The 2027 Programme

Name: Retail HR North
Start: 2027-02-04T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Voco

09.30-10.00	REGISTRATION & NETWORKING
10.00-10.10 Loading profile...	Chair's welcome and opening comments Darren Sanderson-Williams, General Manager, Specsavers Loading profile...
10.10 – 10.40	Retail HR Scene Setter: Leading Through Change Retail HR leaders are operating in an environment of constant disruption. From economic uncertainty and workforce shortages to AI adoption and legislative reform, people teams are being asked to balance transformation with stability while maintaining engagement and performance. Leading organisations through periods of change Building resilience and adaptability across teams Navigating commercial pressures while protecting culture The growing strategic influence of HR at board level
10.40 – 11.30	Retail HR Insights Panel: The New Employment Deal Employee expectations continue to evolve, forcing employers to rethink how they attract, engage and retain talent. This session explores how leading retailers are reshaping the employee experience to remain competitive in the race for talent. Attracting talent in a highly competitive labour market Strengthening employer brand and reputation Responding to changing workforce expectations Building retention strategies that drive long-term loyalty
11.30-11.50	NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK
11.50 – 12.30	Retail HR Tech Perspectives: AI-Powered People Strategy AI is rapidly transforming every stage of the employee lifecycle. From recruitment and workforce planning to learning and employee experience, this session explores how retailers can unlock the value of AI while maintaining trust, transparency and human connection. Applying AI across key HR functions Enhancing recruitment and workforce planning Balancing automation with employee trust Establishing effective AI governance and oversight
12.40-13.30	NETWORKING LUNCH BREAK
13.15 – 14.15	Retail HR Learning Lab: Building the Workforce of the Future As retail operating models evolve, so do the skills required to succeed. This session explores how retailers are future-proofing their workforce through learning, career development and greater workforce agility. Identifying future skills and capability gaps Creating effective upskilling and reskilling programmes Supporting internal mobility and career progression Leveraging learning technology to scale development
14.15 – 14.45	Retail HR Legal Spotlight: Preparing for Employment Reform Major legislative changes are reshaping employer responsibilities across the UK. This practical session examines the reforms HR leaders need to prioritise and the actions required to minimise risk and ensure compliance. Understanding the latest employment legislation Navigating new employee rights and protections Supporting managers through policy change Managing compliance across large, distributed workforces
14.45-15.05	NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK
15.05 – 15.45	Retail HR Strategy Forum: Reward, Benefits and Financial Wellbeing Reward strategies are becoming a critical differentiator in employee attraction and retention. This session explores how retailers are evolving their employee value proposition to deliver meaningful benefits while ensuring commercial sustainability. Designing competitive and flexible reward programmes Supporting employee financial wellbeing Aligning benefits with workforce expectations Measuring the business impact of reward investments
15.45 – 16.15	Retail Spotlight: Creating high-performance cultures through employee engagement Strong employee engagement is no longer simply a people objective. It is a business imperative. This session explores how leading retailers are building cultures that improve retention, productivity and customer outcomes. Strengthening engagement across diverse workforces Creating a culture of belonging and inclusion Turning employee feedback into meaningful action Measuring culture and engagement effectiveness
16.15	Chair's closing comments