11th Annual | One-Day, Practitioner-Led, Cross-Sector | Conference & Networking Exhibition | Central London, 20th March 2025
High-Impact Employee Engagement & Experience Strategies For
Performance & Loyalty-Boosting Cultures & Organisation-Transforming Technology, AI & Leadership
REGISTRATION OPENS
08.15 Registration, Informal Networking & GIC Welcome
09.00 Morning Chair’s Opening Remarks
Birthe Mester, Global Head For Behavioural Insight & Culture Change, Deutsche Bank
PANEL Q&A
INSPIRING LEADERS & MANAGERS
09.05 Reignite Leadership By Embracing Evolving Roles, Transparent Practices & Regenerative Approaches That Inspire All Levels Of Your Organisation
- What defines the role of leadership today? Deep dive into the evolving role of leadership in the 21st century, where self-determination and organisational nomadism are redefining how employees perceive their employers, and unveil new methods to reconnect
- Demonstrate authentic and transparent leadership when met with difficult tasks, addressing political, environmental, and social challenges to inspire and reignite a potentially disillusioned workforce
- Embrace regenerative leadership by giving back through community partnerships and volunteering initiatives, adopting a holistic view of teams and systems, and prioritising ethics-driven decision making for a more resilient and sustainable organisation
- Leadership from below! Empower all team members to take responsibility and promote engaging and personalised employee experiences, easing the burden on management
Marina Moustaka, Director, International Medical Communications Ad Promo, Allergan Aesthetics, An AbbVie Company
Mr Matthew Hammonds, Director Of Human Resources, Loughborough University
Beth Lloyd, Director Organisational Development, Learning & Talent, Aston University
AI & CONNECTION: NEW, PRACTICAL & ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS
09.35 Empower Teams To Embrace AI With Confidence Through Tailored Training, Practical Tools, & Transparent Communication To Foster Synergy & Overcome Fears In The AI Era
- Support employees with the correct training and resources to adapt to AI integration while ensuring they still feel inspired and confident in the process
- Develop a clear understanding of the practical applications of AI and discover how employees can synergise their skillsets to work alongside these technologies, despite the concerns associated with artificial intelligence
- Utilise innovative and cost-effective AI platforms to automate tasks, streamline operations, and support employees’ personalised development journeys
- Change can be good – concerns around job security and financial wellbeing can lead to extreme digital resistance, but let’s turn that around and tackle these concerns head on to overcome unwarranted distress and maintain an engaged workforce
Derren Young, VP People, Warner Music
09.55 Bonus Session Reserved For Exclusive Conference Partner
APPRENTICE NATION PANEL
10.25 Exclusive Session With Apprentice Nation
Jasmine Rose, Apprentice Nation Lead & Head Of Learning Innovation, Apprentice Nation
10.55 Takeaway Learnings Consolidation
11.00 Morning Refreshment Break With Speed Networking
PANEL Q&A
NEW, INCLUSIVE & COLLABORATIVE CULTURES, DRIVING CHANGE
11.30 Drive Successful Change, Embed Positive Organisational Cultures & Promote A Culture Of Support By Integrating Diverse Viewpoints That Encourage Open Communication & Collaboration Across Your Organisation
- In a world of wildly varying viewpoints, uncover new tactics for fostering a culture where diverse opinions are integrated and valued, while maintaining a respectful and cohesive work environment, ensuring the freedom of expression whilst avoiding disrespect
- Create genuine support networks to help employees through personal tragedies and major events, ensuring your approach is genuine and heartfelt
- Communication is key! Facilitate safe spaces for employees to discuss and address difficult topics, which, combined with communication training, produce an effective and collaborative process for tackling sensitive issues
Christina Lewis, Head of Operations – Driver Engagement, Bolt
Birthe Mester, Global Head For Behavioural Insight & Culture Change, Deutsche Bank
Hendrik de Wit, Group Director, Communications, Refresco
Susan Monahan, Head Of CIB COO & International Communications, Wells Fargo
CHANGING WORKPLACES & WELLBEING, MENTAL HEALTH & WORK-LIFE-BALANCE SPOTLIGHT
12.00 Foster Truly Flexible Work Cultures By Aligning Policies With Your Values, Empowering Employees To Thrive Through Wellbeing Initiatives, & Promoting Lasting Health, Financial Security & Work-Life Balance
- Delve into the plethora of flexible work policies – from flexi-hours, to compressed hours, to work from anywhere, and ensure that you are offering and implementing the best policies for your organisation that reflects and aligns with your company culture
- Rolling out wellbeing policies is just the beginning, but how can we effectively motivate employees to actively participate and achieve significant personal transformation?
