and insights that help them achieve their internal communication objectives.

09:50 - 10:20

Communication & The Connected Workplace

The Digital Workplace Experience – How Internal Comms Creates Connections

Panel Discussion

The Digital Workplace Experience

In a hybrid, always‑on world, the digital workplace is where most employees now experience your organisation – for information, collaboration and culture. This panel explores how internal comms can turn that environment from a noisy collection of tools into a connected experience that helps people feel informed, included and able to do their best work. Panellists will share how they are shaping journeys, content and governance across platforms so employees know where to go, what to trust and how to have a voice.

We’ll explore:

How employees actually move through the digital workplace today, and where internal comms can remove friction and confusion.
The role of internal comms in creating clear “front doors”, navigation and content standards across intranets, chat, video and social tools.
Practical ways internal comms can use campaigns, storytelling and community-building to create connection, not just push messages.
How feedback, analytics and experimentation can continuously improve the digital workplace experience over time.

Speakers:

Rebecca Marks

Commonwealth Sport

Head of People

I’m a strategic HR leader and trusted advisor to senior leadership, with a strong track record of shaping people strategy that enables business performance and long-term growth.

I work closely with executive leadership teams to build organisational capability, develop high-performing cultures, and align workforce strategy with commercial objectives. I’ve led the design and delivery of end-to-end HR functions, scaling people operations, strengthening governance, and transforming existing models to be more efficient, data-driven, and impactful.

My experience includes operating in senior standalone and leadership roles across complex, multi-site organisations, where I’ve partnered at enterprise level while remaining pragmatic and people-centred in execution.

I bring a strong governance and risk lens, holding Mental Health First Aider and Health & Safety Responsible Person qualifications, with extensive experience leading H&S frameworks to ensure compliance, risk mitigation, and employee wellbeing. I also hold a Finance for Non-Finance Managers qualification, enabling me to contribute effectively at Board and executive levels.

I’m passionate about leadership capability and culture, and I’m qualified to design and deliver management and executive development programmes. Championing inclusive, values-led organisations is central to my approach, and I’ve led meaningful Equality, Diversity & Inclusion strategies that foster belonging, engagement, and sustainable performance.

Sarah Fox

Evri

Corporate Communications Lead - Internal

Oliver Ridley

Haiilo

Chief Product & Technology Officer

Oliver Ridley is Haiilo’s Chief Product and Technology Officer, leading global product and engineering teams focused on reducing digital friction and creating calmer, more connected workplaces. Prior to Haiilo, he held senior leadership roles at Nordic unicorn Gelato, scaling its AI‑enabled platform globally. Earlier in his career, he spent ten years at eBay, leading seller‑facing products and services across European markets. Oliver brings deep expertise in building digital systems that help employees stay focused and thrive — experience that fuels Haiilo’s mission to create a more engaging and unified employee experience.

10:20 - 11:00

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

The Digital Workplace Experience

11:00 - 11:25

Communication & The Connected Workplace

EasyJet Case Study: Building Trust With Frontline Through Better Listening

Case Study

Reaching Deskless, Frontline & Dispersed Teams

With more than 80% of its people working on the frontline as cabin crew and pilots, easyJet needed a different approach to understanding and improving its employee experience. Traditional surveys alone were not effective and, in some cases, had become an unhelpful barrier to crew and pilots feeling represented and seen.
In this case study, Kate will share how the airline is shifting to a “listening and trust” model that connects head office with the frontline, encourages more open feedback, and clearly demonstrates how that feedback leads to action. She will explore how they collaborated with crew and pilots from day one, using the relaunch of the survey as an opportunity to build foundational trust. She will also discuss how they have shifted mindsets so that leaders view listening and trust as operational outcomes rather than nice-to-haves.

Key themes:

Building a solution that unmistakably leads with crew and pilots
Connecting head office with an 80% frontline workforce
Moving from traditional engagement surveys to a listening-and-trust model
Focusing on action through fast feedback loops

Speaker:

Kate Marks

easyJet

Head of People Insight and Employee Listening

Kate Marks is Head of People Insight and Analytics at easyJet, where she leads an employee listening agenda that connects culture, colleague voice and organisational insight.

She focuses on surfacing meaningful feedback and turning it into clear, actionable stories that help leaders understand how people experience work.

Kate specialises in translating insight into practical guidance that shapes people strategy and supports change. She is recognised for making insight accessible and culturally relevant, helping easyJet build a more connected, people‑centred organisation.

11:25 - 11:50

Communication & The Connected Workplace

AI Overload: Why (and How) IC and HR Can Take Control Together

Presentation

Reaching Deskless, Frontline & Dispersed Teams

AI is accelerating how employee communications are created, but in many organizations, it’s also increasing volume, fragmentation, and noise.

More teams can now generate and distribute content at speed, making it harder for internal communications and HR to maintain alignment, consistency, and control. The result? Employees receive more messages, but with less clarity on what matters and what to act on.

AI isn’t just a productivity tool—it’s a multiplier. Without the right structure, it risks amplifying the very challenges IC and HR are already trying to solve.

In this session, Poppulo explores how leading organizations are using AI to improve - not dilute - the employee experience by bringing IC and HR into closer alignment. Together with a global enterprise (TBC), we’ll cover:

Why AI is increasing communication noise—and how to prevent it from reducing clarity and focus
How IC and HR can better align messaging, timing, and delivery
How a more unified, platform-driven approach enables greater visibility, control, and measurable impact
If you’re navigating AI adoption across your organization, this session will show how to turn increasing complexity into clearer, more effective employee communication.

11:50 - 12:20

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Beyond Head Office: Rethinking Communication for Frontline & Dispersed Workers

Panel Discussion

Reaching Deskless, Frontline & Dispersed Teams

For organisations with large frontline and dispersed workforces, reaching people is no longer about adding more channels – it’s about designing communication around how, where and when they actually work. This panel explores how internal comms, HR and operations leaders are tackling the challenge of engaging employees with no desk, limited corporate tech and varied shift patterns. Panellists will share practical approaches for making communication accessible, relevant and timely, and for ensuring frontline voices shape decisions rather than sit at the edges.

We’ll explore:

How to design communication for people without regular email or intranet access.
Blending digital, physical and leader-led channels to fit different frontline contexts.
Equipping managers and supervisors as critical communication conduits, not bottlenecks.
Turning frontline feedback into visible action to build trust and sustained engagement.

Speakers:

Elyse Senior-Wadsworth

Sheffield City Council

Assistant Director - People Team / Assistant Programme Director

Elyse Senior-Wadsworth is a human resources leader with extensive experience in people strategy and organisational development within local government. She currently works at Sheffield City Council, where she plays a senior role in the council’s Human Resources and organisational leadership functions, contributing to people policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, and supporting culture and workforce initiatives.

Elyse brings deep experience in strategic HR work that strengthens organisational culture, supports inclusive practices and enables teams to thrive. Her leadership focuses on embedding values across the workforce and supporting leaders and colleagues through change and growth.

Tim Prince

Network Rail

Head of Internal Communications

Tim Prince is Head of Internal Communications (Channels & Content) at Network Rail, where he leads the development of channel strategy and content design at a time of significant transformation across Britain’s railways.

With a career spanning central government, policing, and major infrastructure, Tim has held senior leadership roles across five UK police forces and previously served as chief press officer for a central government department, with a focus on strategy, transformation, and frontline alignment.

Tim is particularly interested in how organisations translate strategy into action at the frontline - exploring the human factors that underpin trust, clarity, and performance in complex, safety-critical environments. His work increasingly focuses on the role of modern channels, data, and AI in creating more responsive, personalised communication systems.

Shabri Lakhani

ScreenCloud

Chief Revenue Officer

Shabri Lakhani is the Chief Revenue Officer at ScreenCloud, the enterprise digital signage platform trusted by over 10,000 organisations globally to power workplace communication at scale. With over 15 years leading revenue and go-to-market strategy across tech, Shabri has spent the last two years immersed in the world of enterprise workplace communication — working closely with comms and IT leaders to understand what it actually takes to reach a deskless, distributed workforce, and where most internal communication strategies fall short. At ScreenCloud, she partners with some of the world's largest manufacturers, logistics providers, and healthcare organisations — helping them close the gap between the communication leaders think is happening and what frontline workers actually experience, and what that means for the future of employee engagement.

12:20 - 13:40

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Reaching Deskless, Frontline & Dispersed Teams

13:40 - 14:00

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Audience Debate: Connected or Divided: Are We Losing Trust at Work?

Q&A

Reaching Deskless, Frontline & Dispersed Teams

Workplaces have never been more connected. With collaboration tools, internal platforms and constant communication, employees can interact instantly. But if connection is everywhere, why does trust still feel so fragile?

Despite more channels and more messaging than ever before, many organisations are seeing growing division – between leadership and employees, headquarters and frontline teams, and people with very different perspectives on work and society.

Inspired by the Edelman Trust Barometer’s warning of “trust amidst insularity,” this audience debate tackles a difficult question: are our communication strategies actually bringing people together – or quietly pushing them further apart?

Have your say as we challenge whether modern workplace communication is building trust, amplifying echo chambers, or simply creating the illusion of connection.

14:00 - 14:25

Communication & The Connected Workplace

National Crime Agency Case Study: Behind the Scenes at the National Crime Agency’s Officer and Family Days

Case Study

Staying Connected in Busy, Distributed Workplaces

Discover how the National Crime Agency celebrated their 10 year anniversary by opening their doors to officers and staff to showcase the agencies work. These award-winning events boosted morale, facilitated networking and increased knowledge sharing across the agency. Senior leaders advocated for the events and in particular wanted an opportunity to thank officers and their families. In this case study, Katy will explore how the team worked with stakeholders across the agency to overcome health and safety and security challenges, recruited volunteers, designed interactive and creative content and ran a ballot for tickets. Katy will share how a comprehensive evaluation demonstrated the success of the events and facilitated recommendations for future improvements.

Speaker:

Katy Busby

National Crime Agency

Head of Leadership Communication

Katy is a CIPR Chartered internal communications professional with experience across the public sector including local government, policing and the Civil Service.

She helps leaders to be visible as a trusted advisor – embedding change and simplifying complex language. She has a collaborative leadership style, building strong relationships with stakeholders, colleagues and influencers.

Career highlights include: a hard hitting Met Police safeguarding campaign to help colleagues understand that safeguarding adults and children is everyone’s responsibility. The campaign led to performance improvements, including increased reporting across related crime types and a 50% increase in awareness. As well as multi-award winning National Crime Agency Officer and Family Days at secure sites with the aim of boosting morale and increasing engagement. Feedback was 100% positive and 92% of volunteers said that the events gave them the opportunity to network with colleagues.

She lives with her husband and two teenage sons in south London and enjoys keeping fit and London food tours.

14:25 - 14:50

Communication & The Connected Workplace

The Intranet Homepage Strikes Back: Why the Homepage Still Matters in an Ai-Driven Workplace

Presentation

Staying Connected in Busy, Distributed Workplaces

As AI reshapes the digital workplace, many organizations are rethinking what the intranet homepage should become. But the real question is not whether AI replaces the homepage, it is how the homepage evolves in an AI-native world. In 2026, the homepage is no longer just a front door. It is becoming a more dynamic, personalized and increasingly conversational experience, one that must adapt just as well to frontline employees as to office workers. This session will offer a fresh perspective on what makes a homepage truly effective now, and why this topic matters more than ever.

Speaker:

Laura Whitworth

Sociabble

Chief Customer Officer

Laura Whitworth leads the Global Customer Success team at Sociabble, where she collaborates with prominent international clients such as AXA, L'Occitane en Provence, Primark, and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners to enhance employee engagement. With extensive experience in marketing and communication, and with a special focus on connecting frontline teams, she has spearheaded and managed high-impact engagement programs that reach hundreds of thousands of global users. Laura has been instrumental in guiding clients on employee engagement and aligning their company objectives with their communication tools, for the head office and the factory floor alike.

14:50 - 15:20

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Time‑Poor, Connection‑Rich: Rethinking Communication in Busy & Distributed Workplaces

Panel Discussion

Staying Connected in Busy, Distributed Workplaces

In organisations where teams are stretched, locations are many and days are packed, staying genuinely connected can feel harder than ever. This panel explores how internal comms and people leaders are creating connection in the flow of busy, distributed work – making it easier for employees to feel informed, aligned and part of something bigger, wherever they are. Panellists will share how they simplify messages, use digital and human touchpoints wisely, and protect space for meaningful two-way conversations rather than adding to the noise.

We’ll explore:

What “feeling connected” really means for employees in busy, distributed environments (beyond just receiving information).
How to design lighter, smarter communication rhythms that respect time pressures but still build alignment and belonging.
The role of leaders and managers as connection-makers, and how to equip them without overloading them.
Practical ways to keep listening loops open so dispersed teams can influence decisions and share what’s really happening on the ground.

Speakers:

Caleb Chisholm

Cocentric

Head of Digital Consulting

Caleb Chisholm is Head of Digital Consultancy at Cocentric, where he leads strategy and delivery for digital communication and collaboration tools. With a background in internal communications, Caleb previously led digital engagement at NatWest and has supported clients across finance, retail, manufacturing, and professional services. At Cocentric, he oversees projects from initial audits and stakeholder engagement to implementation and adoption. He specialises in service design, channel strategy, and the practical rollout of Microsoft 365, intranets, and other internal platforms. Caleb is also a regular speaker at industry events. At the 2024 Employee Engagement Summit, he co-led a session exploring digital strategies for connecting dispersed teams and improving organisational cohesion.

Leo Morgan

Welcome Break

Internal Communications and Engagement Manager

Leo Morgan is an Internal Communications Manager with extensive experience delivering high-impact communications in complex, operational environments. With a strong focus on the front-line, he has worked across workplace technology, retail, and hospitality – building a track record of cutting through noise and driving operational excellence through clear, people-focused communication strategies.

As Welcome Break’s Internal Comms and Engagement Manager, Leo has reshaped how the business connects with its 6,000+ team members across 61 motorway service areas and 31 hotels across the UK, resulting in industry-leading engagement that translates into improved customer metrics and operational performance.

Dev Mistry

FEELD

Internal Communications Specialist

With over 10 years of experience within PR and Communications, Dev is a stakeholder relations and management specialist, who aims to bring people together through fun, creative and impactful communications. Currently at Feeld, leading the Internal Communication function and thought leadership, Dev’s career spans a number of industries from Automotive, Telecommunication and Tech. Throughout his career, Dev has always been a firm advocate for inclusive practices within communications and in business. Whilst at Virgin Media, Dev lead the BIPOC community group, as well as the DEI communications taskforce, to proactively embed inclusive communications into all areas of the business. Through recent roles, Dev has championed intersectionality, leading LGBTQ+ activities and community groups, highlighting the shared experiences that shape people throughout their career. Outside of his professional accomplishments, Dev is an international cabaret performer and host, with a focus on highlighting queer and BIPOC talent through his shows.

15:20 - 15:45

Communication & The Connected Workplace

The Employee Attention Recession: When Attention Is the Scarcest Resource in the Room

Presentation

Staying Connected in Busy, Distributed Workplaces

We've spent years optimising the digital workplace for productivity - better tools, smarter platforms, frictionless experiences. But there's a problem we haven't designed for yet: we're running out of attention.

Employees are navigating more systems, more notifications, and more competing priorities than ever before. And as AI steps in to interpret, summarise, and surface content on their behalf, organisations face a new and underappreciated risk...losing clarity, priority, and intent, even when the original message was sound.

This session covers the concept of the Employee Attention Recession and asks: are we designing digital environments that protect focus and preserve meaning, or are we just adding more noise?

David will challenge digital leaders to move beyond tool adoption and start treating employee attention as the finite, valuable organisational asset that it really is.

Speaker:

David Bowman

Fresh, Advania UK

Product Director

David Bowman is Product Director at Fresh, where he’s spent two decades helping organisations build digital workplaces that work for real people, not just tech specialists. As a technology evangelist grounded in practicality, he delivers strategic consulting on Microsoft 365 and SharePoint-native intranets that focus on clear communication, genuine collaboration, and an employee experience people enjoy.

15:45 - 16:05

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Staying Connected in Busy, Distributed Workplaces

16:05 - 16:30

Communication & The Connected Workplace

ASOS Case Study: Intentional Storytelling: Driving Connection and Shaping Behaviour

Case Study

The Role of Storytelling in Communications

We’ve never communicated more, yet true connection at work remains elusive.

This session explores how intentional storytelling moves communication beyond information to drive engagement, shared identity and behavioural change. Drawing on psychology, neuroscience and real-world experience, it brings together practical case examples and a short interactive exercise to show how stories shape what people feel, remember and ultimately do.

Participants will leave with simple, actionable principles to apply in their own organisations.

Because, in the end, people don’t engage with messages; they engage with meaning.

Speaker:

Stephanie Garforth

ASOS

Head of Culture Change

Stephanie is a dual-national Australian-British Chinese Business Psychologist who brings over 15 years’ experience helping organisations translate people strategy into meaningful commercial impact. Combining behavioural science, coaching, and strategic HR, she partners with businesses to align culture, talent, and performance to drive transformation and growth.

She is currently Head of Culture Change at ASOS, having joined following a significant organisational and commercial transformation. Her work focuses on embedding a high-performing, inclusive culture, strengthening colleague engagement, enabling behavioural change, and supporting sustainable business performance.

Her experience spans healthcare, FMCG, financial services, media, and the public sector, working with organisations including GSK/Haleon, the NHS, Odeon, Carlsberg, and Associated British Foods.

She has led global talent strategy through periods of transformation, driving improvements in leadership capability, diversity, and organisational performance. She also played a key role in activating an award-winning EVP during the demerger and listing of Haleon.

Alongside her industry work, she is completing a Professional Doctorate in Occupational Psychology at Birkbeck, focusing on inclusive leadership and organisational performance. She also lectures at UK business schools, serves on the Quartz Network HR Advisory Board, and is a Non-Executive Director for a Community Interest Organisation.

16:30 - 17:00

Communication & The Connected Workplace

From Notifications to Engagement: Using storytelling to Support Change, Culture and Leadership Visibility

Panel Discussion

The Role of Storytelling in Communications

This panel explores how storytelling can turn strategy, change and culture into narratives people understand, remember and act on. Panellists will discuss how they find and frame stories from across the business, balance honesty with inspiration, and use stories to give employees a sense of meaning, momentum and belonging.

We’ll explore:

Why stories cut through more effectively than information alone in internal and leadership communication.
How to source real stories from across the organisation and shape them into clear, credible narratives.
Using storytelling to support change, culture and leadership visibility without slipping into spin.
Practical tools and habits that help leaders and IC teams build storytelling into everyday communication.

Speakers:

Monika Holliday

British Airways Euroflyer

Head of People

Monika Holliday is the Head of People at British Airways Euroflyer, leading the organisation’s people strategy and shaping a culture that drives performance and long‑term success. As a trusted member of the Executive Team, she aligns people priorities with business goals, strengthening leadership capability and organisational effectiveness. Monika is known for her strategic clarity, collaborative leadership, and commitment to building an engaged, high‑performing workforce. She champions initiatives that enhance colleague experience, foster inclusion, and equip the organisation to thrive through change.

Laura Colantuono

Starbucks

Employee Communications, EMEA

Laura is a communications leader with over 15 years of experience in global organisations. Originally from Italy, she has lived abroad for most of her life. She began her career as a journalist before joining Unilever Italy in 2010, where she discovered her passion for Internal Communications and employee engagement. In 2014, Laura moved to Fendi to lead the global internal communications function, and in 2019 she relocated to London to join Harrods as Internal Communications Manager. In 2020, she returned to the FMCG sector as Head of Internal Communications, International at The Kraft Heinz Company. Since then, she has continued to champion engagement and internal communications across fintech and media, and today she leads Internal Communications for Starbucks EMEA. Laura recently completed an Executive master’s in strategic marketing at IE Business School.

17:00

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Closing Remarks

The Role of Storytelling in Communications

Speaker:

Jo Dodds

Chirpy Heat & Engage for Success

Director of Operations, Communication & Culture & Advisory Board Member

17:00

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Summit After-Party

The Night Summit

08:55 - 09:00

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Welcome to 2026 Engage Employee Summit

Introduction

Skills, Roles & Hiring Decisions in Today’s Market

As we open the Engage Employee Summit, Annisha welcomes you to two days dedicated to the real challenges and opportunities facing today’s internal communication and engagement leaders.

In this opening address, she'll set out what you can expect from the Talent & Workforce Evolution Stage and across the summit - the themes shaping the agenda, the conversations that matter most right now, and how you can make the most of your time with us.

Whether you’re here to strengthen culture, sharpen leadership communication or rethink how engagement supports performance, this session will provide context, clarity and a strong start to the days ahead.

Speaker:

Annisha Taylor

Ofcom

Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

09:00 - 09:25

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Building an AI-Ready Workforce: How to Turn Anxiety into Adoption

Opening Keynote

Skills, Roles & Hiring Decisions in Today’s Market

As AI starts to reshape jobs, workflows and expectations, many organisations face the same challenge: the technology is moving faster than leadership capability and workforce confidence.

Bringing together insight from PwC’s workforce research and global AI adoption experience, they will explore what employees are actually feeling about AI, why trust and communication now matter as much as capability, and how leading organisations are redesigning roles, skills and career paths without losing the human connection.

Attendees will leave with practical ideas for building an AI-ready workforce: how to talk about change without triggering fear, how to equip managers to lead with confidence, where to focus reskilling efforts, and how to create a culture in which Responsible AI enhances employee experience rather than erodes it.

Speakers:

Rob McCargow

PwC UK

Technology Impact Leader

Rob is a leading voice in the field of AI, a TEDx and keynote speaker, industry commentator, and an evangelist for the responsible and ethical adoption of technology and its impact upon society. He plays an active role in shaping national and industry dialogue on AI through his work with policymakers, trade bodies, academia, and business leaders. He’s a Senior Visiting Fellow at Bayes Business School, and a founding board member of the UK's Parliamentary Group on AI. HR Magazine ranks him as an ‘HR Most Influential Thinker’, Onalytica cites him as a ‘Who’s Who in AI’, Favikon ranks him as one of the World’s Most Influential Voices in AI, and he was voted ‘Tech Community Leader of the Year’ at the CogX Festival. He won Editor’s Choice at the TechWomen100 Awards in recognition of his championing of the women in tech agenda.

Nicole Knott

PwC UK

Partner

Nicole brings 20 years’ experience leading people and technology transformations, combining deep functional and technical expertise to help organisations modernise workforce services and deliver sustainable change. She spent 10 years working in Financial Services and has most recently supported clients across Defence, Energy and Industrials. She is passionate about technology innovation and the future of work, and is a proud sponsor and advocate of women in technology. Nicole has been recognised by Women of the Future and WeAreTheCity Women in Technology awards. Based in London and originally from the United States, Nicole is also a mum to Ada (4). Outside of work, they love swimming, dancing and cooking together.

09:25 - 09:50

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Talent, Truth & the Bottom Line (Why most talent strategies fail)

Case Study

Skills, Roles & Hiring Decisions in Today’s Market

In a world of accelerating disruption and complexity, organisations continue to invest heavily in talent – yet many struggle to connect talent strategy to actual business performance. This session explores why talent strategy must fundamentally enable business strategy, and challenges some of the most widely accepted assumptions about how organisations identify and assess “potential”.

Drawing on contemporary research in leadership, learning agility and workforce performance, the session examines the myths surrounding high-potential talent and explores how organisations can better connect talent decisions to measurable enterprise outcomes. The central argument is simple: talent is not the strategy – talent enables the strategy.

Speaker:

Craige Heaney

Former Talent Leader at BT, Pandora and Diageo

Craige Heaney is a transformational talent and organisational development leader and the founder of Invicta Talent, a specialist consultancy partnering with large organisations to build leadership capability, strengthen organisational performance, and deliver people-led transformation. With more than 20 years of experience, Craige has held senior global leadership roles at BT Group, Pandora, Diageo and Centrica, leading talent, culture, organisational design, and leadership transformation programmes across international markets.

He is recognised for partnering with CEOs and Boards to align people strategy with business performance, delivering measurable impact through executive succession, leadership development, workforce transformation, and culture change initiatives. Throughout his career, Craige has led programmes that improved leadership capability, increased internal mobility, reduced attrition, and delivered significant commercial value.

Alongside his executive career, Craige is an experienced speaker, executive coach, and academic contributor. He has delivered keynote presentations at industry conferences, contributed to government and parliamentary discussions on skills and leadership, and served as a faculty member at the University of Leicester.

09:50 - 10:20

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

From Headcount to Skill Sets: Rethinking Hiring, Roles and Career Paths in an AI-Driven World

Panel Discussion

Skills, Roles & Hiring Decisions in Today’s Market

This panel brings together senior HR, talent and business leaders to explore how demographic shifts, new employee expectations, hybrid work and emerging technologies are reshaping what organisations need from their people. Panellists will discuss how role profiles, skills frameworks and hiring decisions are evolving in response to societal change – from multigenerational workforces and wellbeing demands to AI, automation and new models of flexibility.

What to expect:

Concrete examples of how organisations are updating roles, skills matrices and competency models in response to social, technological and economic change.
Real-world stories on where employers are choosing to reskill, redeploy or recruit, and how those choices affect engagement, inclusion and trust.
Practical ideas for designing career paths, learning journeys and internal mobility that work for multigenerational, diverse and hybrid workforces.
Honest discussion about workforce sentiment, psychological safety and communication when roles, expectations and required skills are all moving at pace.

Speakers:

Ian Wallis

HM Revenue & Customs

People Analytics & Insight Director

Nicole Knott

PwC UK

Partner

Marie Shaw

LHH

VP / Regional Director EMEA, HR & Talent Advisory

Marie Shaw is the VP, Regional Director EMEA for HR & Talent Advisory at LHH, where she partners with global organisations to design transformational workforce, culture, and leadership strategies. Representing Engage Employee sponsor, General Assembly, an LHH brand, she leverages over a decade of strategic talent management expertise to help leaders navigate the complex transition from role-based to skills-based workforce planning in the AI era.

