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Day 2 of the CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition brought more inspiring insights for HR leaders, with sessions covering everything from AI’s role in learning and development to the importance of fostering joyful, connected workplace cultures. With powerful talks, practical workshops, and case studies, attendees left with actionable strategies to implement back at their organisations. Here’s a recap of the standout sessions.
The day began with a powerful keynote featuring former players from the Manchester Corinthians Ladies Football Club, a pioneering women’s football team formed during a time when the FA banned women from playing. These inspiring women shared stories of resilience, courage, and their passion for the sport, highlighting what it means to break boundaries and challenge societal norms. They spoke about unity, courage, and pushing through limits, showing how true leadership and teamwork are rooted in bold moves and inspiring change.
Their journey reminds us of the importance of representation, and as one speaker noted, it's about “succeeding even when others don’t believe you will.” The documentary The Corinthians: We Were The Champions will capture these incredible stories, ensuring their legacy inspires future generations. This session left attendees with a sense of empowerment, underscoring the value of inclusion and the lasting impact of determination in the face of adversity.
Dr Amy Pressland from Benenden Health presented findings from the 2024 Gender Health Gap report, a critical analysis of the health disparities affecting women in the workplace. The report reveals that the UK has the largest women’s health gap across all G20 countries, with issues such as fertility challenges, menstruation, and other health concerns impacting women’s careers. Shockingly, as many as 40% of women reported that their health has influenced their professional growth.
Dr Pressland highlighted the discrimination women face from male colleagues during health-related challenges, sharing practical ways employers can support female employees. Her recommendations included adopting flexible policies, normalising open discussions around health issues, and implementing best practices to foster a more inclusive work environment. This session emphasised that supporting women’s health at work is essential not only for equality but also for employee engagement and productivity.
Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, renowned space scientist, took the audience on a journey through her career, inspiring HR professionals with her passion for science and overcoming personal challenges. From exploring the mysteries of the universe to discussing the role of curiosity and determination, Maggie’s talk reminded attendees of the importance of fostering a growth mindset within organisations. Her story highlighted that nurturing resilience and curiosity in employees can lead to greater innovation and success.
In an interactive session, Hayfa Mohdzaini, Mike Chatterton, and Gavin Duncan guided attendees on how to effectively use generative AI in HR tasks. This session offered practical tips on crafting clear and informative prompts, with live demos showcasing how generative AI can assist in drafting, brainstorming, and summarising HR content. Attendees left with a toolkit of prompt-writing techniques to maximise the impact of AI tools like ChatGPT, ensuring they can streamline content creation and improve HR communication strategies.
Ellie McKenna ACIPD, a Human Resources Business Partner, noted that this session was a highlight, commenting, “As we integrate AI tools more deeply into HR, mastering prompt design isn’t just a technical skill; it’s a way to ensure that we’re using AI ethically, creatively, and effectively.” This reflection underscores the significance of prompt-writing as a skill that empowers HR professionals to harness AI responsibly and innovatively, making it a valuable tool for modern HR functions.
Steve Williams and Andy James from Accenture presented a workshop on how AI and digital tools are reshaping learning. They demonstrated how AI-driven learning programs can unlock creativity, adaptability, and innovation within teams, allowing organisations to stay ahead in an ever-evolving skills landscape. This session underscored the importance of adopting advanced L&D strategies to build agile, future-ready teams. For HR professionals, tools like 50skills can complement these L&D transformations by automating onboarding and ongoing development processes, ensuring a seamless learning experience for employees.
Susie Dent, the lexicographer known for her role on Countdown, delivered an insightful talk on the power of language in business. Through captivating stories, Susie illustrated how precise language and effective communication can strengthen influence and relationships in the workplace. HR professionals were encouraged to reflect on the language they use daily and consider how subtle changes could improve team dynamics and engagement.
In a session led by Claire McCartney and Katie Noble, the discussion focused on improving recruitment processes to boost early-stage retention. With 4 in 10 new hires leaving within their first 12 weeks, the session underscored that effective onboarding and initial engagement are critical to retention. Platforms like 50skills can help HR teams streamline recruitment and onboarding, ensuring new hires feel supported from day one and boosting overall retention rates.
Hayfa Mohdzaini and David D'Souza closed the day with insights on how CIPD is experimenting with AI to enhance its operations. They shared examples of how AI can streamline repetitive tasks, allowing HR professionals to focus on more complex, creative aspects of their roles. This session reinforced that the people profession has much to gain from adopting AI in areas like onboarding, content creation, and strategic planning—empowering HR to drive transformation while keeping a focus on the human element.
From inspiring stories of resilience to practical AI strategies, Day 2 of CIPD ACE underscored the transformative potential of HR. If you’re looking to adopt these insights and integrate automation into your own HR processes, book a demo with 50skills to see how our platform can support your journey towards a more efficient, engaged, and future-ready workforce.
