CIPD

The Get Britain Working white paper outlines a bold vision to tackle economic inactivity and raise the UK employment rate to 80 per cent. But what does this mean for the people profession? In this episode of the HR People Pod, we put key questions from the CIPD Community to Alison McGovern, Minister for Employment. We explore the UK government's plans to transform Jobcentres, support people on long-term sick leave to return to work and deliver on the promise of a new ‘youth guarantee'. CIPD Director of Profession, David D'Souza, is joined by Alison McGovern, Minister for Employment. Recorded at CIPD Festival of Work: 12 June 2025

A third of organisations are already using some form of AI or machine learning in recruitment and onboarding. As employers increasingly make use of AI to craft job specifications, screen candidates and streamline processes, what about job seekers? Is it unreasonable for job seekers to use the same technology to improve their chances? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests—Katie Noble, Talent Strategy Director at Omni RMS; Natalie Sheils, Founder and CEO at Talenaut; and Katie Obi, Chief People Officer at One Advanced — as we explore whether the growing number of organisations banning AI use by candidates are right to do so, or whether there is a more nuanced approach to consider?

How much should ‘policy compliance' inform pay and bonuses? Apprenticeships are vital to building talent pipelines, but how welcome are upcoming reforms? Is rule breaking essential to breaking into new levels of performance? And how can you best manage the impact of long-term absences on the rest of your team? CIPD Head of Learning, Steve George, is joined by Alix Bolton, Chief People Officer, Europe at Smollan, Kevin Green, Chief People Officer at FirstGroup plc, and Francisca Beloso, Director of Inclusive Diversity at Alvarez & Marsal. Recorded: 30 May 2025 --- Renew your CIPD membership by 1 July 2025 and keep the power of membership working for you. Find further details here: https://www.cipd.org/en/membership/member-area/renewals/

What's the state of AI adoption across different regions around the world, and how are people professionals reacting to it? Where does the onus lie when it comes to skills development? How can people professionals support and develop employee resilience? And finally, what should be done about the rising trend of ‘stress bragging'? CIPD Director of Profession, David D'Souza, is joined by Dr Adrian Waite, Head of Talent, Leadership and Organisation Effectiveness at Boehringer Ingelheim, in Dubai, and Alison Hodgson, Market Director – Ireland at CIPD. Recorded: 16 May 2025

L&D and OD often operate in silos – one focused on individual learning, the other on strategic and cultural change. But is this separation intentional, and can they truly be effective apart if they share the same goals for organisational growth and adaptation? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests—Natal Dank, Author of Agile L&D and Executive Director and Principal Consultant at PXO Culture; Jaimini Lakhani, Director at Lumiere; and Steve George, Head of Learning at CIPD — as we explore how greater alignment between L&D and OD can enhance collaboration and help future-proof workforce capabilities.

Could the humble suggestion box make a comeback as the key to acquiring honest, off-the-cuff feedback? What risks do organisations face by ignoring or mismanaging employee voice? Is a gamified approach to performance management the future? And are employees staying faithful or taking part in ‘job polygamy'? CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Caroline Roberts, HR director at The King's Fund and associate non-executive director at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University NHS Trust, and Sarah Mason, chief people officer at SThree. Recorded: 2 May 2025

As we look ahead to some of the key themes for International HR Day 2025, this episode — recorded at the CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition 2024 — explores what organisations need to be doing in practical terms to ensure AI becomes a force for good. How are skill requirements expected to evolve over the medium to long term? What role should the profession play in helping organisations navigate change? And finally, is ‘pleasanteeism' really a thing? CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Roisin Walsh, Head of Workforce Capability and Inclusion at Civil Service in Ireland, Radha Barj, Co-Founder and CEO at Rythmik, David Ducheyne, Vice President of European Association for People Management (EAPM). Recorded: CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition, 7 November 2024

Change and uncertainty seem inevitable. As organisations navigate global tariffs imposed by the US president, what other priorities should the C-suite address? How might an overreliance on AI affect career progression? Is it time to rethink effective workplace communication? And should we consider adopting body doubling to boost productivity? CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Chief People Officer at One Advanced, Katie Obi, and Head of People and Culture at Hastings Hotels Group, Rob Rees. Recorded: 04 April 2025