10:20 - 11:00

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Skills, Roles & Hiring Decisions in Today’s Market

11:00 - 11:25

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

From Friction to Fuel: Making Multigenerational Teams Thrive: In Conversation With Monika Holliday, Head of People at British Airways Euroflyer

Interview

Developing Existing Talent

Today’s workplace is unprecedented; five generations working side by side, all bringing different expectations, experiences and ways of working, and sometimes elbowing for space. This session dives into the power of that mix: how generational diversity can become a genuine business superpower, driving sharper thinking, stronger collaboration and outstanding performance. We’ll explore how to harness what each generation brings, without falling into stereotypes, and shine a light on the common pitfalls to watch out for; from friction and bias to outdated policies that quietly hold teams back. Practical and honest, this session is about turning generational difference into a competitive advantage, not a challenge to manage.

Speaker:

Monika Holliday

British Airways Euroflyer

Head of People

11:25 - 11:50

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Built to Last: Creating a Hiring System That Performs and Evolves

Presentation

Developing Existing Talent

Most organisations treat ATS implementation as a milestone. In reality, go-live is only the beginning.

In a market shaped by slower hiring growth, AI-driven change, and increasing regulatory expectations, the real question is not whether your ATS is live; it is whether your hiring system performs and adapts.

This session reframes implementation as the design of a hiring operating model. Learn how senior TA and HR leaders can improve hiring velocity, build adaptable workflows, and ensure accountable decision-making in an AI-enabled world.

Speaker:

Adam Nichols

Teamtailor

Talent Acquisition Strategy Partner | Customer Success Manager

Adam is a UK Talent Acquisition leader with over 14 years of experience transforming hiring across enterprise organisations. Now at Teamtailor, he works closely with TA leaders to improve hiring velocity, redesign recruitment processes and prepare teams for AI enabled hiring. Adam is known for his practical, straight talking approach to modernising hiring infrastructure and bridging the gap between strategy and reality.

11:50 - 12:20

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Growing from Within: Upskilling & Developing Future Leaders

Panel Discussion

Developing Existing Talent

This panel brings together senior HR, Talent and L&D leaders to explore how organisations are investing in the skills and potential of their existing people. Alongside building day-to-day capability, panellists will discuss how they are identifying future leaders early, giving them the development, exposure and support needed to thrive in a world shaped by societal change, hybrid work and new technologies such as AI. You’ll hear honest reflections on what it takes to move from one-off programmes to ongoing development that feels relevant, inclusive and clearly linked to progression and leadership opportunities.

What to expect:

Practical examples of development strategies that go beyond courses, from on-the-job learning to internal mobility, talent pipelines and emerging-leader pathways.
Insight into how organisations are helping people build confidence with AI and digital tools as part of everyday work, while also nurturing leadership mindsets and behaviours.
Lessons on creating development offers that work for different life stages, roles and working patterns, without losing focus on future leadership needs.
Tips for linking development to engagement, retention, succession planning and a stronger, more diverse leadership bench.

Speakers:

Melanie Dickinson

Hollywood Bowl Group

Chief People Officer

Melanie Dickinson is Chief People Officer at Hollywood Bowl Group Plc. She joined the organisation in 2012 and has held a number of senior people leadership roles during her time with the Group, contributing to the development and delivery of its people strategy.

Melanie has over two decades of experience in human resources, having worked across a range of sectors including leisure, hospitality and retail. Prior to joining Hollywood Bowl Group, she held senior HR roles at organisations such as Zizzi Restaurants, Virgin Active Health Clubs Ltd and Azzurri Restaurants Ltd.

Her experience spans core areas of people management, including organisational development, employee relations, leadership capability and workforce planning. As a speaker, Melanie draws on her practical experience of leading HR functions within growing, customer-focused businesses and navigating change in complex operational environments.

Rachel Dale

MSCI Inc.

Global Head of Talent Development

Rachel has led Talent, Development, Culture, Leadership and Performance teams in Sky, Nationwide, PA Consulting and at now at MSCI. She started her career in commercial and marketing roles, retraining as a business psychologist 20 years ago. Her work always starts with specifying the investments in people that will deliver the business strategy, and she uses evidence-based approaches to deliver. She has a strong interest in joining up activity across the employee lifecycle to create a coherent picture for employees and accelerate delivery as well as applying customer focused innovation methods to her work. In her current role she leads Talent Development, Performance and Progression for MSCI and is putting in place the talent engine that will drive the organisation’s huge growth ambitions.

12:20 - 13:40

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Developing Existing Talent

13:40 - 14:00

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Audience Debate: The Say–Do Gap: How Big Is Yours?

Q&A

Developing Existing Talent

Organisations are making bold promises to attract and retain talent. From flexible working and career development to culture and purpose. But promises only matter if they match the day-to-day experience.

This audience debate explores the say–do gap: where organisations are delivering on their talent commitments, where there’s room to improve, and how employees and leaders can work together to make promises a reality.

Join the conversation as we explore: how big is your say–do gap, and what can you do to close it?

14:00 - 14:25

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Philip Morris International Case Study: Future-Proofing Organisational Capability by Turbocharging Internal Talent

Case Study

Recruitment, Employer Brand & Trust

As Philip Morris International continues its transformation journey, the company has redefined its approach to talent through a new “build, borrow, buy” model that puts internal capability development at its core. In this session, Paul and Hannah share how PMI is reshaping its people strategy to create a more agile, future-ready workforce - balancing the cultivation of in-house skills with strategic partnerships and targeted external recruitment. Attendees will gain insights into how this model not only supports business growth but also strengthens employee engagement and career mobility across the organisation.

Speakers:

Paul Bennun

Philip Morris International

People Engagement Manager

Paul brings experience from multiple sectors and organisations, and focuses on how PMI can drive engagement across all employee audiences and in key strategic priorities. Working together with Hannah, he is supporting on the new approach to talent management in the UK.

Hannah Cheal

Philip Morris International

Director of Integrated Talent Management

Hannah has wide-ranging experience across Philip Morris, with almost 20 years in various teams and functions. She has worked at all levels, and bring s a commercial focus to People and Culture activities. Hannah is leading the UK's progressive approach to talent management - investing in high-quality recruitment and fast-tracking talent through the business.

14:25 - 14:50

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

From 13 Weeks to 4 Days: How Darlington Building Society is transforming background Checking for the Modern Era

Presentation

Recruitment, Employer Brand & Trust

Join Tom Jewell, Chief Customer Officer at Zinc, and Meg Nicol, People Operations Partner at Darlington Building Society, for a candid and practical session on how a forward-thinking financial services organisation transformed its hiring processes for the modern era.

Discover how Darlington reduced screening timelines from 13 weeks to just 4 days as part of a wider digital transformation, without compromising on compliance or candidate experience. Meg will share how a lean HR team navigated complex regulatory requirements, multiple system rollouts, and the realities of “doing too much at once” to deliver meaningful change.

You’ll hear how Darlington adopted a phased, MVP-led approach across new platforms like Zinc and HiBob, unlocking faster hiring, improved efficiency, and a more seamless journey for candidates and internal teams alike.

Key Takeaways:

Streamline compliance-heavy processes without sacrificing candidate experience
Use an MVP approach to implement HR tech and iterate with confidence
Avoid common pitfalls when rolling out multiple systems simultaneously
Unlock long-term value through integration and continuous improvement

Whether you're modernising legacy processes or scaling your HR tech stack, this session offers practical lessons on driving transformation that sticks.

Speakers:

Tom Jewell

Zinc

VP Customer

Tom Jewell is passionate about creating workplaces where people feel valued, motivated, and empowered to do their best work. As an experienced startup leader in multiple functions: Sales, Talent, People + Ops, he is currently championing his people-first philosophy as VP Customer at Zinc - driving their mission to make background checking delightful by delivering an exceptional customer experience.

Meg Nicol

Darlington

People Operations Partner

Meg started her career in the banking industry back in 2007, straight out of college, with Santander. Over the years, Meg has worked her way through pretty much every front‑line role, from call‑centre customer service through to Personal Banker. It was during this time that she first came into contact with HR — and, like many people, ended up falling into it. Meg began supporting recruitment, helping to bring new team members into the bank for project work. That experience led her to make the move out of banking and into agency recruitment with Reed. It was hard work, but it taught Meg a huge amount very quickly and gave her a strong commercial grounding. From there, Meg moved into in‑house recruitment roles across a range of industries, including manufacturing, automotive, education and financial services. Along the way, began managing large‑scale contracts with workforces of over 100 people on shift each day, which naturally pulled Meg further into the HR space — covering payroll, operations and people processes. That journey eventually led Meg to Darlington Building Society. Initially joining as an in‑house recruiter, but as is often the case in a smaller organisation, the role quickly expanded. Meg now works as a People Operations Partner as part of the 8 strong HR team where she supports the business across almost every area of HR (recruitment, regulations, element, benefits, payroll, projects etc), alongside her two team members, with the exception of L&D and ER. Being back in banking, a key focus of my role is ensuring compliance, regulation and accuracy in a highly regulated environment. Overall, Meg's career has shaped her into a people‑first HR practitioner, who strongly believe that it’s the people who make and shape a business — and that getting the foundations right is what ultimately allows organisations to move forward and thrive.

14:50 - 15:20

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Recruitment, Employer Brand and the New Trust Contract

Panel Discussion

Recruitment, Employer Brand & Trust

As candidates become more discerning and employees more vocal, recruitment and employer brand have become the front line of a new trust contract between organisations and their people. This panel explores how leaders are re‑setting expectations on flexibility, AI, career growth and culture from the very first touchpoint – and what happens when the reality on the inside does not match the promise on the outside. Panellists will discuss how they are making employer branding more honest, joining up corporate and employer brand, and using real employee experience to build credibility in a noisy market. You will hear practical examples of how organisations are redesigning recruitment journeys, talking transparently about trade‑offs, and rebuilding trust after moments where that contract has been stretched or broken.

We'll cover:

How recruitment, employer brand and internal culture now combine to form a lived “deal” with talent, not just a marketing message.
Being explicit about flexibility, AI and ways of working in job stories, so candidates understand the reality of the role.
Using current employees’ voices and data to keep employer branding honest and aligned with the day‑to‑day experience.
Rebuilding trust when promises and reality diverge, including how to communicate changes in work models or expectations.

Speakers:

Jordan Moore

GAIL's

Head of Talent / People Partner

Jordan is a people-focused leader with a genuine passion for helping others grow. Believing that great teams are built on trust, development and open conversations, Jordan cares deeply about leadership, team culture and creating environments where people feel heard, encouraged and supported to be their best.

Andrea Cook

Total Fitness

Head of People

Andrea Cook is an accomplished Human Resources leader with over 26 years of experience across the retail, aviation, and fitness industries. As Head of People at Total Fitness which consists of 15 health & fitness clubs, 2 Women’s gyms and over 720 team members, she leads the organisation’s people strategy, driving initiatives that enhance engagement, development, and wellbeing while fostering a culture of inclusion and performance.

Before joining Total Fitness, Andrea held senior HR roles at John Lewis and Emirates, where she gained extensive experience in people management across complex, customer focused environments.

Her career is defined by a commitment to aligning business strategy with people-focused leadership, ensuring that colleagues are supported, motivated, and equipped to deliver exceptional results.

Andrea has been recognised for working collaboratively in creating an award winning ‘Future Leaders’ development program, winning UK Company Culture award.

She is passionate about creating workplaces where individuals can grow, succeed, and feel genuinely valued for their contributions.

15:20 - 15:45

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Trust Me: I’m a Manager How Connection Rebuilds Trust, Confidence and Your Manager Pipeline

Presentation

Recruitment, Employer Brand & Trust

Managers are being asked to do more than ever - lead through change, support wellbeing, and deliver results - often all at once. At the same time, employee disengagement is rising, and the role itself is starting to look less appealing to the next generation of leaders.

The result? A growing gap between what organisations need from managers and what managers are set up to deliver.

In this session, Sam Buckley focuses on a practical way to close that gap: connection. When managers build stronger, more consistent connections with their teams, trust follows. And when trust is in place, managers lead with more confidence, teams perform better, and future leaders are more likely to step up.

You’ll see how connection works in practice, why it has such a direct impact on trust and performance, and how it helps you strengthen your manager pipeline over time. Leave with a practical approach to help managers build confidence, support their teams more effectively, and create the conditions for stronger performance.

Speaker:

Sam Buckley

Thomas

VP of Partnerships

Sam Buckley is the Vice President of Partnerships at Thomas, a global connection company powered by people science and trusted by thousands of organisations worldwide to improve performance, and help businesses thrive, through the better understanding of people. Sam is a seasoned HR technology leader with more than 15 years of experience shaping commercial strategy and building high performing sales organisations. With a career rooted in transforming how organisations use technology to unlock people potential, Sam is particularly passionate about the new wave of AI and hyper personalisation. He believes these innovations will fundamentally change how employers understand, engage and empower their workforce. Today, Sam brings this vision and deep industry expertise to his role as Vice President of Partnerships at Thomas, forging alliances that elevate the employee experience and deliver transformational business impact.

15:45 - 16:05

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Recruitment, Employer Brand & Trust

16:05 - 16:30

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

The Human Advantage: Retention, Resilience and Real Leadership at Total Fitness: In Conversation With Andrea Cook, Head of People at Total Fitness

Interview

Retention Under Pressure: Supporting Talent

This conversation is an honest look at what it really takes to retain people when an organisation is under pressure. Rather than polished theories or clichés, it focuses on what genuinely works at Total Fitness: clear communication, consistent honesty, listening even when it’s uncomfortable, and making sure people always know where they stand.

It explores the recruitment pressures we face – from a competitive talent market to the pace and specialisation required in our industry – and how those pressures shape the way we communicate and support our teams.

As Head of People, Andrea speaks openly about why mental health support isn’t just a benefit at Total Fitness – it’s a responsibility. When people are under pressure, the smallest human moments matter the most.

There’s practical advice for emerging HR leaders too: stay grounded in your values, don’t shy away from difficult conversations, and remember that trust is built in the moments when things aren’t easy.

Andrea also shares a real example of how Total Fitness navigated a period of pressure, focusing on how engagement was maintained by showing vulnerability, involving people early, and keeping the focus on the experience of those who work here.

At its core, this is a conversation about staying human in the moments when organisations are most tested – and why that’s exactly when great retention happens.

Speaker:

Andrea Cook

Total Fitness

Head of People

16:30 - 16:55

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Staying Power Under Pressure: Support That Keeps Your Best People

Panel Discussion

Retention Under Pressure: Supporting Talent

With budgets tight, workloads heavy and expectations rising, retaining great people has become a strategic risk rather than just an HR metric. This panel looks at how senior leaders are supporting talent when stress, burnout and financial pressure are all in the mix, without defaulting to pay as the only lever. Panellists will explore how they are combining wellbeing, flexibility, development and recognition to keep critical talent engaged – and what they are doing differently for high‑demand or hard‑to‑replace roles. You will hear practical examples of how organisations are reshaping roles, strengthening manager support and using listening data to spot flight risks early and intervene in a human, sustainable way.

We'll cover:

How financial stress, workload and hybrid work are changing what “support” needs to look like if you want people to stay.
The role of managers in day‑to‑day retention: coaching, boundaries, flexibility and conversations about career and wellbeing.
Practical ways to support talent beyond pay and bonuses – from recognition and benefits to internal mobility and growth.
Using listening, data and honest dialogue to understand who is under pressure, what they need and whether your actions are working.

Speaker:

Jacy Stanhope

B&Q

Head of Talent & Learning

I’m a people-focused, commercially minded Talent & Learning leader with over 19 years’ experience helping organisations build leadership capability, strengthen succession and improve performance at scale.

With a background in Occupational Psychology, I currently lead Talent & Learning for a large, multi-site retail organisation, setting the strategic direction for leadership, learning and talent development. My work spans leadership and management capability, succession and internal mobility, culture and change, and the foundations of learning governance.

I’m known for taking a pragmatic approach to learning innovation, blending technology and AI with real-world learning experiences, coaching and meaningful workplace conversations, so capability building translates into measurable performance and customer outcomes.

At my core, I believe people do their best work when expectations are clear, development is taken seriously, and individuals feel trusted, challenged and supported. I’m motivated by building environments where leaders make better decisions, talent is developed intentionally, and learning has a tangible impact on both colleagues and the business.

17:00

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Closing Remarks

Retention Under Pressure: Supporting Talent

17:00

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Summit After-Party

The Night Summit

11:00 - 12:00

Focus Groups

From Broadcast to Belonging: Personalising the Employee Experience

Roundtable

Most communicators know that blanket broadcasts don't land. The harder question is what it actually takes to make communication feel relevant to the right people, at the right moment, without creating a content machine nobody can sustain. That's what we're here to explore.

In this session we will dive into:

Segmenting and profiling audiences by role, location, language, preferences, and context to move beyond blanket broadcasts
Using sentiment analysis and user profiles to tailor channels and content that shift behaviours
Enabling distributed content management and peer-to-peer recognition to support authentic, bottom-up communication
Harnessing the power of AI through generative content and algorithmic personalisation to scale relevance without scaling effort
Balancing data-driven personalisation with governance, security, and employee privacy

The goal isn't personalisation for its own sake. It's communication that earns attention because it's actually worth people's time. You'll leave with practical ways to bring that closer to reality in your own organisation, and a clearer sense of where to start.

Speaker:

Rachel Tolhurst

Simpplr

Communications & Marketing Lead

Rachel is an award-winning communicator with nearly 30 years' experience across financial and infrastructure services, aviation, healthcare, satcomms and agency. Her change experience spans communication for transformations, mergers, acquisitions, disposals and integrations. She is also experienced in managing communication audits and restructures, employee research and campaigns. She is passionate about the value of employee voice and data to measure impact and drive insight and improvement. Rachel has been an International Association of Business Communicators UK&I Board member for two years and a mentor with Help for Heroes.

14:00 - 15:00

Focus Groups

AI Built for Outcomes, Not Hype

Roundtable

Speaker:

Alex Clarke

Interact

Director, Customer Success

Alex Clarke is the Director of Customer Success at Interact, leading a global team that supports enterprise and mid‑market organisations. He specialises in digital employee experience strategies that strengthen communication, engagement and operational efficiency. With deep experience managing complex, high‑value accounts, Alex works closely with senior stakeholders to align platform capabilities with business goals, drive adoption and deliver measurable results. Known for his pragmatic, people‑first approach, he excels at turning organisational challenges into simple, scalable strategies. Alex regularly partners with industry‑leading brands and contributes to evolving best practices in customer success, employee engagement and digital transformation.

14:00 - 15:00

Focus Groups

The Comms Confessional: Breaking the Myths (And Bad Habits) in Employee Engagement

Roundtable

Forgive me comms, for I have sinned. Let’s be honest. When it comes to engaging employees it isn’t always best practice and perfectly polished. Still spending hours on that one newsletter? Still sending one-size-fits-all messages?

This roundtable is your chance to confess it all. To have an honest conversation about what’s really not working when it comes to engaging employees. Together, we’ll explore the myths, mistakes and bad habits and what to do about it. No judgement, no jargon, just open conversation about the stuff we don’t usually say out loud.

Key topics

The comms habits we know aren’t working (but keep doing anyway)
Myths we’ve all bought into - and why they’re holding us back
Reaching frontline and hard-to-access employees effectively
How to cut through the noise without adding to it
Practical ways to improve reach, relevance and impact

This session creates a safe space for open, honest conversation and is designed to feel more like a group therapy session than a lecture. Come ready to share, laugh, relate - and leave with practical ideas you can actually use.

Speaker:

Michael Harbottle

Oak

VP Customer Success

As VP Customer Success at Oak, Michael is focused on building strong relationships that support and enable valued customers to achieve measurable results. With over a decade of experience in the tech industry, he brings a deep knowledge of how to tailor solutions to unique customer needs, ensuring the product works for each customer in achieving their objectives and bringing their vision to life. Michael supports a talented team of Customer Success Managers who work closely with our customers to ensure they make the most of every aspect of Oak’s award-winning employee app and intranet solution.

Thursday 21 May 2026

08:55 - 09:00

Main Stage

Welcome to the Future of Employee Engagement

Introduction

AI-Redesigned Work & Organisational Transformation

Welcome back to the Engage Employee Summit 2026.

After a first day grounded in the realities organisations are navigating right now - from culture and communication to leadership and performance - day two shifts the focus to the future.

In this opening address, Charlotte will connect yesterday’s themes with the longer-term challenges and opportunities shaping employee engagement. From emerging trends to changing workforce expectations, today’s agenda is designed to help you think strategically and prepare your organisation for what’s next.

A moment to reset, refocus and look ahead together before we continue the conversation.

Speaker:

Charlotte Dahl

7 Seas Culture Consultancy

Managing Director

Charlotte is Managing Director of 7 Seas - The Culture Consultancy.

09:00 - 09:25

Main Stage

Finding Your Happy Place at Work

Headliner

AI-Redesigned Work & Organisational Transformation

With her podcast Happy Place amassing over 40 million downloads, regularly topping the UK charts, and featuring guests ranging from Michelle Obama to Elton John, Fearne Cotton has built one of the most trusted wellness communities in the UK - and we're thrilled to have her as our Engage Employee Summit headline act.

We spend so much of our lives at work - but how often do we stop and ask whether we're truly thriving there?

In this honest and uplifting keynote, broadcaster, author and wellbeing advocate Fearne Cotton draws on her own experiences with burnout, anxiety and rediscovering joy to explore what it really means to feel good in the work you do. Weaving together personal storytelling with practical tools from her Happy Place world, Fearne will explore how the way we lead — ourselves and others — shapes the culture and wellbeing of everyone around us.

Because real leadership isn't just about performance. It's about showing up with intention, creating space for others to flourish, and having the courage to be honest about the hard days as well as the good ones.

Warm, candid and genuinely life-affirming, this is a session to start your day - and maybe shift the way you lead for good.

Speaker:

Fearne Cotton

Happy Place

Mental Health Advocate, Best-Selling Author, Broadcaster, and Founder and Creator of the Happy Place Brand

Fearne Cotton is a mental health advocate, best-selling author, broadcaster, and founder and creator of the Happy Place brand. She has evolved the brand into a podcast, festival, publishing, and mobile app space. She is passionate about making self-care inclusive, relatable, and straightforward, and has encouraged and demystified conversations around mental health.

Starting out on children’s television at just fifteen, Fearne graduated to mainstream TV with Top of the Pops, where she went on to become the shows last regular presenter. She has been part of Comic Relief and Children In Need, guest presented The One Show, and was on the hosting team for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Fearne is also the author of a number of bestselling self-help books including Happy, Calm, Quiet, Speak Your Truth and Bigger Than Us. She has written books on healthy eating such as Cook Happy, Cook Healthy, Cook. Eat. Love and Happy Vegan.

09:25 - 09:50

Main Stage

Building a Diverse Talent Pipeline During High Growth: In Conversation with Matt Hudson, Chief People Officer at Popeyes Louisana Chicken

Interview

AI-Redesigned Work & Organisational Transformation

Speaker:

Matt Hudson

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken UK

Chief People Officer

Matt is Chief People Officer at Popeyes Louisiana Chicken UK, a role he assumed in 2023 as the brand entered a rapid growth phase under TDR Capital ownership. He leads the people strategy across the UK business, supporting expansion from 17 to over 70 sites in under two years, with plans to reach 150 by the end of 2026 and 250 by 2030. His remit includes talent acquisition, leadership development, reward, employee engagement and cultural transformation.

Prior to joining Popeyes, Matt spent five years at Wagamama, where he served as People Director and Director of Talent and People Operations. Earlier in his career, Matt held senior HR roles at Travelodge, AWE, and npower, with experience spanning hospitality, defence and energy sectors.

Matt holds a BA (Hons) degree in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations from the University of Kent and is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.

09:50 - 10:20

Main Stage

AI-Redesigned Work: What Must Change - and What Must Not?

Panel Discussion

AI-Redesigned Work & Organisational Transformation

Technology is reshaping how organisations operate, collaborate and deliver value — and AI is accelerating that shift.

In this main stage panel, leaders will explore how they are redesigning work in a people-centred way, from embedding AI into workflows to supporting employees through large-scale change. The discussion will examine how to drive meaningful adoption, build digital confidence and ensure transformation strengthens both organisational performance and employee experience.

What to Expect:

How organisations are moving from AI experimentation to structural redesign
Practical approaches to driving adoption and reducing resistance
Building digital capability and confidence at every level
Ensuring AI enhances performance without compromising culture and trust

Speakers:

Abi Goodwin

Sky

Group Director for Strategic Workforce Planning and People Services

Abi Goodwin is Sky’s Group Director for Strategic Workforce Planning and People Services. Her wide-ranging role spans leading Sky’s people strategy and strategic workforce plan, people analytics, driving people transformation particularly through technology and Ai, and delivering great people experience and people services. Prior to Abi’s 6 years at Sky, she led a number of HR teams in British Airways including Organisation Transformation and Change, People Partners, and Learning and Development. Abi is driven by improving customer experience, simplifying complexity and always doing the right thing to keep our people and organisations safe.

Katy McIntyre

Hammonds

Chief People & Strategy Officer

Chief People and Strategy Officer, Katy McIntyre is a board-level people leader at Hammonds Furniture, where she drives the organisation’s people and business strategy to support transformation and sustainable growth. With extensive experience across technology, retail and manufacturing, Katy specialises in organisational design, organisational effectiveness, leadership development and culture transformation, helping organisations scale and succeed in high-growth environments.

Previously, Katy served as Director of People & Culture at Global Fashion Group, where she led global programmes supporting more than 15,000 employees across 19 countries. Prior to that, at THE ICONIC in Sydney, she built high-performance cultures and led organisational strategy that delivered both cultural and commercial impact.

Known for her ability to cultivate strong workplace cultures, Katy brings deep expertise in change management, organisational scaling and building customer-first environments that enable operational excellence, innovation and long-term success.

Outside of work, Katy is a proud mum of two boys and enjoys spending weekends making memories with her family.

Greg Stortz

Interact Software

Director of Engagement

10:20 - 10:50

Main Stage

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

10:50 - 11:15

Main Stage

The Uncertainty Era: The Leaders We Need When Everything Is Changing

Presentation

Shaping the Workforce of the Future

AI is accelerating. The climate crisis, geopolitical tension, economic instability, and constant transformation are here to stay. Trust in institutions is fractured. The challenge for organisations isn't “managing change”; it is about building the human capability to navigate an increasingly uncertain, complex, and contested world.

In this session, Lorna Leeson will explore why leading through uncertainty is not about pretending to have all the answers. It is about creating the conditions for people to keep learning, adapting, and moving forward when the path is unclear.

Drawing on 7 Seas’ Leading Through Uncertainty framework, Lorna will share practical leadership behaviours that help people navigate disruption without losing trust, energy, or performance.

