The CIPD Festival of Work returns to Excel London on 11–12 June 2025, promising two days of inspiration, innovation, and invaluable networking for HR and business leaders.
As a media partner, HRZone invites you to join over 11,500 professionals at this event dedicated to reimagining work, people, and organisational success. Claim your free ticket today.
Headline Speakers
This year’s festival features a dynamic lineup of over 150 artists across seven stages, offering more than 150 sessions covering topics such as AI, hybrid working, ethics, and workplace culture. Notable headliners include:
- Alex Horne – Comedian and creator of Taskmaster, sharing insights on creativity and collaboration in the workplace.
- Alex Scott MBE – Sports broadcaster and former professional footballer, discussing leadership, resilience, and diversity in teams.
- Sarah Armstrong-Smith – Chief Security Officer at Microsoft, exploring cybersecurity and building trust in the digital age.
- Matthew Syed – Journalist and broadcaster, delving into high-performance cultures and the power of diverse thinking.
- Jamie Laing – Entrepreneur and broadcaster, offering perspectives on brand building and authentic leadership.
Explore the Stages
The festival’s seven stages are designed around key pillars for the modern people profession:
- Workplace Transformation (Main Stage): Explore the future of work, including AI, hybrid working, ethics, and organizational culture.
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI): Pick up new perspectives on all things EDI, including neurodiversity, social mobility, pay gaps and diversity in leadership.
- Employee Experience: Discover talent lifecycle innovations, with sessions on AI in recruiting, flexibility, reward and financial wellbeing, and the changing role of people managers.
- Leadership and Management: Join the discussion on what makes a strong leader today, from embedding high-performing cultures to partnering with HR to sustain great business outcomes.
- Learning & Development (L&D): Discover how to equip your people with the skills to thrive. Topics include: AI, personalised learning paths, the skills agenda, apprenticeships and work-based learning.
- Employee Engagement: Access the latest perspectives on nurturing employee commitment and strengthening internal communications.
- Wellbeing: Uncover new approaches to digital wellbeing, stress and safety, women and families, and the key role of people managers.
Festival Features
Beyond the stages, attendees can explore over 210 exhibitors showcasing the latest in HR technology, learning platforms, and business solutions. The festival also offers more than 140 immersive activities to get stuck into – from yoga sessions to AI workshops, there’s something for everyone.
Whether you’re an HR professional, business leader, or people manager, the CIPD Festival of Work 2025 provides a unique opportunity to gain insights, discover innovative solutions, and connect with like-minded peers. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a community dedicated to shaping better work and working lives.
Register now for your free ticket and join us in leading the future of work.
