Welcome to 'The People Revolution'

Daniel Cave

Head of Content

Daniel Cave

Head of Content

It is an honour to introduce and host this year’s HR Grapevine’s annual HR event: The People Revolution. A day dedicated to celebrating everything great and innovative about the people function.

We’ve chosen a provocative name for HR Grapevine’s 21st annual event with good reason. As rapidly shifting politics, economies and markets transform the landscape of work faster than ever before, one thing that organisations have come to rely upon are their people.

Today, business leaders increasingly see their people as one of the most crucial assets they have. In fact, one recent report found that eight in 10 CEOs are extremely or somewhat concerned about getting access to the skills their business needs – reinforcing just how important businesses consider their talent to be.

These executives are right to have anxieties. In part because ‘people’ have come to conceive of work in a much different, and more complex, manner to even a few years ago. These days, work must be engaging, flexible and purposeful – and that’s just to get someone to consider interviewing at your organisation, let alone staying there – whilst also delivering professional development and greater opportunity for the individual as well as, of course, driving great results for the business.

In essence, what this means is that every organisation’s people are driving in a revolution in the way they must be managed, engaged and made productive. As an HR news outlet, we are lucky enough to chart the numerous ways in which high-performing and pioneering functions do this, often speaking with those re-imagining what it means to work in HR.

Therefore, for our annual event we have curated a line-up including some the most innovative HR leaders who are working to push the function forward. Over the course of four sessions – covering the importance of engagement, the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation, leadership, diversity and the lifecycle of talent – they will share the strategies and initiatives they’ve rolled out, in response to what both the business and their people need, to drive world class performance.

We hope you will join us for what we know will be a truly revolutionary people experience.

Session one: Empowering your workforce

In this session, there are four speakers from firms who truly consider their people to be their most important asset. Alastair Gill, Head of People at giffgaff, will provoke attendees into thinking if they need to get rid of some of their ancient HR practices in order to drive better engagement and productivity. Whilst Catherine Allen, Head of Keeping People Happy at Ella’s Kitchen, will show why individualised benefits are the key to better employee wellbeing. Andrea Haug, Director of Employee Proposition and Experience at John Lewis Partnership, will explain why managers are critical to empowered and engaged employees whilst Sir Robert McAlpine’s Board Director People and Infrastructure, Karen Brookes will lay out how engagement works in the construction industry.

Session two: Digitally transformed

Technology and digitally-enabled ways of conducting work are, these days, unavoidable – but they needn’t be a hurdle to overcome and can be utilised to show how innovative HR can be. In this session, Jason Gowlett, Director of HR Operations at Direct Line Group, will explain how HR can make efficiencies and cost savings through the cloud. Mira Magecha, Chief People Officer at Just Eat, explains how HR can take on an agile mindset whilst David Morris, Global Head of Learning at HSBC, reveals the different ways in which firms can get the skills they need for the digital and entrepreneurial age.

“I thought the day was really engaging and interesting...”
Talent and OD Director at Kier
“Brilliant. The whole day was engaging; each speaker brought a wealth of ideas and experience...”
Head of HR at Informa
“Excellent - great speakers, great presentations, great venue...”
Head of HR at Insignia Group of Companies
“The whole day was engaging; each speaker brought a wealth of ideas and experience…”
Learning Business Partner, First Central
“Excellent - some great speakers, great presentations, great venue…”
Group Talent & Development Director, SIG plc

Session three: Diversity and Leadership

Top-performing firms know that leadership, throughout the firm, is crucial to success. They also know that Diversity & Inclusion should not just be approached with a checkbox mentality but with an understanding of how it can truly boost the business. In this session, Loraine Martins MBE, Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Network Rail, will explain why diversity and inclusion is crucial for leaders to understand. Harriet Shurville, Chief People Officer at Iris Worldwide, showcases the benefits of bespoke leadership schemes whilst Anne Kiely, EMEA Lead HR Business Partner at Twitter, takes us through the social network’s approach to diversity. Jeff Dodds, Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Media, will relay the executive approach to these two important subjects.

Session four: The New Talent Lifecycle

Businesses are working harder than ever to attract, engage, retain and develop their staff. Kate Burn, Director of People at ghd, understands this and explains why ‘growth’ is a fundamental aspect of the company's people strategy. Chris Young, HR Director at P&G, will talk through why the multinational consumer goods brand develops from within and why leadership skills are a core part of this, whilst Bev Watterson, Head of People Development at Molson Coors Brewing Company, explains the importance of development.

Are you interested in hearing from some of the most well known senior HR professionals, covering the key topics surrounding the HR function of the present and future?

Please get in touch and book your place for HR Grapevine Live, Thursday 12th March 2020.