Attendees will leave with a more human, practical way to think about change leadership in the age of AI and ongoing disruption, and a clearer sense of what helps people adapt rather than disengage.

Speaker:

Lorna Leeson

7 Seas Culture Consultancy

Managing Director

11:15 - 11:40

Main Stage

Creating Opportunities Through Hidden Talent: In Conversation with Neil Morrison, Group HR and Communications Director at Severn Trent

Interview

Shaping the Workforce of the Future

This conversation will explore Severn Trent’s “hidden talent” programme and its ambition to help 100,000 people out of poverty over ten years by creating meaningful employment opportunities for marginalised groups.

Neil will share how the initiative was developed, the challenges of building trust and engagement with ex-offenders, care leavers and the long-term unemployed, and the support structures required to drive retention and long-term success.

The discussion will also examine the organisational benefits of accessing a highly motivated and committed talent pool, and what it takes to turn social impact into sustainable workforce strategy.

Speaker:

Neil Morrison

Severn Trent

Group Human Resources Director

Neil is the Director of HR and Communications for FTSE100 water company, Severn Trent with responsibility for the HR, communications, press and marketing teams. Prior to joining Severn Trent his career has taken him across multiple industries and sectors, including media, retail, B2B and the public sector.

From his early career supporting the delivery of one of the first private finance partnerships in the NHS, through the introduction of pioneering ecommerce in retail, he has led organisation through significant change and was one of the leads in the global merger between Penguin and Random House, the largest merger in publishing history.

Neil sits on the board of Youth Futures Foundation and has previously served on the boards of both the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. He was one of the inaugural members of the REC’s Good Recruitment Campaign and sits on the Social Mobility Commission’s Employer Panel.

11:40 - 12:10

Main Stage

Shaping the Workforce of the Future: Skills, Structure and Strategy

Panel Discussion

Shaping the Workforce of the Future

As roles evolve and new capabilities emerge, organisations are shifting towards a skills-first approach to talent and workforce planning.

This panel will explore how leaders are identifying critical skills, closing capability gaps and embedding continuous learning into their people strategies. The discussion will examine how organisations are redesigning roles, investing in development and creating greater internal mobility to build long-term agility and resilience.

Join the conversation on how to future-proof your workforce and align talent strategy with evolving business priorities in a rapidly changing environment.

What to Expect:

Practical approaches to identifying and prioritising critical skills for the future
Insight into building a talent strategy that supports business growth
Examples of closing capability gaps through reskilling, internal mobility and development
Strategies for embedding continuous learning to strengthen workforce agility

Speakers:

Kelsey Kates

Ex-Google

Ex-Global Head of Learning Experiences

Kelsey believes deeply in changing the world through more impactful and delightful experiences that transform how we show up as adults. As the Global Head of Learning Experiences at Google, Kelsey Kates oversees the activation and delivery of more than 15 programs within the Global Business Org for more than 20,000 Googlers, and their 150+ facilitators. Kelsey and her team have won multiple awards for the design and delivery of Google's marquee programs - Facilitation Academy, Deliver Like a Boss and Google Way of Coaching, just to name a few.

On the academic side, Kelsey has her B.S from the University of Denver, a Master's from Northwestern and an Executive Certification in Neuroscience for Business from MIT.

Today, Kelsey lives in a seaside town in Ireland with her husband and two little boys - it's as lovely and wild as it sounds.

Sarah Gregory

BBC

Deputy Chief People Officer

Sarah is the Deputy Chief People Officer at the BBC with a background in CX and HR across retail, financial services and tech industries. She is a leader who advocates for people-centric and purpose-led cultures with a belief that empowered and engaged colleagues are the key to an organisations success. Sarah is a leadership coach, a Non-Executive Director and a curious learner; currently working towards her PhD, exploring social mobility and how identity shapes our attitude to work and careers.

Katy McIntyre

Hammonds

Chief People & Strategy Officer

12:10 - 13:00

Main Stage

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

13:00 - 13:25

Main Stage

Firstbus Case Study: Justifying the Value of Employee Engagement & Stakeholder Engagement

Case Study

The People Function as a Growth Driver

Convince the Board & Wider Business that Engagement & Culture are a business imperative which require consistent & constant investment:

Demonstrate how engagement activities directly correlate with improved productivity, innovation, retention and long-term business performance – and why engagement deserves board-level attention.
What are the different measures linking engagement efforts to tangible outcomes such as customer satisfaction, profitability and employer brand to present a compelling case to leadership to shape people strategies aligned with the overall business direction.
It’s not just the board! Who are your key stakeholders and business leaders who are either enablers or blockers when it comes to people strategy improvements?

Speaker:

Kevin Green

Firstbus

Chief People Officer

Kevin is the Chief People Officer of First Bus – a division of FirstGroup. First Bus is a FTSE 250 Company and is one of the UK’s largest bus operators with 14,000 employees. In his time at First Bus, Kevin has kicked off a transformational people strategy, which will put colleagues and customers first. As part of this, People Centricity, at bottom-up change process, has started to roll-out across the business, driving a more human culture across First Bus where colleague behaviours are fully aligned to our purpose of ‘your journey is our everything’ and the First Bus values – or ‘Our Way’. Kevin has also introduced a step change on Diversity and Inclusion including the company-wide introduction of inclusion networks and a ‘Celebrating our Differences’ development programme for all managers. Quarterly employee engagement surveys are an integral part of ensuring that First Bus listens to its people and becomes a great place to work.

Kevin has been an entrepreneur, a CEO and HRD of a FTSE 100 company, he brings a wide range of skills and experience from each of these roles to assist the organisations he works with. He specialises in businesses that want to scale up or transform. Kevin has long been recognised as an award-winning business leader. He has worked with many leadership teams to maximise their performance by developing both unique customer offerings and differentiated people strategies which provide sustainable competitive advantage. His passion is creating great cultures where people want to give their best every day.

As a TEDx speaker, Kevin is an experienced communicator who informs, inspires and engages his audiences. He has spoken at large conferences but is as comfortable with smaller more intimate round tables or leadership events. His areas of specialism include global labour markets, competitive people strategy, how to create high performing cultures and What great leaders do to create superior performance.

13:25 - 13:50

Main Stage

ofi Case Study: Career Ownership at Scale: The Growth Accelerator You’re Overlooking

Case Study

The People Function as a Growth Driver

What if one of the most powerful levers for growth is already inside your organisation – but rarely activated at scale? What happens when an owner's mindset is applied not only to business strategy, but to how people build their careers?

ofi (Olam Food Ingredients) is a leading global supplier of value-added ingredients and solutions across cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices, sourcing from 2.75 million farmers across ~50 countries. Established in 2020 through a carve-out from the Olam Group – famously featured in The Founder's Mentality – ownership and entrepreneurship are deeply embedded in ofi's DNA.

Now accelerating growth through integration at scale, ofi recognised that delivering on this ambition demands the right capability, talent, and culture. Their first global employee listening survey delivered a clear message: career growth mattered most. Focus groups sharpened this further, surfacing three priorities: clearer career navigation, better career conversations, and greater visibility of internal opportunities.

Rather than defaulting to programmes or promises, a small team across HR, Internal Communications, and IT launched a company-wide Take Charge of Your Career campaign in just two months, anchored in three deliberate shifts:

FROM waiting for a 'tap on the shoulder' TO employee-led career ownership
FROM fixing gaps TO playing to strengths
FROM separate conversations TO performance and business impact as a career unlock

Six months in, early indicators show measurable shifts in engagement. In this candid case study, you'll hear what worked, what surprised them, and what they'd do differently – and leave with practical lessons on how career ownership can become a powerful accelerator of business growth.

Speaker:

Melissa Hungerford

ofi

SVP, Global Head of Talent, Learning and Inclusion, Diversity & Equity

Dr. Melissa K. Hungerford is SVP and Global Head of Talent, Learning, and Inclusion, Diversity & Equity at ofi (Olam Food Ingredients) - a leading global supplier of value-added ingredients and solutions across cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices, sourcing from 2.75 million farmers across ~50 countries.

With more than 25 years of experience, Melissa has led global talent and culture agendas that help organisations build capability, unlock potential and compete for long‑term, sustainable growth. She is deeply passionate about creating the conditions for people to perform at their best and empowering employees to take ownership of their careers.

Her career spans multiple industries and globally recognised brands, including Coca‑Cola, The Home Depot, Bristol Myers Squibb, Royal Philips, Avon, and Currys, the UK electronics retailer. In addition to her senior leadership roles, she has served as a Non‑Executive Board Member at Ground Control, a UK commercial landscaping and external services business.

Melissa holds a Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology with a specialty in Organization Development. She began her career in counselling before moving into the corporate arena – bringing a uniquely human, insight‑driven perspective to leadership, talent and culture.

13:50 - 14:20

Main Stage

From Support Function to Growth Engine: How People Strategy Drives Business Performance

Panel Discussion

The People Function as a Growth Driver

The people function is no longer defined by administration and process — it is increasingly central to driving commercial performance, innovation and scale.

This panel will explore how engagement leaders are positioning people strategy as a core growth lever. From aligning workforce planning with business expansion to enabling capability, performance and culture at pace, panellists will share how they are shifting perceptions of the function and delivering measurable impact.

Expect honest insight into what it takes to influence at board level, prioritise strategically and demonstrate that people investment directly supports organisational growth.

What to Expect:

Real examples of HR driving measurable business impact
Strategies for aligning talent planning with growth ambitions
Insight into building influence and credibility with executive teams
Practical approaches to positioning the people function as a strategic partner

Speakers:

Sami Maiden

Monzo

Chief of Staff

Sami is the Chief of Staff for Growth & Marketing at Monzo, where she spends her days connecting the dots between ambitious strategy and execution. A builder at heart, Sami didn’t follow a typical career path. She started in internal People teams before consulting on talent and people projects for high-growth startups like TrueLayer and Trouva. However, it was her role at FitXR that led her to realise the best way to shape a company’s culture is to be right in the engine room of its operations working alongside its leaders. There, she ‘squigglied’ from People to her first Chief of Staff role, sitting at the intersection of People, Product and Tech Ops. Now, she’s helping Monzo scale its teams as fast and successfully as it scales its product - focusing on how teams work and grow, and how to prevent process from getting in the way of progress. She’s passionate about building high-autonomy teams, coaching human-first leaders and proving that designing systems for high performers is the ultimate cheat code for business success.

Jo Macphail

Avanti West Coast

People & Transformation Director

Jo MacPhail has spent over two decades in HR. She has worked across all areas of HR – including industrial relations, talent and development, business partnering, reward, and large-scale change management across multiple sectors. Since joining the railway in 2016, Jo has held Executive Director roles at CrossCountry, West Midlands Trains, and now Avanti West Coast as People & Transformation Director. She is known for championing curiosity, driving high-performance cultures and delivering significant cultural and business improvements.

Daniela Hoyos

Swissport

Global Employer Branding & Employee Engagement Manager

Daniela Hoyos is a global communications and employer branding leader with extensive experience shaping employee engagement strategies for some of the world’s most recognized organizations. As Global Employer Branding & Employee Engagement Manager at Swissport, she leads initiatives that connect and inspire a diverse, international workforce, aligning internal culture with business priorities and brand positioning. With a background spanning Amazon, Booking.com, and Qatar Airways, Daniela brings deep expertise in strategic communications, content development, and large-scale employee experience transformation. She is known for translating complex ideas into compelling narratives, driving engagement through innovative campaigns, and fostering inclusive, high-performing workplace cultures. Passionate about the power of communication to drive meaningful change, Daniela focuses on building connected organizations where employees feel informed, empowered, and engaged.

14:20 - 14:40

Main Stage

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

14:40 - 15:05

Main Stage

Nestlé Case Study: HR Role Modelling in Building Digital Capability

Case Study

The Future of People Strategy

All organisations are investing in digital and AI tools - yet many struggle to turn access into adoption.

I believe that building digital capability is not primarily a technical challenge, but a leadership one.

In this session, I share my personal journey as an HR leader who chose to upskill first, not to become a technical expert, but to role model the mindset, behaviours and curiosity required in a digital first organisation. By deliberately learning and using everyday digital and AI tools myself, I was able to shift the perception of HR - from a function supporting digital transformation, to one leading it.

The case study explores how HR can act as a visible catalyst for digital capability by:

Role modelling learning in real time
Creating psychological safety around experimentation
Moving the conversation from “tools and training” to behaviour change and leadership expectation

Speaker:

Alka Mathur

Nestlé

Head of HR - Finance, Digital, Legal & Food, Nestlé UK&I

Alka has over 20 years of global HR leadership experience across the UK, Switzerland, and India including being a Founder member of a start-up. She has held several international roles in Switzerland - European Head of HR for the Out-of-Home business and Global talent lead for IT and Global Business services.

She is currently Head of HR for Corporate Finance, Information Technology, Legal and Food at Nestlé UK & Ireland, partnering with leadership teams to shape people strategies for business growth, building an inclusive high performing culture.

Alka is passionate about digital capability building and has championed this across Nestle UK&I, being part of the Digital Board. She has also led the HR governance of the various New business models (startups) operating standalone as part of the Nestle group in the UK.

An accredited ICF and Korn Ferry coach, Alka brings a caring and pragmatic approach to business partnering. She is a regular external speaker and has spoken at several industry events on leadership, inclusion and wellbeing.

15:05 - 15:30

Main Stage

Scaling Belonging: The Power of Story and Scrappy Solutions in a Hybrid World: In Conversation with: Miriam Warren, Chief Culture Officer at Yelp

Interview

The Future of People Strategy

How do you build an inclusive culture where people really belong when your team is everywhere, and sharing the full human experience often falls through the cracks of virtual life? As Chief Culture Officer at Yelp, Miriam Warren has spent years experimenting, listening, and iterating, tapping both data and deeply human stories to help teams connect, care, and thrive.

Miriam illustrates how telling and making space for real stories like welcoming back new parents, supporting colleagues through loss, or celebrating personal wins can spark belonging at every level. She will share scale-ready tactics, scrappy playbooks, and low-cost rituals that brought Yelp’s culture to life. These include mission-driven gatherings, manager toolkits, virtual icebreakers, and leader communications that integrate inclusion in approachable ways.

Grounded in data but brought to life through narrative, this session shows how anyone, regardless of resources, can be a culture architect. Miriam shares how small, intentional actions by leaders and teams can ripple out, especially in moments of transition or challenge. Attendees will leave feeling empowered by actionable frameworks, and practical ideas to cultivate connection, measure what matters, and model humanity in remote and hybrid workplaces.

Speaker:

Miriam Warren

Yelp

Chief Culture Officer

Miriam Warren is the Chief Culture Officer at Yelp and Board Chair of the Yelp Foundation. Miriam joined Yelp in 2007, serving in a variety of marketing and operational roles, including leading the company’s expansion efforts internationally as Vice President of New Markets. As Chief Culture Officer at Yelp, Miriam fosters employee connection to the company's mission and values. She leads Yelp’s Culture team and oversees internal communications, the company’s commitment to sustainability and social impact, and the design and execution of employee experiences that have helped Yelp cultivate an inclusive culture where every employee feels a sense of belonging.

Miriam is a frequent speaker and moderator. She has appeared on CNN, Yahoo! Finance, the BBC, CBS News and spoken at Columbia Business School, Yale School of Management, and UCLA Anderson School of Management. Miriam has been quoted in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, and Good Morning America online, among others. She's previously been published in Stanford Social Innovation Review, San Francisco Chronicle, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and Fortune.

15:30 - 16:00

Main Stage

The Future of People Strategy in Building Capability, Influence and Impact

Panel Discussion

The Future of People Strategy

Our panellists will explore how people strategy is being reshaped to align with business priorities and long-term growth. The conversation will cover strategic workforce planning, leadership capability, culture development and the growing role of data and AI in decision-making.

This session brings together forward-looking perspectives on how the function can strengthen its influence and deliver measurable impact - positioning people strategy as a core driver of organisational success.

What to Expect:

Practical approaches to aligning people strategy with business priorities
Insight into strategic workforce planning and capability development
Examples of using data and AI to inform better decisions
Perspectives on strengthening the influence of the People function

Speakers:

Suzy Jearum

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

Global Digital Employee Experience Lead - Talent Management

Suzy Jearum is the Global DEX Lead – Talent at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), one of the world’s leading consumer goods companies and the world’s largest Coca-Cola bottler. CCEP operates across 29 countries, serving millions of customers and consumers every day, with a strong focus on creating a great working environment where people can grow, develop, and thrive. In her role, Suzy shapes how CCEP’s people experience career growth and development through thoughtful, intuitive, and values-aligned digital talent experiences. She ensures that the digital tools and processes used across Talent Acquisition, Learning, Performance, and Talent Management not only enable the company’s talent strategy but also contribute to a simple, meaningful, and connected experience for colleagues. Working closely with teams across People & Culture, Business Process Technology, and the wider business, Suzy brings CCEP’s vision for talent to life by introducing and optimising platforms, embedding new ways of working, and helping teams adopt smarter, more human-centred digital practices. She keeps a strong focus on external trends and emerging innovations to ensure CCEP remains ahead of the curve while staying true to what makes its culture distinctive. Since 2018, Suzy has played a key role in CCEP’s People & Culture digital transformation, leading the introduction of P&C tools and supporting the rollout of global Hire to Retire processes. With a background in project and change management and as a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, she brings deep analytical and problem-solving expertise to delivering scalable improvements that support strategic business goals. Suzy is known for driving results with precision and consistency in a demanding environment, and for her ability to influence, inspire, and build strong partnerships that enable collaborative, people-centred transformation.

Melissa Hungerford

ofi

SVP, Global Head of Talent, Learning and Inclusion, Diversity & Equity

Sami Maiden

Monzo

Chief of Staff

16:00 - 16:05

Main Stage

That's a Wrap!

Closing Remarks

The Future of People Strategy

Speaker:

Charlotte Dahl

7 Seas Culture Consultancy

Managing Director

Charlotte is Managing Director of 7 Seas - The Culture Consultancy.

08:55 - 09:00

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Welcome to the Future of Employee Engagement

Introduction

Trust, Data & Leadership in an AI-Enabled Workplace

Welcome back to the Engage Employee Summit 2026.

After a first day grounded in the realities organisations are navigating right now - from culture and communication to leadership and performance - day two shifts the focus to the future.

In this opening address, Nick will connect yesterday’s themes with the longer-term challenges and opportunities shaping employee engagement. From emerging trends to changing workforce expectations, today’s agenda is designed to help you think strategically and prepare your organisation for what’s next.

A moment to reset, refocus and look ahead together before we continue the conversation.

Speaker:

Nick Brice

Soul Corporations

CEO

09:00 - 09:25

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Finding Your Happy Place at Work

Headliner

Trust, Data & Leadership in an AI-Enabled Workplace

Speaker:

Fearne Cotton

Happy Place

Mental Health Advocate, Best-Selling Author, Broadcaster, and Founder and Creator of the Happy Place Brand

09:25 - 09:50

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Creating EPIC Experiences at Scale: Lessons from a £1.3bn Transformation

Case Study

Trust, Data & Leadership in an AI-Enabled Workplace

A live case study exploring how Olympia Events is working with the wider Olympia estate and partner organisations to build a unified culture, consistent service standards and a seamless destination experience across a complex, multi-partner environment. Discover how “One Olympia” is being brought to life in a way that teams, partners and stakeholders can deliver together.

Learn how Olympia Events, in partnership with Soul Corporations®, is aligning its events business with the wider Olympia estate and multiple stakeholders to create shared behaviours, a cohesive culture and a more seamless visitor experience across an iconic London destination nearing completion of its £1.3bn transformation.

Speakers:

Nick Brice

Soul Corporations

CEO

Carly Gibbs

Olympia Events

General Manager - International Convention Centre

Carly Gibbs is General Manager - International Convention Centre at Olympia Events, where she is leading the charge to deliver a people-first, world-class customer journey for one of London’s most iconic and dynamic event destinations. Bringing 20 years of experience in event management across the private and not-for-profit sectors, Carly brings a future-focused and holistic approach to customer service and guest experience, centred on connection, culture and community.

09:50 - 10:20

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Leading with Confidence in an AI‑Driven World

Panel Discussion

Trust, Data & Leadership in an AI-Enabled Workplace

As AI tools and richer people data become part of the everyday toolkit, HR & People leaders need to decide not just what they can do, but what they should do. This panel explores how organisations are redefining leadership for an AI‑driven world – from the decisions they automate to the ones that must remain firmly human. Panellists will share how they are building confidence in new technologies, talking openly about data use, and setting clear expectations for fairness, transparency and accountability.

What to expect:

Examples of where AI and people data are already shaping leadership and people decisions.
Insight into how leadership behaviours and skills are evolving in AI‑enabled organisations.
Practical ways to communicate about AI and data so employees feel informed, not threatened.
Reflections on the guardrails and principles leaders are putting in place as AI adoption accelerates.

Speakers:

Adeife Onwuzulike

Euromonitor International

Global Director - Culture, Engagement & Inclusion

Adeife Onwuzulike is the Global Director of Culture, Engagement and Inclusion, leading work across APAC, EMEAI and the Americas to shape organisational culture, embed inclusion, and elevate meaningful employee engagement. She oversees global efforts to strengthen employee listening, experience and engagement, ensuring people feel informed, valued and connected throughout every stage of the employee lifecycle.

With more than 15 years’ experience in People, Culture and Organisational Development, Adeife is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, holds an MSc in HRM and Organisational Analysis, and is an ILM Level 5 Coach and Mentor. She is a recognised global speaker on people, culture, leadership and organisational change.

Adeife also serves as a Governor and Non‑Executive Director for the Aspire Learning Federation (UK) and as a Board Member for the Elim Bridge Autism and Neurodevelopmental Foundation in Nigeria. She contributes her expertise across several advisory boards and steering groups, including Make A Difference (MAD) and the HR Grapevine UK Content Advisory Board.

Beyond her corporate and advisory work, Adeife leads the Mum and Me community, supporting mothers to advance their careers with wellbeing at the centre. She also convenes a global network for Culture, Talent and Inclusion professionals working across multiple markets and sectors.

She is a mother of two boys, a wife, and a passionate advocate for mentoring, coaching and empowering people to thrive in every season of life.

Beverley Flood

Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust

Head of People Services

Beverley Flood (MCIPD) is a senior HR leader with over 20 years' experience in regulated sectors and Head of People Services at the Welsh Ambulance Services University Trust. She is also a NED and Community Governor, known for modernising people functions and driving high‚ performance, organisation‚ wide transformation.

10:20 - 10:50

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

10:50 - 11:15

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Case Study: The Ecosystem of Culture - Why Culture Only Shifts When HR Operates as One System

Case Study

Culture in a Borderless Workplace

Culture does not change because leaders attend a course, HR launches a programme, or values are printed on walls. It changes when learning, daily work, leadership behaviour, systems, and employee voice are deliberately designed to reinforce each other.

In this session, we share how ELEVATE was built as a living cultural ecosystem—not a standalone leadership programme. Learning was embedded into real business challenges, forcing leaders to confront mindset, accountability, and behaviour while doing the work itself. This is the story of how HR moved beyond delivering initiatives and became the architect of a connected system—where leadership development, engagement, recognition, and change management operated together.

We will explore:

Why leadership development fails when it sits outside day-to-day work
How shifting mindset—not skills—became the true catalyst for change
How HR evolved from content provider to ecosystem designer
How trust, engagement, and collaboration strengthened when systems and leadership accountability aligned

This case study shows a simple truth: culture becomes sustainable only when HR works as an ecosystem—designed intentionally, not left to chance.

Speakers:

Natasha Rudy

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Regional Director of People & Culture

Natasha Rudy, BSc (Hons), MBA, is a seasoned Regional Director of People & Culture at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, with extensive experience leading HR and learning strategies across EMEA. Based in the UK, her remit covers multiple countries, where she drives excellence, employee engagement, and continuous development.

Natasha’s diverse career spans luxury hotels, banking, casinos, and consulting, with hands-on experience working in South Africa, the Maldives, Seychelles, and the United Kingdom. She began her career in learning and development and has since established a strong leadership profile with prestigious organizations known for exceptional service and employee satisfaction.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology and an MBA from the renowned EHL Hospitality School in Switzerland. Natasha has also served on the faculty at Henley Business School, sharing her expertise in leadership and strategic HR management. Passionate about creating environments where teams excel, Natasha is dedicated to unlocking their highest potential.

Cristina Herdocia

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Regional Learning and Development Manager

Cristina Herdocia is a Learning & Development Manager at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, with more than a decade of experience in luxury hospitality across the Americas and Europe. She began her career in hotel operations before moving into People & Culture and L&D, giving her a strong understanding of both employee and guest journeys.

Cristina has supported multiple Four Seasons hotel openings and re openings, delivering training that enables teams to provide exceptional, guest focused service from day one. She partners closely with senior leadership to design and implement learning strategies that strengthen performance, enhance leadership capability, and elevate the guest experience.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from Vatel International Business School and a Master’s degree in Human Resources.

Passionate about developing people and driving service excellence, Cristina is committed to fostering a culture where individuals grow, contribute, and thrive.

11:15 - 11:40

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Employee Engagement: Who Cares?

Q&A

Culture in a Borderless Workplace

Employee engagement has been one of HR’s most talked-about topics for years. We measure it, benchmark it and build strategies around improving it. But after decades of discussion, a fair question is starting to emerge: are we still talking about engagement more than we’re actually changing it?

Do engagement surveys and scores genuinely drive better cultures, or have they become a familiar cycle of measuring, reporting and moving on? And in a world where expectations of work are shifting quickly, should organisations be doing something different with engagement altogether?

In this lively audience debate, we’ll explore whether engagement still needs more conversation — or more action. Join us as we question what engagement should really look like today, and what HR leaders might need to rethink next.

11:40 - 12:10

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Keeping Culture Coherent in a Distributed Organisation

Panel Discussion

Culture in a Borderless Workplace

As work becomes more distributed across locations, roles and work patterns, culture can no longer rely on a single office, site or “mothership” to hold it together. This panel explores how organisations are creating a sense of belonging, clarity and shared purpose when people are spread across home, field, frontline and flexible workplaces. Panellists will discuss how they make culture visible in everyday decisions, communication and rituals, and how they ensure that those who are rarely on site – or rarely online – still feel part of something bigger than their immediate team.

