Conference Agenda
09:20 - 09:30
Chair’s opening remarks
09:30 - 10:10
Opening keynote: What does it take to attract and retain top talent in challenging times?
In a competitive landscape, organisations often look to implement competitive salaries and...
In a competitive landscape, organisations often look to implement competitive salaries and generous benefits. But what is it that really matters when it comes to attracting and retaining the talent your organisation needs to thrive? Discover the case for revolutionising reward and benefits to drive business performance, with focus on:
- recognising what matters most to your workforce and providing flexibility and choice to ensure these needs are met
- the importance of recognition and appreciation to ensure employees feel valued and seen for their contributions
- communicating the value of reward to embed trust and transparency into workplace culture.
10:10 - 10:55
HR Legal Updates - The Employment Rights Bill, The Pensions Scheme Bill, and more…
With the legislative landscape undergoing significant changes, this session will cover what...
With the legislative landscape undergoing significant changes, this session will cover what you’ll need to know moving forward. Focusing on two main areas, you’ll hear from two experts on:
General legislative updates:
Hear about the latest developments under the Employment Rights Bill, updates on both the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, as well as recent changes to legislation in the context of pay, reward and benefits.
Pensions:
Hear the latest updates under The Pensions Scheme Bill and what this means for the UK’s workforce. Understand what measures will be put in place to simplify and streamline the pensions landscape, and boost value and security for working people.
10:55 - 11:25
Networking break
11:25 - 11:55
Insights from the CIPD/Everywhen 2026 Reward Survey
Join this session to discover the latest insights from the CIPD/Everywhen 2026...
Join this session to discover the latest insights from the CIPD/Everywhen 2026 Reward Survey which this year will focus on Employee Benefits. Hear the latest stats, dive into case studies and gain key takeaways to support employee benefits in your organisation.
11:55 - 12:40
Workshop: From empathy to engagement - mastering financial wellbeing as a strategic business tool
Prioritising employees wellbeing, including financial wellbeing, is not just a nice-to-have but...
Prioritising employees wellbeing, including financial wellbeing, is not just a nice-to-have but a strategic tool that increases engagement amongst employees. This hands-on workshop session will explore the importance of embedding a strong financial wellbeing strategy, as well as:
- going beyond the paycheck to set employees up with the tools for financial stability in the now and the future
- understanding different generations have unique financial priorities and adapting communications to cater to different needs
- instilling an empathetic approach whereby employees feel safe to engage with support, improving staff wellbeing.
12:40 - 13:40
Lunch
13:40 - 14:25
Solution room: How can AI and analytics revolutionise total rewards?
As AI is integrated into all areas of work, the case is...
As AI is integrated into all areas of work, the case is no different when it comes to reward and pay. This Solution Room session will allow you to explore how to embed AI and analytics into your total rewards to drive business impact and employee satisfaction. Explore questions such as:
- How can reward professionals equip themselves with the skills needed to utilise AI?
- How can AI and analytics enable reward professionals to gain deeper insights and streamline decision-making?
- How can AI provide employees with personalised guidance to make informed decisions when it comes to reward? And how can you support employees with this?
14:25 - 14:55
Session coming soon from Bright Horizons
14:55 - 15:25
Networking break
15:25 - 16:05
Case studies: Developing total reward packages on a budget to drive business performance
In a climate where both organisations and employees are feeling the financial...
In a climate where both organisations and employees are feeling the financial strain, engaging your workforce with total reward requires creative thinking, not big budgets. This session will deep dive into case studies to equip you with the practical, cost-effective solutions needed to elevate your total rewards package and drive productivity and performance. With focus on:
- mastering the art of communicating your existing package to ensure employees understand what is on offer, turning it into a powerful retention tool
- strategically prioritising flexibility and wellbeing to deliver high-impact, zero-cost benefits that boost employee morale and productivity
- adopting holistic approaches to reward, focusing on areas such as recognition and professional growth.
16:05 - 16:50
Panel: The price of openness - how pay transparency is shaping trust and talent
Talking about pay has traditionally been seen as taboo in the workplace,...
Talking about pay has traditionally been seen as taboo in the workplace, however, more steps are now being taken to require employers to show greater openness when it comes to pay. This panel discussion will tackle questions that UK employers need to think about, such as:
- How will increased pay transparency affect workplace culture and how can employers prepare for this?
- How will the EU Pay Transparency Directive affect UK companies operating in a global context? What needs to be done to create uniformity across organisations?
- What’s next for pay gap reporting and how can employers focus on tackling pay disparities when it comes to gender, ethnicity and disability?
16:50 - 16:55
Chair’s closing remarks