People with past criminal convictions are a proven source of loyal, capable employees. Yet despite clear benefits, stigma – within business and society – continues to prevent many from finding meaningful work. Our research shows only 17% of prison leavers can secure a job within a year of release. So, what can employers do to offer a second chance and bring more prison leavers safely into our workplaces? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests—Jacob Hill, Managing Director and Founder of Offploy; Alison Bell, People and Communications Director at Project Leaders Ltd; and Sally Eley, Head of CIPD Trust—as we explore how employers can rethink recruitment, reduce bias, and focus on skills and potential over past mistakes. --- Download the CIPD Trust guide to hiring people with convictions: cipdtrust.org/recruiting-employing-and-retaining-people-with-convictions/ Asses your organisation's current readiness to employ individuals with criminal convictions with Offploy's quiz for employers: www.offploy.org/employ

Five years after the first UK Covid-19 lockdown, many employers are still adapting to the knock-on effects of the pandemic but what has been the lasting impact on the HR profession? Meanwhile, how can you best manage the internal narrative in the face of public and media scrutiny? Can a ‘coachbot' really offer mentorship? And what do our panel think of the concept of gentle leadership? CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Group People and Culture Director at KYN, Emma Jayne, and Head of HR at Crimson Hotels Limited, Gareth Neale. Recorded: 21 March 2025

With plans to introduce a ‘right to switch off' facing the axe in the UK, do we need formal legislation, or could boundaries be better managed by employers? What role should people professionals play in shifting the culture of toxic workplaces? How can we maintain that curiosity and hunger for learning? Finally, how big of an issue is ‘career catfishing'? In this episode, CIPD People and Transformation Director Amanda Arrowsmith is joined by three recent CIPD People Management Outstanding Student award winners: Jamila Lecky, People Transformation and Change Manager at Group M; Victoria Keith, Global Talent, Learning and Development Manager at Total Marketing Support Limited; and Rose Watkins-Jones, People Partner at Impression Digital. Recorded: 7 March 2025 --- Keep up to date with latest amends to the Employment Rights Bill and developments to the government's Make Work Pay plan: https://www.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/employment-law/proposed-changes-under-labour-government/

HR professionals play a unique role within organisations but often find themselves in morally challenging or conflicting situations. These challenges may include balancing business needs—such as managing large-scale redundancies—while also supporting individuals through deeply personal difficulties and absorbing the emotional weight that entails. Over time, this toll can increase the risk of exhaustion, ultimately leading to burnout. Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests—Amy McKeown, an award-winning health, mental health, and wellbeing strategist and consultant, and Rachel Suff, Senior Policy and Practice Adviser for Employee Relations at the CIPD—as we explore the often-hidden emotional burden of working in HR and why setting boundaries is essential for maintaining wellbeing in the profession.

Times are tough; is there an alternative to headcount reductions and hiring freezes? With redundancy intentions at their highest level in a decade, how can HR professionals manage the mental load of implementing redundancies and can there ever be a ‘best' way to deliver news about job losses? Finally, is there such a thing as a ‘mini-retirement'? In this episode CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Mel Steel, former HR director and interim people and transformation leader; and David Blackburn, Managing Director of David R. Blackburn Consulting. Recorded: 21 February 2025 --- CIPD HR30 Nominations Time to recognise excellence in HR! The CIPD HR30 celebrates the top 30 HR leaders driving innovation, shaping workplace culture and making real impact. Do you know someone who's making a difference, leading change and driving the profession forward? This is your chance to highlight their achievements and contribution. Visit cipdhr30.co.uk before 26 March to find out more and submit your nomination.

