CIPD

Episódios

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  HR People Pod – Ep 54: Future planning as a discipline - with Tom Cheesewright 29.07.2026 27min

  Curate, create, communicate – why are these three Cs so pivotal to future-proofing your career? What's the risk of dehumanising work through automation? And how can we help leaders think about the future without oversimplifying it or overwhelming them?CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Applied Futurist, Tom Cheesewright as they explore why planning for the future isn't a one-off decision, but a discipline organisations have to build in.Recorded: 09 June 2026 at CIPD Festival of Work---Your next listen:CIPD Podcast 213: Skilling up your organisation now and for the futureCIPD Podcast 232: The journey towards a skills-based organisation: The role of L&DHR People Pod – Ep 49: Business impact | Employee empowerment | Change readiness in an AI worldHR People Pod – Ep 43: Inside Davos – AI, work and the future of identity - with Allyn BaileyMore from this episode:Topic: AI in the workplaceThought leadership: The future of work – Insights for senior leaders on drivers of changeAnalysis: Evolution of the people profession Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Podcast 232: The journey towards a skills-based organisation - The role of L&D 22.07.2026 35min

  As business priorities shift, skills shortages intensify and technology changes the nature of work, organisations need a clearer view of the skills and capabilities they have — and how to deploy them where they can create the greatest impact. But how can learning professionals support the building of new capability at pace and scale, when many organisations still struggle to see what skills exist in the workforce, to what level of expertise, or to move that capability to where it's needed most? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests – Shona Marshall, Founder of The ASM Difference; Laurell Hector, Managing Director at McManus HRD; and Andrew Jacobs, Learning Strategist and Founder of Llarn Learning – as they explore L&D's role in supporting the shift to becoming a skills-based organisation. In this episode, our panel explores: Why L&D is critical to enabling skills-based transformation, by responding to business priorities and driving the performance they require How skills intelligence, taxonomies and internal marketplaces can inform smarter, workforce planning, internal mobility and learning investment. What must change in how learning is designed and delivered – moving away from linear, one-off training programmes towards continuous, skills-led development that keeps pace with changing skills landscape. ---Your next listen: CIPD Podcast 231: The journey to a skills-based organisation CIPD Podcast 207: HR’s next top operating model HR People Pod – Episode 48: Leadership reflections | Skills visibility | Workload creep More from this episode: Guide – Skills matching: Using and deploying people’s skills effectively in the workplace Analysis – How L&D can create value: Focussing on skills development  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 53: Progression conversations | ERA 2025: Probation | Relationship building 15.07.2026 34min

  HR People Pod – Ep 53: Progression conversations | ERA 2025: Probation | Relationship buildingWhat's the real cost when organisations avoid honest career progression conversations? As the qualifying period for unfair dismissal drops from two years to six months under the Employment Rights Act 2025, how ready are managers to really make probation periods count? And with managers stretched thinner than ever, has building real relationships with their people become an afterthought?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Cheryl Samuels, co-founder of #InclusiveHR; Vilma Nikolaidou, Director of People and Culture at the British Film Institute; and Marc Weedon, Executive Coach, HR Consultant and Owner of excelHR.Recorded: 10 July 2026---Additional resources:Tracking law changes: Employment Rights Act 2025Guidance: Effectively managing probationYour next listen:CIPD Podcast 226: Closing skill gaps from within: the case for internal mobilityHR People Pod – Ep 39: Rewriting the rules on workplace conflict – with David Liddle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 52: Courageous leadership, clarity and organisational falafel - with Diana Osagie 01.07.2026 29min