- Promote sustained employee health and financial wellbeing beyond basic salary via training on pensions, investments and benefits, maximising employee resources and enabling a thriving and high-performing workforce
- In an age where employees are feeling the pressure to be available 24/7, unlock brand new strategies to alleviate this pressure and ensure that flexi-hours truly are flexible, inspiring a genuinely healthy work-life-balance
DOUBLE PERSPECTIVE
SECURING LONG-TERM ENGAGEMENT
Connected, Committed & Collaborative
12.20 Build Lasting Loyalty By Personalising Employee Experiences, Creating A Strong Sense Of Belonging & Empowering Your Workforce As Advocates For Your Brand & Mission
- Empower employees to become passionate advocates of the company, building belief in your mission and values, thus turning them into loyal promoters of your brand and culture
- In an era where remote and location-independent workers are commonplace, develop new and exciting strategies to create a deep sense of belonging and loyalty, ensuring a connected, committed and collaborative workforce
- Personalisation spotlight! Tailor initiatives to individual employee needs and preferences, offering bespoke development paths, benefits, and communication styles to foster a deeper connection and long-term buy-in
12.20 Perspective 1
Kevin Green, Chief People Officer, First Bus
12.40 Perspective 2
Steve Clarke, Head Of Internal Communications, Virgin Atlantic
REDEFINING RETENTION & TALENT MANAGEMENT
13.00 Revolutionise Retention, Embrace Diverse Career Paths & Adapt Recruitment Strategies To Meet The Evolving Expectations Of A Dynamic Workforce To Retain Top Talent
- With the AI age looming large and complicating recruitment practices, the focus is shifting from talent acquisition to retention… discover the most effective methods of keeping your talent engaged and prevent them from being poached
- Break down silos between your teams to create a seamless recruitment experience that start long before new hire’s first days, building engagement and excitement from the initial contact to the 6-month review for real and lasting results
- Navigate the transition from a candidate-driven market that prioritises flexible work arrangements and understand how this shift impacts recruitment strategies to appeal to a greater amount of potential employees
- Recognise that career paths are no longer linear and understand the value of candidates with unconventional experiences who can bring unique strengths to your organisation and provide fresh perspectives, resulting in a less homogenous workforce
Daksha Stancilas, Talent & Development Partner, Pret A Manger
13.20 Takeaway Learnings Consolidation
13.25 Lunch & Informal Networking For Speakers, Delegates & Partners
13.55 Peer-To-Peer Discussions
A) Comms
B) Digital Tools & Platforms
C) ROI
D) Inclusive Policies
E) Sustainability
14.25 Afternoon Chair’s Opening Remarks
Hendrik de Wit, Group Director, Communications, Refresco
PANEL Q&A
NEW, EXCITING, CREATIVE & FUN EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCES
14.30 Innovative Training, Cutting-Edge Platforms & Fun-Focused Strategies Which Align With Shifting Expectations & Shape A Dynamic Workplace Culture
- With Gen Z and Millennials shaping the workplace today, explore the evolving expectations of employees and how to keep pace with trends in engagement, purpose-driven work, and corporate responsibility
- Develop tailored leadership training programmes that focus on interactive role-play and experiential learning rather than traditional and outdated e-learning, making the process, fun, organic, and adaptive to real-world challenges
- Move beyond traditional tools like Slack and Teams and discover new platforms and technologies like Viva Engage that enhance real-time collaboration, engagement and feedback in innovative and exciting ways
- Add in the fun factor! Explore unorthodox tactics to cultivate a fun and collaborative work environment that brings people together, fosters team spirit and enhances retention by making the workplace an enjoyable and engaging space
David Taylor, Senior Colleague Communications Manager, Tesco Bank
Kirsty Bowen, Head Of Colleague Experience, Coventry Building Society
Katie Barnes, Head Of People Engagement, Northumbria University
Pam Schmid, People Director, Charlie Bigham’s
ED&I – INCLUSVITY FOR ALL