Workers are being afforded more responsibility with no uplift in pay - but how commonplace are ‘dry promotions'? How do we decide the value of a job and therefore how much an employee gets paid? Does the UK have a work ethic crisis? And can you fail ‘intelligently' or do mistakes always carry a risk? In this episode CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Head of HR, UK Functions at HSBC, Elizabeth Harvey; and Senior VP HR Europe and Global Head of Inclusion and Diversity at Firstsource, Jo Carlin. Recorded: 7 February 2025

If employers were offered a way to meet their skills and workforce needs while also addressing long-term engagement and retention challenges, wouldn't most, if not all, jump at the chance? Statistically, apprenticeships offer exactly that. Yet only 6% of young people are undertaking an apprenticeship. So, is it time for employers to reacquaint themselves with the benefits apprenticeship routes can bring to their business? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Karen Handley, Virgin Media O2 Head of Future Careers; Sinead Trudgill, Director of Learning and Organisation Development at Network Rail; and Andrea Gordon, HR Consultant, as we explore whether apprenticeships are the key to tackling some of your organisation's primary workforce challenges. --- A reminder if you're a Student member, bookings are now open for the CIPD Student Conference 2025 taking place on 8 March. This virtual half-day event is included as part of your membership and is a great opportunity to explore future-focused HR topics, gain career insights, and connect with people professionals and your peers. Don't miss out, claim your free ticket at cipd.org/studentconf2025

How will a new government in the White House and changing business attitudes in the United States affect the UK? Is 2025 the year where ‘AI agents' enter the workforce, and if so, how should the people profession manage virtual employees? And what is the practice of ‘snitch tagging' and how should your organisation respond? CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by People & Transformation Director at CIPD, Amanda Arrowsmith; Chief Executive at NHS Employers, Daniel Mortimer; and Chief People Officer at Gray Dawes Travel and Founder of Tap HR, Patricia Hewitt. Recorded: 24 January 2025 --- CIPD HR30 Nominations Time to recognise excellence in HR! The CIPD HR30 celebrates the top 30 HR leaders driving innovation, shaping workplace culture and making real impact. Do you know someone who's making a difference, leading change and driving the profession forward? This is your chance to highlight their achievements and contribution. Visit cipdhr30.co.uk before 26 March to find out more and submit your nomination.

From strategic alignment to establishing a common purpose, what lessons can people professionals learn from the hit TV show ‘The Traitors'? As business confidence diminishes, and employers face rising business costs, what approach should you take with communicating with your people? And are you guilty of ‘corporate catfishing'? CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by HR Consultant, Andrea Gordon; and Group People and Culture Director at KYN, Emma Jayne.

New Year's resolutions fail. Surprised? Probably not. But is the high failure rate a reason to avoid setting goals – especially in our professional lives? Behavioural science would argue ‘failure' isn't down to a lack of will power, but rather a reliance on vague goals without the structure of actionable habits. So are small, consistent actions that drive meaningful change and support long-term achievement, really the stepping stone to bridge the gap between intention and success? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Psychologist and Director at Aurora, Obehi Alofoje; and Chief People Officer at Ipsos UK, Kerri O'Neill, as we dive into the psychology behind cultivating meaningful and sustained workplace goals. Additionally, we explore why building habits is a more effective path to success than traditional goal setting.

Can companies make their festive celebrations fun and risk-free at the same time? Will the new youth guarantee for 18–21-year-olds actually help to address economic activity among young people? Are you alert to the practice of ‘malicious compliance'? And what bold predictions do our panel have for the profession in 2025? CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by bestselling author and host of Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat podcast, Bruce Daisley; director at Willow HR, Laura Callahan; OD consultant at Distinction Business Consulting, Garin Rouch; and CIPD's senior policy advisor on skills, Lizzie Crowley. Recorded 6 December 2024

Are people justified in their resistance of artificial intelligence, or should they accept its power in creating progress in the workplace? Equally, are organisations under too much pressure to act quickly in the face of evolving AI capability? In this special recording of the HR People Pod, CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Professor Michael Wooldridge, director for AI at Alan Turing Institute and professor of AI at University of Oxford, who suggests, “all AI programmes are, are glorified pocket calculators”. Addressing that interesting viewpoint and more, we unpack some of the burning questions around AI use in the workplace and within the profession. This episode was recorded live at the CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition. Recorded: 6 November 2024