  What does courageous leadership really look like when the pressure is on? How can leaders move beyond assumptions and opaque messaging to create genuine clarity? And why is humility one of the most important pillars of good leadership?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by author, leadership coach and founder of Courageous Leadership Consultancy, Diana Osagie, to explore how leaders can transform thinking, build better organisational habits and create the clarity and confidence to have the conversations that matter.Recorded: 10 June 2026---Additional resources:Article: Diana Osagie on the foundations of courageous leadership (People Management)Explore more from Diana Osagie on courageous and empowered leadershipYour next listen:CIPD Podcast 214: Success starts small – Building sustainable workplace habitsHR People Pod – Ep 44: Crisis leadership | Impact of employee benefits | Friction-maxxing at workHR People Pod – Ep 37: Leading under pressure – with Professor Kevin Fong Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Podcast 231: The journey towards a skills-based organisation 24.06.2026 31min

  For decades, jobs have helped organisations structure work, allocate responsibilities and make decisions about people. But as business priorities shift, skills shortages intensify and technology changes the nature of work, organisations need a clearer view of the skills and capabilities they have — and how to deploy them where they can create the greatest impact.  Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Simone Carroll, CHRO and Director; Stephen Findlay, Head of Organisational Development at Skills Development Scotland; and Alex Boulting, Global OD & HR Transformation Leader at Ebbnflow – as they explore what it means to become a skills-based organisation.   In this episode, our panel explores: •What it means to become a skills-based organisation, and how skills can complement rather than replace traditional job and role structures •How people professionals can identify current and future skills needs, connect skills to business impact, and rethink recruitment, workforce planning, performance and development •Why skills-based transformation is not just an HR project, but a people strategy requiring co-creation, trust, cultural change and the right use of skills data and technology ---Your next listen:CIPD Podcast 207: HR’s next top operating modelHR People Pod – Episode 48: Leadership reflections | Skills visibility | Workload creepMore from this episode:Guide – Skills matching: Using and deploying people’s skills effectively in the workplaceAnalysis – How L&D can create value: Focussing on skills development Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 51: Agentic AI | Entry-level careers | Defining moments in HR 17.06.2026 29min

  As agentic AI moves beyond being a tool and starts to act with greater autonomy, how should organisations think about trust, oversight and accountability? If entry-level roles are changing — or even shrinking — what does that mean for young people trying to take their first step into work, and for employers hoping to build future capability? And which pivotal career moments can change how HR professionals think about their work, their leadership and their impact?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza, is joined by Jo Carlin, Chief People Officer at Effective Energy Group, and Andy Stephenson, Director at Dove Nest Group. Recorded: 11 June 2026 ---Additional resources:Case studies: AI in the workplacehttps://www.cipd.org/en/topics/artificial-intelligence-workplace/Guide: How people professionals can develop, deploy, and use AU in an ethical, legal and sustainable wayhttps://www.cipd.org/en/knowledge/guides/people-professionals-ai-use/Skills for the future: Why investment in early talent is crucial for workforce successhttps://www.cipd.org/en/views-and-insights/thought-leadership/insight/investment-early-talent/Your next listen:CIPD Podcast 228: The missing first rung: Are we sleepwalking into a talent crisis?https://www.cipd.org/en/knowledge/podcasts/missing-first-rung-are-we-sleeping-into-a-talent-crisis/CIPD Podcast 229: From AI experimentation to AI maturityhttps://www.cipd.org/en/knowledge/podcasts/from-ai-experimentation-to-ai-maturity/HR People Pod - Ep 43: Inside Davos - AI, work and the future of identity - with Allyn Baileyhttps://www.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/podcasts/hr-people-pod/#:~:text=on%20benefits%202026-,HR%20People%20Pod%20%E2%80%93%20Ep%2043%3A%20Inside%20Davos%20%E2%80%93%20AI%2C%20work%20and%20the%20future%20of%20identity%20%2D%20with%20Allyn%20Bailey,-Duration%3A%2000%3A34HR Coffee Time with Fay Wallis - Episode 155https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zi4ib2ER6g Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 50: National Volunteers’ Week | The line manager conundrum | Controlling costs while planning for growth 03.06.2026 27min