What to expect from this session

Examples of how organisations are expressing culture consistently across office, remote, frontline and seasonal roles.
Practical approaches to designing rituals, communication and touchpoints that work for distributed teams.
Ideas for involving employees themselves in shaping and sustaining culture when they rarely share the same space.
Reflections on how leaders are rethinking visibility, recognition and inclusion beyond the traditional workplace.

Speakers:

Shalini McGregor

Head of People & Culture, Castrol Europe & META and GAM & GME

Shalini is currently the Head of People & Culture for Castrol Europe, META and GAM & GME at BP, where she oversees the people agenda for a broad geographical remit. She has 20 years of international experience shaping complex people strategies across Europe, the US, the UK and the Caribbean. Known for her ability to translate organisational ambitions into people centred solutions, she has led high impact transformation, talent and culture programmes, strengthened leadership capability and driven organisational health improvements globally.

Prior to this role she has held HR leadership roles in the UK, US and Trinidad & Tobago across energy, telecoms, insurance and professional services.

Shalini is a CIPD Chartered fellow (FCIPD). She also holds an Masters in Human Resource Management with a concentration in Learning & Development, and a BSc in Psychology with a double minor in Human Resource management and Gender & Development from the University of the West Indies.

Beyond her corporate career, Shalini is a mother of two and committed to community impact through voluntary roles e.g. school governor, business mentor, university lecturer and tutor in gender studies. Passionate about equity, leadership effectiveness and building future-ready organisations, she brings a global, strategic and deeply human lens to multiple conversations.

Angie Borst

Flagstone

Head of People

Angie is a senior People leader with experience spanning fintech, healthcare, aviation, media and global consumer brands. She is known for building practical, human-centred workplaces where performance and wellbeing go hand in hand.

Her expertise spans organisation design, employee experience, performance management, benefits strategy and inclusive support for neurodiversity at work. She is particularly passionate about helping leaders navigate difficult people moments with clarity and confidence, while ensuring the employee value proposition is meaningful, modern and commercially sound.

Angie brings a pragmatic, thoughtful perspective to conversations about culture, engagement and the real challenges of leading people in fast-growing organisations.

12:10 - 13:00

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

13:00 - 13:25

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

The Invisible Engine of Heathrow: People, Culture and Experience: In Conversation with Anuj Bhardwaj, Head of Extraordinary Place to Work at Heathrow

Interview

From People Operations to Workforce Strategy

Behind every safe departure, seamless connection and memorable journey lies an invisible engine: Heathrow’s people, culture and lived experience.

In this session, we explore how what can’t always be seen on the runway is what truly powers one of the world’s busiest airports. From everyday behaviours and shared values to moments that shape colleague and passenger experience, this talk uncovers how culture drives performance, resilience and reputation.

Attendees will gain insight into why investing in people and experience isn’t a “nice to have” but a critical enabler of operational excellence and sustainable success – and how collective ownership turns ambition into reality at Heathrow.

Speaker:

Anuj Bhardwaj

Heathrow

Head of Extraordinary Place To Work

Anuj Bhardwaj is Head of Extraordinary Place to Work at Heathrow. His day job is making one of the world’s busiest airports a place where people want to skip to work. He leads work on colleague experience, EDI, engagement and culture, helping turn insight into action in a high-pressure, always‑on environment.

Anuj hasn’t followed a traditional career path, and he’s proud of it. He believes great workplaces aren’t built by policies alone, but by understanding what really motivates people and then doing something meaningful about it.

13:25 - 13:50

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Avalere Health Case Study: Culture: Infrastructure, Not Atmosphere

Case Study

From People Operations to Workforce Strategy

Most organisations treat culture like the weather. They talk about it, complain about it, occasionally celebrate it, and assume there's not much they can do to change it.

They're wrong!

Culture isn't a vibe. It's not a value on a wall or a score on an engagement survey. It's the invisible operating system your organisation runs on, and like any OS, it can be diagnosed, designed, rebuilt and upgraded.

Nick Holmes has spent years in the field notes. As a doctoral researcher in Organisational Behaviour, and VP of Culture he's worked through 150 years of culture literature, from the earliest attempts to define what culture even is, to the most rigorous modern thinking on how it shapes performance, growth, and failure. What's emerged from that research is a new definition of organisational culture. One that finally gives HR leaders something they've never quite had before: a precise, evidence-based framework they can use.

This isn't a talk born from a consulting deck or a trend piece. It's the culmination of a body of research, brought to life in a room, for the first time, in a way that's practical, provocative, and immediately applicable.

Nick will take you through:

Why every definition of culture you've ever worked with has been incomplete, and what the research says
A four-domain diagnostic model built from the ground up on behavioural science and systems thinking
The language that finally lets you take culture into the boardroom with the same rigour you'd bring to a P&L
An on-the-spot cultural health check – so you walk away being part of the research and know exactly where your organisation stands today

Speaker:

Nick Holmes

Avalere Health

Vice President, Learning & Culture

Nick Holmes is the VP of Learning & Culture at Avalere Health and a PhD researcher in Organisational Behaviour on a mission to make work more remarkable. He designs high-impact cultural experiences that fuse science, storytelling and practical tools leaders can use immediately. His work sits at the intersection of culture, growth and human experience, helping teams build organisations that scale sustainably while creating joy, trust, and momentum for their people. Multi award-winning in the HR field and in demand as a keynote speaker, Nick is best described as a culture imagineer who captivates and inspires audiences.

13:50 - 14:20

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

From Processes to Priorities – Evolving People Ops into Strategic Workforce Leadership

Panel Discussion

From People Operations to Workforce Strategy

For many HR teams, the pressure of business‑as‑usual activity leaves little room to think and act strategically. This panel explores how organisations are reinventing “people operations” so it becomes a genuine driver of workforce strategy rather than a service function. Panellists will share how they have freed up capacity from admin, retooled teams around skills and future needs, and built credibility with the C‑suite by connecting people decisions directly to business outcomes. Expect a forward‑looking discussion on new roles, new capabilities and new measures of success for modern people functions.

What to expect:

Real examples of how people teams are redesigning structures, roles and processes to focus more on workforce strategy.
Ideas for shifting time and attention from transactional work to insight, planning and partnership with the business.
Insight into the skills and capabilities HR teams are building to influence long‑term workforce decisions.
Reflections on how to bring senior leaders on the journey so people strategy is seen as business strategy, not a parallel track.

Speakers:

Alka Mathur

Nestlé

Head of HR - Finance, Digital, Legal & Food, Nestlé UK&I

Jade Archibald

Halfords

Director of People Partnering & Talent Acquisition

Jade Archibald is an experienced people and talent leader with deep expertise in building high‑performing, inclusive cultures across complex organisations. With a strong background in business partnering and organisational transformation, she brings a clear transformation bias—diagnosing root causes, challenging assumptions and shaping people strategies that deliver measurable improvement. She has partnered with a range of well‑known brands, including Sainsbury’s, Curry's, Shell, Wickes and Marks & Spencer. Known for her commercial mindset and systems‑thinking approach, Jade helps leaders turn insight into action, strengthening engagement, capability and organisational effectiveness. She is passionate about inclusive cultures, developing future talent and enabling leaders to create the conditions for teams to excel.

14:20 - 14:40

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

14:40 - 15:05

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

WAST Case Study: Reducing Avoidable Harm in Disciplinary Investigations

Case Study

The Changing Identity of HR & People Leadership

Have you reflected on how your processes may cause harm to your people? Are your disciplinary processes being used correctly in your organisation?

An increasing body of research has identified the impact of disciplinary processes on employees, organisational culture and reputation, as well as economic harm.

The impact of an investigation is wide-reaching and can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of employees being investigated and on others involved, including the manager, investigating officers, witnesses, people professionals and supporting representatives.

Liz and Andrew will share their journey in addressing avoidable employee harm in the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust (WAST), the actions taken and the outcomes from that journey.

WAST recently won the inaugural award for ‘Best Use of an Avoidable Employee Harm Approach’ at the Healthcare People Management Association (HPMA) Excellence in People Awards.

Speakers:

Liz Rogers

Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust

Deputy Director of People

Liz is Deputy Director of People at the Welsh Ambulance Services University Trust (WAST) and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development.

Liz’s career in HR and OD spans over 30 years from HR Officer to Director working in both public and private sectors including banking, recruitment, manufacturing, local government and housing. She has also undertaken operations management and headed up a team of change consultants in the digital tech sector.

She is an advocate for effective partnership working and creating positive outcomes and impacts for colleagues and stakeholders.

Liz introduced working through an avoidable harm lens in WAST in 2022 and in November 2025 the organisation was delighted to win the Healthcare People Management Association inaugural award for the Best Use of an ‘Avoidable Employee Harm’ Approach.

Outside of work Liz spends most of her free time in a swimming pool or on the side of a football or rugby pitch, supporting her son, usually in the South Wales rain!

Andrew Cooper

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Head of Programmes for Employee Wellbeing

Andrew Cooper is Head of Programmes for Employee Wellbeing in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board in NHS Wales. He is also Development Director for the Healthcare People Management Association’s ‘Avoiding Harm’ programme in the UK.

He holds an honorary research role with the University of Plymouth and is leading a programme of research exploring the impact of the disciplinary process on individuals and organisations.

With a background in healthcare improvement and innovation, he has held senior communications roles across the private, public and voluntary sectors and is Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Public Relations (CIPR) for his contribution to healthcare communications.

15:05 - 15:30

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

From People Leader to Business Leader: The Evolution of the Chief People Officer: In Conversation with Linsday Jones, Chief People Officer at Delta Capital

Interview

The Changing Identity of HR & People Leadership

The role of the Chief People Officer has undergone a profound transformation. No longer simply a steward of HR process, today's CPO is expected to operate as a fully rounded business leader — one who drives commercial strategy, influences the boardroom, and shapes organisational direction from the inside out. In this candid interview, Lindsay Jones, Chief People Officer at Delta Capital, explores how the identity of HR leadership is shifting and what it truly means to lead people functions with strategic intent. Drawing on the compelling "CPO to CEO" narrative, Lindsay shares her perspective on how people leaders can expand their influence, build credibility beyond the HR function, and position themselves — and their teams — as indispensable contributors to business growth.

Speaker:

Lindsay Jones

Delta Capita

Chief People Officer

Lindsay Jones is Chief People Officer at Delta Capita Group, where she has spent the last five years helping a fast-growing financial services business navigate serious change, scaling the business without losing sight of the humans at the centre of it.

With 19 years of experience across HR, executive coaching and talent leadership, Lindsay is a close partner to CEOs and leadership teams. She is known for her candour, her values-led approach and her genuine belief that high-performing organisations are built when people come first. An ICF-accredited coach, she brings both commercial rigour and deep human understanding to every room she's in.

15:30 - 16:00

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

The Changing Identity of HR, People Leadership and Culture

Panel Discussion

The Changing Identity of HR & People Leadership

HR and people leaders are increasingly expected to be the stewards of culture, not just guardians of policy and process. This panel explores how the identity of HR and people leadership is shifting as culture becomes a core part of the remit – from shaping “how we do things here” to holding leaders to account for the behaviours they role‑model. Panellists will share how their roles, teams and priorities have evolved to focus more on culture, what they’ve stopped doing, and how they’re navigating the tension between compliance, care and commercial outcomes.

What to expect from this session

Examples of how HR and people leaders are taking clearer ownership of culture alongside their traditional responsibilities.
Insight into how people functions are moving from process‑driven activity to culture‑shaping, experience‑led work.
Practical ideas for partnering with senior leaders to align decisions, behaviours and symbols with the culture you want to build.
Reflections on the mindsets and capabilities HR leaders need to influence culture in moments of change, conflict and pressure.

Speakers:

Bekah Thompson

Flawless

Head of People

Bekah leads the People Team at Flawless AI, spending her time obsessing over People as a Product and embedding agile ways of working. She's spent her career shaping people-centric environments at scaling tech companies, and is passionate about creating People products that give teams the energy to thrive. Her roles have blended strategic people partnering with hands-on programme development to build high performing businesses. She cares deeply about inclusion and wellbeing, as well as being a bit of a nerd about compensation (and Formula 1).

Céline Renaud

Sanofi

Global EX Lead

Céline is passionate about transforming employee experience through a human-centered, data-driven approach. As Global Employee Experience Partner at Sanofi, she works to build a holistic vision of the employee journey, backed by both quantitative and qualitative insights. Her role involves identifying key pain points and partnering with moment owners across the organization to continuously improve how employees experience their work at Sanofi. To do this, she draws on her marketing background from L'Oréal Luxe, where she spent 14 years in various marketing roles across different scopes and geographies, always with great passion for understanding people and creating meaningful experiences.

On the academic side, Céline graduated from ESSEC Business School and recently completed a Certificate in Health and Environment from Mines Paris, which deepened her awareness of sustainability challenges and their connection to business and people strategies.

Today, Céline lives in the beautiful Aix-en-Provence with her three teenagers, balancing her work with an active, sporty lifestyle in the heart of Provence - it's as inspiring and energizing as it sounds.

16:00 - 16:05

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

That's a Wrap!

Closing Remarks

The Changing Identity of HR & People Leadership

Speaker:

Nick Brice

Soul Corporations

CEO

08:55 - 09:00

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Welcome to the Future of Employee Engagement

Introduction

Technology, AI & the Next Era of Wellbeing Support

Welcome back to the Engage Employee Summit 2026.

After a first day grounded in the realities organisations are navigating right now - from culture and communication to leadership and performance - day two shifts the focus to the future.

In this opening address, Chrissie will connect yesterday’s themes with the longer-term challenges and opportunities shaping employee engagement. From emerging trends to changing workforce expectations, today’s agenda is designed to help you think strategically and prepare your organisation for what’s next.

A moment to reset, refocus and look ahead together before we continue the conversation.

Speaker:

Christina Lewis

Herizon

Founder

09:00 - 09:25

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Finding Your Happy Place at Work

Headliner

Technology, AI & the Next Era of Wellbeing Support

Speaker:

Fearne Cotton

Happy Place

Mental Health Advocate, Best-Selling Author, Broadcaster, and Founder and Creator of the Happy Place Brand

09:25 - 09:50

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Why AI is Making Teams Lonelier & The Battle for Cognitive Agency

Presentation

Technology, AI & the Next Era of Wellbeing Support

Most organisations are in the same AI challenge. We're trying to use AI to work faster just to stay in the same place.

While productivity holds steady, 77% of our workforce is disengaged. In this talk, Christina Lewis asks: are we optimising what makes us human out of the loop?

When 30% of AI queries are now about how to handle "tricky" human interactions, we are witnessing a decline in our talent – including social stamina and emotional regulation.

In this session, we'll explore why human-centred EQ is the ultimate 'performance multiplier' and antidote to workplace loneliness for inclusive teams.

We’ll discuss how to move from AI-scripting (which bypasses human connection) to AI-scaffolding (which supports it), and how to protect the key moments of human-led feedback and conflict that build the backbone of culture, cognitive diversity, and community in your workforce.

Speaker:

Christina Lewis

Herizon

Founder

09:50 - 10:20

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

How Technology & AI Will Redefine Workplace Wellbeing

Panel Discussion

Technology, AI & the Next Era of Wellbeing Support

New technology and AI are transforming how organisations understand, predict and support employee wellbeing. This panel will explore what the “next era” of wellbeing support could look like: more personalised and proactive, but also more data‑hungry. Our panellists will discuss where they see genuine potential for AI & technology to enhance human care and inclusion and how to make smart, future‑proof choices in a noisy market.

We’ll explore:

How AI, data and digital tools are reshaping the wellbeing ecosystem
How to ensure technology‑enabled wellbeing support is inclusive and accessible, not just for the most digitally confident or vocal colleagues
What good governance, measurement and partnering look like so investments in wellbeing tech create real value, not just another platform

Speakers:

Jonathan Roomer

YuLife

Co-founder & Chief Customer Officer

Jonathan is a co-founder and the Chief Customer Officer of YuLife. He is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and a guest lecturer at Imperial College Business School. He started his career as an entrepreneur and after many “almost successes” and one successful venture, changed course and went back to studying. He completed an MBA, and became an actuary before deciding to re-enter startup life with YuLife and becoming obsessed with all things customer. Prior to YuLife, Jonathan led the early-stage segment of KPMG’s Tech Growth team. He consulted over 200 startups on getting from Seed to Series A and beyond.

Jay Brewer

Unilever

Global Health & Wellbeing Director

Jay Brewer is Global Health and Wellbeing Director at Unilever. In this role, Jay provides strategic leadership at the intersection of digital health, data, and outcomes research, shaping direction, priorities, and investment decisions that support workforce health and wellbeing at scale. Alongside leading research and insight generation, Jay holds enterprise‑level responsibilities spanning strategic planning, cross‑functional stakeholder engagement, and executive decision support, ensuring that digital health initiatives are aligned with broader organisational objectives and deliver measurable impact. Jay’s work focuses on translating evidence and data into sustainable, organisation‑wide value.

10:20 - 10:50

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Technology, AI & the Next Era of Wellbeing Support

10:50 - 11:15

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

giffgaff Case Study: The Disruption Pivot: Evolving DEI Beyond Survival Mode

Case Study

Psychological Safety, Equity & Inclusion as a Cultural Foundation

The DEI field is facing an identity crisis, amidst budget cuts and cultural pushback. We are busy renaming our roles to stay "safe", but safety won't drive change. To survive this climate, we must pivot from being reactive adapters to proactive disruptors. This session challenges the current trend of dilution in our industry. We will discuss why the old playbooks are failing and map out a new strategy of disruption that drives tangible results. Discover how to reclaim your narrative, reignite your impact, and ensure that whilst the climate changes, your mission remains non-negotiable.

Speaker:

Ian Tomney-Bell

giffgaff

Head of Talent Acquisition and Inclusion

Ian Tomney-Bell (ITB) is the Head of Diversity at giffgaff and the architect of its inclusive culture. A true disruptor, he moved the company from passive participation to active, inspired inclusion. By establishing Affinity Groups and securing resources for employee-led change, ITB has driven tangible results, including the launch of neuroinclusive guidance and significant growth in eNPS. ITB believes Human Rights are Equal Rights and is dedicated to ensuring giffgaff is a sanctuary for authentic talent.

11:40 - 12:10

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Building Cultures People Can Trust: Psychological Safety, Equity and Inclusion in Practice

Panel Discussion

Psychological Safety, Equity & Inclusion as a Cultural Foundation

Many organisations now have strong statements on equity and inclusion, but employees still decide whether to speak up, take risks or stay based on what the culture feels like day to day. This panel explores psychological safety, equity and inclusion as the foundation for employees feeling like they truly belong and can bring their whole selves to the workplace. Panellists will share how they are rewiring leadership behaviours, team norms and systems so that people with different identities and lived experiences can contribute honestly, challenge safely and know they will be treated fairly when it matters most.

We’ll explore:

What psychological safety really looks like in practice, and how it connects to equity, inclusion and wellbeing rather than sitting as a separate initiative
How power, identity and lived experience shape who feels safe to speak up – and how to design meetings, feedback and decision‑making with that in mind
Practical shifts in leadership behaviour, HR processes and team rituals that embed safety and fairness into the everyday, not just in crisis moments
Ways to measure and sustain a “speak‑up” culture without over‑surveying or putting the burden of change on marginalised groups

Speakers:

Jamie Dapaah

MDE Entertainment - Sport

Head of Cultural Insights – Sport

Jamie Dapaah is a leading voice in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) within sport, with over a decade of experience driving cultural and systemic change across the industry. Currently serving as Head of Cultural Insights at MDE Entertainment, Jamie leads on embedding inclusive culture, audience insight and engagement strategies within the entertainment sector, bringing a strong sporting perspective to this work.

Prior to this, Jamie held a senior leadership role at The Football Association, where they led inclusion across the London region. In this role, Jamie worked closely with County FAs, grassroots organisations and professional clubs to increase participation, improve representation and break down barriers within the game.

Jamie also held leadership roles at Fulham Football Club, where they led on inclusion and culture across the club and its foundation. Their work focused on delivering impactful EDI strategies across both workforce and community settings, using football as a platform to drive social change.

With a career rooted in sport, Jamie has consistently championed the power of football to unite communities and create opportunities. Their approach combines strategic leadership, lived experience and data-driven insight to build inclusive environments where individuals and communities can thrive.

Maria Grazia Zedda

RIDI

Belonging and Inclusion Leader

Maria Grazia Zedda is a bold, results-focused culture and belonging leader who turns EDI intent into measurable business impact. With 15+ years working across complex, regulated organisations, she builds pragmatic governance, workforce inclusion frameworks and data-led roadmaps that align with values and strategy.

Disability Power 100 Winner in 2019 and 2022, she became a judge for the awards in 2024. At HS2 she led enterprise-wide EDI, won Clear Assured Platinum and trained 800+ senior leaders in inclusive leadership. As Head of EDI & Wellbeing at Marie Curie she delivered a comprehensive gap analysis, interactive EDI e-learning and a five‑year accessibility and engagement roadmap.

Maria is currently representing RIDI (Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative) and she mentors senior leaders navigating intersectional barriers and coaches teams to embed inclusive practice across the employee lifecycle.

A rallying speaker and designer of accessible, experiential learning (clients include the Houses of Parliament and The British Library), she chairs the RIDI Awards Judges and combines lived experience of intersectional barriers with hands‑on delivery to create workplaces where people truly belong—and performance follows.

Sam Eastment

Balfour Beatty

Head of Employee Engagement

With a diverse HR background spanning retail, finance and the charity sector, Sam has spent the last nine years leading employee engagement and DEI at Balfour Beatty, a major infrastructure organisation. She champions a 'whole person' approach to engagement and is passionate about wellbeing, with a particular interest in neurodiversity. She also chairs the Allies Against Domestic Abuse network. Since 2023, she’s led the rollout of the Right to Respect programme throughout the organisation, embedding psychological safety and inclusive behaviours to ensure everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive at work.

12:10 - 13:00

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Psychological Safety, Equity & Inclusion as a Cultural Foundation

13:00 - 13:25

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Bupa Dental Care UK Case Study: Building Confidence With Complex Wellbeing Conversations

Case Study

The Next Model of Employer-Supported Wellbeing

In today’s workplace, difficult conversations aren’t optional; they’re essential to building trust, strengthening relationships, and creating a culture where people feel genuinely supported. Some workplace conversations feel heavier than others with sensitive topics that require extra care - are all of your people leaders able to navigate these confidently?

In this session Holly will share guidance on how to build confidence in more emotionally complex conversations, so people leaders feel supported and prepared when facing these moments, ensuring they move beyond tick-box style conversations or worse, avoidance. Holly will share how her programme at Bupa Dental Care has educated managers, created space for honest dialogue, and how this work has helped to reduce stigma around sensitive issues at work.

Speaker:

Holly Atyeo-Smith

Bupa Dental Care UK

People Partner – Culture, Wellbeing, Engagement and People Policy

Holly Atyeo-Smith is a People Partner at Bupa Dental Care, leading on Culture, Wellbeing, Engagement, and People Policy. Her role spans across the UK and ROI. Holly thrives on building environments where people love coming to work and creating a culture where people feel heard, empowered and valued. Holly works closely with stakeholders to shape meaningful employee experiences and foster a positive, supportive culture. She has established a community of engagement champions to amplify employee voice, drive initiatives, and embed engagement throughout the business. With wellbeing being a core element of employee experience, Holly creates opportunities for open dialogue. Through webinars, panel discussions, and storytelling initiatives, she has elevated awareness around key topics such as women’s health, neurodiversity, mental health, bereavement, and men’s health. In parallel, she has implemented resources to ensure managers are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to foster safe and supportive environments, enabling them to support their teams effectively and consistently.

13:25 - 13:50

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

How the NHS Is Improving the Wellbeing of 1.5m Staff, Who Care for the English Population: In Conversation with Shriti Pattani, National Occupational Health and Wellbeing Clinical Expert at the NHS

Interview

The Next Model of Employer-Supported Wellbeing

Speaker:

Dr Shriti Pattani

NHS England

National Occupational Health and Wellbeing Clinical Expert

13:50 - 14:20

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

What Comes After Perks? How Leaders Are Redesigning Employer Wellbeing

Panel Discussion

The Next Model of Employer-Supported Wellbeing

As pressure on work intensifies and clinical risks rise, Health and Wellbeing professionals are being pushed to move beyond programmes and perks into the fundamentals of how work is designed and governed. This panel brings together OH and wellbeing leaders to explore what the “next model” of employer‑supported wellbeing looks like when you sit at the crossroads of clinical risk, regulation and culture. They will discuss how they are reshaping policies, job design, case management and leadership expectations to create work that is both safer and more sustainable – and how they are making the business case to boards and executive teams.

We’ll explore:

How occupational health and wellbeing teams are shifting from reactive case management to proactive, work‑design‑led prevention
The evolving relationship between OH, HR, H&S and business leaders in owning wellbeing risk and opportunity
How data from OH referrals, risk assessments and employee voice is being used to influence decisions on workload, flexibility and leadership behaviour
What a sustainable, clinically credible and commercially realistic model of employer wellbeing looks like over the next 3–5 years

Speakers:

Fay Simpkins

National Highways

Head of Occupational Health and Wellbeing

Fay Simpkins is Head of Occupational Health and Wellbeing at National Highways supporting the organisation, supply chain and customers to get “Home Safe and Well”. Fay has over 15 years’ experience in occupational health and wellbeing, firstly in corporate clinical settings for several multinational companies before moving into strategic roles. In these roles she has helped to successfully shape and progress the organisations approach to health and wellbeing.

Rebecca Eaton

Cadent Gas Limited

Head of Occupational Health and Wellbeing

Rebecca is Specialist Practitioner in occupational health and an experienced wellbeing professional having implemented wellbeing strategy in several large organisations. She currently leads an in-house Occupational Health and Wellbeing team at Cadent Gas. Rebecca isn’t afraid to break the traditional moulds for wellbeing and focus’ on having a measurable proactive impact on improving employee health and wellbeing. She focuses on embedding a culture of care and has a passion for ensuring that work has a positive effect on people’s wellbeing.

James Jackson

Sheffield City Council

Head of Employee Engagement, Inclusion and Wellbeing

My approach to People and Culture leadership centres around the belief that creating a thriving organisational culture is not a destination but a journey in response to the evolving needs of society, people and workforce. I am driven by high standards, passion, and creativity. As an excellent communicator and motivator, I believe in the power of positive business relationships, keen strategic thinking and leading by example. My personal mantra is to always ‘be honest, be brave, and be considerate’. I have passion for developing young minds/talent and take great satisfaction from working within early education and with persons from disadvantaged backgrounds. I specialise in driving organisational culture change, fostering a systematic mindset, and championing allyship. My work is rooted in aligning organisational goals with tangible outcomes that enhance performance. I have successfully implemented a range of strategies, that include enrichment and immersive learning solutions.

