Events > UHR Annual Conference 2025 > Programme 2025
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Please note: This is subject to change as we finalise the remaining details of our UHR Conference 2025.
We’re thrilled to announce the detailed programme for the UHR Conference 2025! If you’ve joined us before, you’ll find plenty of familiar highlights, including inspiring keynote speakers, engaging workshops spread across all three days, the prestigious UHR Awards, opportunities to connect with other delegates, social sessions and much more. While the programme is subject to minor adjustments, we’re confident the core schedule is set to deliver a valuable experience for all.
With your Team Ticket, you can attend as much of the conference as suits your needs - join plenary sessions, pick the workshops that resonate most with you and take full advantage of the flexibility to dip in and out of this virtual event. We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsors for their support and encourage all delegates to make the most of the business sessions and networking opportunities. Whether catching up with key contacts or exploring new services and providers for your HR needs, there’s plenty on offer to help you and your team thrive
9:00 - 9:55
Registration - register for conference using the personalised RingCentral link sent to you in the days ahead of conference.
9:55 - 10:00
Our conference host, former UHR Chair Kim Frost, will guide us through the start of what promises to be an inspiring and impactful event. Together, we’ll set the tone for three days of learning, connection and exploration, all designed to support and empower you in your vital roles. Let’s get started and kick off #UHR25!
10:00 - 10:45
Change has changed. Transformation is transforming everywhere. How do senior People Professionals lead the charge towards more evolutionary purpose and impact in helping their people and organisations be future-ready?
Join Perry Timms for UHR 2025's opening keynote, which will explore:
1. A new Theory of Change needed in the world of work, helping usher in
2. A new Operating Model for the HR and People Profession which leads the way to
3. Upgraded systems, people and processes linked to science, emergence and agile dynamism.
Homaging William Gibson's quote: "The future is already here, it's just unevenly distributed." change has already changed; it's just unevenly applied. Let's change that, starting today.
Speaker: Perry Timms | Founder & Chief Energy Officer, PTHR
10:45 - 11:00
Break & Networking
11:00 - 11:45 Workshops Block A
Summary of our chatbot development work to date (this has included trials and live use), starting from the botification of our 'HR teddy' in 2016, through our 'Vira' family friendly chatbot and early work on Oracle Digital Assistant. It will also include what we found from an MSc student project looking at Russell Group HR department readiness for AI. Featuring: Teddy love, epic fails, chatbot PDPR, DPIAs, and various flavours of Copilot...responsible development...and ideas for how to structure HR docs to get the most out of AI. "How are we all engaging with AI...as departments? And as practitioners?".
Speaker: Vincent Bryce | HR Continuous Improvement Programme Lead, University of Nottingham
With reference to Kim Scott’s Radical Candour framework (Scott, 2017) and Erin Mayer’s approach to inclusive candid feedback (Meyer, 2023), this is a practical session, which will explore the components of giving and receiving effective feedback. The session will also explore how effective feedback loops can support HR employees and line managers manage challenging conversations and situations in the workplace, to create a culture of positive working relationships.
Speaker: Zahara Chowdhury | EDI Business Partner, Buckinghamshire New University
With the increasing representation of women in the workforce and disproportionately higher absenteeism rates among women, organisations face significant risks related to the costs of absence and mental health. In higher education, these issues also threaten the quality of the student experience. This session emphasises the importance of tailoring health and wellbeing support for women to address gender equity, improve mental health, and bridge the gender gap in absenteeism. We will also share how we have developed our strategy at Edge Hill University and our successes so far.
Speakers: Vicky Bosward | HR Director, Edge Hill University
Corryn Brown MSc | Organisational Wellbeing Manager, Edge Hill University
Hannah Smee FCIPD | Lecturer in Education and PHD, Edge Hill University
During this fireside chat, we'll talk about how to build a successful relationship between Human Resources and Legal Services (internal or external), what some of the common challenges are and how the drivers of legal and HR can sometimes be in conflict and harmony.