The rapid acceleration of change has left many organisations grappling with the most immediate requirements, but people professionals also have an instrumental role to play in demonstrating necessary upskilling strategies and transforming the skills required for future long-term success. So, what can they do to avoid falling into a familiar cycle of tackling the urgent but neglecting the important? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Human Resources Director at Government Property Agency, Martin Keeler; Chief Marketing Officer at Udemy, Genefa Murphy; and Tom Ravenscroft, Founder and CEO at The Skills Builder Partnership, as we explore – standing at the precipice of revolutionary technological change – what you need to consider when it comes to implementing a successful upskilling strategy, and ensure your organisation is future-fit.

How prepared is your organisation to support employees through a crisis event? Can employers ensure their supply chains are fully ethical? Should politics and work ever mix? And what's behind the spooky rise of ‘ghost jobs'? CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by David Bearfield, Director of the Office of Human Resources at the United Nations Development Programme; Berna Öztınaz, President of the European Association of People Management and CHRO at Genel Energy Plc; and Pete Collyer, consultant and former Chief People Officer at Ted Baker. This episode was recorded live at the CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition. Recorded 7 November 2024

What does a wellbeing-focused work environment really look like, and how involved should employers be to ensure their workforce can live healthy working lives? Should all employers pay the recently uprated Living Wage, and how can you support your people if paying the voluntary Real Living Wage is simply unaffordable? Finally, are your colleagues working as much as they appear, or are they showing classic signs of ‘fauxductivity'? CIPD's People and Transformation Director Amanda Arrowsmith discusses these questions and more with David Blackburn, Managing Director of David R. Blackburn Consulting, and Elizabeth Harvey, Head of HR at HSBC. Recorded 25 October 2024

The UK Government has proposed the biggest overhaul of workers' rights in a generation. What will this mean for employers and people professionals? Our panel reflects on the Employment Rights Bill announcement, examining the potential impact of the provisions, such as removing the two-year qualifying period for protection against unfair dismissal, probation period changes, ending ‘exploitative' zero-hours contracts and the role of a new, single enforcement body, the Fair Work Agency. CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Carl Quilliam, CIPD Public Affairs Manager; Mel Steel, former HR director and interim people and transformation leader; Gareth Neale, Head of HR at Crimson Hotels Limited; and Oonagh Johnston, Group People Director at Vesty Holdings Limited. Recorded: 11 October 2024

It's widely recognised that developing a psychologically safe working environment can significantly enhance both individual and organisational performance. However, while organisations seek to reap these benefits in the long term, the immediate challenge is to cultivate a culture of psychological safety from which these benefits can grow. Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Chartered Psychologist, podcast host and Founder of Zircon Consulting, Dr Amanda Potter; Leadership Coach, Phil Lowe; and Theni Paramaguru, Senior Adviser – Future of the People Profession at CIPD, as we explore how organisations can foster, measure and fundamentally maintain psychological safety in the workplace.

Are RoboCop-style security guards and AI accountants a glimpse of the future of work? Are longer hours more likely to be the norm, especially if you want to progress in your career? What are the differing perceptions and attitudes of a multigenerational workforce and how is this giving rise to the purported trend of ‘conscious un-bossing'? CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Mel Steel, former HR director and interim people and transformation leader; Jo Carlin, senior VP HR Europe and global head of inclusion and diversity at Firstsource; and Caroline Roberts, associate non-executive director at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University NHS Trust. Recorded: 27 September 2024

Is free water really an ‘employee benefit'? Would you track employees' working locations to enforce stricter hybrid working policies? And would you turn a blind eye to ‘shadow policies'? In this episode, we debate these questions and also discuss the preventative measures organisations should take to reduce the risk of sexual harassment incidents in the workplace. CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Danny Mortimer, chief executive at NHS Employers; Janet Campbell, director at Restoration & Renewal Delivery Authority; and CIPD People and Transformation Director Amanda Arrowsmith. Recorded: 13 September 2024

How often have we taken a course or acquired some knowledge, only to have those skills lie dormant, before being forgotten as there was no immediate use? Would it be more sensible to move learning closer to or at the point of when the skills or knowledge are needed, and if so, how can learning professionals better anticipate and create learning to be ready at the point of user need? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Teresa Rose, award winning learning consultant and founder of ConsultHer and Seb Tindall, director of strategic enablement at Vitality, as we question why morning learning isn't available ‘on tap' – at the point when people need it most?

