Shape What’s Next
Join us on 3 November in London for People 1st EMEA, 2026, an essential gathering for HR, Talent, Reward and L&D leaders. This event is about embracing a People 1st approach amidst a rapidly changing workplace. Industry peers and thought leaders will come together to share insights and strategies to attract, engage, develop and retain top talent.
This meeting of minds will feature keynotes, panel sessions, and interactive roundtables, all designed to provide practical expertise and guidance. Be part of this exciting dialogue as we adapt to evolving employee expectations and drive our business objectives. It’s time to redefine what it means to put people first in the modern era.
Shaun Griggs
Alex Felstead
Kim MacAvoy
Charlotte Dabney
Simi Dubb
Jennifer Ashton
Christina Herrmann
Hannah Sargeant
Mary Glowacka
Chalene Hanson
Irene Asare
Hamira Riaz
Arno Peperkoorn
Hannah Smith
Gonda Winternitz
Stephanie Garforth
Jig Ramji
Manisha Singh
Anamaria Tudor
Jenny Collins
Andrew Schlussel
Suzy Jearum
Nicky Maiden
Julie Mason
Andrea Marston
8:30- 9:15 Registration & Networking
Welcome coffee and networking with peers, partners and speakers ahead of an inspiring day.
9:15- 9:25· Welcome & Introductions
Opening remarks from People 1st EMEA host.
9:25 - 10:05 · Opening Keynote: Europe’s Talent Equation: Skills Scarcity, Hiring Volume & Workforce Transformation
10:05 - 10:40 · On-Stage: The Recruiting Efficiency Crisis: Doing More Hiring with Smaller Teams
10:40- 11:00· Networking Break
11:00 - 12:00 · Roundtable: AI in Hiring • Candidate Experience • Hiring at Scale
12:05 - 12:35 · On-Stage: Internal Talent Marketplaces: Unlocking Hidden Skills
12:35 - 13:30 · Networking Lunch
Enjoy a curated lunch and connect with attendees, speakers and partners.
13:30 - 14:00 · On-Stage: Predictive Workforce Planning: Anticipating Talent Needs
14:05 - 15:05 · Roundtable: Skills-Based Organisations Across Europe
15:05 - 15:25 · Networking Break
15:30 - 16:05 · On-Stage: Agile Workforce Models for the Automation Economy
16:05 - 16:40 · On-Stage: Retention Strategies in Competitive Talent Markets
16:40 - 17:00 · Closing Keynote: The Future Workforce of Europe
17:05 - 18:00 · Networking Reception
8:30- 9:15 · Registration & Networking
Welcome coffee and networking with peers, partners and speakers ahead of an inspiring day.
9:15- 9:25· Welcome & Introductions
Opening remarks from People 1st EMEA host.
9:25 - 10:05 · Opening Keynote: Leading Through Economic and Technological Disruption
10:05 - 10:40 · On-Stage: Reskilling Europe: Preparing Workforces for AI Transformation
10:40- 11:00· Networking Break
11:00 - 12:00 · Roundtable: Leadership Pipelines • Manager Capability
12:05 - 12:35 · On-Stage: From Training to Capability Systems
12:35 - 13:30 · Networking Lunch
Enjoy a curated lunch and connect with attendees, speakers and partners.
13:30 - 14:00 · On-Stage: Learning in the Flow of Work
14:05 - 15:05 · Roundtable: Building Skills-Driven Organisations
15:05 - 15:25 · Networking Break
15:30 - 16:05 · On-Stage: Developing Leaders for Hybrid Global Teams
16:05 - 16:40 · On-Stage: Measuring the Business Impact of Learning
16:40 - 17:00 · Closing Keynote: Leadership Capability in the AI Workplace
17:05 - 18:00 · Networking Reception
8:30- 9:15· Registration & Networking
Welcome coffee and networking with peers, partners and speakers ahead of an inspiring day.
9:15- 9:25 · Welcome & Introductions
Opening remarks from People 1st EMEA host.