14:20 - 14:40

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

The Next Model of Employer-Supported Wellbeing

14:40 - 15:05

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Jaguar Land Rover Case Study: Inclusion for All: Embedding Belonging Into the Everyday Employee Experience

Case Study

The Future Value of Wellbeing, Inclusion & Social Impact

In this session, we’ll explore how JLR is building an employee experience where inclusion isn’t a standalone initiative- it’s the thread that connects every moment of the colleague journey. This session offers a practical look at how inclusive systems and day‑to‑day behaviours can directly strengthen connection, motivation, and long‑term retention.

We’ll share how 'Inclusion for All' is intentionally built into our processes, programmes, and platforms. From the way we communicate across a global workforce, to how we design entry‑level pathways, development opportunities, leadership programmes, and inclusive tools like the JLR App, workwear evolution, global training and our Leadership Programme "Aspire".

These touchpoints demonstrate how removing barriers and opening access doesn’t just “feel right”, it meaningfully improves engagement, performance, and organisational trust.

We’ll also look at how inclusive recruitment and thoughtful retention strategies help us attract and keep people from diverse backgrounds, ensuring our workforce reflects the world around us. And importantly, we’ll discuss how we support colleagues in understanding their role in inclusion: creating psychological safety, amplifying under‑represented voices, and making space where everyone feels they can contribute authentically.

This session will give engagement consultants concrete insights into how inclusion can be embedded across business systems and culture- creating environments where people feel seen, heard, and motivated to do their best work. Attendees will leave with practical, transferable ideas for turning inclusion into an engagement accelerator within their own organisations.

Speaker:

Claire Parker

JLR

Global Head of Diversity Equity & Inclusion

An HR professional with over 30 years experience working in her field. She specialises in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion with knowledge and skills within Wellbeing. She is currently working at Jaguar Land Rover as their Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager and is passionate about creating a culture where employees can bring their true authentic selves to work and feel valued for their difference. She is a mother of 2 boys aged 15 and 18 and is extremely passionate about this topic and is determined not only to make a difference in business but also across society in general.

15:05 - 15:30

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Samworth Brothers Case Study: Turning Human-Centred Thinking into High Performance

Case Study

The Future Value of Wellbeing, Inclusion & Social Impact

In a world of constant transformation, organisations often chase performance at the expense of people – yet the highest-performing teams do the opposite. This talk introduces HOP-iT™, a simple but powerful framework built on three pillars: Humanity, Opportunity, and Performance. Drawing on real-world leadership experience, Freddie explores how organisations can unlock potential by focusing on what people truly need to thrive. Attendees will leave with a practical lens to diagnose team challenges and a clear question to drive action: What intervention does your team need right now?

Speaker:

Freddie Guilmard

Samworth Brothers

Head of Transformation, Culture & Performance (interim)

Freddie is Head of Transformation, Culture & Performance at Samworth Brothers Meals, where he is leading a business-wide transformation to build a high-performing, people-led organisation. His work focuses on turning strategy into action – aligning leaders, simplifying complexity, and creating the conditions for teams to thrive and deliver.
With over 25 years’ experience, Freddie is known for challenging traditional approaches to change and leadership. He believes performance doesn’t come from process alone, but from clarity, trust, and human connection. His passion is helping leaders move beyond good intentions to real impact – because when people feel part of something bigger, they perform at their best.

15:30 - 16:00

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Making the Case - Proving the Social Impact of Wellbeing and Inclusion

Panel Discussion

The Future Value of Wellbeing, Inclusion & Social Impact

Our closing panel explores how wellbeing & inclusion are shifting from “nice stories” to core drivers of enterprise value, risk and long‑term competitiveness. Panellists will discuss emerging expectations around disclosure and standards, how they are quantifying value in ways boards and investors understand, and what it will take to build people‑ and planet‑positive businesses that can still deliver commercial returns.

We’ll explore:

How external expectations (from regulation, investors, customers and talent) are redefining the business value of wellbeing, inclusion and social impact
New ways organisations are measuring and evidencing value
What “good” could look like by 2030 – and the risks for organisations that treat these areas as short‑term campaigns rather than long‑term value drivers

Speakers:

Maria Grazia Zedda

RIDI

Belonging and Inclusion Leader

Caroline Abercrombie

Experienced Chief People Officer

16:00 - 16:05

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

That's a Wrap!

Closing Remarks

The Future Value of Wellbeing, Inclusion & Social Impact

Speaker:

Christina Lewis

Herizon

Founder

08:55 - 09:00

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Welcome to the Future of Employee Engagement

Introduction

The Role of Technology in Reward, Recognition and Future Benefits

Welcome back to the Engage Employee Summit 2026.

After a first day grounded in the realities organisations are navigating right now - from culture and communication to leadership and performance - day two shifts the focus to the future.

In this opening address, Martin will connect yesterday’s themes with the longer-term challenges and opportunities shaping employee engagement. From emerging trends to changing workforce expectations, today’s agenda is designed to help you think strategically and prepare your organisation for what’s next.

A moment to reset, refocus and look ahead together before we continue the conversation.

Speaker:

Martin Hill-Wilson

Brainfood Training

Co-Founder

09:00 - 09:25

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Finding Your Happy Place at Work

Headliner

The Role of Technology in Reward, Recognition and Future Benefits

Speaker:

Fearne Cotton

Happy Place

Mental Health Advocate, Best-Selling Author, Broadcaster, and Founder and Creator of the Happy Place Brand

09:25 - 09:50

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Pay Transparency, AI and Personalisation in Total Rewards: What Do Employees Really Want? In Conversation with Busola Farinmade, Director Total Rewards at Equinix

Interview

The Role of Technology in Reward, Recognition and Future Benefits

Speaker:

Busola Farinmade

Equinix

Director Total Rewards

"Busola Farinmade is a HR/Reward leader supporting organisations through critical moments such as HR transformation, M&As and IPOs across multiple jurisdictions. She has both internal company experience and many years of solid consulting experience with KPMG which gives her unique skills as an advisor, researcher, thought leader, designer and implementer of HR and Reward programs.

She is the Total Rewards Director with Equinix where she partners with business leaders to embed fair and competitive Reward practices on compensation, benefits, wellbeing and recognition. Her areas of expertise are in rewards strategy design, equity-based and cash-based incentive design, executive compensation and benefits. In her role, she has been actively involved in using technology to scale the strategy, design, deployment and administration of benefits across multiple countries and complex jurisdictions, to improve employee experience and engagement.

Busola has a MSc. in Psychology and an MBA from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She is a thought leader having written business articles and facilitated sessions on Total Rewards.

Busola is passionate about the experience of people at work and mentoring the next generation of HR leaders."

09:50 - 10:20

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Tech, Data and the Human Touch: The Future of Reward, Recognition and Benefits

Panel Discussion

The Role of Technology in Reward, Recognition and Future Benefits

HR and reward teams are being flooded with platforms that promise better engagement, smarter spend and hyper‑personalised experiences – but the real question is how technology actually changes the way organisations design and deliver reward, recognition and benefits. This panel will explore how leaders are using platforms, AI and analytics to personalise offers, integrate recognition into the flow of work, and make better decisions about where to invest, while keeping the human experience at the centre. Panellists will share what they’ve learned about choosing and integrating technology, how they are using recognition and benefits data and the ethical and practical guardrails they are putting in place as AI moves deeper into reward and benefits.

We’ll explore:

How reward and benefits teams are using platforms and AI to personalise offers and communications at scale, without overwhelming people with choice or noise.
The shift from standalone recognition tools to tech‑enabled recognition “in the flow of work”, and how recognition data is used to understand culture, engagement and risk.
Practical lessons from selecting, implementing and integrating reward, recognition and benefits technology, including data privacy, governance and measuring ROI.
The future horizon: where panellists see technology genuinely adding value in reward and benefits over the next three to five years – and where they’re choosing to stay firmly human‑led.

Speakers:

Helen McGowan

Travis Perkins plc

Group Benefits Manager

A highly dedicated and experienced professional with over 30 years of expertise in employee benefits and total reward, Helen is passionate about ensuring employees are engaged with their total reward packages and understand how to maximise their benefits.

Consistently seeking innovative strategies to enhance benefit offerings, she is driven by a commitment to optimise employee satisfaction and foster a positive work environment. Her proactive mindset leads her to explore cutting-edge solutions and best practices that genuinely make a difference in employees' lives.

Beyond her direct responsibilities, Helen is a keen networker, actively participating in professional forums and events. She shares her wealth of experience and insights while eagerly absorbing new knowledge, remaining at the forefront of the latest trends in employee benefits. Her dedication to continuous learning and professional development underscores her commitment to excellence.

Lucy Jarvis

Whitbread

Head of Reward

Lucy has recently moved to Whitbread as Head of Reward where she is responsible for the reward and recognition agenda across the Whitbread group, including Premier Inn hotels and Whitbread restaurants.

Throughout her career, Lucy has worked for several large brands within the retail and leisure/hospitality industries including Carphone Warehouse, Curry's, Selfridges, Tesco and most recently David Lloyd Clubs. With a background as a people business partner, she has more recently taken on specialist roles such as Heads of Reward, Employee Experience and People Services, holding accountability for compensation, benefits, recognition, policy, DEI, engagement, internal communications, people systems, payroll and HR shared services.

Lucy's passion is reward and tech, and she recently led the global implementation of Workday across 9 countries in the David Lloyd Clubs group and introduced an AI solution for 1st line response to the people team inbox.

10:20 - 10:50

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

The Role of Technology in Reward, Recognition and Future Benefits

10:50 - 11:15

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Bringing Our Global Benefits Strategy to Life: In Conversation With: Jonathan Clarey, Global Benefits Leader & Fabio Mazetti, Global Benefits Sr Manager, Health & Wellbeing at Philip Morris International

Interview

How Personalisation & Insight is Transforming Benefits and Reward

Discussion of the steps we have taken to create, determine, communicate and realise a caring yet sustainable global benefits strategy. This will include the implementation of global minimum benefit standards, the development of preventative measures to empower colleagues to look after themselves, and the delivery of our strategy in the most financially optimised way through the transition to a virtual captive programme.

Speakers:

Jonathan Clarey

Philip Morris International

Global Benefits Leader

After a lengthy spell advising multinational clients on their global employee benefits provision, Jonathan joined PMI’s newly formed Global Benefits COE in 2022. Since determining and communicating a benefits strategy with colleagues at its heart, implementation of the various strands is well underway, with a particular focus on benefit sustainability through efficient financing and actionable data insights.

Fabio Mazetti

Philip Morris International

Global Benefits Sr Manager, Health & Wellbeing

A seasoned HR professional with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as Global Benefits Senior Manager, Health & Wellbeing at Philip Morris International. Specializing in Global Benefits design, Benefits and HRIS, and deferred compensation, the focus is on designing innovative total rewards strategies that align with employee needs and organizational goals.
At Philip Morris International, contributions emphasize leveraging best practices and building comprehensive solutions to enhance employee engagement and retention. With multilingual capabilities in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, a global perspective is applied to fostering impactful HR programs that drive organizational success.

11:15 - 11:40

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

From Human Intelligence to Business Intelligence - How HR Turns Human Moments into Board-Level Insight

Presentation

How Personalisation & Insight is Transforming Benefits and Reward

As the workplace engagement crisis continues to deepen, companies are looking to their people strategies to improve productivity and how their humans are showing up at work. That's a big challenge for HR.

One solution is through recognition done right, a mechanism that addresses the very root of disengagement and also provides the mean to improve it. And with the valuable people data it generates it provides a real time pulse of any improvements you are making.

Now, with the addition of advanced AI-assisted-analysis, recognition data can be used to build future strategies and create board ready insights and a roadmap to the future of your organisation.

Join this session to explore:

Why traditional engagement and performance data no longer tells the full story
How everyday human signals reveal what people are actually working on
The opportunity for HR to shape strategy through lived organisational insight

Speaker:

Dr. Meisha-Ann Martin

Workhuman

Head of People Research

Dr. Meisha-Ann Martin is a workplace activist, speaker, and thought leader dedicated to shaping the future of work through strategic people analytics and employee experience. With a passion for blending innovation with data-driven insights, she helps organizations create meaningful, measurable change. Featured in Forbes, Fortune, Bloomberg, Gallup, HR Executive, and HR Dive, Meisha-Ann is recognized for her expertise in talent management, organizational change, and human capital strategy. A creative problem solver, she brings deep experience in internal consulting and change management, driving impactful initiatives that enhance employee engagement and workplace culture.

11:40 - 12:10

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

One Size Doesn't Fit All - Why Personalisation is Key In Reward & Future Benefits

Panel Discussion

How Personalisation & Insight is Transforming Benefits and Reward

Employees now expect benefits and reward that reflect their life stage, financial reality and personal preferences, not a one‑size‑fits‑all package. At the same time, HR and reward teams have more data than ever about what people value, how they use benefits and where spend is wasted. This panel will explore how organisations are using insight – from engagement surveys and platform analytics to segmentation and personas – to personalise benefits and reward in ways that feel fair, inclusive and commercially sustainable. Panellists will share practical examples of tailoring offers to different workforce groups, the impact they are seeing on engagement and retention, and how they are managing the risks around complexity, equity and data ethics.

We’ll explore:

How organisations are using data and insight to move from generic benefits catalogues to more targeted, personalised offers that reflect different segments and life stages.
What employees actually say they value when given meaningful choice, and where personalisation has made the biggest difference to engagement and take‑up.
How to balance individual choice with fairness, simplicity and governance so personalisation doesn’t become confusing or create a two‑tier culture.
The role of technology and analytics in turning benefits and reward data into actionable insight that shapes future strategy and spend.

Speakers:

Laurie Eggleston

Grant Thornton UK LLP

Head of Business Development; Employee Benefits Consultancy

Laurie helps employers design their benefits to best reward, retain and recruit employees.

He aims to help clients stand out as an employer of choice, with engaged employees that can enjoy a comprehensive wellbeing package as part of their employment, doing this in the most cost-effective way for employers, by maximising the use of salary sacrifice and by obtaining the optimum premiums for their schemes.

Laurie and his team consult on, brokers, implements and administers traditional core benefits such as pensions, healthcare and life assurance, in addition to voluntary benefits, such as Electric Vehicle leasing or holiday trading.

Laurie is also a wider people-agenda specialist, and can discuss a broad range of areas, such as financial wellbeing, global mobility, employment tax, training and skills, and share schemes.

Mona Parikh

Coventry University

Associate Director - Reward (Leading the Global Reward & Benefits Team)

Mona leads the Global Reward function, including pensions. She brings over 18 years’ experience across retail, construction, engineering, project management, housing, and education, with deep expertise in designing and managing reward, benefits, and pensions for both private and public sector organisations. She has more than eight years’ experience heading global reward functions in complex matrix environments and a proven record of delivering strategic reward initiatives.

A recognised GRP (Global Remuneration Professional) certified by WorldatWork, Mona specialises in strategic reward and benefits projects that optimise offerings, drive cost efficiency, and sustain competitive total reward packages. She is committed to aligning reward strategies with organisational objectives to attract, retain, and engage top talent.

Her particular passion is advancing pay gap reporting for ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation. At the University of Warwick and Arden University, she implemented these initiatives using a data-driven approach. She is currently progressing the same work at Coventry University, championing meaningful change and ensuring the organisations she serves place EDI at the heart of their operations.

Polly Banwell

AAG Financial Education

Client Relationship Manager

Polly brings 10 years of experience in employee benefits, where she successfully built an EB department from the ground up, delivering services to more than 250 companies. Her success has come from taking the time to understand clients, their employees and their culture. At the heart of Polly’s work is building strong, positive relationships, underpinned by open communication, a “can do” approach, and a commitment to delivering on promises. Outside of work, Polly is a busy mum of two boys and enjoys planning family trips, hosting playdates, and making flapjacks.

12:10 - 13:00

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

How Personalisation & Insight is Transforming Benefits and Reward

13:00 - 13:25

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

The Future Is Transparent: Navigating Pay Transparency in a Changing Rewards Landscape: In Conversation With: Dan Fletcher, Director - Reward Advisory at Aon

Interview

Redefining the Reward & Value Exchange at Work

Speaker:

Dan Fletcher

Aon

Director - Reward Advisory

Dan is a Director in Aon’s Talent Advisory team, with over 20 years’ in-house experience across all areas of reward. He specialises in compensation strategy, benefits design, performance management and pay transparency.

At Aon, Dan works with a broad range of organisations, with a particular focus on the energy sector. He has led major projects on job architecture, job evaluation and levelling frameworks, helping clients align their reward structures with business strategy, improve workforce effectiveness and navigate increasing expectations around pay transparency.

Dan is a regular speaker at roundtables and webinars, where he shares practical insights on emerging trends, pay transparency and best practice in reward. He has delivered complex, high-impact projects for some of Aon’s largest clients, designing tailored solutions that support both business performance and employee engagement.

13:50 - 14:20

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

From 'Nice-to-Have' to 'Must-Have': Redefining the Reward and Value Exchange at Work

Panel Discussion

Redefining the Reward & Value Exchange at Work

Across sectors, employees are questioning what they really get from work beyond pay – and whether the deal on offer still feels fair, motivating and sustainable. At the same time, reward budgets are under pressure, legacy structures are creaking, and boards expect a clearer link between what they spend and the value they receive in performance, skills and loyalty. This panel will explore how organisations are reshaping the reward and value exchange at work: rebalancing pay, benefits, flexibility, development and culture, and being more explicit about what they ask for in return. Panellists will share how they have revisited their reward philosophy, engaged employees in redefining “the deal”, and navigated some difficult trade‑offs to build a value exchange that people believe in and the business can sustain.

We’ll explore:

How expectations of “value” at work are shifting, and what employees now see as must‑haves versus nice‑to‑haves in the overall deal.
Practical examples of modernising legacy reward and benefits structures to reflect a clearer, more contemporary value exchange.
How to communicate the reward and value proposition so people actually understand it, feel it, and see the link to their contribution.
The key trade‑offs leaders are facing between affordability, competitiveness, fairness and long‑term sustainability – and how they are making those calls.

Speakers:

Richard Watts

People Operations Analyst

Richard has spent 25 years with Next, starting as a Christmas temp on the shop floor before becoming a Store Manager and later moving into head office. After a decade working on productivity, efficiency and store contracts in the Organisation & Methods team, he now leads Rewards and Recognition for Retail. Outside of work, Richard has three dogs and will happily shoehorn them (or dog training) into any conversation or video call. Don’t ask him about the links between that and workplace recognition — you’ll lose the afternoon…

Bex Moorhouse

WPP

Global Head of Strategy, Operational Excellence & Performance

With over 25 years of experience, Bex Moorhouse stands as a seasoned leader in Real Estate and Workplace Services. She is renowned for driving innovative strategies that not only enhance the workplace experience but also promote overall organizational success. Bex has a proven track record in integrating equity and sustainability, optimizing space, and empowering employees to thrive across a diverse range of industries. As a sought-after speaker and mentor, she is deeply passionate about leadership and committed to transforming workplaces into environments where people truly feel seen, heard, and valued.

14:20 - 14:40

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Redefining the Reward & Value Exchange at Work

14:40 - 15:05

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Values in Action: Inside Resillion's Global Recognition Programme: In Conversation With: Maureen Chambers, Head of Internal Communications & Engagement at Resillion

Interview

What’s Next for Reward, Wellbeing and Benefits?

Speaker:

Maureen Chambers

Resillion

Head of Internal Communications and Engagement

I work in internal communications and engagement, helping organisations create clearer, more connected and more engaging experiences for their people.

With over 25 years’ experience across global internal communications, I’ve worked across leadership messaging, change programmes, employee storytelling and digital channel strategy. At the heart of it, I focus on making communication more human, more relevant and more impactful.

In my current role, I lead both internal comms and engagement, bringing the two much closer together. That means not just sharing information, but actively listening, understanding what matters to colleagues, and turning insight into meaningful action.

I’m passionate about creating communications that people actually want to engage with and about building cultures where colleagues feel informed, involved and part of something bigger.

15:30 - 16:00

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

From Firefighting to Future‑Proofing – The Trends Leaders Can’t Ignore

Panel Discussion

What’s Next for Reward, Wellbeing and Benefits?

Reward and benefits leaders are entering a period where financial pressure, health risks, new regulation and AI‑driven technology are all reshaping what a “good” offer looks like. This closing panel looks ahead to the next three to five years and asks what will really matter in reward, wellbeing and benefits – from financial security and preventative health to personalisation, equity and trust. Panellists will share their views on the biggest trends, where they expect to make the most change, and the priorities they believe reward and benefits leaders should focus on now to stay ahead rather than constantly reacting.

We’ll explore:

How wellbeing is evolving from standalone initiatives to integrated support across mental, physical and financial health, with preventative care becoming standard.
What “good” looks like in financial wellbeing and long‑term security as cost of living, pensions and longer working lives reshape expectations.
How reward strategy itself is shifting – from pay‑only debates to a clearer, evidence‑based value exchange that links reward, benefits and recognition to skills, performance and retention.
The role of personalisation, data and technology in transforming the benefits experience, and where simplicity, equity and cultural fit still need to set the boundaries.

Speakers:

Beth Reece

Autotrader

Benefits Manager & Wellbeing Lead

Benefits Manager and Wellbeing Network Lead at Auto Trader, bringing over 5 years of expertise at a FTSE 100 company who truly put the people at the heart of what we do. Beth is responsible for implementing and driving the benefits strategy to support the business whilst boosting employee experience and empowering them to thrive at work.

Nick Holmes

Avalere Health

Vice President, Learning & Culture

Mercy Otchie

Delta Capita

Global Compensation & Benefits Manager

Mercy is the Global Compensation and Benefits Manager at Delta Capita, a capital markets consulting and managed services firm. She leads reward and benefits strategy across twelve countries in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the United States.

Her role spans the full reward lifecycle, including payroll design, statutory compliance, benefits development, vendor management, and employee communications. She focuses on creating consistent, scalable frameworks that work effectively across diverse regulatory environments and workforce cultures.

16:00 - 16:05

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

That's a Wrap!

Closing Remarks

What’s Next for Reward, Wellbeing and Benefits?

Speaker:

Martin Hill-Wilson

Brainfood Training

Co-Founder

08:55 - 09:00

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Welcome to the Future of Employee Engagement

Introduction

AI, Automation & the Human Voice at Work

Welcome back to the Engage Employee Summit 2026.

After a first day grounded in the realities organisations are navigating right now - from culture and communication to leadership and performance - day two shifts the focus to the future.

In this opening address, Jo will connect yesterday’s themes with the longer-term challenges and opportunities shaping employee engagement. From emerging trends to changing workforce expectations, today’s agenda is designed to help you think strategically and prepare your organisation for what’s next.

A moment to reset, refocus and look ahead together before we continue the conversation.

Speaker:

Jo Moffatt

Engage for Success

Partnerships & Strategy Director

09:00 - 09:25

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Finding Your Happy Place at Work

Headliner

AI, Automation & the Human Voice at Work

Speaker:

Fearne Cotton

Happy Place

Mental Health Advocate, Best-Selling Author, Broadcaster, and Founder and Creator of the Happy Place Brand

09:25 - 09:50

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Alzheimer’s Society Case Study: Internal Communications and Engagement in the AI age

Interview

AI, Automation & the Human Voice at Work

Speakers:

Laura Pickering

Alzheimer's Society

Head of Internal Comms and Engagement

Laura Pickering is an award-winning internal communications leader in the charity sector. Having worked for national charities like Alzheimer’s Society, Cancer Research UK, Mind, Sense and Girlguiding, she has over 14 years’ experience in developing and delivering internal communications strategies in the charity sector and supporting organisations to transform their internal communications from the ground up. She is a mentor for Charity Comms, supporting the career development of other internal comms professionals.

Laura’s currently the Head of Internal Communications Engagement at Alzheimer’s Society, and recently led the Cancer Research UK internal comms team to win Best not-for-profit/public sector team, 6-10 people’ in the 2024 Institute of Internal Communications Awards.

Louise Shevlane

Alzheimer's Society

Culture and Engagement Manager

Experienced in establishing and building effective and productive relationships at all levels with a wide range of clients across the private, public and third sectors.
Key skills: account management, business development, events management, marketing, communications

09:50 - 10:20

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Keeping the Human Voice in an Automated World

Panel Discussion

AI, Automation & the Human Voice at Work

As AI and automation race ahead, organisations are rethinking what work looks like, which tasks machines should take on, and where the uniquely human voice still makes the difference. This session explores how AI can augment, not replace, people at work by streamlining routine tasks, personalising communication and insight, and freeing humans to focus on creativity, judgement and connection. Leaders will discuss how they are introducing AI tools in ways that build trust rather than fear, designing “human in the loop” models, and keeping empathy, ethics and employee voice at the centre of the future workplace.

We’ll explore:

Where AI and automation add the most value today (from content creation and targeting to workflow automation), and where human judgement must remain in charge.
How to use AI to deepen personalisation and engagement without losing authenticity, transparency or psychological safety.
Practical approaches for talking to employees about AI that balance opportunity with risk, and address real concerns about jobs, skills and fairness.
The capabilities leaders and teams need to thrive in AI-enabled workplaces, from data literacy to ethical decision-making and change communication.

Speakers:

Emily Kirwan

BBC News

Senior Head of Internal Communications and Engagement

Emily is an accomplished corporate affairs leader known for delivering strategic communications and engagement at high profile media and technology companies. She has extensive experience in reputation management, transformation, crisis and employee comms. Emily focuses on embedding communications at the heart of an organisation to build trust, create a positive culture and boost performance. She is also a trustee for Yes Futures, the UK's leading youth coaching charity.

Chloe Cross

Flutter Entertainment

Culture & Engagement Lead

A culture and engagement leader at Flutter Entertainment, I specialise in connecting colleague voice with leadership action to build thriving workplace communities. My career began at Sky Betting & Gaming (now part of Flutter), where I progressed from front-of-house into an Executive Assistant role supporting senior leadership, giving me a unique perspective on how strong culture is shaped from both the colleague and leadership viewpoints.
Now as Culture and Engagement Lead for Leeds, I focus on strengthening community, shaping leadership priorities through colleague insight, and creating meaningful engagement through events and initiatives. I am particularly passionate about building environments where people feel heard, valued, and proud of where they work.