  It’s National Volunteers’ Week from the 1st to the 7th of June. The impact of volunteering on creating pathways and enhancing career opportunities both into and within the workplace is well known. But what about the benefits and rewards for those who offer their time as voluntary mentors? Plus, a recent People Management Magazine article suggests that only 15% of non-managers find the prospect of becoming a line manager appealing, so how do we prepare the next generation of professionals to embrace line manager roles and the challenges that come with that? Finally, with the CIPD’s Labour Market Outlook Report Spring 2026 demonstrating that 58% of employers are prioritising cost challenges above growth, how can organisations strike the right balance between controlling costs now and protecting their ability to expand and remain competitive in the future?In this special fiftieth episode of the HR People Pod, we welcome back guest host, Leah De Silva, Senior Programme Manager for the CIPD Trust. Joining her in the studio are Emma Jayne, Chief People Officer at KYN and Elaine Grell, Chief People Officer (EMEA) at Ogilvy.Recorded: 30th May 2026---Explore more from this episode:National Volunteer’s WeekVolunteer opportunities - CIPD TrustImpact and guidance - CIPD TrustMost employees say becoming a manager is not appealing, survey revealsLabour Market Outlook | CIPD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Podcast 230: Why financial wellbeing is a business performance issue 27.05.2026 31min

  Financial wellbeing is often treated as a personal challenge, but money worries can have a direct impact on performance, absence, engagement and retention. More concerningly, just 15 per cent of UK organisations have a formal financial wellbeing policy or strategy, according to the CIPD’s latest Reward Survey 2026, supported by Everywhen. So, what role should people professionals play in supporting employees’ financial wellbeing?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Mona Parikh, Associate Director, Reward at Coventry University; Charlie Goodman, Client Director at Everywhen; and Charles Cotton, Senior Policy and Practice Adviser, Pay, Reward and Performance – as they explore why financial wellbeing is not an ‘add-on’, but a strategic workforce challenge.---More from this episode:Report: Reward Survey: Focus on Benefits 2026Guide: Employee financial wellbeingWebsite: Money Helper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 49: Business impact | Employee empowerment | Change readiness in an AI world 20.05.2026 35min

  As organisations face growing pressure to perform, how can HR move beyond operational excellence to become a true driver of business performance? What does it take to put employee empowerment at the heart of the workplace and give people the trust and clarity to act with confidence? And with the pace of change only accelerating, how can the profession build the mindset needed for genuine change readiness?In this special International HR Day episode, CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Asha Musoni, Chief People and Transformation Officer at the CBI, and Mark Pavlika, Chief People and Purpose Officer at Bicycle London.Recorded: 15 May 2026---Explore more from this episode:CIPD Members: Change management toolsAI in the workplace: Case studiesCreating People Advantage Survey 2026Your next listen:HR People Pod – Ep43: Inside Davos – AI, work and the future of identity - with Allyn BaileyCIPD Podcast – Episode 229: From AI experimentation to AI maturityCIPD Podcast – Episode 223: Beyond learning - Mobilising L&D for organisational change Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 48: Leadership reflections | Skills visibility | Workload creep 06.05.2026 36min

  What do senior HR leaders wish they had known before stepping into a CPO or HRD role? How can organisations move beyond vague talk of “future skills” and build a practical view of workforce capability? And when employees increasingly work beyond their formal remit, is that simply the reality of modern work — or a sign of workload creep? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Adese Okojie, HR leader and founder of Black Women in HR (BWHR), Kevin Green, Chief People Officer at FirstGroup, and Matt Elliott, Chief People Officer at Bank of Ireland. Recorded: 01 May 2026 --- Explore more from this episode: CIPD/Omni Report: Resourcing and Talent Planning Creating People Advantage Survey 2025  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Podcast 229: From AI experimentation to AI maturity 29.04.2026 33min