Tune in to the latest episode of the HR People Pod, where our panel assesses the impact of the so-called ‘Great Retention' and considers whether a period of stability is beneficial for organisations. We discuss how business leaders may be facing an uphill battle as employees become more sceptical of organisational direction, and also if the idea of ‘Office Peacocking' ruffle any feathers? CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Jon Dawson, chief people officer at Lore Group; Jo Carlin, senior VP HR Europe and global head of inclusion and diversity at Firstsource; and Jane-Emma Peerless, director of people at Caxton. Recorded: 30 August 2024

In the latest episode of the HR People Pod, our panel reflects on the recent riots in the UK, the conflicts happening globally and the effects they have in the workplace. We also get to grips with the rising use of generative AI by job applicants, the gender mix within the profession, and the concept of ‘quiet vacationing' – another media catchphrase or a real phenomenon? CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Caroline Roberts, associate non-executive director at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University NHS Trust, and Claire McCartney, policy and practice manager – resourcing, inclusion and talent management at CIPD. Recorded: 16 August 2024

Would you share salary information on a job advert? In the latest episode of the HR People Pod, our panel challenges organisations to be more transparent with pay, explores the rise of the ‘workation', how sadly commonplace bullying and incivility is at work, and tips to improve social mobility in your organisation. CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Janet Campbell, director at Restoration & Renewal Delivery Authority, Garin Rouch, OD consultant at Distinction Business Consulting, and Woosh Raza, Director of People at NCVO. Recorded: 02 August 2024

The need to better understand your people is critical to driving better employee and wider organisational performance. Fundamental to that is the need for people professionals to have the capability and confidence to make sense of data, while working alongside and empowering people managers to take action. But is collecting the right data easier said than done? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Hayfa Mohdzaini, Public Policy and HR Practice Senior Adviser – Technology and Analytics at CIPD and Katie Nightingale, Director of People Consulting at Grant Thornton, as we explore how you can make better use of people data to gain increased understanding of employee performance and create a more effective workforce.

As workers turn to TikTok to discuss work issues, should business leaders be paying attention? In this episode CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Vilma Nikolaidou, Director of People and Culture at the British Film Institute; Gareth Neale, Head of HR at Crimson Hotels Limited; and Dr Markos Koumaditis, Director of HR at University of Oxford, as we explore the top stories of the past fortnight, including: the fallout from the CrowdStrike-Microsoft global IT outage, whether anonymous reporting of microaggressions a good idea, and if you should just walk out of unproductive meetings. Recorded: 19 July 2024

The Labour Party will form a new government in the United Kingdom. But what can employers expect from its proposed ‘New Deal for Working People'? CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza hosts former Labour MP Iain Wright, Firstsource Senior VP HR Europe and Global Head of Inclusion and Diversity Jo Carlin, and Mencap Executive Director of People David Blackburn, to explore the implications and impact of potential day-one employment rights, apprenticeship levy reform, and how quickly the plans may come into effect. Recorded: 05 July 2024

Our latest CIPD Good Work Index noted the experience of conflict in the workplace, as correlating with poorer mental health, poorer view of the organisation's leadership and a higher likelihood of quitting. But what are some of the other factors that prevent work from being ‘good'? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Marek Zemanik, Senior Public Policy Adviser, UK Nations at CIPD and Aysha Al Marri, UAE National Talent and Development at Etihad Airport Services L.L.C, as we unpack the barriers to ‘good work' and how you can overcome them.

Do romantic relationships at work need to be disclosed? Can you trust a ‘mouse jiggler'? How do you manage time off or flexibility around major sporting events? Join the conversation with David D'Souza, CIPD Director of Profession, Gemma Dale, Senior Lecturer at Liverpool Business School, and David Balls, Chief People Officer at Newcross Healthcare Solutions, as we unpack the topical stories over the past fortnight and look at how HR can consider their impact for their own organisations.