Andrew Hubbard

Poppulo

Senior Director of Communications

Andrew Hubbard is a senior communications and employee experience leader with 16+ years of experience helping organisations navigate transformation and turn change into connection. He has worked in senior communications roles at Poppulo, National Grid, Santander, Rolls-Royce and Network Rail, partnering with CEOs and executive teams on everything from acquisitions and restructures to digital channel change and AI adoption.

10:20 - 10:50

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

AI, Automation & the Human Voice at Work

10:50 - 11:15

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

BBC Case Study: Learning to Listen: What the Radio Revolution of the 1920s Can Teach Us About Being Better Listeners Today

Case Study

How Employee Voice Is Evolving

We take listening for granted - whether it’s tuning in to the radio or tuning in to each other. But when radio first arrived in homes in the 1920s, audiences had to learn how to listen. A new medium required new habits. Today, organisations face a similar challenge: in a world full of data, noise and rapid change, how do we genuinely listen to our internal audiences? During 2025, the BBC’s People Experience team began a corporation‑wide exploration to understand what meaningful listening truly looks like – and how to build it into everyday culture. In this session, Ed Cook and Molly McMunn share what they’ve discovered along the way: the insights that changed their thinking, the surprises that shifted their approach, and the plans they’re putting in place to keep learning how to listen with greater intention and impact.

Speakers:

Ed Cook

BBC

People Experience (PX) Partner

Ed Cook is a People Experience (PX) Partner at the BBC, where he focuses on building a workplace where every colleague feels valued, productive, and able to thrive. He leads the organisation’s Listening Strategy, turning colleague insight into practical improvements and measurable impact.

With a career at the intersection of people, projects, and policy, Ed brings a unique fluency in organisational dynamics. He has led diverse teams through complex change, improving HR service experiences and enabling better ways of working. Known for his strategic thinking and calm, collaborative style, Ed keeps sight of what matters most - creating the conditions for great people to do their best work, together.

Molly McMunn

BBC

People Experience Project Manager

Molly has a passion for enhancing employee experiences. Her diverse career includes roles in journalism within BBC News, as well as leading Diversity, Inclusion and Career Development initiatives putting people at the heart of everything we do. Translating complex intersectional data into tangible business outcomes, Molly's background in the charitable sector and her commitment to human rights and education enrich her approach to people experience.

11:40 - 12:10

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

From Feedback to Force: How Employee Voice Is Rewiring Engagement

Panel Discussion

How Employee Voice Is Evolving

Employee voice is no longer limited to annual surveys and town halls; it now flows continuously through digital platforms, anonymous channels, ERGs and informal networks. This panel explores how employee voice is changing in tone, tempo and influence – and what that means for leaders, HR and internal comms. Panellists will discuss how to listen in smarter, more ethical ways, how to close the loop so people see their input acted on, and how to balance open dialogue with clarity, pace and decision-making.

We’ll explore:

How employee voice is shifting from episodic feedback to always-on, multi-channel dialogue.
The role of technology, analytics and AI in surfacing themes, risks and ideas from employee voice at scale.
How to create psychologically safe conditions so a wider range of employees feel able to speak up, challenge and contribute.
Practical ways to show “you said, we did” so employee voice genuinely shapes culture, policy and experience.

Speakers:

Siobhan Heffron

Knight Frank

Associate, UK People Transformation

Siobhan Heffron is the Associate, UK People Transformation at Knight Frank, with a focus on optimising people processes and leveraging technology to enhance colleague experience and drive operational excellence. Most recently, she led the rollout of colleague listening software, taking it from survey deployment through to insight driven action. This work strengthens how colleague feedback informs priorities and shapes how the impact of people initiatives can be measured over time.

Caz Meech

Internal Communications and Employee Engagement Expert

Caz Meech a Internal Communications and Employee Engagement expert. Caz's career has spanned a range of sectors including Healthcare, Academia, Broadcast Media and IT, as well as range of roles including teaching, marketing and writing in the UK and overseas; each of these experiences has given her the ability to see the world through the eyes of a range of audiences and to communicate accordingly. Caz is passionate about the employee experience and strives to deliver something that is unique and really focuses on what people want and need.

Sanjay Mistry

ODEON Cinemas Group

European Head of Communications and Engagement

Sanjay Mistry is European Head of Communications and Engagement at ODEON Cinemas Group. A communications leader with over 20 years’ experience, he specialises in helping organisations build trust, navigate change and connect strategy, culture and communication across international markets.

In his role, Sanjay leads communications across ODEON’s European markets, working closely with senior leadership to shape organisational narrative, strengthen reputation and connect colleagues and stakeholders to the company’s strategic priorities across one of Europe’s leading cinema operators.

Sanjay has built a career helping organisations connect strategy, culture and communication at scale.

12:10 - 13:00

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

How Employee Voice Is Evolving

13:00 - 13:25

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

BDO UK Case Study: If People Don’t Trust the Comms, They Won’t Trust the Change

Interview

Trust, Transparency & Communication in the Next Era of Work

In a world of hybrid work, constant change and AI enabled communication, internal communications has moved far beyond message delivery to become a core driver of trust, clarity and employee voice.

In this interview, Nazia Nathu, Head of Internal Communications (Audit), explores what trust and transparency really look like from an internal communications perspective, and why “communicating more” is no longer the answer.

Drawing on practical experience, she will discuss how IC teams can create clarity in uncertainty, design meaningful listening, support leaders to communicate honestly, and protect trust as work continues to evolve.

This session is designed for internal communicators and engagement professionals who want to move from broadcasting messages to shaping understanding, and ensuring employee voice genuinely influences decisions in the next era of work.

Speaker:

Nazia Nathu

BDO UK

Head of Internal Communications (audit)

Nazia Nathu is Head of Internal Communications (Audit) at BDO LLP, where she leads strategic communications to support engagement, culture and audit quality across the firm. With a strong focus on clarity and purpose, Nazia partners closely with senior leaders to bring complex messages to life and ensure colleagues are informed, connected and confident through change.

13:25 - 13:50

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Engaging the TikTok Generation: How JD Sports Is Building Culture for the Gen Z Workforce

Presentation

Trust, Transparency & Communication in the Next Era of Work

What does culture look like when a large portion of your workforce is young, digitally native, and spread across continents, brands, and hundreds of stores, while also working alongside colleagues from multiple generations with different expectations, communication styles, and motivations?

Join Becca DuPont, Group Head of People Experience at JD Sports, as she shares how the company has reimagined internal communications to connect and engage a predominantly Gen Z workforce - without leaving other generations behind.

Learn how JD Sports uses modern communication strategies to build connection, strengthen transparency, and deliver messages that meet employees where they are, while turning everyday communication into a powerful driver of culture and employee experience for all.

In the session, discover:

What Gen Z employees actually expect from workplace communication.
How JD Sports uses modern, mobile comms to build culture across hundreds of stores.
Internal comms best practices to engage that engage every generation.

Speakers:

Becca DuPont

JD Sports

Group Head of People Experience

With more than a decade of experience, Becca DuPont is a dynamic, forward‑thinking communications and engagement leader known for crafting clear, compelling narratives for global, multi‑generational workforces. She specializes in turning complex ideas into messages that land with the right audiences across regions and roles at the right moments. Her expertise in executive messaging, organizational storytelling, and employee experience fuels engagement strategies that strengthen business priorities and deepen connection. Her mix of strategic insight, creativity, and operational discipline pushes teams to think bigger and deliver meaningful results, bringing a fresh, people‑centered lens to the evolving world of work.

Georgie Scott

Blink

VP Brand

Georgie Scott is a B2B marketing leader and the Marketing Director at Blink, where she focuses on employee experience, internal communications, and frontline engagement. With a background in tech, she brings deep expertise in building authentic brand strategies and driving meaningful workplace communication. Georgie also co-hosts the Blink Podcast, where she explores topics around employee engagement and culture.

13:50 - 14:20

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Trust, Transparency & Communication in the Next Era of Work

Panel Discussion

Trust, Transparency & Communication in the Next Era of Work

Hybrid models, AI, organisational change and heightened social expectations are rewriting the rules of trust at work. Employees now expect leaders to communicate with greater openness, speed and empathy, while also providing clarity on strategy, data use and the role of technology in their jobs. This panel explores how organisations are rebuilding and protecting trust through transparent, two-way communication, how they handle difficult truths without creating panic, and how internal comms, HR and leaders can work together to create cultures where people feel informed, involved and respected.

We’ll explore:

How expectations of transparency have shifted, and what “honest communication” really looks like in practice (beyond polished talking points).
The role of internal comms in sense‑making during constant change: explaining the ‘why’, not just the ‘what’, and giving space for questions and dissent.
How to maintain trust when decisions are unpopular (restructures, AI deployment, tough trade‑offs) by communicating early, clearly and consistently.
Practical habits for leaders and organisations that want to build a reputation for trustworthiness in the next era of work.

Speakers:

Sinéad Taylor

Tandem Bank

Head of Corporate Communications and Engagement

Head of Corporate Communications and Engagement for Tandem Bank, Sinéad has 20 years’ in-house marketing and communications experience across motor, travel, tech, and highly regulated financial services.

A seasoned comms leader, she specialises in corporate communications delivering strategic comms through change and transformation, reputation and crisis management, brand building, and people engagement, while driving excellence across MarComms operations.

With efforts recognised by The Sunday Times Best Places to Work for two consecutive years 2024 and 2025, and Certified™ Great Place to Work® 2025, she has led internal communications and engagement strategies to foster safe, inclusive workplaces for all.

Sinéad is focused on the evolving role of communications and how trust and transparency will shape the next era of internal comms.

Ben Parsons

LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group)

Senior Internal Communications Manager - Global Campaigns

Ben Parsons is Senior Manager, Internal Communications – Global Campaigns at LSEG. He is responsible for translating enterprise priorities into clear, actionable communications for 26,000+ colleagues globally, ensuring teams understand how their work connects to LSEG’s strategy.
His role spans major global moments including town halls and enterprise campaigns, and he works closely with LSEG’s top 100 leaders, supporting their communications through executive offsites and monthly leadership calls.

14:20 - 14:40

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Trust, Transparency & Communication in the Next Era of Work

14:40 - 15:05

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Shaping Skills for the Future of Internal Communications: In Conversation With: Laura Barbour, Head of Communication and Culture at MOO

Interview

Skills for the Internal Communications Role of the Future

The workplace is evolving at pace. The rise of AI is reshaping how we think about human capital, while next-generation talent is driving greater emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity, purpose, and belonging. At the same time, businesses are navigating external pressures, from the climate crisis to geopolitical change.

Against this backdrop, and the detachment that can come with digital and hybrid working, there are many hats for us to wear. We play a critical role in building real relationships, creating human-to-human dialogue that connects businesses with their employees.

Speaker:

Laura Barbour

MOO

Head of Communication and Culture

With over 30 years’ experience across in-house, consultancy and large-scale transformation programmes, I’ve worked across a range of sectors and now bring that experience to MOO, a brand-led business where creativity and culture go hand in hand.

I believe great cultures are created by design and powered by communication. I’m passionate about connecting people to purpose, helping them perform at their best, and building environments where our brand and values shine and where connection and belonging are felt every day.

15:05 - 15:30

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Transforming Culture Through Listening: The New Skillset for Internal Comms: In Conversation With: Shetal Joshi, Global Head of Employee Communications and Engagementat Ørsted

Interview

Skills for the Internal Communications Role of the Future

As the world of work evolves, internal communicators are moving beyond crafting messages to becoming strategic enablers of culture and connection. In this engaging interview, Shetal Joshi, Global Head of Employee Communications and Engagement at Ørsted, shares insights from over 25 years in the field on how listening frameworks and data driven insights can transform organisational culture from the inside out. Exploring the critical role of empathy, curiosity, and evidence based communication, Shetal reveals how developing these future focused skills can help communicators build trust, drive engagement, and align employees with organisational purpose.

Speaker:

Shetal Joshi

Ørsted

Global Head of Employee Communications and Engagement

Experienced Internal Communications and Engagement Leader with a history of working in the telecommunications, communications, sustainability and transportation industries.

Skilled in Crisis Communications, Business Transformation, Leadership Communications, Employee Engagement, Campaign Management Wellbeing and Employee Relations.

Strong creative, media and communications professional with 24 years of solid marketing industry experience.

Added credentials include Ambassador, Sands - The Baby Loss Charity and Certified Life Coach with the Association of Coaching.

15:30 - 16:00

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Inside the IC Role of 2030: What Will the Job Description Will Demand?

Panel Discussion

Skills for the Internal Communications Role of the Future

The internal communications role is shifting from broadcast channel manager to strategic advisor, coach and curator of employee voice. In this panel, senior practitioners will explore the skills IC professionals now need to thrive in a world of AI, data, constant change and heightened expectations of transparency. They will discuss how the role is evolving beyond copywriting and channels, towards influencing senior leaders, interpreting insight, shaping culture and building trust across diverse workforces.

We’ll explore:

The shift from “tactical messenger” to strategic business partner, and what that means for day‑to‑day IC skills.
Core future skills: data literacy, storytelling, facilitation, coaching leaders, and navigating AI and automation.
How IC can build credibility through better measurement, stakeholder management and commercial awareness.
Practical ways to upskill teams and redefine IC career paths for the next era of work.

Speakers:

Nazia Nathu

BDO UK

Head of Internal Communications (audit)

Marc Whittingham

Holland & Barrett

Head of Internal Communications & Engagement

I'm a dynamic, brave and persuasive communications, engagement and development expert, with over twenty years' experience designing and delivering award-winning communications and engagement strategies, resulting in measurable improvements to colleague engagement and business performance.

I take pride in providing trusted counsel at all levels - with my energetic and persuasive approach allowing me to quickly gain credibility and deliver results in global and fast-paced organisations during times of change, growth and crisis.

Sanjay Mistry

ODEON Cinemas Group

European Head of Communications and Engagement

16:00 - 16:05

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

That's a Wrap!

Closing Remarks

Skills for the Internal Communications Role of the Future

Speaker:

Jo Moffatt

Engage for Success

Partnerships & Strategy Director

08:55 - 09:00

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Welcome to the Future of Employee Engagement

Introduction

AI, Automation & the Workplace Interaction

Welcome back to the Engage Employee Summit 2026.

After a first day grounded in the realities organisations are navigating right now - from culture and communication to leadership and performance - day two shifts the focus to the future.

In this opening address, Jo will connect yesterday’s themes with the longer-term challenges and opportunities shaping employee engagement. From emerging trends to changing workforce expectations, today’s agenda is designed to help you think strategically and prepare your organisation for what’s next.

A moment to reset, refocus and look ahead together before we continue the conversation.

Speaker:

Jo Dodds

Chirpy Heat & Engage for Success

Director of Operations, Communication & Culture & Advisory Board Member

09:00 - 09:25

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Finding Your Happy Place at Work

Headliner

AI, Automation & the Workplace Interaction

Speaker:

Fearne Cotton

Happy Place

Mental Health Advocate, Best-Selling Author, Broadcaster, and Founder and Creator of the Happy Place Brand

09:50 - 10:20

Communication & The Connected Workplace

The New Comms Toolkit: Working Smarter with AI and Automation

Panel Discussion

AI, Automation & the Workplace Interaction

As AI and automation become part of everyday tools and workflows, they are quietly reshaping how people interact with their organisation, their leaders and each other. This panel explores how workplace interactions are changing when chatbots, copilots and automated workflows sit alongside human colleagues, and what that means for trust, inclusion and the employee experience. Panellists will discuss where AI can enhance communication and decision-making, where a human voice is non‑negotiable, and how to introduce automation in ways that feel supportive rather than scary.

We’ll explore:

How AI and automation are changing day‑to‑day interactions between employees, managers and the organisation.
Where “human in the loop” models matter most, and how to decide what should never be fully automated.
Practical ways to use AI to personalise, simplify and speed up communication without losing authenticity.
The guardrails, principles and skills needed so AI‑enabled interactions build trust, not anxiety.

Speakers:

Eduvie Martin

BAT

Group Comms and Engagement Manager

Eduvie Martin transforms how organisations communicate, inspiring leaders to engage people with clarity, humanity and purpose. She is a strategic communications leader with nearly two decades of experience improving communication for global organisations. A data-driven and outcomes-focused practitioner, she has developed measurement dashboards across regions and is passionate about how technology enables more effective, inclusive and scalable communication.

Eduvie is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and the former President of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) UK and Ireland. She continues to support the chapter as Past President and serves as Chair of the IABC Gold Quill Blue Ribbon Panel for the EMENA region. Her work has been recognised with multiple industry honours, including awards from Gallagher, Google-sponsored programmes and the International Association of Business Communicators.

After more than a decade practising communication across different cultural contexts, Eduvie later relocated to Europe to continue her career. Experiencing communication across cultures first-hand has given her a rare understanding of how identity and context shape connection at work. This insight fuels her forthcoming book, a first-of-its-kind exploration of communication through the experiences of immigrant practitioners across 12 countries.

She is also an Executive Director at Comic Republic, helping shape global storytelling, partnerships and media visibility. On stage, Eduvie speaks about strategic positioning, life beyond the nine-to-five, navigating career transitions and choosing communities that enable people to thrive. She uses storytelling and reframing to help people navigate change with confidence. Eduvie has spoken internationally across Europe, Africa and North America.

Dave Ferguson

Oak

Chief Product & Technology Officer

As Chief Product & Technology Officer at Oak Engage, Dave shapes the product strategy and vision for the fast-growing employee engagement platform. Oak empowers organisations to build happier, more productive and high-performing workplaces, putting people at the centre. With almost a decade of experience in product management, Dave is passionate about creating innovative, user-centric solutions that fuel business growth and drive exceptional customer satisfaction. His focus is on delivering products that not only meet market needs but exceed expectations, positioning Oak as a leader in the internal communications and employee engagement space.

10:20 - 10:50

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

AI, Automation & the Workplace Interaction

10:50 - 11:15

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Skyscanner Case Study: Turning Strategy Into Shared Momentum

Case Study

Supercharging Employee Experience

After a multi-year post-Covid rebuild, Skyscanner faced a new challenge: how to move from operational recovery to sustained belief, confidence and momentum. This session shares how Skyscanner evolved internal communications from message delivery to belief-building through narrative discipline, a traveller-first mentality and authentic leadership visibility. With engagement reaching record levels, this case study explores the impact achieved and the lessons learned for the next chapter.

Speaker:

Andrew Borthwick

Skyscanner

Global Head of Internal Communications

A collaborative, story-driven senior communications leader, Andrew brings more than 15 years’ experience across internal communications, corporate communications, and journalism. He is known for strengthening culture, building trust, and translating strategy into clear, engaging narratives that drive employee engagement.

He has delivered large-scale engagement programmes in both global tech and financial services, advised Executive teams through periods of significant change, and led initiatives that consistently improved employee alignment and advocacy.

With deep experience in organisational change, executive engagement and crisis communications, Andrew is skilled at uniting people behind a shared direction while creating clarity in fast-moving, complex environments.

11:15 - 11:40

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Formula E Case Study: Where to Begin? Writing an AI Adoption and Capability Roadmap: From Theory to Practice

Case Study

Supercharging Employee Experience

In the midst of AI transforming the workplace, this session breaks down how to approach the challenge that lies ahead in building people-based AI capability, against competing priorities and practical limitations. Aimed at those at the start of their journey, it will discuss what underpins AI capability in an organisation, outline an engagement approach based on Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model, and then review the early-stage practicalities of rolling this out in a business like Formula E, sharing real-world successes and challenges.

Speaker:

Ollie Brenig-Croft

Formula E

Senior Learning & Culture Manager

Ollie Brenig-Croft is the Senior Learning & Culture Manager at Formula E, where he built the company’s people development strategy from the ground up. Previously, he served six years as a Training Management Officer in the Royal Navy, working on large-scale defence training projects and providing learning and development support for Naval Service personnel when at sea and deployed on operations around the world. He holds an MSc in Occupational Psychology and is a Chartered Member of the CIPD.

11:40 - 12:10

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Supercharging Employee Experience Through Internal Communication

Panel Discussion

Supercharging Employee Experience

The employee experience is increasingly shaped by what people hear, see and feel through internal communication every day. This panel explores how internal comms can move beyond updates and campaigns to become a core engine of employee engagement – clarifying expectations, amplifying purpose and removing friction in the moments that matter. Panellists will share how they partner with HR and leaders to design communication that supports the whole employee journey, from onboarding and change to recognition and growth.

We’ll explore:

How internal comms shapes day‑to‑day employee experience, not just big campaigns or events.
Using storytelling, leadership visibility and channel design to make key moments (joiner, mover, change, recognition) more meaningful.
Working with HR, employer brand and leadership teams so communication, policies and digital touchpoints feel coherent and human.
Ways internal comms can evidence its impact on engagement, trust and performance.

Speakers:

Judy Roberts

Victoria and Albert Museum

Director of People and Change

Judy is Director of People and Change at the V&A, where she is a member of the Executive Board and leads the museum’s people strategy, including organisational development and culture change. She brings extensive HR Leadership experience from senior roles in the public and private sector including the V&A, English Heritage, Hertfordshire Police and Thomas Cook.

A Chartered CIPD professional with a BSc in Psychology, Judy is passionate about creating workplaces where people can thrive, utilising clear strategy, inclusive leadership and engagement. Across a broad career in HR, she has partnered closely with executive teams, on restructuring, culture change and major organisational design, maintaining a focus on people experience.

Adeife Onwuzulike

Euromonitor International

Global Director - Culture, Engagement & Inclusion

Nina Harrison-Bell

Groovy Gecko

Business Development Director

Nina is an award-winning digital communications leader with a long track-record in advising global organisations how to harness digital and live technology, storytelling and creative content to engage audiences that matter most. With 4+ years leading ITN's Creative Content Studio and a former broadcast journalist (including at Reuters, Channel 4 News, ITV News, Sky and Associated Press), Nina's work in building innovative and creative partnerships with global brands, public sector organisations and charities, has been instrumental in shaping communications strategies for employees and key stakeholder audiences alike (from No7, Google, Tesco and British Airways, to the NHS and the FCO). In her role at Groovy Gecko, Nina is particularly passionate about combining truly unique technology and creative execution to build connections, amplify voices and deliver meaningful impact for clients.

12:10 - 13:00

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Supercharging Employee Experience

13:00 - 13:25

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Virgin Case Study: From Cost Centre to Revenue Driver: The Employee Influencer Playbook

Case Study

The Role of Internal Communications in Workplace Culture

Virgin Group is harnessing the power of employee content creators to advocate for the products it sells to customers and directly to its people – positioning internal communications as a commercially valuable function. This session will cover the power of employee storytelling, how it can directly impact the bottom line, and how Virgin Group is now trialling the launch of new businesses and technology exclusively via its internal platform.

Speaker:

Lea Hawkins-Gaboc

Virgin

Head of Employee Communications and Engagement

Lea is responsible for the digital communications, engagement and internal product marketing for Virgin’s 60,000 people worldwide, and for strategic planning, leadership engagement and events for teams at the heart of Virgin Group.

13:25 - 13:50

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Pfp Case Study: Rooted in Community, Ready for Change: Pfp’s Drive to Thrive

Case Study

The Role of Internal Communications in Workplace Culture

PfP is the UK’s leading social enterprise, with a culture rooted in community.

In this case study, Paul will share how PfP’s approach to internal communication is a strategic enabler; how PfP’s story is being built through deeds, not words; and how the strength of the culture is the foundation of PfP’s Drive to Thrive.

Key themes:

How you communicate is as important as what you communicate
Strengthening culture through a fully aligned strategy and values
Building a brand from the inside out
Evolving the organisational story while still heading for the ‘North Star’
Culture as the underpin of strategic delivery

Speaker:

Paul Hickson

Places for People

Group Head of Internal Communication

Paul Hickson is Group Head of Internal Communication at Places for People, where he has led internal communications since June 2022 following senior roles in large UK organisations. He previously spent over five years at Warburtons as Internal Communication and Engagement Manager and Engagement Manager, focusing on colleague engagement and clear, consistent employee messaging. Before that, Paul held a series of internal communications and leadership roles at HomeServe, progressing from Communications Co‑ordinator and Internal Communications Manager to Head of Internal Communication after starting his career as a Team Manager. He holds a BA (Hons) in Marketing from the University of Central Lancashire

13:50 - 14:20

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Why Internal Communications is at the Heart of Workplace Culture

Panel Discussion

The Role of Internal Communications in Workplace Culture

Workplace culture is shaped as much by what people hear, see and experience every day as by values on a wall. This panel explores how internal communications can move beyond distributing messages to actively shaping behaviours, belonging and culture. Panellists will discuss how they partner with leaders, HR and brand to tell a coherent story, enhance workplace connections, surface employee voice and create a culture where everybody can thrive no matter whether you're in growth, change or disruption.

We’ll explore:

How internal comms translates values and strategy into everyday stories, rituals and behaviours people recognise.
Working with leaders and managers so what they say and do consistently reinforces the culture you want.
Using channels, campaigns and employee voice to celebrate “how we do things here” and challenge where culture needs to shift.
Aligning internal comms with brand and EX so the culture employees experience matches what’s promised externally.

Speakers:

Larissa Schneider-Kim

International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)

Internal Communications & Events Manager

Larissa is a multilingual communications leader with 10 years’ experience strengthening internal culture, employee engagement and organisational connection across global, mission-driven organisations.

She specialises in translating complex ideas into clear, human-centred communication and building platforms that help staff feel informed, heard and connected – wherever they are in the world.

John Townsend

UNICEF UK

Head of Internal Communications

John has a host of internal communications experience leading teams in the not-for-profit sector. He has been Head of Internal Communications at UNICEF UK for the last eight years, working to keep his colleagues informed, connected and inspired. Previously he led the internal communications function at the NSPCC, The Children’s Society and the Hilton Foundation.

John believes passionately in the power of internal communications to set the tone for an organisation’s culture, leading to better places to work and ultimately better organisational results.

Jacqueline McLeod

Imperial Brands

Global Head of Transformation Communications

"Jacqueline McLeod is a strategic internal communications leader with over 20 years’ experience helping global organisations build truly connected workplaces. She has partnered with CEOs and executive teams across brands including Dr. Martens, Kingfisher, GSK, ITV, Clifford Chance and Diageo to design communication strategies that cut through complexity, align teams and drive performance.