Speakers: James Badger | Professional Services Officer, Loughborough University
Matt Hammonds | Director of Human Resources, Loughborough University
Samuel McGinty | Director of Legal Services and General Counsel, Loughborough University and Association of University Legal Practitioners
Discover how the Organisational Learning Team at the Open University have innovatively responded to evolving learner trends, financial challenges, and the shift to hybrid working. This session will showcase the diverse learning offerings designed to meet colleagues where they are, catering to their habits, preferences, and schedules. Learn how we promote the benefits of workplace learning, strengthen a learning culture, and create inclusive, safe digital and social learning spaces. We’ll highlight our creative approaches, including microlearning, Open Circles, podcasts, conferences, and community-driven learning campaigns. Join us to see how a try-and-learn approach can maximise resources and foster a vibrant, adaptable learning environment.
Speakers: Joanne Booth | Organisational Learning Experience Delivery Manager, The Open University
Paul Hillan | Head of Organisational Learning, The Open University
Victoria Martin | Organisational Learning Lead, Professional Services, The Open University
We will share our experiences and lessons learned from delivering a review of the University of Edinburgh’s grade scale, which hadn’t been reviewed since Pay Modernisation in 2006. Our learnings range from the fundamental - like what the unions will and won’t engage with, and how to convince your external Board members that you should give a pay rise despite ongoing industrial action, to the emotional – like what staff will complain about most when getting a pay rise! We can hopefully help with insight into what lower-cost options existed, where the barriers to approval lay, and the power of accurate data in consultation.
Speakers: Sheila Jardine | Senior HR Reward Partner, University of Edinburgh
Jo Roger | Director HR Partnering - Professional Services, University of Edinburgh
11:45 - 12:15
Break & Networking
12:15 - 13:00 Business Sessions Block A
As the workplace embraces AI, what can ‘we’ do to make sure it works with us rather than against us? How can we facilitate this evolution that all employees will need to go through, to discard old ways of working and adopt new ones, while maintaining wellbeing and a sense of purpose?
We will look at how Generative AI is supporting us as we listen, analyse and respond to our most important asset – Our People. How can we use AI now and in the future to help us provide evidence-based insights to support our listening effectiveness and efficiency? We will explore the human impact and how best to develop employee skills through current organisational initiatives. We will offer an opportunity to share fear concerns and solutions as we enter a new frontier.
Speakers: Lisa Marie Hughes | Senior Consultant, People Insight
Gareth Phillips | Chief Technology Officer, People Insight
Jane Tidswell | Director of HEI, People Insight
Mark will discuss tactics and case studies of successfully recruiting academic and university leaders from overseas. This will look at the challenges and approaches for achieving this at both UK and foreign campuses.
Speaker: Mark Holleran | Managing Director, TalentEdu
Isio will explore the benefits of the flexibility available within a Defined Contribution (DC) pension scheme for employees. By allowing people to choose how to best allocate their employer ‘spend’ for long-term and short-term savings, including access to Lifetime ISA’s and short-term savings to boost financial resilience, variable life assurance, DC schemes become more attractive to employees. Acknowledging there are some constraints on who can be offered DC, this session provides an opportunity to consider how flexibility in your pensions strategy can address immediate financial goals for employees, and improves long-term retirement outcomes. We will present case studies and data demonstrating the positive impact of such flexible schemes.
Discover how adapting DC schemes to offer choice can significantly boost your workforce’s financial wellbeing and strengthen your organisation’s benefits strategy. With the increase in National Insurance and other cost pressures, it is more important than ever for employers to provide benefits that employees need and value, pensions being just one part of this.
The session is relevant whether DC is provided as an option to a defined benefit pension scheme or the only offering for certain staff.
Speakers: Sophie Ash | Director, Isio
Jonathan Gilbey | Pension and Benefits Director, Isio Group Limited
Change is a priority at every level in every organisation right now. Yet, we often encounter moments of stuckness or stagnation in moving through a change process. How we communicate is critical for unlocking and channelling energy toward meaningful outcomes. This session invites participants to explore the power of language in enabling and empowering change. Using a practical model, we’ll delve into the skill of adapting communication styles, language techniques, and making subtle adjustments in wording to empower ourselves, others, and the situation. Through interactive exercises, we’ll examine language, uncover opportunities for empowerment, share impactful phrases, and co-create practical communication strategies tailored to your organisational context. By the end of the session, you’ll feel more confident in experimenting with these approaches and leave with a toolkit of actionable phrases and strategies.
