CIPD

Apprenticeship funding is up, and tax-free salary sacrifice on pensions will soon be capped. How have our panellists responded to the UK Government’s Autumn Budget and what does it mean for employers and the workforce? Has the pressure and drive for instant productivity squeezed out hiring for potential? Could organisations be doing more to create routes for internal mobility? And finally, crystal-ball gazing: what opportunities should the people profession lean into in the year ahead?CIPD Trust Senior Programme Manager Leah De Silva is joined by Kerri O’Neill, Chief People Officer, UK & Ireland at Ipsos UK; and Idris Arshad, Head of People at Asthma and Lung UK.Recorded: 28 November 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can people make the best decisions when time is short and the stakes are high? Why is decentralising decision-making critical for organisations who want to move decisively? And how can the people profession strike the right balance between innovation and risk mitigation when adopting and implementing AI?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by science broadcaster, author and emergency medical doctor, Professor Kevin Fong, to explore the profession’s risk appetite and how it can lead effectively under pressure.Recorded: 5 November 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nita Clarke is the Director at the Involvement and Participation Association, bringing expertise from her trade union background. Mustafa Faruqi, an Employee Relations Strategy Director at BT, specializes in union negotiations, while Alistair Paton manages labour relations at Asda. They discuss the UK's shifting industrial relations landscape, emphasizing the significance of the Employment Rights Bill in empowering unions. Practical strategies for building trust with unions and effective employee voice channels are highlighted, alongside the need for renewed negotiation skills in HR.

Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive at NHS Employers, shares his expertise in public-sector people leadership, while Katherine Watkins, a transformation leader and HR consultant, discusses innovative HR strategies. They explore the controversial role of AI in performance reviews, debating its potential benefits and risks. The conversation shifts to the media's scrutiny of HR's value, emphasizing the need for alignment with business objectives. Finally, they dissect the implications of the Employment Rights Bill, highlighting challenges and preparations for organizations.

Join Jane-Emma Peerless, Chief People Officer at Caxton; Rob Rees, Head of People and Culture at Dowds Group; and Matt Elliott, Chief People Officer at the Bank of Ireland, as they tackle pressing HR issues. They discuss the implications of slow wage growth and innovative ways to keep employees engaged beyond pay. The conversation shifts to preparing for longer careers, emphasizing skills development for older workers. Plus, they highlight the importance of investing in green skills as a vital business opportunity to meet climate challenges.

Organisations face constant and increasingly complex change, making it critical to bring people along on the journey. But can L&D play a more proactive role in enabling successful transformation by fostering buy-in, anticipating resistance, and building change capability? How can learning professionals go further than training, positioning themselves as strategic and operational partners who build change capability across the organisation?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Melanie Franklin, CEO at Capability for Change and Founder of Change Capability Community; Nick Baker, Senior Lead: Learning Design and Digital Innovation at The Football Association; and Paul Hodgkinson, Learning and Development Business Partner at CIPD.In this episode we explore:-         How L&D can be used to empower voice, solicit input and buy-in to change?-         What can be done to anticipate and address blockers and barriers before they surface?-         What tools does L&D have at its disposal to build ‘change capability’ and prepare the conditions for successful transformation at both individual and organisational levels?---Find out more about the work of Melanie Franklin and Capability for Change, in supporting professionals responsible for organisational change initiatives and transformation.https://capabilityforchange.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the introduction of digital ID cards using a ‘nut to crack a sledgehammer’ in the effort to curb illegal work, and what impact might this have on UK employers? Are grievances against HR simply an occupational hazard, and how can HR professionals best manage the emotional and personal toll – especially when they’re in the firing line? Finally, is it reasonable for employers to incentivise employees to use their personal social media to promote the company?CIPD Trust Senior Programme Manager, Leah De Silva, is joined by Chief People Officer at Effective Energy Group, Jo Carlin; Principal Consultant at Healix People Solutions, David Balls; and Founder and Managing Director at Campbell HR Consulting, Janet Campbell. Recorded: 8 October 2025  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matthew Syed, a multi-award-winning journalist and former Olympian, joins David D’Souza to discuss the critical role of team dynamics and psychological safety in organizational performance. They explore how cognitive diversity enhances decision-making and prevents collective blind spots. Syed emphasizes the importance of respectful feedback and how it fosters a high-performance culture. He also addresses the influence of AI on team dynamics, arguing that cognitive diversity will be even more vital in the AI era.

Join John Dawson, Chief People Officer at Lore Group, as he explores the intriguing intersection of AI and workplace conflict resolution. He debates the role of empathy in HR, and discusses the importance of supporting older employees through lifelong learning. The conversation takes an entertaining turn with insights on subtle gestures becoming legal issues and lessons from football transfer sagas to enhance succession planning. This discussion is packed with valuable takeaways for anyone in the people management space!

Is loneliness at work the hidden crisis no one is talking about? The CIPD’s Good Work Index 2025 report revealed that more than a third of working adults say they sometimes, often, or always feel lonely at work — a feeling that carries serious consequences for organisations. But what can be done? Is it an inevitable by-product of modern working life, exacerbating feelings of isolation, or can organisations take meaningful action?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Caroline Woolland, Director of HR at The King’s Fund; Liggy Webb, award-winning author, consultant and wellbeing expert; and Stephanie Davies, Founder, CEO and Head of Happiness at Laughology – as we explore how to tackle workplace loneliness head-on. Could your culture or job design be exacerbating feelings of loneliness, and what are the signs you should be alert to? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.