9:25 - 10:05 · Opening Keynote: AI, Regulation & the Future Workplace
10:05 - 10:40 · On-Stage: Building the Intelligent HR Technology Stack
10:40- 11:00· Networking Break
Discover how leading companies are developing leadership maturity, feedback capability, and emotional intelligence at scale fostering resilience, curiosity and performance.
11:00 - 12:00 · Roundtable: AI Governance & Responsible Innovation
12:05 - 12:35 · On-Stage: People Analytics as Strategic Intelligence
12:35 - 13:30 · Networking Lunch
Enjoy a curated lunch and connect with attendees, speakers and partners.
13:30 - 14:00 · On-Stage: AI Assistants and HR Productivity
14:05 - 15:05 · Roundtable: Digital HR Transformation
15:05 - 15:25 · Networking Break
15:30 - 16:05 · On-Stage: Predictive Workforce Analytics
16:05 - 16:40 · On-Stage: The AI-Augmented Organisation
16:40 - 17:00 · Closing Keynote: Humans, Machines & the Future Enterprise
17:05 - 18:00 · Networking Reception
8:30- 9:15· Registration & Networking
Welcome coffee and networking with peers, partners and speakers ahead of an inspiring day.
9:15- 9:25· Welcome & Introductions
Opening remarks from People 1st EMEA host.
9:25 - 10:05 · Opening Keynote: Pay Transparency, Inflation & the Future of Rewards in Europe
10:05 - 10:40 · On-Stage: Recognition, Wellbeing & Benefits That Drive Engagement
10:40 - 11:00 · Networking Break
CHROs are now pivotal voices in the boardroom. Hear how people leaders are influencing M&A, digital investment and long-term business growth while balancing purpose, profit and performance.
11:00 - 12:00 · Roundtable: Financial Wellbeing • Pay Equity • Flexible Benefits
12:05 - 12:35 · On-Stage: Employee Experience for the Frontline Workforce
12:35 - 13:30 · Networking Lunch
Enjoy a curated lunch and connect with attendees, speakers and partners.
13:30 - 14:00 · On-Stage: Listening Strategies That Drive Action
14:05 - 15:05 · Roundtable: Benefits Innovation & Workforce Expectations
15:05 - 15:25 · Networking Break
15:30 - 16:05 · On-Stage: Designing Rewards That Retain Talent
16:05 - 16:40 · On-Stage: Experience Intelligence: Measuring What Actually Matters
16:40 - 17:00 · Closing Keynote: The Next Generation EVP in Europe
17:05 - 18:00 · Networking Reception
8:30 - 9:15·
Welcome coffee and networking with peers, partners and speakers ahead of an inspiring day.
9:15- 9:25· Welcome & Introductions
Opening remarks from People 1st EMEA host.
9:25 - 10:05 · Opening Keynote: The Strategic CHRO in an Era of Constant Disruption
10:05 - 10:40 · On-Stage: From HR Leader to Enterprise Architect
10:40 - 11:00 · Networking Break
11:00 - 12:00 · Roundtable: Board Influence • CEO Partnership
12:05 - 12:35 · On-Stage: Culture as Competitive Advantage
12:35 - 13:30 · Networking Lunch
Enjoy a curated lunch and connect with attendees, speakers and partners.
13:30 - 14:00 · On-Stage: Leading Organisations Through Continuous Change
14:05 - 15:05 · Roundtable: Workforce Strategy in Uncertain Markets
15:05 - 15:25 · Networking Break
15:30 - 16:05 · On-Stage: Building Resilient Organisations
16:05 - 16:40 · On-Stage: The Future Mandate of the CHRO
16:40 - 17:00 · Closing Keynote: The Next Era of People Leadership
17:05 - 18:00 · Networking Reception
Companies that are joining us:
Don't miss the chance to meet with HR Leaders at People 1st MENA - Dubai. A golden opportunity to expand your network, elevate your knowledge and seize new opportunities for learning and business growth.