Speaker: Sarah Hubbard | Senior Consultant, Leadership, Organisational Development & Research, Advance HE
13:00 - 13:45
Lunch & Networking Carousel
There hardly seems to be a day that goes by without thorny issues around philosophical beliefs and their manifestation being reported in the press. Increasingly employees are expressing these views in the workplace and employers are at a loss as to how to manage this, especially where those views may cause offence or meet with competing beliefs from others. A flurry of recent case law confirms how challenging and problematic this area may be for employers. Building on the success and popularity of our recent sessions to more discrete UHR audiences on the subject, we take a deep dive into the issues faced by universities, this time in the form of a highly engaging case study, which brings the issues faced into practical context and reality. The session will arm delegates with knowledge as to key considerations to remember, and the common pitfalls to avoid, in such circumstances.
Speakers: David Browne | Partner, Head of Employment & Education, Shakespeare Martineau
Emma Noble | Associate, Shakespeare Martineau
The Labour Government say they have announced the biggest reforms in employment law in years. This session, led by expert HE lawyers from Weightmans LLP, will explore how the proposed Employment Rights Bill will specifically impact HEIs and whether it might even provide opportunities to improve engagement, effectiveness and efficiency. We will draw from recent experiences in practice and the queries we receive on a daily basis to identify likely issues when the new laws come into force in Autumn 2026, what HEIs can do to get ahead of the game and whether there is more to come.
Aspects we’ll consider will include:
• day 1 rights
• the use of probationary periods
• harassment prevention
• "fire and rehire"
• the changes to trade union law
We’ll poll experiences of delegates and provide opportunities for questions, comment and the sharing of experience and hope to stimulate debate.
Speakers: Rachel Murphy | Head of Human Resources ( Employment and Resourcing), University of Leeds
Melanie Steed | Lead Employment Lawyer for Higher Education Sector, Weightmans LLP
In this highly interactive and discursive session we will share our experience of the practice steps that HE employers have been and should be taking to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
We will explore:
• how to approach risk assessments to identify factors that increase risk, e.g. imbalance of power
• how to encourage reporting of cases
• protecting staff from third party harassment
• handling the complexities and sensitivities of investigations into complaints
• responding to harassment outside work e.g. at Conferences and social events
Speakers: Trish Embley | Head of Client Training, Employment, Pinsent Masons LLP
Rebecca Stephen | Legal Director, Pinsent Masons LLP
Join us for our last session of the day, an engaging panel session hosted by Kim Frost, 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.
Speakers: Margaret Ayers | Chief People Officer, Canterbury Christ Church University
Pam Parkes | President, PPMA
Ken Sloan | Vice-Chancellor, Harper Adams University
Host: Kim Frost, Former UHR Chair
9:45 - 10:30
With long term sickness rates soaring up the political agenda and mental health being the largest proportion of these, organisations can no longer afford to ignore mental health and wellbeing. It is now an imperative board-level issue. Yet too many organisations still approach this critical area as a ’nice to have’ and offer well-meaning tactics, not a strategic or comprehensive approach. Amy McKeown, an award-winning strategist and consultant in organisational health, will discuss what organisations need to do to effectively support their people and build a culture of mental health and wellbeing for all.
Speaker: Amy McKeown | Workplace Health, Mental Health, Wellbeing Strategist, Consultant & Mentor
10:30 - 10:45
Break & Networking
10:45 - 11:30 Workshops Block B
“Research is an adventure” Professor Yanguo Jing, Professor in Artificial Intelligence and his colleague, Sonya Clarkson, Executive Director of People and Culture, along with Nicholas Johnston, Chief Executive, ECC (collaborative partner) will take you on their own journey of discovery about whether an Artificial Intelligence tool can be developed to reduce the administrative burden of a time-consuming HR transactional administration process (job evaluation) and the lessons they have learned along the way.
Professor Jing and Sonya applied for a grant from the Association of Commonwealth Universities to support an investigative research pilot to determine whether an Artificial Intelligence tool provides a viable solution to this administrative task, how it can enhance the process by providing an unbiased consistent input and if any job evaluation tool can be entered into the AI tool for use by a wider audience. What they discovered wasn’t quite what they expected...