  As use of artificial intelligence moves beyond experimentation, are organisations starting to see real value – or struggling to turn promise into impact? As AI experimentation gives way to scaled adoption, the pressure is on to achieve tangible returns while managing new risks for people, jobs and organisational culture.Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Graeme Burns, AI People and Communications Leader at Nationwide Building Society; Ben Redshaw, Director and Founder at Orchard Tree Consulting; and Hayfa Mohdzaini, Senior Policy and Practice Adviser - Technology at CIPD – as they explore what AI maturity looks like in practice, where organisations are getting stuck and the critical role people professionals play in embedding AI responsibly and effectively.In this episode, we explore: What AI maturity means in practice and the common components of AI maturity How can organisations realistically and meaningfully assess their current level of AI maturity What role can people professionals play in helping build the culture, capabilities and organisational readiness needed to scale AI effectively. ---More from this episode:Explore content supported by the Innovate UK BridgeAI programmeGuide: How people professionals can develop, deploy and use AI in an ethical, legal and sustainable wayHR People Pod - Ep43: Inside Davos - AI, work and the future of identity - with Allyn Bailey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 47: Disability disclosure | CEO avatars | Engagement | Productivity myths 22.04.2026 34min

  Why are HR professionals still feeling forced to hide their disabilities just to get hired? Could an AI version of your CEO really replace human leadership — and what happens when technology starts delivering the messages people most need to hear from a real person? And when engagement is falling and productivity remains stubbornly low, are organisations solving the wrong problems altogether? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Clair Staines, Chief People Officer at POWWR, David Balls, Principal Consultant at Helix People Solutions, and Cheryl Samuels, People and Culture Director in the NHS and co-founder of #InclusiveHR. Recorded: 17 April 2026 --- Explore more from this episode: CIPD announces Neil Carberry as new Chief Executive Guide: Recruiting, managing and developing people with a disability or health condition Resources: AI in the workplace   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 46: Measuring culture, driving performance – with Hani Nabeel 08.04.2026 35min

  How do you take culture from something leaders instinctively talk about to something they can genuinely understand, measure and act on? What can one of the largest behavioural studies of its kind tell us about the link between culture and business outcomes? And if traditional measures like engagement only tell part of the story where should people professionals look for a clearer view on what’s really driving performance? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Hani Nabeel, Chief Behavioural Scientist at iPsychTec and author of Culture Analytics: An evidence-based approach to company culture, to explore the evidence behind culture and performance. Recorded: 20 February 2026 --- Explore more from this episode: Book: Culture Analytics: An evidence-based approach to company culture – Hani Nabeel Your next listen: CIPD Podcast 220: Do leaders establish culture, or are they a product of it? HR People Pod – Ep39: Rewriting the rules on workplace conflict – with David Liddle HR People Pod – Ep37: Leading under pressure – with Professor Kevin Fong  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 45: The problem with pay secrecy | Pressure-proof managers | Are PIPs broken? 25.03.2026 35min

  Why are so many employers still hiding salary details when candidates increasingly expect pay transparency? While technical capability might win a promotion, are organisations doing enough to prepare managers for the pressure that comes with leadership? And when performance improvement plans (PIPs) are so often seen as a step towards the exit, can they still be a credible tool for improvement?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza, is joined by Sally Hopper, Director of People at London Fire Brigade, and David Blackburn, Managing Director of David R. Blackburn Consulting.Recorded: 20 March 2026---Explore more from this episode:CIPD – Tracking law changes: Employment Rights Act 2025Your next listen:HR People Pod – Ep37: Leading under pressure – with Professor Kevin FongCIPD Podcast – Episode 194: Is pay transparency good for business Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Podcast 228: The missing first rung: Are we sleepwalking into a talent crisis? 18.03.2026 26min

  As organisations face mounting cost pressures and AI absorbs many entry-level responsibilities, there is a growing risk that entry-level pathways will disappear by default rather than by design. But what are the unintended consequences of hollowing out the roles where future capability, judgement and innovation are built?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests — Orianne Wightman, Emerging Talent Director at Arm; Craig Pattison, Founder of Elevate Executive Coaching; and Lizzie Crowley, Senior Skills Policy Adviser at CIPD — as they examine how organisations must redesign work, opportunity and progression, before capability gaps begin to surface in talent pipelines, performance and long-term organisational resilience. In this episode, we explore:-         Why shrinking entry-level opportunities – and the erosion of the first rungs of the career ladder – could become a critical organisational risk-         The consequences when organisations stop creating and developing talent and instead become net consumers of talent-         How organisations must redesign roles, routes into work and progression pathways to protect future capability and sustain healthy talent pipelines Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 44: Crisis leadership | Impact of employee benefits | Friction-maxxing at work 11.03.2026 36min