Decisive or divisive, Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's leadership message was definitely bold. Join the chat with David D'Souza, the CIPD's Director of Profession, Katie Obi, Chief People Officer at One Advanced, and Mel Steel, former HR director and interim people & transformation leader, as we unpack the biggest stories of the past fortnight including: is Microsoft Recall a privacy nightmare? Should we be wary of a growing trend of side hustles or second jobs? And do we need ‘right to disconnect' legislation? Leadership like the Manchester United back-to-work offer. Recorded: 7 June 2024

CIPD research suggests that work is occupying a less central place in our lives, with an increasing proportion of employees feeling that a job is ‘just a way of earning money'. While it could be argued that there is nothing wrong with employees taking a transactional view of work – it may after all be a way of them self-determining healthy boundaries – disengagement with the organisation may be a concern. Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Jake Young, Senior Policy and Practice at CIPD and Garin Rouch, Consultant at Distinction, as we explore how a refreshed organisational development approach can help get that balance right.

Welcome to HR People Pod, the CIPD's new fortnightly podcast series bringing you expert insight on topical stories impacting the world of work. In our pilot episode, host David D'Souza, CIPD's director of people profession, recruits Mel Steel, former HR director and interim people & transformation leader, and Alistair Gill, chief alchemist at Alchemy Labs, to the panel as we respond to some of the key stories from the past fortnight, including the decision from John Lewis to share interview questions in advance with potential candidates and the use of AI in the recruitment process. Recorded: 24 May 2024

Welcome to HR People Pod, the CIPD's new fortnightly podcast bringing you expert insight and topical stories impacting the world of work. In our pilot episode, host David D'Souza, CIPD's director of people profession, welcomes Woosh Raza, executive director of people culture and inclusion at NCVO, Katie Obi, chief people officer at One Advanced and Bertie Tonks, chief people officer at Collinson to the panel as we discuss whether Gen Z are ‘lazy', the unintended consequences of a rising minimum wage, whether more organisations are letting people work from home full-time and take a deeper dive into the growing demands on the profession. Recorded: 10 May 2024

In a world heavily influenced by technology and evolving views on leadership and employee experience, people practice by and large, is still founded on the so-called 'Ulrich HR operating model' that was put forward in the 90s. Is it finally time to consider HR's next top operating model?  Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Dave Ulrich, University of Michigan - Ross School of Business, Natalie Shiels, Chief People Officer at Mosaic Group, and Perry Timms, founder of People and Transformational HR, as we explore what approach to HR would be fit-for-purpose in the rapidly changing business environment of today and the future.

Digital innovation has continued to move at an unprecedented pace, and few would argue the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) has shifted the model for organisations, and equally, if not more so, in the realm of L&D. 2023 research from the CIPD revealed that just 5% of respondents currently use AI to support L&D, with a modest 6% additionally planning to use AI into 2024. So, is an untapped opportunity waiting for the curious L&D professional to uncover? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Radha Bharj, Co-founder of Rythmik and Erica Farmer, Co-founder of Quantum Rise, as we explore how learning professionals can embrace the disruption AI offers to increase their capacity to deliver impactful and effective learning for organisations?

Awareness of what it means to be neurodivergent has grown amongst employers, as well as the understanding of the value this talent pool offers the organisation. But what does it mean to be neuroinclusive? Are we in danger of pigeon-holing or shoehorning neurodivergent talent into specific roles? And is there more that we can do to create workplaces that respond to individual working preferences? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Kevin Lyons, Senior HR Manager at Pearson; Alex Hirst, Co-founder of Hoxby; and Dr Jill Miller, Senior Diversity and Inclusion Policy Adviser at CIPD, as we explore how you can make your organisation more neuroinclusive.