15.00 Empower Employees & Foster Holistic Inclusion With Supportive Networks & Tailored Strategies That Champion Individual Differences & Ensure Safety, Cultivating A More Connected & Engaged Workforce For The Future
- Establish and maintain successful colleague networks that provide ongoing support, promote inclusion, bolster connectivity and boost engagement in future employee experience strategies
- Enhance workplace support for neurodivergent employees by improving accommodations and resources, facilitating neurodivergent-friendly recruitment processes and providing diagnoses access
- Adopt a more holistic approach to inclusion, recognising individual differences rather than focusing solely on traditional protected characteristics, helping your engagement strategies to appeal to each employee and their individual needs and experiences
- Address rising anxieties in the workplace related to global events to create a safer and more supportive environment and be a genuine beacon of support for those who need it
Sarah Fidment, Professor Of Leadership & Management & Head Of Department For People & Performance, The Manchester Metropolitan University
CASE STUDY
BOOST DRINKS CASE STUDY
15.20 Case Study With Boost Drinks
Simon Gray, Founder & CEO, Boost Drinks Ltd
Eleanor Gooding, People & Culture Director, Boost Drinks Ltd
15.40 Bonus Session Reserved For Exclusive Conference Partner
16.10 Takeaway Learnings Consolidation
16.15 Afternoon Refreshment Break & Peer Discussion Zones
MULTI-GENERATIONAL WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES
16.45 Bridge Generational Gaps With Inclusive Training & Open Dialogue To Engage Employees of All Ages & Encourage A Harmonious, Future-Focused Organisation
- With modern workforces spanning five generations, from recent graduates to retirees, varying levels of technological familiarity are apparent now more than ever – ensure your training accommodates this and leaves no employee behind!
- Adapt your organisation to a more vocal, selective younger workforce while acknowledging the increased activity among older employees, and harness strategies like reverse and reciprocal mentoring to bridge generational gaps
- With younger employees becoming increasingly more interested in the futures of their organisations, particularly in relation to ESG topics, create listening channels for employees to ensure they feel heard and valued
NEW MEASURING ENGAGEMENT SUCCESS STRATEGIES
17.05 Adopt Innovative Qualitative Measures & Dynamic Pulse Checks To Capture Sentiment, Respond Rapidly & Inform Data-Driven Decisions That Elevate Employee Engagement & Drive Continuous Improvement
- Qualitative measurement on the rise – data can’t always capture sentiment so consider qualitative measures such as employee listening groups that can accurately track feelings in detail and so your workforce feels truly heard, rather than just being a number
- Out with the annual survey! Novel ideas are out there that can test the pulse more regularly, measuring the feeling in the culture of your organisation so that you can respond more quickly, creating a continual improvement process and a more engaged workforce
- Uncover correlations and gaps in employee demographics through the use of available people data, aiding leaders in making more informed business decisions and increasing your representation of underrepresented talent
Riffat Ahmed, Head Of People Technology & Digital, Bupa
Andrew Webb, Senior Digital Project Manager, Bupa
FOSTERING TRUST & PURPOSE
17.25 Build Mutual Trust Across All Levels & Create Purposeful Connections Between Roles & Organisational Goals To Drive Alignment, Motivation & Long-Term Engagement
- An ecosystem of trust: how can we get to a point where employees trust leadership, and leadership can equally trust employees across all levels of the organisation?
- Develop engagement strategies that accommodate diverse working styles and schedules while maintaining trust and alignment with organisational culture for boosted morale and connection
- Create a sense of purpose from the first day by explicitly linking employees’ roles to the organisation’s mission, outlining how they directly impact the overall business, leading to increased motivation and engagement
Christina Lewis, Head Of Operations – Driver Engagement, Bolt
17.45 Afternoon Chair’s Closing Remarks & Official Close Of Conference