Speakers: Sonya Clarkson | Executive Director of People and Culture, Leeds Trinity University
Yanguo Jing | Professor in Artificial Intelligence and Faculty Dean for Business, Computing and Digital Industries, Leeds Trinity University
Nicholas Johnston | Chief Executive, Educational Competencies Consortium (ECC)
In the session we’ll explore how institutions can move beyond statements to create tangible, lasting change. Attendees will gain insight into the essential components of an effective anti-racism strategy - establishing clear goals, involving diverse voices in co-producing the strategy, actions and plans, and setting measurable benchmarks for accountability. We’ll discuss actionable steps that organisations can take to address structural inequalities, foster inclusive cultures, and continuously assess progress. The session will also highlight the importance of understanding power dynamics, privilege, and intersectionality, equipping participants with practical tools to apply anti-racist principles in their everyday work. This strategy-driven approach will empower organisations to embed equity at their core and make real strides in creating inclusive, supportive environments for all.
Speaker: Lizzie Johnson | Assistant Director of Equity and Inclusion, UWE Bristol
In response to financial pressures within the higher education sector, Northumbria University has implemented a proactive, transparent approach to managing costs while prioritising the wellbeing of our community. This session will detail Northumbria’s strategic initiatives, including early and open communications with colleagues to foster understanding of our financial objectives, the introduction of a voluntary severance scheme and a new future leavers scheme, and the empowerment of senior leaders to make informed, cost-efficient decisions within their departments. Attendees will gain insight into how Northumbria’s approach has allowed us to manage costs effectively without compromising our commitment to staff engagement and institutional resilience.
Speakers: Jane Embley | Chief People Officer, Northumbria University
Louise Johnson | Director of HR, Northumbria University
Tom Lawson | Deputy Vice Chancellor, Northumbria University
This session will focus on the differences between the external expectations and internal processes in higher education around sexual misconduct. Looking at employment versus general civil law, Office for Students expectations and ACAS guidelines and the Worker Protection Act 2023, we will consider whether it is time to draw these parallels closer together in the way we practice.
Speakers: Kieron Galloway | Director of People and Culture, University of Winchester
Carol Kilgannon | Director of Equalities, University of Winchester
This session will cover how the University of York implemented wide ranging changes to its Academic and Professorial Promotions criteria and processes. You’ll hear about the wide range of changes we have made, but the focus will be on how we took staff with us on this journey, which included working with project teams of academics and keeping our Trade Unions engaged. We’ll talk about how we socialised the project with staff and key interest groups and how we linked across to other work projects, especially our Pay Gaps Action Group. We’ll then finish off with a run down of our launch activities which were designed to ensure everyone involved, from applicants to Chairs of decision making panels, were fully informed and ready to make the first round a success.
Speakers: Louise Abrahams | Reward Manager, University of York
Helen Selvidge | Assistant HR Director - HR Operations, Services and Compliance, University of York
Our challenges to create and sustain inclusive university communities continue to multiply. Words once used to frame and describe this work have sparked controversy and divisiveness, including budget cuts and the elimination of positions at U.S. colleges and universities. As higher education HR leaders, we must focus on the community and culture-building work that is most important, share examples of this focused work, and demonstrate our commitment to fostering community and collaboration. Presenters will share a framework that College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) leaders have created and offer their perspectives based on their experiences as chief HR officers at large research universities.
Speakers: Amanda Bailey | Vice President for Human Resources, Boston University, Chair-elect for the CUPA-HR Board of Directors
Dr. Helena Rodrigues | Senior Vice President for Human Resources, University of Arizona and at-large Director of the CUPA-HR Board of Directors
11:30 - 12:00
Break & Networking
12:00 - 12:45 Business Sessions Block B
Universities today are challenged to streamline processes while delivering an engaging employee experience. In this presentation, we’ll explore how building a talent-driven institution can transform your People strategy, focusing on a skills-based approach to effective talent management, development and planning.
We’ll guide you through the preparation needed for a modern HCM platform, emphasising the importance of data readiness, system consolidation and creating a cohesive employee journey. By establishing a strong foundation, your university can leverage powerful AI capabilities to enable insightful decision-making, predictive workforce planning, and actionable insights.
Join us to discover how empowering your People Team with intelligent tools and strategies can elevate your university, establishing them as a strategic partner in shaping the future of higher education.
Speakers: Kirsty Adamson | Senior Account Executive, NTT DATA Business Solutions
James Shipway | Practice Director, Human Capital Management, NTT DATA Business Solutions
Hear how university HR teams can use non-pay rewards to enhance employee engagement, meet the diverse needs of a multi-generational workforce, and strengthen their employer brands. Through real client stories drawn from HE, we’ll explore how recognition, personalised benefits, health and financial well-being support moves the dial on engagement and retention. We'll share insight around best practice outside of HE in the public and private sector and introduce effective ways to communicate what you are doing which your employees will notice. Walk away with practical tools and ideas which can applied to your organisation. No sales pitch, just powerful insights from those leading the way.