Jacqueline specialises in turning business strategy into clear, human storytelling that connects people across regions, functions and channels. From leading large-scale transformations to reshaping internal communications functions and creating high-impact leadership moments, her work has delivered measurable improvements in engagement, clarity and cultural alignment.

Known for her straightforward, authentic approach, Jacqueline challenges traditional corporate communications and champions simplicity, honesty and connection. In her session at the Employee Engagement Summit, she will share practical insights on how to build a truly connected organisation where communication doesn’t just inform, but drives belonging, belief and business results.

When Jacqui isn't telling stories she is busy trying to see as many countries as she can, throwing herself around the gym, eating and seeking joy with family and friends; and loves all things decluttering, home organising and interiors.

14:20 - 14:40

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

The Role of Internal Communications in Workplace Culture

15:05 - 15:30

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Play, Purpose and People: Inside Merlin Entertainments' Journey to Redefine Connection at Work

Interview

Redefining What Connected Means

As organisations navigate an era of constant change, the real test of a new vision is not whether it lands on a slide, but whether it lands with people. In this engaging interview, Harriet from Merlin Entertainments, shares how the business is bringing a refreshed purpose, "bringing every family closer through play", to life across a global, multi-site organisation.

Harriet explores how intentional moments, a Leadership Roadshow staged within the theme parks, a global "Play" town hall, and an "Us at Our Best" story series rooted in The Power of Us training — are helping to shape a more relaxed, high-performing culture from the inside out.

Speaker:

Harriet Jessey

Merlin Entertainments

Global Director of Internal Communications

I'm an experienced and trusted leader with a track record in building and inspiring incredible teams and delivering results-focused, high impact communication and engagement strategies. Specializing in internal communications and employee engagement, I've worked with iconic brands including Bacardi, HSBC, Hilton, De Beers, Amgen and Reckitt Benckiser.

15:30 - 16:00

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Beyond Channels: The Role of Internal Communications in Redefining Connection at Work

Panel Discussion

Redefining What Connected Means

In an age of hybrid work, digital overload and constant change, being “connected” is about far more than having the right tools. This panel explores how internal comms is reshaping what connection really means – helping people feel informed, aligned and part of something shared, even when they rarely share the same space. Panellists will discuss how they design communication that cuts through noise, creates genuine moments of connection and supports collaboration across teams, locations and time zones.

We’ll explore:

How internal comms defines and measures “connection” today, beyond channel reach and message views.
The role of internal comms in stitching together culture, strategy and day‑to‑day work across dispersed teams.
Practical ways to design messages, rhythms and experiences that make people feel closer to each other and the organisation.
How to balance digital, face‑to‑face and manager‑led communication so connection feels human, not just online.

Speakers:

Sue Lewis

British Red Cross

Head of People Strategy

Tor Goldfield

Oatly

Head of Global Internal Communications

Tor Goldfield is Head of Global Internal Communications at Oatly, where she leads employee communication across a growing, purpose driven organisation known for doing things differently. A curious, people first communicator, Tor is driven by what makes people tick, including how they experience work, connect with one another, and find clarity amid change. She brings a hands on, thoughtful approach to internal comms, with a background spanning content, brand and engagement, and a particular interest in communication that is human, practical and genuinely useful

16:00 - 16:05

Communication & The Connected Workplace

That's a Wrap!

Closing Remarks

Redefining What Connected Means

Speaker:

Jo Dodds

Chirpy Heat & Engage for Success

Director of Operations, Communication & Culture & Advisory Board Member

08:55 - 09:00

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Welcome to the Future of Employee Engagementy

Introduction

The Future of Talent Management

Welcome back to the Engage Employee Summit 2026.

After a first day grounded in the realities organisations are navigating right now - from culture and communication to leadership and performance - day two shifts the focus to the future.

In this opening address, Cathy will connect yesterday’s themes with the longer-term challenges and opportunities shaping employee engagement. From emerging trends to changing workforce expectations, today’s agenda is designed to help you think strategically and prepare your organisation for what’s next.

A moment to reset, refocus and look ahead together before we continue the conversation.

Speaker:

Cathy Brown

Barrow Cadbury Trust

Head of Economic Justice

Cathy (she/her) works with people and organisations to create inclusive, healthy and more productive workplaces that work for everyone.

A renowned leader, speaker and communicator, Cathy blends curiosity and empathy with deep cross-sector experience. She prides herself on helping people move out of stressful situations to create human-focused workplace cultures where compassion and connectedness – and people – are encouraged and valued.
Cathy has led organisations across a range of industries including Engage for Success (the UK’s movement for Employee Engagement), and has helped to transform many more through her work as Capability Brown, and most recently at Management Geek.
Cathy carries her personal experience of neurodivergence into the solutions she co-creates with her clients, through conversations, commitment and curiosity - helping them to manage themselves and their teams in ways that work for everyone.

09:00 - 09:25

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Finding Your Happy Place at Work

Headliner

The Future of Talent Management

Speaker:

Fearne Cotton

Happy Place

Mental Health Advocate, Best-Selling Author, Broadcaster, and Founder and Creator of the Happy Place Brand

09:50 - 10:20

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Talent Management, Rewired: Skills, Signals and Smarter Moves

Panel Discussion

The Future of Talent Management

As skills cycles shorten, AI reshapes roles and expectations shift, traditional talent management models are struggling to keep up with how work is actually changing. From the first days in role to internal moves years later, this panel explores what talent management needs to look like over the next 3–5 years, blending skills‑based planning, better onboarding, internal marketplaces and new approaches to potential, performance and mobility. Panellists will discuss how they are moving beyond static succession plans towards more dynamic, transparent systems that connect people, skills and opportunities in real time, starting with onboarding that actually sets up long‑term success.

We'll cover:

Why skills, not just roles, are becoming the organising principle for future talent strategy – from hiring and onboarding through to internal mobility.
How onboarding is evolving from a one‑off event to a critical, data‑rich phase in the wider talent journey, shaping engagement, performance and progression.
How AI, data and talent marketplaces are changing how organisations spot, deploy and develop talent over time.
Rethinking potential, performance and progression in a more fluid, project‑based and hybrid world, so talent management feels more transparent and fair for employees.

Speakers:

One Dagun

Standard Chartered

Director, Talent and Succession Management

One Dagun is a global HR Leader with over two decades of experience delivering enterprise-wide people strategy, talent transformation, and organisational effectiveness across financial services and consulting.
As Interim Global Head of Talent Management at Standard Chartered, she led the end-to-end global talent agenda, including talent identification, succession planning, and talent development. Her work focuses on building future-ready, diverse leadership pipelines aligned to long-term business priorities.
One brings deep expertise in Employee Engagement, Talent Management, Organisational Development, and Strategic HR Business Partnering. She is widely recognised for translating business strategy into impactful people solutions that drive engagement, performance, and cultural transformation across complex, multicultural environments.
She has led large-scale transformation programmes globally, partnering with business executives and leaders to deliver workforce agility and sustainable business outcomes. Notably, she led the global rollout of a Talent Marketplace across more than 50 markets, achieving over 300% growth in adoption and unlocking significant productivity through internal mobility, upskilling, and career development.
Passionate about unlocking human potential, she combines HR leadership with early career experience in finance, enabling her to connect people strategy directly to business value.
One is an award winning coach and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

Victoria Anthony

Hill Group UK

Group Human Resources Director

Victoria is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and the Institute of Recruitment Professionals, with over 25 years’ HR leadership experience across organisations including British Steel, Nissan, The Guardian, Land Securities and Galliard Homes. As Group HR Director at Hill and Chair of the HBF Women into Homebuilding programme, she champions high performance, inclusive leadership and collective industry action to attract diverse talent and address the construction sector’s skills shortage.

Hendrix Timu

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Global Head - Learning & Development, Experience Design

A results-driven learning leader specialising in building impactful learning functions from the ground up. I lead learning strategy and partner with cross-functional teams to solve complex learning challenges through human-centred approaches. Passionate about creating strong and meaningful transformation, I collaborate with diverse teams to unlock growth, elevate performance, and deliver lasting results.

10:20 - 10:50

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

The Future of Talent Management

10:50 - 11:15

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

What Organisations Get Wrong About Talent and How to Fix It: In Conversation With Becs Baker, Global Head of Talent & HR at JDO Global

Interview

Employer Brand, Reputation & Workforce Advocacy

Creative businesses are full of brilliant, complex people. But traditional approaches to talent don’t always work.

In this session, Becs Baker, Global Head of Talent and HR at JDO, shares what she’s learned from over 20 years in agency environments, working closely with creative leaders and supporting creative teams.

Drawing on real experience, she explores where organisations often get talent wrong in creative businesses – from leadership and progression to performance and culture – and what actually makes a difference.

This is a practical, honest look at how to build environments where creative people can do their best work… and stay.

Speaker:

Becs Baker

JDO Global

Global Head of Talent & HR

Becs Baker is JDO’s Global Head of Talent and HR, responsible for attracting, developing and retaining the people who shape the business.

With over 20 years’ experience in agency environments, spanning recruitment, studio management and client leadership, Becs brings a deep understanding of how creative businesses and their people operate. She has spent the past decade specialising in Talent and HR within world-class branding and design agencies, combining people expertise with strong commercial awareness.

At JDO, Becs leads the end-to-end people experience across four studios in three countries, strengthening management capability, supporting progression and building a culture where people can do their best work. She believes culture is not an add-on; it enables better thinking, supports growth and inspires lasting belief across the business.

11:15 - 11:40

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Surveys Won’t Save Engagement in the Age of AI. This Will

Presentation

Employer Brand, Reputation & Workforce Advocacy

As work accelerates under AI, engagement drops not because people stop caring, but because clarity disappears.

Most organisations still treat engagement as something to measure after the fact through surveys and programmes. Those tools capture sentiment, but they don’t shape the everyday experience of work. When goals shift, feedback slows, and progress becomes unclear, engagement erodes long before it shows up in scores.

This keynote reframes engagement as an outcome of how work is designed and experienced every day. It explores why traditional engagement approaches struggle to keep pace with AIdriven change, and how organisations build commitment by giving people direction, feedback, and a sense of progress in the flow of work.

This session shows how AI helps HR move from snapshots of engagement to forwardlooking signals that support belonging, performance, and growth.

Speaker:

Andrew Roberts

Zensai

Chief Product Officer

Andrew Roberts is Chief Product Officer at Zensai, where he leads the evolution of the Human Success Platform in an AIdriven world. His focus is on redesigning how HR technology supports judgement, clarity, and accountability as automation takes over routine work. Andrew works closely with customers and partners to ensure AI augments human decisionmaking rather than replacing it, helping HR leaders move beyond efficiency toward real strategic impact.

11:40 - 12:10

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Beyond Logos and Taglines: Turning Employer Brand into Advocacy

Panel Discussion

Employer Brand, Reputation & Workforce Advocacy

This panel explores how senior leaders are treating employer brand as a strategic asset, connecting what the organisation promises, how it behaves and what people experience on the inside. Panellists will discuss how they are aligning corporate and employer brand, activating advocacy in an authentic way (not scripted campaigns), and responding when public narratives and internal sentiment clash. You will hear practical examples of how organisations are using insight, storytelling and employee voice to build a credible reputation with candidates, colleagues and wider stakeholders.

We'll cover:

How employer brand, corporate reputation and employee experience now reinforce – or undermine – each other.
Turning employees into advocates in ways that feel authentic, inclusive and safe, not forced or performative.
Using insight and employee voice to keep employer branding honest and up to date with how work actually feels.
What leaders do when the external story and internal reality diverge – and how they rebuild credibility and trust.

Speakers:

Leigh Argent

Vision Express

Head of Talent Development

I’m an experienced HR leader and qualified coach with a passion for helping people and organisations grow. With more than 20 years in Learning and Development across the finance and service sectors, I’ve led teams, built capability strategies, and shaped environments where colleagues can thrive and deliver their best work.

Over the past four years at Vision Express, I’ve expanded my focus into Talent Development — designing and delivering programmes that strengthen leadership, accelerate early‑career pathways, build future capability, and support long‑term succession. It’s a space that allows me to bring together everything I love: people, potential, and purposeful organisational development.

More recently, I’ve channelled my experience into culture change and inclusion, helping create workplaces where people feel valued, connected, and empowered to grow. I’m energised by work that blends behavioural insight, strategic thinking, and human connection.

I believe great cultures don’t happen by accident; they’re built intentionally through curiosity, empathy, and collective leadership.

Lindsay Comalie

Certitude

Director of People & OD

I'm a People and Change Leader with deep expertise across the full spectrum of organisational design, development and strategic HR; I bring a results-oriented, evidence-based approach to enabling transformational change, shaping inclusive cultures and driving sustainable performance.

My work spans evolving and embedding operating models, workforce and succession planning, leadership and talent strategy and employee experience. Whether it's leading change or implementing organisational strategy, I want to focus on what really matters - creating meaningful impact.

As a Certified Business Psychologist (ABP) and a member of the BPS Division of Coaching Psychology, I draw on a strong foundation in behavioural science to inform strategy and practice. I am a Senior Practitioner Coach with the EMCC and an experienced Coaching supervisor, lead organisational coaching initiatives and actively engaged in the OD Network with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Let’s connect – especially if you’re passionate about evolving high performing organisations.

12:10 - 13:00

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Employer Brand, Reputation & Workforce Advocacy

13:00 - 13:25

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

British Heart Foundation Case Study: From Insight to Action: Building Future Workforce Capability

Case Study

Talent Intelligence, Forecasting & Workforce Capability

This session explores how the British Heart Foundation is using talent intelligence and workforce forecasting to build future ready capability through its Future Fit ambition. Paul Rutzler will share the BHF’s ongoing journey from traditional, role based planning and architecture to a skills led approach. This includes combining workforce data, external insight, and structured leadership conversations to identify future skills needs and capability risks. The case study shows how analytics are translated into clear workforce choices – informing decisions on hiring, development, and role design – and looks ahead to how the BHF plans to embed skills into the flow of work to ensure the right people, skills, and capacity are in place to deliver its life saving mission.

Speaker:

Paul Rutzler

British Heart Foundation

Human Resources Director

Paul Rutzler is the HR Director at the British Heart Foundation, where he leads the charity's HR agenda across 4,500 employees and 18,000 volunteers. With over a decade of senior HR experience spanning consulting, financial services and large scale transformation, Paul is known for shaping modern HR operating models, strengthening organisational culture, and driving evidence based people strategies.
Prior to the BHF, Paul held senior roles at Deloitte, Nationwide, and Lloyds Banking Group, partnering with executive teams to deliver impactful change across complex environments. He brings a practical, people centred approach grounded in integrity, clarity, and a strong belief in the strategic value of HR.

13:25- 13:50

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Content to Capability: Why More Training Isn’t Making People Better

Presentation

Talent Intelligence, Forecasting & Workforce Capability

AI has made it easy to create training content at scale. We can generate courses, videos, and entire learning libraries faster than ever. But when it comes to actual performance, not much has changed.

Because content consumption doesn’t build skill.

Watching a video or completing a course doesn’t prepare someone to handle a tough conversation or apply what they know when things get messy. That kind of capability comes from practice, feedback, and iteration—the parts most training still skips.

In this session, we’ll look at what it takes to move beyond content-heavy enablement and start designing for real skill-building. We’ll discuss a practical approach to creating learning experiences that focus on application, not just consumption—and how AI can help scale that through interactive, feedback-rich practice.

You’ll leave with a clear shift: how to go from producing more content to actually helping people get better at their jobs.

Speaker:

Kristen Budd

Synthesia

Instructional Designer

Kristen Budd is an instructional designer at Synthesia, where she works on building AI-powered learning that focus on real skill development—not just content delivery. With over a decade of experience in workforce development, research, and instructional design, she specializes in applying cognitive science to create practical, scalable learning that improves performance on the job. At Synthesia, she explores how interactive video and AI can move learning beyond consumption toward practice, feedback, and capability-building at scale.

13:50 - 14:20

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

A "Can-Do" Confident Mindset: Equipping Talent to Perform

Panel Discussion

Talent Intelligence, Forecasting & Workforce Capability

As change accelerates, the critical question is no longer just “Do we have the right people?” but “Are we equipping our people with the capabilities and confidence they need to thrive?” This panel brings together senior HR and talent leaders to explore how they are using intelligence and insight not only to plan future skills, but to design learning, experiences and support that help people step into new expectations with confidence. Panellists will discuss how they identify priority capabilities, build them at scale, and create cultures where trying new things, using AI and navigating ambiguity feel safe and supported rather than threatening. You will hear practical examples of how they are combining data, listening and human‑centred design to turn workforce plans into real capability and confidence on the ground.

We'll cover:

How talent leaders are pinpointing the capabilities people will need next – from digital and AI fluency to adaptability, collaboration and influence.
Practical ways to build those capabilities through learning, stretch roles, coaching and peer support, not just formal programmes.
Helping people feel confident using new tools and ways of working, including AI, without overwhelming or alienating them.
Creating a culture where experimentation, feedback and growth feel safe – so capability building actually sticks.

Speakers:

Anaïs Nebel

Engage Employee

Advisory Board Member

Anaïs Nebel is a Business Strategist, International Speaker, and Founder of The Confidence Agency, redefining confidence as a core pillar of high-performing cultures.

With a background in workplace culture and engagement at global brands such as The Body Shop and Estée Lauder Companies, she helps organisations embed confidence as a strategic lever for connection, engagement and productivity. She also sits on the Advisory Board for Engage Employee, championing confidence as the missing link in organisational performance.

My website: https://www.theconfidenceagency.co.uk

Rebecca Marks

Commonwealth Sport

Head of People

14:20 - 14:40

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

Talent Intelligence, Forecasting & Workforce Capability

14:40 - 15:05

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Case Study: Reinventing Talent at Scale: CCEP’s People First Digital Talent Transformation

Case Study

The Evolution of Talent & Retention

Join Suzy Jearum as she shares how CCEP is reinventing talent at scale through a bold, people first digital transformation. Discover how the company moved from fragmented data and manual processes to a unified, AI powered ecosystem that empowers every employee to grow, develop, and navigate their careers. You’ll hear what it really takes to deliver digital talent transformation across 30,000+ people—balancing technology with user centred design, local change leadership, and continuous listening—plus practical lessons, surprising challenges, and the measurable impact achieved along the way. This session offers an honest, energising look at how CCEP is building a skills first future and what’s coming next on the journey.

Speaker:

Suzy Jearum

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

Global Digital Employee Experience Lead - Talent Management

15:05 - 15:30

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Mayflower Case Study: Play to Stay: Game-Based Onboarding New Hires Actually Remember – And How Any HR Team Can Build It

Case Study

The Evolution of Talent & Retention

Most onboarding programmes are built around information transfer. New hires receive the slides, sign the documents, sit through the sessions – and forget most of it within a week.
But what if onboarding felt like something worth finishing? Something people talked about on their first day, not just survived?

This session shares how Mayflower built two game-based onboarding courses using real AI tools – where new hires choose a character, explore the company through quests, and arrive already feeling part of the team.

Alisa will walk you through the approach, the tools, and the thinking behind it – and show how any HR team can build something genuinely immersive, without a game studio, a big budget, or a technical team. You'll leave with a practical framework and prompts you can use from day one.

Speaker:

Alisa Kozorez

Mayflower

People Experience Professional

Alisa Kozorez is a People Experience Professional at Mayflower, with degrees in management and pedagogy and over ten years designing learning experiences across schools, NGOs and corporate teams.

She started her career teaching children in rural classrooms, moved through large-scale regional education programmes and international projects, and eventually brought that same curiosity about how people grow into the world of HR.

At Mayflower, that journey led her to reimagine onboarding entirely – building game-based experiences where new hires don't just receive information, but arrive feeling connected, curious and ready to contribute from day one.

15:30 - 16:00

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Why People Stay: Rethinking Talent, Work and Commitment

Panel Discussion

The Evolution of Talent & Retention

Talent and retention strategies that worked even a few years ago are straining under new expectations about flexibility, purpose, AI and career paths. This panel explores how senior HR and talent leaders are rethinking the “deal” with employees – from how they attract and grow people to how they design work, managers’ roles and progression so staying feels like the best option. Panellists will share how their approaches to career paths, internal moves, performance, recognition and listening have evolved, and what they are learning about keeping different generations and segments engaged over time. Expect honest reflections on what they have stopped doing, what they are doubling down on, and how they are balancing organisational needs with what talent now expects.

We'll cover:

How expectations of work, careers and flexibility are reshaping talent and retention strategies.
The shift from linear career ladders to more fluid paths, internal mobility and skills‑based moves.
The evolving role of managers, recognition and wellbeing in whether people choose to stay.
What forward‑looking organisations are experimenting with now to keep critical talent over the next 3–5 years.

Speakers:

Caroline Jellyman

Battersea

Head of Learning and Organisational Development

Caroline Jellyman is Head of Learning & Organisational Development at Battersea, where she leads the organisation’s approach to culture, capability and workforce development, helping shape a people‑experience that supports both organisational ambition and human‑centred growth.

She joined Battersea in 2021 and has held senior OD and learning leadership roles across the organisation, working closely with leaders and teams to evolve ways of working, build future skills and strengthen organisational culture through periods of change. Before joining Battersea, Caroline held senior people, learning and organisational development roles across the charity, technology and commercial sectors, bringing a blend of strategic insight and practical, people‑first leadership.

Caroline is particularly passionate about how organisations anticipate and adapt to shifting workforce needs – from evolving skills and digital capability to changing employee expectations. Her work is grounded in curiosity, compassion and a belief that people strategies work best when built around the real experiences, motivations and voices of employees.

Megan Yawor

Knight Frank

Head of Talent Management & Development

Megan Yawor is the Head of Talent Systems & Experience at Knight Frank, where she leads the design and delivery of end‑to‑end talent experiences that help people develop, grow, and perform at work. With a background in learning and development, talent systems, performance, and employee experience, she brings a practical, people‑first approach to shaping how talent practices work in reality. Her work spans career development, performance frameworks, and learning strategy, with a particular focus on clarity, consistency, and ensuring that people processes translate into meaningful behavior at work. Megan is especially interested in how organizations move beyond well‑intentioned design to create simple, inclusive talent experiences that genuinely change the way people work.

16:00 - 16:05

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

That's a Wrap!

Closing Remarks

The Evolution of Talent & Retention

Speaker:

Cathy Brown

Barrow Cadbury Trust

Head of Economic Justice

Cathy (she/her) works with people and organisations to create inclusive, healthy and more productive workplaces that work for everyone.

10:50 - 11:50

Focus Groups

Turning Communication into Impact: Elevating the Employee Experience

Roundtable

This roundtable explores how organizations can move beyond simply delivering messages to driving measurable impact through more strategic, data-driven communications. Drawing on Poppulo’s approach to internal communications and employee experience, we’ll discuss practical ways to better target, personalise, and measure communications to drive engagement, strengthen connection, and support business outcomes.

Speaker:

10:50 - 11:50

Focus Groups

Understanding Your Workplace Personas - How to See Their World, Understand Their Day, and Communicate in Ways That Truly Land

Roundtable

You send the message. You pick the channel. You craft the words carefully. But does it actually land?

The truth is, most internal communication is built for an imaginary "average employee" who doesn't exist. Your people are nurses on night shifts, engineers in the field, managers drowning in meetings, new starters still finding their feet — and they all experience your organisation in completely different ways.

In this roundtable, we'll dig into persona mapping: a practical approach to understanding who your people really are, what their day actually looks like, and how to communicate in ways that cut through the noise and genuinely connect.

Expect an honest, collaborative conversation about what works, what doesn't, and how to stop guessing and start designing communication around the real lives of your workforce.

Speaker:

Rosie Barrett

Workvivo by Zoom

Communications and Engagement Consultant

Rosie Barrett is an Internal Communications and Engagement Consultant at Workvivo by Zoom, where she focuses on helping organisations strengthen their culture and connect employees through purposeful communication and engagement strategies. With expertise in internal communications, Rosie partners with clients to maximise the value of the Workvivo employee experience platform—bringing people together, enhancing connection, and inspiring engagement across distributed teams. She is known for her ability to create moments and systems that help employees feel seen, heard, and aligned with organisational culture.

10:50 - 11:50

Focus Groups

Getting Leaders In - And Keeping Them There: How Personalised Communication Drives Real Adoption From the Top Down

Roundtable

This roundtable explores one of the toughest challenges in internal communications: not just securing leadership buy-in, but driving consistent, meaningful engagement from leaders themselves. The session focuses on how personalised, role-relevant communication can transform internal platforms from passive channels into tools leaders actively use - shifting adoption from the top down.

Through peer discussion, attendees will unpack common barriers to leadership engagement, explore how tailored experiences (such as role-specific content and dashboards) can create real value for leaders, and examine how this behaviour cascades across organisations. The conversation also touches on how to measure success, moving beyond outputs to understand real impact on engagement, productivity, and retention.

Ultimately, the session highlights a key insight: adoption doesn’t come from sending more communications, but from making them relevant enough that leaders choose to show up - and when they do, the rest of the organisation follows.

Speaker:

Neil Jenkins

Iron Mountain

Senior Director, Corporate Communications

Neil Jenkins is Senior Director of Corporate Communications at Iron Mountain, where he leads executive communications, corporate PR and media relations, and internal communications for 29,000 employees across 61 countries. An award-winning communications leader with over two decades of experience, Neil has held senior roles at some of the world's most recognised organisations, including BT, Coca-Cola European Partners, Vodafone and Siemens. Throughout his career he has been a trusted partner to C-suite leaders, building and leading high-performing international teams focused on business transformation, employee engagement and corporate reputation.

No results for current selection

Wednesday 20 May 2026

Main Stage

Welcome to 2026 Engage Employee Summit

08:55 - 09:00

The Talent Agenda and the Trust Imperative: Why the Workplace Matters More Than Ever

09:00 - 09:25

Building Brands from the Inside Out — How Aviva and Royal Mail Use Storytelling to Drive Employee Engagement

09:25 - 09:50

Building a Workforce Ready for What’s Next

09:50 - 10:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

10:20 - 11:00

From Insight to Impact: How Lloyds Banking Group Is Transforming Engagement With AI: In Conversation with Stuart Martin, Human Resources Director: Business & Commercial Banking, Lloyds Banking Group

11:00 - 11:25

The Myteva Journey – Continually Advancing to a Smarter, Connected, Ai‑Ready Experience

11:25 - 11:50

Beyond the Town Hall – Building Real Connection Across Dispersed Workforces

11:50 - 12:20

Audience Debate: Should Leaders Prioritise Trust Over Control?

