We have a fantastic line-up of headline speakers for UHR25.
Perry Timms has over 30 years of experience in business change and performance, with the last 21 in HR/Organisation Development. He ranked Number 1 in HR's Most Influential Thinkers 2022 (his fifth inclusion in that list) and is now in the HR Most Influential Hall of Fame. He is a 4x Engagement 101 Global Influencer, a 4x Guest Professor, a 2x TEDx speaker, and a 2x Author (with his third book published in August 2025). Perry is a Chartered Member of the CIPD, a Fellow of the RSA and in 2024 was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in self-managed, democratic organisations. and a Global Culture Icon Award.
Perry founded People and Transformational HR 12 years ago. The venture is a Certified BCorporation, a WorldBlu Certified Freedom-Centred organisation, a Gold Standard 4-day Working Week, a 2023 Top 50 EMEA Inspiring Workplace, a Top 2 Most Flexible Workplace on the Flexa Index, a Living Wage employer, and a Climate Positive enterprise.
All Change
Tuesday, 13 May at 10:00 (Plenary 1)
View programme for details of Perry's session at UHR25.
Amy is an award-winning Mental Health, Health & Wellbeing and Women’s Health consultant with more than 20 years of unparalleled experience. She coaches organisations of all sizes, putting into place evidence-based, measurable and sustainable strategies which are as innovative as they are effective. She has created and implemented strategies in organisations of all sizes from big 4 accountancy firms (she wrote and implemented EY’s UK health, mental health and wellbeing strategy) and global strategies for FTSE 100s, to SMEs and start-ups. She was also a Non-Executive Director of Mental Health First Aid England.
The Mental Health Crisis is Here - What Can Higher Education Organisations Do To Support Their People?
Wednesday, 14 May at 09:45 (Plenary 3)
View programme for details of Amy's session at UHR25.
Dr Heather Melville, OBE CMgr CCMI FCBI
Partner, Stork & May
Trustee and Senior Advisor, Entrepreneur Chancellor of York University
Heather’s career spans over 40 years across Financial, Professional & Technology Services, with a specific focus on international trade, entrepreneurship and corporate banking. Heather is a business thought leader and an innovator with a notable track record of building high performing diverse teams.
She has acted in an advisory capacity to FTSE CEOs across a multitude of industries and sectors. She is a highly respected and sought after public speaker, having addressed C-Suite leaders, senates, royalty, and global business audiences worldwide.
Heather has won many accolades, including being listed on the Black Powerlist, as one of the 100 most influential black people in the UK. She is a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), whose purpose is to open channels of opportunity for black executives to positively impact business and communities, and the CFO's Diversity Forum for Business in the Community (FTSE100).
Heather is also Patron of Women in Banking & Finance (WIBF) and in June 2024 she became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.
In 2017 Heather was awarded an OBE for her services to Banking and Financial Services. In 2022 she was inaugurated as the Chancellor of the University of York.
Heather has acted as a Senior Advisor to a number of financial services, as well as a Trustee on the Board of Enfield Enterprise and until recently (following a 7-year tenure) was a Trustee on the Board for the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). She now sits on the committee for Companions and has recently been elected to join the Everyone Economy Committee.
Call to Action
Thursday, 15 May at 14:45 (Plenary 5)
View programme for details of Heather's session at UHR25.
Panel Session
Future Sustainability of HEPs and Transformation
Tuesday, 13 May at 15:00 (Plenary 2)
Join us for our last session of the day, an engaging panel session where an expert group of from within and beyond HR and HE will explore the Future Sustainability of Higher Education Providers and discuss the transformation needed to meet the challenges ahead. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical strategies for navigating change in our sector.
Panel Session
Mental Health
Wednesday, 14 May at 14:45 (Plenary 4)
Learn from an insightful discussion with a diverse panel of experts in their field, exploring the critical role of mental health in today’s workplace. Drawing on their unique perspectives and experiences, our speakers will delve into this incredibly important subject answering questions and debating practice. This session is a must for anyone looking to gain practical tools and deeper understanding to better support their teams and colleagues.