Speaker: Colin Hodgson | Director - Public Sector, Reward Gateway Edenred
At a time when good leadership is more essential than ever, this session will focus on our observations about what attributes make a good university executive, and how that executive can be best supported. Whilst we will bring our own examples, the main objective will be to make the session as discursive as possible, allowing participants to contribute their own insights on what works and, as importantly, what doesn't.
Speaker: Hamish Laing | Managing Partner, Networked
This interactive workshop will explore the importance of developing staff digital skills at institutional level during challenging times and evolving roles. We will showcase work at Leeds Trinity University where the Jisc Building Digital Capability Discovery Tool has been embedded as part of the PDR process, and the analysis of the data used to identify staff digital confidence. We will present examples from across Higher education and discuss strategies for supporting staff in upskilling, the critical role human resources and organisational development teams play in this process.
In this workshop, we will explore how institutions have leveraged the Jisc Digital Capability Role Profiles to pinpoint digital skills gaps. We’ll discuss how these profiles can be integrated into staff induction and development programmes.
The workshop will emphasize the vital role digital skills play in supporting staff throughout the organisation and provide opportunities to share ideas and take away ideas of implementation.
Speakers: Patrick Turner | IT Systems Trainer, Leeds Trinity University
Becki Vickerstaff | Higher Education Senior Consultant, Jisc
The Employment Rights Bill will make fundamental changes to the laws governing industrial relations and collective employment rights. This session will highlight how unions are likely to use the new rules and the impact for HE employers and their industrial relations strategies and approaches.
In our high level and strategically focused presentation, we will explore:
• the new rules on industrial action ballots and their practical impact on contingency planning
• new protections against detriment for taking part in industrial action - could these be used to challenge existing sector approaches to withholding pay for action short of strike?
• the scope of “fire and rehire” laws – what are the ramifications for your ability to deliver organisational and contractual change?
• new rights for unions to access workplaces and reduced thresholds for statutory recognition – how could these affect existing recognition and facilities arrangements?
Speakers: Nicola Bennison | Partner, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
Chris Mordue | Partner, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
In this session, we will focus on how to run staff investigations efficiently and effectively. We will ensure that delegates leave with a clear understanding of the necessary preparation and process, as well as how to tackle tricky issues – from sprawling issues and paperwork to requests for anonymity – and how to avoid common pitfalls. The new Office for Students registration condition in relation to harassment and sexual misconduct coming into force in August 2025 (which is relevant for HR as well as student-facing staff) includes a requirement for staff investigating these issues to be appropriately trained. This session will provide a timely refresher on best practice principles for investigations in that context.
Speakers: Kathleen Heycock | Partner, Farrer & Co LLP
Alice Kendle | Senior Associate, Farrer & Co LLP
In this session attendees will hear from:
Speakers: Kate Gallagher
Anna Quinn | Health and Wellbeing Project Manager, Bangor University
Bettina Rigg | Partner, Head of Higher Education, Browne Jacobson
Dr Laura Wood | Doctor & Transformative Coach, Laura Wood Coaching
This will be an interactive session exploring the new duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment and what this will mean in practice. The session will be interactive, including scenarios to illustrate the kind of measures that employers will need to consider implementing. Discussion points will include dealing with third parties and the presence of alcohol at work-related events.
Speaker: Simon Robinson | Partner, Robinson Ralph
14:30 - 14:45
Break & Networking
14:45 - 15:30
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.
Speakers: Barbara Bassa | Senior Consultant, Leadership and Organisational Development, Advance HE
Richard Martin | CEO, Mindful Business Charter
Amanda Mwale | NHS Psychologist
Host: Kim Frost, Former UHR Chair
Join us for this year's UHR Awards ceremony where we'll learn the winners for 2025, including our Team of the Year and the winner of our HR Star Award - for an individual who really makes a difference. As always there is much to learn from prize-winning projects and teams for the whole UHR community, so do join us to recognise the best in the field this year, and to wrap up day two of the conference.
9:25 - 9:30
Welcome back! Let's kick off the last day of our conference, with an inspiring and impactful series of sessions ahead.