12:20 - 12:40

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

12:40 - 14:00

Beyond Policy: How Culture Really Shows up for Women: In Conversation with: Carly Stanley, Chief People Officer at JCDecaux

14:00 - 14:25

The Future of Frontline Communication Is Manager-Enabled, Not Manager-Dependent

14:25 - 14:50

Performance Without Burnout: Building Sustainable, Human-Centred Leadership

14:50 - 15:20

Leading with Purpose: Culture, Inclusion and the Role of Modern Leadership — In Conversation with: Joyce Idoniboye, Chief People Officer, Oxfam

15:20- 15:45

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

15:45 - 16:05

Clarity Environmental Case Study: Award Winning Secrets for Creating a Great Place to Work

16:05 - 16:30

Building a Culture That Delivers: From Intent to Impact

16:30 - 16:55

Closing Remarks

16:55 - 17:00

Summit After-Party at The Engage Inn

17:00

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Welcome to 2026 Engage Employee Summit

08:55 - 09:00

When Work Works: How Family‑Friendly Culture Drives Engagement, Retention and Performance

09:00 - 09:25

Engagement vs.performance Is a False Choice: Connect the Dots to Drive Impact

09:25 - 09:50

Living Your Values & Turning Employee Voice into Everyday Culture

09:50 - 10:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

10:20 - 11:00

HM Revenue & Customs Case Study: Making Employee Experience ‘How We Do Things Here'

11:00 - 11:25

The Motivation Myth: What Leaders Still Get Wrong About Culture, Trust & Engagement

11:25 - 11:50

Using Data to Drive Culture & Leadership

11:50 - 12:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

12:20 - 13:40

Erste Bank Poland Case Study: Total Experience - When Employee Experience Drives Customer Satisfaction

13:40 - 14:00

Culture, Confidence & Change in HR: In Conversation with Maxine Granville, Head of HR UK & Ireland at KIKO MILANO

14:00 - 14:25

The 2026 AI Talent Map: High-Velocity Sourcing Beyond the M25

14:25 - 14:50

From Turbulence to Traction: HR Leadership in Times of Change

14:50 - 15:20

Don’t Let Workforce Transformation Outpace your Employee Experience

15:20 - 15:45

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

15:45 - 16:05

Diversity is About Impact Not Lanyards

16:05 - 16:30

Culture Powered by Everyday Behaviour

16:30 - 16:55

Closing Remarks

17:00

Summit After-Party

17:00

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Welcome to 2026 Engage Employee Summit

08:55 - 09:00

Work With the Brain, Not Against It

09:00 - 09:25

Neurodivergence and High Performance: At What Cost?

09:25 - 09:50

Beyond Burnout – Rethinking Resilience and Balance

09:50 - 10:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

10:20 - 11:00

Designing Cultures for Every Mind: Aviva’s Neuroinclusion Journey: In Conversation with Ori Chandler, Group Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Aviva

11:00 - 11:25

Why Smart, Successful People Still Feel Broke

11:25 - 11:50

Women’s Health in the Workplace – From Taboo Topic to Business Imperative

11:50 - 12:20

Audience Debate: Are Employees Asking for Too Much?

12:20 - 12:40

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

12:40 - 14:00

How WHSmith Is Using Inclusion and Engagement to Navigate Accountability, Change and Culture

14:00 - 14:25

Driving Employee Engagement: Turning Inclusion into Inspired Action

14:25 - 14:50

From Words to Reality: Making Equity and Lived Experience Count at Work

14:50 - 15:20

The Underutilised 20%: Neurodivergent Talent and the Inclusion ROI

15:20 - 15:45

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

15:45 - 16:05

Entain Group Case Study: Wellbeing, Inclusion and Return on Value

16:05 - 16:30

Proving the Impact of Wellbeing and Inclusion

16:30 - 16:55

Closing Remarks

17:00

Summit After-Party

17:00

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Welcome to 2026 Engage Employee Summit

08:55 - 09:00

It’s Not Just What We Offer, It’s What It Signals: Why Recognition Is Vital to Meaningful Employee Engagement

09:00 - 09:25

BDO UK LLP Case Study: Embracing the Power of Thank You - Empowering Everyone to Recognise Anyone

09:25 - 09:50

Beyond Kudus: Why Appreciation as a Cultural Foundation is the Catalyst for Engagement

09:50 - 10:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

10:20 - 11:00

KeolisAmey Metrolink Case Study: Nice One: How Authentic Appreciation Powers a 24/7 Workforce at KeolisAmey Metrolink

11:00 - 11:25

Your Recognition Strategy Isn’t Working (And Deep Down, You Know It)

11:25 - 11:50

What Really Drives People to Go the Extra Mile?

11:50 - 12:20

Audience Debate: Do Employees Even Want This?

12:20 - 12:40

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

12:40 - 14:00

Beyond Pay & Perks - Wellbeing and the Whole Person Offer: In Conversation With: Deb Jones, L&D Partner and Wellbeing & Engagement Lead at National Deaf Children's Society

14:00 - 14:25

Why More Recognition Isn’t the Answer: Interpreting Data to Improve Culture

14:25 - 14:50

Beyond the Payslip: Financial Wellbeing and the Whole‑Person Deal

14:50 - 15:20

The Motivation Machine: Designing Recognition Programmes For Maximum Impact

15:20 - 15:45

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

15:45 - 16:05

From Numbers to Moments: How British Airways Bring Total Reward and Recognition to Life: In Conversation With Josephina Smith, Director of Reward at British Airways

16:05 - 16:30

Doing More With Less: The Key to Enhanced Benefits with Smarter Spend

16:30- 17:00

Closing Remarks

17:00

Summit After-Party

17:00

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Welcome to 2026 Engage Employee Summit

08:55 - 09:00

Research Reveal: The Reality Gap: What the IC Index 2026 Reveals About Communication Today

09:00 - 09:25

The Human Behind the Brand: Authenticity and the Skills Shaping the Future of Comms in an age of AI: In Conversation With Sam Bleazard, Employer Branding Lead at Fortnum & Mason

09:25 - 09:50

Communicating Through Constant Change: From Noise to Meaning

09:50 - 10:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

10:20 - 11:00

ACAMS Case Study: Employee Voice in Practice: From Listening to Action at ACAMS

11:00 - 11:25

The Visibility Gap: What the Data Says About the State of Internal Communications

11:25 - 11:50

Beyond the Survey: Turning Employee Voice into Actions

11:50 - 12:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

12:20 - 13:40

Audience Debate: Is AI Ruining Internal Comms?

13:40 - 14:00

You Probably Shouldn’t Bother Coming Along to This One

14:00 - 14:25

How To Turn Your Listening Strategy Into A Two-Way Conversation.

14:25 - 14:50

From Inbox to Impact: Comms That Actually Land

14:50 - 15:20

From Slop to Intelligent Workflows: Unlocking the Next Phase of Workplace AI

15:20 - 15:45

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

15:45 - 16:05

Visa Case Study: Stop Explaining Engagement. Start Designing It

16:05 - 16:30

Proof Over Perception: Cracking the ROI of Internal Comms

16:30- 17:00

Closing Remarks

17:00

Summit After-Party

17:00

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Welcome to 2026 Engage Employee Summit

08:55 - 09:00

The Future of Internal Communication - How Internal Communicators Can Help Organisations Perform in a Changing World

09:00 - 09:25

In the Driver’s Seat: How ZIGUP Successfully Communicated Through Change and Increased Employee Confidence

09:25 - 09:50

The Digital Workplace Experience – How Internal Comms Creates Connections

09:50 - 10:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

10:20 - 11:00

EasyJet Case Study: Building Trust With Frontline Through Better Listening

11:00 - 11:25

AI Overload: Why (and How) IC and HR Can Take Control Together

11:25 - 11:50

Beyond Head Office: Rethinking Communication for Frontline & Dispersed Workers

11:50 - 12:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

12:20 - 13:40

Audience Debate: Connected or Divided: Are We Losing Trust at Work?

13:40 - 14:00

National Crime Agency Case Study: Behind the Scenes at the National Crime Agency’s Officer and Family Days

14:00 - 14:25

The Intranet Homepage Strikes Back: Why the Homepage Still Matters in an Ai-Driven Workplace

14:25 - 14:50

Time‑Poor, Connection‑Rich: Rethinking Communication in Busy & Distributed Workplaces

14:50 - 15:20

The Employee Attention Recession: When Attention Is the Scarcest Resource in the Room

15:20 - 15:45

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

15:45 - 16:05

ASOS Case Study: Intentional Storytelling: Driving Connection and Shaping Behaviour

16:05 - 16:30

From Notifications to Engagement: Using storytelling to Support Change, Culture and Leadership Visibility

16:30 - 17:00

Closing Remarks

17:00

Summit After-Party

17:00

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Welcome to 2026 Engage Employee Summit

08:55 - 09:00

Building an AI-Ready Workforce: How to Turn Anxiety into Adoption

09:00 - 09:25

Talent, Truth & the Bottom Line (Why most talent strategies fail)

09:25 - 09:50

From Headcount to Skill Sets: Rethinking Hiring, Roles and Career Paths in an AI-Driven World

09:50 - 10:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

10:20 - 11:00

From Friction to Fuel: Making Multigenerational Teams Thrive: In Conversation With Monika Holliday, Head of People at British Airways Euroflyer

11:00 - 11:25

Built to Last: Creating a Hiring System That Performs and Evolves

11:25 - 11:50

Growing from Within: Upskilling & Developing Future Leaders

11:50 - 12:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

12:20 - 13:40

Audience Debate: The Say–Do Gap: How Big Is Yours?

13:40 - 14:00

Philip Morris International Case Study: Future-Proofing Organisational Capability by Turbocharging Internal Talent

14:00 - 14:25

From 13 Weeks to 4 Days: How Darlington Building Society is transforming background Checking for the Modern Era

14:25 - 14:50

Recruitment, Employer Brand and the New Trust Contract

14:50 - 15:20

Trust Me: I’m a Manager How Connection Rebuilds Trust, Confidence and Your Manager Pipeline

15:20 - 15:45

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

15:45 - 16:05

The Human Advantage: Retention, Resilience and Real Leadership at Total Fitness: In Conversation With Andrea Cook, Head of People at Total Fitness

16:05 - 16:30

Staying Power Under Pressure: Support That Keeps Your Best People

16:30 - 16:55

Closing Remarks

17:00

Summit After-Party

17:00

Focus Groups

From Broadcast to Belonging: Personalising the Employee Experience

11:00 - 12:00

AI Built for Outcomes, Not Hype

14:00 - 15:00

The Comms Confessional: Breaking the Myths (And Bad Habits) in Employee Engagement

14:00 - 15:00

Thursday 21 May 2026

Main Stage

Welcome to the Future of Employee Engagement

08:55 - 09:00

Finding Your Happy Place at Work

09:00 - 09:25

Building a Diverse Talent Pipeline During High Growth: In Conversation with Matt Hudson, Chief People Officer at Popeyes Louisana Chicken

09:25 - 09:50

AI-Redesigned Work: What Must Change - and What Must Not?

09:50 - 10:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

10:20 - 10:50

The Uncertainty Era: The Leaders We Need When Everything Is Changing

10:50 - 11:15

Creating Opportunities Through Hidden Talent: In Conversation with Neil Morrison, Group HR and Communications Director at Severn Trent

11:15 - 11:40

Shaping the Workforce of the Future: Skills, Structure and Strategy

11:40 - 12:10

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

12:10 - 13:00

Firstbus Case Study: Justifying the Value of Employee Engagement & Stakeholder Engagement

13:00 - 13:25

ofi Case Study: Career Ownership at Scale: The Growth Accelerator You’re Overlooking

13:25 - 13:50

From Support Function to Growth Engine: How People Strategy Drives Business Performance

13:50 - 14:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

14:20 - 14:40

Nestlé Case Study: HR Role Modelling in Building Digital Capability

14:40 - 15:05

Scaling Belonging: The Power of Story and Scrappy Solutions in a Hybrid World: In Conversation with: Miriam Warren, Chief Culture Officer at Yelp

15:05 - 15:30

The Future of People Strategy in Building Capability, Influence and Impact

15:30 - 16:00

That's a Wrap!

16:00 - 16:05

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership

Welcome to the Future of Employee Engagement

08:55 - 09:00

Finding Your Happy Place at Work

09:00 - 09:25

Creating EPIC Experiences at Scale: Lessons from a £1.3bn Transformation

09:25 - 09:50

Leading with Confidence in an AI‑Driven World

09:50 - 10:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

10:20 - 10:50

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Case Study: The Ecosystem of Culture - Why Culture Only Shifts When HR Operates as One System

10:50 - 11:15

Employee Engagement: Who Cares?

11:15 - 11:40

Keeping Culture Coherent in a Distributed Organisation

11:40 - 12:10

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

12:10 - 13:00

The Invisible Engine of Heathrow: People, Culture and Experience: In Conversation with Anuj Bhardwaj, Head of Extraordinary Place to Work at Heathrow

13:00 - 13:25

Avalere Health Case Study: Culture: Infrastructure, Not Atmosphere

13:25 - 13:50

From Processes to Priorities – Evolving People Ops into Strategic Workforce Leadership

13:50 - 14:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

14:20 - 14:40

WAST Case Study: Reducing Avoidable Harm in Disciplinary Investigations

14:40 - 15:05

From People Leader to Business Leader: The Evolution of the Chief People Officer: In Conversation with Linsday Jones, Chief People Officer at Delta Capital

15:05 - 15:30

The Changing Identity of HR, People Leadership and Culture

15:30 - 16:00

That's a Wrap!

16:00 - 16:05

Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion

Welcome to the Future of Employee Engagement

08:55 - 09:00

Finding Your Happy Place at Work

09:00 - 09:25

Why AI is Making Teams Lonelier & The Battle for Cognitive Agency

09:25 - 09:50

How Technology & AI Will Redefine Workplace Wellbeing

09:50 - 10:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

10:20 - 10:50

giffgaff Case Study: The Disruption Pivot: Evolving DEI Beyond Survival Mode

10:50 - 11:15

Building Cultures People Can Trust: Psychological Safety, Equity and Inclusion in Practice

11:40 - 12:10

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

12:10 - 13:00

Bupa Dental Care UK Case Study: Building Confidence With Complex Wellbeing Conversations

13:00 - 13:25

How the NHS Is Improving the Wellbeing of 1.5m Staff, Who Care for the English Population: In Conversation with Shriti Pattani, National Occupational Health and Wellbeing Clinical Expert at the NHS

13:25 - 13:50

What Comes After Perks? How Leaders Are Redesigning Employer Wellbeing

13:50 - 14:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

14:20 - 14:40

Jaguar Land Rover Case Study: Inclusion for All: Embedding Belonging Into the Everyday Employee Experience

14:40 - 15:05

Samworth Brothers Case Study: Turning Human-Centred Thinking into High Performance

15:05 - 15:30

Making the Case - Proving the Social Impact of Wellbeing and Inclusion

15:30 - 16:00

That's a Wrap!

16:00 - 16:05

Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits

Welcome to the Future of Employee Engagement

08:55 - 09:00

Finding Your Happy Place at Work

09:00 - 09:25

Pay Transparency, AI and Personalisation in Total Rewards: What Do Employees Really Want? In Conversation with Busola Farinmade, Director Total Rewards at Equinix

09:25 - 09:50

Tech, Data and the Human Touch: The Future of Reward, Recognition and Benefits

09:50 - 10:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

10:20 - 10:50

Bringing Our Global Benefits Strategy to Life: In Conversation With: Jonathan Clarey, Global Benefits Leader & Fabio Mazetti, Global Benefits Sr Manager, Health & Wellbeing at Philip Morris International

10:50 - 11:15

From Human Intelligence to Business Intelligence - How HR Turns Human Moments into Board-Level Insight

11:15 - 11:40

One Size Doesn't Fit All - Why Personalisation is Key In Reward & Future Benefits

11:40 - 12:10

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

12:10 - 13:00

The Future Is Transparent: Navigating Pay Transparency in a Changing Rewards Landscape: In Conversation With: Dan Fletcher, Director - Reward Advisory at Aon

13:00 - 13:25

From 'Nice-to-Have' to 'Must-Have': Redefining the Reward and Value Exchange at Work

13:50 - 14:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

14:20 - 14:40

Values in Action: Inside Resillion's Global Recognition Programme: In Conversation With: Maureen Chambers, Head of Internal Communications & Engagement at Resillion

14:40 - 15:05

From Firefighting to Future‑Proofing – The Trends Leaders Can’t Ignore

15:30 - 16:00

That's a Wrap!

16:00 - 16:05

Internal Communications & Employee Voice

Welcome to the Future of Employee Engagement

08:55 - 09:00

Finding Your Happy Place at Work

09:00 - 09:25

Alzheimer’s Society Case Study: Internal Communications and Engagement in the AI age

09:25 - 09:50

Keeping the Human Voice in an Automated World

09:50 - 10:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

10:20 - 10:50

BBC Case Study: Learning to Listen: What the Radio Revolution of the 1920s Can Teach Us About Being Better Listeners Today

10:50 - 11:15

From Feedback to Force: How Employee Voice Is Rewiring Engagement

11:40 - 12:10

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

12:10 - 13:00

BDO UK Case Study: If People Don’t Trust the Comms, They Won’t Trust the Change

13:00 - 13:25

Engaging the TikTok Generation: How JD Sports Is Building Culture for the Gen Z Workforce

13:25 - 13:50

Trust, Transparency & Communication in the Next Era of Work

13:50 - 14:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

14:20 - 14:40

Shaping Skills for the Future of Internal Communications: In Conversation With: Laura Barbour, Head of Communication and Culture at MOO

14:40 - 15:05

Transforming Culture Through Listening: The New Skillset for Internal Comms: In Conversation With: Shetal Joshi, Global Head of Employee Communications and Engagementat Ørsted

15:05 - 15:30

Inside the IC Role of 2030: What Will the Job Description Will Demand?

15:30 - 16:00

That's a Wrap!

16:00 - 16:05

Communication & The Connected Workplace

Welcome to the Future of Employee Engagement

08:55 - 09:00

Finding Your Happy Place at Work

09:00 - 09:25

The New Comms Toolkit: Working Smarter with AI and Automation

09:50 - 10:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

10:20 - 10:50

Skyscanner Case Study: Turning Strategy Into Shared Momentum

10:50 - 11:15

Formula E Case Study: Where to Begin? Writing an AI Adoption and Capability Roadmap: From Theory to Practice

11:15 - 11:40

Supercharging Employee Experience Through Internal Communication

11:40 - 12:10

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

12:10 - 13:00

Virgin Case Study: From Cost Centre to Revenue Driver: The Employee Influencer Playbook

13:00 - 13:25

Pfp Case Study: Rooted in Community, Ready for Change: Pfp’s Drive to Thrive

13:25 - 13:50

Why Internal Communications is at the Heart of Workplace Culture

13:50 - 14:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

14:20 - 14:40

Play, Purpose and People: Inside Merlin Entertainments' Journey to Redefine Connection at Work

15:05 - 15:30

Beyond Channels: The Role of Internal Communications in Redefining Connection at Work

15:30 - 16:00

That's a Wrap!

16:00 - 16:05

Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution

Welcome to the Future of Employee Engagementy

08:55 - 09:00

Finding Your Happy Place at Work

09:00 - 09:25

Talent Management, Rewired: Skills, Signals and Smarter Moves

09:50 - 10:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

10:20 - 10:50

What Organisations Get Wrong About Talent and How to Fix It: In Conversation With Becs Baker, Global Head of Talent & HR at JDO Global

10:50 - 11:15

Surveys Won’t Save Engagement in the Age of AI. This Will

11:15 - 11:40

Beyond Logos and Taglines: Turning Employer Brand into Advocacy

11:40 - 12:10

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

12:10 - 13:00

British Heart Foundation Case Study: From Insight to Action: Building Future Workforce Capability

13:00 - 13:25

Content to Capability: Why More Training Isn’t Making People Better

13:25- 13:50

A "Can-Do" Confident Mindset: Equipping Talent to Perform

13:50 - 14:20

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

14:20 - 14:40

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Case Study: Reinventing Talent at Scale: CCEP’s People First Digital Talent Transformation

14:40 - 15:05

Mayflower Case Study: Play to Stay: Game-Based Onboarding New Hires Actually Remember – And How Any HR Team Can Build It

15:05 - 15:30

Why People Stay: Rethinking Talent, Work and Commitment

15:30 - 16:00

That's a Wrap!

16:00 - 16:05

Focus Groups

Turning Communication into Impact: Elevating the Employee Experience

10:50 - 11:50

Understanding Your Workplace Personas - How to See Their World, Understand Their Day, and Communicate in Ways That Truly Land

10:50 - 11:50

Getting Leaders In - And Keeping Them There: How Personalised Communication Drives Real Adoption From the Top Down

10:50 - 11:50

How do I register for the conference?

Registration to attend the conference is free for senior individuals working in employee engagement. Free tickets provide access to the entire event.

If you want access the on-demand content after the event has taken place, there is a Premium Ticket type which means you'll receive the on-demand talks direct to your inbox.

For those who are suppliers within the industry, you can purchase a supplier ticket.

Registration links for all ticket types can be found above this box.

What should I wear to the conference?

The dress code to all of our events is smart casual. If you're presenting, we recommend wearing more formal attire.

What should I bring to the conference?

Bring your registration confirmation email (printed or on your smartphone), a notebook, and pen. Don't forget any necessary chargers or adapters.

We also recommend downloading the Engage Business Media Event App before you arrive at the conference. You can do this by searching 'Engage Business Media' in your App Store.

The App goes live three weeks before the event start date and you'll receive notification to log in via email.

What time does the conference open/close?

Registration opens at 8:15am and we recommend arriving early if you want to guarantee a seat in our Opening Keynotes.

We have several coffee and networking breaks throughout the day as well as a dedicated lunch break.

The Summit agenda concludes at 5:40pm, but please do join us at the Night Summit for live music and a well-deserved drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options are available).

Are meals provided during the conference?

There are a number of Gourmet Street Food catering vans providing a range of food. There are also Barista Coffee stands around the venue. There is a bar open from lunch, and an evening Networking Drinks party providing an assortment of alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments.

How do I view the agenda?

The full agenda is available to view at the top of this page! You can search and filter by stage and topic to see the sessions most relevant to you.

You can also view the agenda on our Event App which goes live three weeks prior to the Summit. Once the app is live, you'll be invited via email to download the Engage Business Media App in your App Store.

On the Event Day, the agenda is available to view on the Event App only. With the Event App, you can personalise your schedule and receive reminders when your chosen sessions are due to start.

We aim to be as sustainable as possible, so printed copies of the agenda are not available on the day.

How can I network effectively at the conference?

Three weeks prior to the event date, you will be invited into the Engage Business Media Event App where you can schedule meetings. The app is your central hub for scheduling meetings, personalising your agenda, navigating the event, and staying connected with attendees.

In the lead up to the event you can also join our Event Attendees LinkedIn Group. Full details on how to join will be shared on your registration confirmation email.

Can I choose which sessions to attend?

Yes, the Summit offers multiple topic stages and tracks.

You can view the full agenda on our website. Three weeks from the event date you'll also be invited to use the Engage Business Media App. Here you can view the agenda in advance and plan which sessions you'd like to attend.

Some popular sessions may have limited capacity, so we recommend arriving early.

What if I need to cancel my registration?

If you aren't able to make it all we ask is that you let us know.

We do allow you to transfer your registration to a colleague, but they do need to fill in the registration form if this is the case.

Single Ticket

All-Access Pass for Senior Employee

Engagement/HR Professionals
6 Topic Stages + Main Stage
Event Networking App
Interactive Interviews
Interactive Panel Debates
Pre-Arranged One-to-One Meetings
Focus Group Roundtable Sessions
Networking Drinks Party - Night Summit
All Registrations Subject to Approval
Not available for Suppliers/Vendors

SUPPLIER TICKET

For Suppliers
Networking and Commercial Opportunities
Interviews
Panel Debates
Networking Opportunities
Access to Night Summit
Registrations are subject to approval

Agenda

packed with insights from over 250 expert speakers across six specialised topic stages and a main stage, featuring cutting-edge case studies and discussions on the latest trends.

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3000+ ATTENDEES

250+ PRESENTERS

6 TOPIC STAGES

MAIN STAGE

Filter

Date

Stage

Topic

Session Format

Dates:

Wednesday 20 May 2026

08:55 - 09:00

Main Stage

Welcome to 2026 Engage Employee Summit

Introduction

Speaker:

09:00 - 09:25

Main Stage

The Talent Agenda and the Trust Imperative: Why the Workplace Matters More Than Ever

Opening Keynote

Speaker:

09:25 - 09:50

Main Stage

Building Brands from the Inside Out — How Aviva and Royal Mail Use Storytelling to Drive Employee Engagement

Panel Discussion

Speakers:

09:50 - 10:20

Main Stage

Building a Workforce Ready for What’s Next

Panel Discussion

Speakers:

10:20 - 11:00

Main Stage

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

11:00 - 11:25

Main Stage

From Insight to Impact: How Lloyds Banking Group Is Transforming Engagement With AI: In Conversation with Stuart Martin, Human Resources Director: Business & Commercial Banking, Lloyds Banking Group

Interview

Speaker:

11:25 - 11:50

Main Stage

The Myteva Journey – Continually Advancing to a Smarter, Connected, Ai‑Ready Experience

Presentation

Speakers:

11:50 - 12:20

Main Stage

Beyond the Town Hall – Building Real Connection Across Dispersed Workforces

Panel Discussion

Speakers:

12:20 - 12:40

Main Stage

Audience Debate: Should Leaders Prioritise Trust Over Control?

Q&A

Speakers:

12:40 - 14:00

Main Stage

Networking Break: Dedicated Time for 1:1 Discussions

Break

14:00 - 14:25

Main Stage

Beyond Policy: How Culture Really Shows up for Women: In Conversation with: Carly Stanley, Chief People Officer at JCDecaux

Interview

Speaker:

14:25 - 14:50

Main Stage

The Future of Frontline Communication Is Manager-Enabled, Not Manager-Dependent

Presentation

Speaker:

14:50 - 15:20

Main Stage

Performance Without Burnout: Building Sustainable, Human-Centred Leadership

Panel Discussion

Speakers:

15:20- 15:45

Main Stage

Leading with Purpose: Culture, Inclusion and the Role of Modern Leadership — In Conversation with: Joyce Idoniboye, Chief People Officer, Oxfam