There's no time to lose in making our businesses environmentally sustainable, but among the myriad of responsibilities falling on the shoulders of people professionals, what role can you play as agents of change within the environment agenda? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Dr Jan Maskell, Business Psychologist; Gilda Neiman, Board Director at Chapter Zero in Brussels; and Susannah Haan, Senior Corporate Governance Advisor, as we explore how people professionals can better influence boards and senior leaders while also embedding sustainable checkpoints in your day-to-day processes.

The role of a people professional can often feel like an impossible task, being pulled from pillar to post in one of the most multi-faceted jobs in the organisation. Given the growing portfolio of responsibilities that people professionals need to manage, and the expectations around that, what does it take to thrive in this complex role? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Laura Callahan, Director at Willow HR; David Balls, Chief People Officer at Newcross Healthcare Solutions; and Peter Cheese, Chief Executive at CIPD, as we explore the skills, behaviours and competencies required to create the ‘unicorn' people professional.

Learning professionals may not be asked to ‘show me the money', but they will be expected to demonstrate value and return on investment. So, what can learning professionals do to best set themselves up for success? Could the answer lie in simply asking the right questions to properly diagnose an organisation's real learning need? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Natalie Richer, Natalie Richer Consulting; Payal Gaglani-Bhatt, Chief People Officer at The Little Gurus; and Steve George, Interim Head of Learning and Development at CIPD, as we explore how learning professionals can ask the right questions to better understand and diagnose the real learning requirement for your organisation or client.

CIPD's latest health and wellbeing at work report revealed that sickness absence is at a ten-year high and that wellbeing support for individuals at different life stages can be patchy. So, how can organisations offer sophisticated and nuanced wellbeing support without truly understanding the individual needs of their people? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Krystal Wilkinson, Associate Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University; Nick Pahl, CEO at Society of Occupational Medicine; and Rachel Suff, Senior Policy Advisor at CIPD, as we explore how your organisation can better understand and tailor individual support for the different wellbeing needs of your people.

How are you balancing new working freedoms with post-Covid realities? For many organisations, remote working was a boon that enabled their businesses to carry on through the pandemic. All the while their people uncovered and experienced the benefits that working remotely had to offer. But as we unwind from the pandemic, some organisations that had seemingly settled on a balanced hybrid approach are making headlines for scaling back offering flexible remote working. Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Danielle Harmer, Chief People Officer at Aviva; Kevin Lyons, Senior HR Manager at Pearson; and Claire McCartney, Senior Policy Advisor at CIPD, as we explore how your organisation can take a more nuanced, deliberate approach to hybrid working.

Despite increased resources in most organisations, CIPD's 2023 Learning at Work survey found that over half of L&D teams had intensified workloads over the last year. This has left L&D professionals battling with a lack of capacity, puzzling over business priorities and with a lack of insight about what is needed. So, what can learning professionals do about it? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Sonali Narendran, Talent and Learning Partner at Starbucks; Laura Overton, Founder at Learning Changemakers; and Andy Lancaster, Head of Learning at CIPD, as we explore a number of practical solutions to help you overcome capacity barriers and deliver impactful learning.

Is your cybersecurity training fit for purpose? There's a common perception that cybersecurity is an issue for the IT function, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The reality is that modern cyber-criminals have mastered the psychological techniques of manipulating their target to perform a specific action, making the issue of cyber-security a far more human issue than you may think. So, how can people professionals get on top of the issue, better understand their people and then identify where the risks might lie? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Shelby Flora, Managing Director at Accenture; Tim Ward, CEO at ThinkCyber; and Tarquin Foliss OBE, Vice Chairman at SASIG as we unpack the human side and behavioural science of cybersecurity.

Have we over-expanded the remit of people managers? As the world and the workplace have become increasingly complex, management requirements and expectations are expanding exponentially. So, what steps can People Professionals take to support managers, to relieve the risk of being overwhelmed, and equip them with the competencies and behaviours to thrive? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests: Zofia Bajorek, Research Fellow at Institute of Employment Studies; Wayne Clarke, Founding Partner and Leadership and Management Expert at Global Growth Institute and Amanda Arrowsmith, People and Transformation Director at CIPD, as we discuss how people professionals can best support managers to tackle the demands of a new era of people management.