CIPD

Helen Dutta, a governance and HR director at DACS; Ray Eitel-Porter, an AI governance expert and Cambridge researcher; and Sharon Hill, a people leader at Pay.UK, explore why AI governance must keep pace with implementation. They discuss governing autonomous agents, building AI inventories, employee-led red lines, practical training, human accountability and why thoughtful guardrails can fuel innovation rather than restrict it.

Andrea Gordon, Chief People Officer at the Pensions Regulator; Janet Campbell, Interim People Director at Sport England; and Gareth Neill, Head of HR at Crimson Hotels, explore strategic workforce planning for an unpredictable future. They discuss scenario planning, skills forecasting, productivity, behavioural capabilities, leadership development and succession planning. Plus, an entertaining debate on what bringing an iced coffee to a job interview might really signal.

Kerri O’Neill, Chief People Officer at Ipsos UK and Ireland and award-winning author, joins Alex Bailey, psychologist and organisational change adviser. They explore what it means to reculture an organisation, why workplace cultures cannot simply be copied, and who should shape them. They also discuss AI as a potential ally, moving beyond engagement scores, and restoring humanity and joy at work.

Oksana Hulyk, a Ukrainian legal professional building an HR career in the UK; Nikki von Bulow, an HR consultant and conflict coach; and Jenny Walton, CEO of the Refugee Employment Network, discuss unlocking refugee talent. They explore right-to-work misconceptions, hidden skills, overseas qualifications, fairer recruitment, mentoring, and how managers can support refugees after hiring.

When it comes to AI-generated grievances, is this really a new problem for the profession, or a familiar one that AI has simply thrown into the spotlight? Has ‘resilience’ become a bit of a tainted word, quietly placing all the onus on the individual to cope? And during a period of labour market stagnation, how do organisations create the conditions for innovation to thrive without relying on an inflow of new talent?CIPD Head of Membership, Oli Howard, is joined by Rebecca Monk, Chief People Officer at Softcat plc and Trish Hewitt, Founder and Managing Director at Haylo HR and CEO of Resolution at Work.Recorded: 04 September 2026---Additional resources:Report | Labour Market Outlook – Summer 2026Guide | Resilience: Guide for people professionals to support employeesEmployment Law | AI and technology in the workplace: UK employment lawResources | AI in the workplace Your next listen:CIPD Podcast - Episode 233: Courageous conversationsHR People Pod – Ep 39: Rewriting the rules on workplace conflict – with David LiddleHR People Pod – Ep 28: Hilary Scarlett special – Neuroscience for organisational changeCIPD Podcast – Episode 223: Beyond learning - Mobilising L&D for organisational change Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David James, Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning and host of The Learning and Development Podcast, discusses proving L&D impact and building credibility. He talks about matching metrics to L&D maturity. He urges speaking the business language and becoming a strategic problem solver. He outlines core long‑term skills like consultative practice, product mindset and influence.

How often do we shy away from tough conversations, or avoid workplaces issues in the hope they’ll simply resolve themselves? It’s human instinct to avoid the uncomfortable, after all. But what impact is this avoidance having in our workplaces? Performance issues go unaddressed, poor behaviour gets worked around, and tension between colleagues is smoothed over rather than named. Left unresolved, these situations can breed misunderstanding, strain relationships, and quietly erode culture and performance. So what do courageous conversations actually look like in practice? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests – Joan O'Connor, Head of Leadership Practice at 10Eighty; Jo Carlin, Chief People Officer at Effective Energy Group; and Corinne Micallef, director, facilitator and coach with the National Theatre's Theatreworks programme – as they explore how people professionals, line managers and business leaders can move from avoidance to having courageous conversations. In this episode, our panel explores: Why courageous conversations are a core leadership skill rather than a nice-to-have – and what happens when organisations avoid them. How does silence become an organisational risk? What’s the difference between a ‘difficult’ conversation and a ‘courageous’ one. How can we build embed courage as a daily practice. What holds people professionals, business leaders and line managers back from speaking up – and what helps them push through it?---Your next listen: CIPD Podcast 214: Success starts small – Building sustainable workplace habits CIPD Podcast 212: Creating a culture of psychological safety at work HR People Pod – Episode 52: Courageous leadership, clarity and organisational falafel – with Diana Osagie More from this episode: CIPD Profession Map – Professional courage and influence  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can L&D build the infrastructure, capabilities and credibility needed to become a true growth engine within organisations? What role should L&D play as businesses adopt a more skills-based approach? And when it comes to habitual learning, is the responsibility with the organisation, the individual, or both?Jo Squires, CIPD Learning Designer is joined by David James, Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning and host of The Learning and Development Podcast, where in part one of a two-part special, they explore how L&D can position itself as an engine for growth and the importance for individuals to make learning a habit.Recorded: 7 August 2026---Additional resources:L&D tools: A performance-led approach to skills and capability planningAnalysis | How L&D can create value: Focussing on skills developmentL&D tools: Building your business case – a practical pathwayYour next listen:CIPD Podcast 232: The journey to a skills-based organisation: The role of L&DHR People Pod 54: Future planning as a discipline – with Tom CheesewrightThe Learning and Development Podcast with David James Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Curate, create, communicate – why are these three Cs so pivotal to future-proofing your career? What's the risk of dehumanising work through automation? And how can we help leaders think about the future without oversimplifying it or overwhelming them?CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Applied Futurist, Tom Cheesewright as they explore why planning for the future isn't a one-off decision, but a discipline organisations have to build in.Recorded: 09 June 2026 at CIPD Festival of Work---Your next listen:CIPD Podcast 213: Skilling up your organisation now and for the futureCIPD Podcast 232: The journey towards a skills-based organisation: The role of L&DHR People Pod – Ep 49: Business impact | Employee empowerment | Change readiness in an AI worldHR People Pod – Ep 43: Inside Davos – AI, work and the future of identity - with Allyn BaileyMore from this episode:Topic: AI in the workplaceThought leadership: The future of work – Insights for senior leaders on drivers of changeAnalysis: Evolution of the people profession Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caroline Stockman, interim CEO with a finance and operational leadership background, offers a big-picture take. Laurell Hector, L&D leader who builds management programmes and pathways, discusses practical shifts. Shona Marshall, L&D and OD specialist in engineering and construction, shares stories on transferable skills. Andrew Jacobs, learning strategist, explains skills-led learning design. They debate skills intelligence, internal marketplaces, AI’s impact, and shifting L&D from one-off courses to continuous capability building.