  In a world of uncertainty and constant disruption, what does an effective and human response to crisis really look like? Are employee benefits creating real impact – or are too many organisations offering perks without a clear sense of what they’re for? And as technology promises ever-greater efficiency, are employees starting to resist the pressure to optimise everything in pursuit of something more meaningful?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Sasi Venables, HR Business Partner at the University of Worcester and founder of The HR Confidence Club and Rob Worrall, Chief People Officer.Recorded: 06 March 2026---Explore more from this episode:HR People Pod – Ep 12: Crisis events | Supply chains | Politics at work | ‘Ghost jobs’Report: Reward Survey: Focus on benefits 2026  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 43: Inside Davos – AI, work and the future of identity - with Allyn Bailey 25.02.2026 34min

  What really happens at the World Economic Forum in Davos? And what are global leaders saying about the future of work? Are organisations simply layering AI onto existing systems, or are they facing a fundamental re-engineering of work itself? If intelligence becomes infrastructure, what happens to how we define value and professional identity? And if entry-level roles decline, what does that mean for the strength of our future talent pipeline?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Allyn Bailey, Senior Director Corporate Narrative and Communications at SmartRecruiters.Recorded: 20 February 2026---Read more from Allyn Bailey at the World Economic ForumDavos 2026: the key takeaways for HR on AI, skills and workforce reinventionhttps://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1946227/davos-2026-key-takeaways-hr-ai-skills-workforce-reinvention Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Podcast 227: How to make learning stick and drive performance 18.02.2026 29min

  Does sustained performance depend less on the learning event itself and more on the environment in which it is applied? In modern workplaces – shaped by inbox overload, operational pressures and competing demands for attention – employees often return from training motivated and well-intentioned, yet without the time, permission or support to put new skills into practice. Without the right conditions, learning quickly fades and performance remains unchanged.Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests — Aglaia Economou, HR Learning Development & Change Manager at Hertfordshire County Council; Fergal Connolly, Learning Transfer Specialist and Founder of Multiply Transfer; and Steve George, Head of Learning at CIPD — as they examine what it really takes to ensure learning translates into measurable performance.In this episode, we explore:-         The organisational conditions required for learning to translate into sustained performance, beyond the design and delivery of formal training.-         The pivotal role of managers, accountability and workplace culture in giving people the permission and space to apply what they have learned.-         How to diagnose performance challenges effectively — and avoid defaulting to training when the root cause lies elsewhere. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 42: Career moments | Organisational change readiness | ‘Peanut butter’ pay 11.02.2026 32min

  As volatility becomes the default rather than the exception, what does it really mean for organisations to be ready for change? When it comes to ‘peanut butter’ pay rises, does spreading reward evenly strengthen trust and fairness, or quietly undermine the idea that performance and capability matter? And just how decisive can small moments be — how have acts of trust, stretch or recognition shaped the careers of our guests?   CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Alix Bolton, Chief People Officer, Europe at Smollan; and Alison Hodgson, Market Director – CIPD Ireland. Recorded: 6 February 2026  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 41: Building foundations in a world chasing what’s next 28.01.2026 33min

  As new trends and demands accelerate, how can HR leaders ensure the profession’s foundations are robust enough to support effective and timely action? If AI is becoming part of everyday work, should organisations deliberately test how candidates think, reason and collaborate with AI as part of the recruitment process? And is the rise in temporary work a strategic shift in workforce strategy – or a symptom of wider uncertainty?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Mel Steel, Interim People, Change & Transformation Leader; and Martyn Dicker, Director of People at Unicef UK.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.