9:30 - 10:15 Special Interest Topic Discussions
The key to unlocking the power of benefits lies in having both knowledge and financial confidence. By helping employees engage with their benefits with relevant support and education, people will better understand the benefits being offered and make the right choices and value what you provide.
If individuals have low financial confidence and don’t feel in control, they are more likely to under-value their benefits, which in turn make them more likely to want to change jobs. Improved retention rates brings savings for employers.
Different people will need help with financial confidence and knowledge to varying extents – and the session will discuss what employers can do to improve financial well-being and the value placed on benefits by employees.
A benefit strategy designed to be ‘inclusive’ might not be in practice, if there are choices to make. Research indicates that more women tend to have low financial confidence.
Speakers: Jen Norris | Director, Isio
Claire O'Neill | Senior Manager, Isio
Alexis Parrish | Director, Isio
A key issue for universities has been the use of casual workers and Universities have been reviewing their use of casual workers for some years. With the Employment Bill introducing the right to guaranteed hours for low hours or zero hours workers and plans for there no longer to be a distinction between worker and employee, the need for universities to proactively consider and manage their casual workforce has increased.
This session will provide you with the opportunity to explore some of the ways of appropriately using casual workers, reducing reliance on casual workers whilst maintaining the flexibility which they provide at a time where permanent resource may not be affordable.
We will share our knowledge and expertise from the projects we have supported other universities with, focussing on the key strategic, practical and legal considerations.
Speakers: Siân Jackson | Principal Associate, Mills & Reeve LLP
Alex Russell | Partner, Mills & Reeve LLP
In this session we will facilitate discussion around steps that HR employers can be taking, now, to prepare for what has been described as “the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation”. Discussion will focus on the changes that may be required in relation to policies and individual Ts&Cs in respect of:
• An audit of the workforce to determine contractual changes required in light of the zero hours contract “ban” and the right to guaranteed hours
• Informing employees about their right to join a union and increased rights of union access to the workplace
• Responding to requests to change e.g. contractual work hours arising from the requirement to accommodate flexible working “as far as is reasonable”
• A new focus on contractual probationary periods and the process for fair dismissals during this period.
• The contractual right to change/flex terms and conditions considering an effective ban on “fire & rehire”
Speakers: Emma Malczewski | Senior Associate, Pinsent Masons LLP
Rebecca Sulley | Legal Director, Pinsent Masons LLP
Join us for an insightful discussion exploring the role of AI in Higher Education recruitment. In this session we will delve into:
• Benefits: How AI enhances efficiency by automating tasks, reducing time-to-hire, and allowing hiring managers to focus on human-centric aspects of hiring.
• Limitations: Understand the challenges, including potential biases in AI systems, ethical concerns around privacy, and the irreplaceable value of human creativity and empathy.
• Considerations: Understanding how to address AI-related skill gaps, managing bias and privacy issues, and develop organisational guidelines for AI use.
This event is essential for anyone looking to leverage AI in recruitment while maintaining a balanced approach that complements human interaction.
Speaker: Tracey George | Chief Operating Officer, TPP Recruitment
Bita Heffernan | Divisional Manager, TPP Recruitment
Despite numerous consultations, papers and initiatives around and within the sector the issue of sexual misconduct continues to raise its head on a daily basis. Notwithstanding now widened legal obligations and heightened potential risks and and exposure on both the student and staff sides it will take more than a purely legal or punitive approach. How might the sector address this increasingly sensitive issue?
Hosted by expert HE lawyers from Weightmans LLP, the panel will debate this issue along with delegate colleagues in what should be a discussion of relevance and importance to all in the sector.
Speaker: Paul Greatorex | Barrister, 11KBW
Sally Ingram MBE | Director of Student Health and Wellbeing Services and Interim Head of Colleague Health and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle
Susan Matthews | Partner, Weightmans LLP
Stephanie Reardon | CEO, LimeCulture
The higher education sector is navigating significant pressures, and people professionals are challenged with the difficult task of keeping employees engaged and motivated through adversity. This virtual round table invites you to explore how we can go beyond survival mode and create tangible, responsive engagement strategies during these times.
In this discussion, we’ll apply an Appreciative Inquiry model to reframe challenges as opportunities to elevate the employee experience and foster resilience and growth. Through guided questions, you’ll connect with peers to share insights, identify existing strengths, and brainstorm practical actions to enhance engagement despite constraints. Together, we’ll move from a deficit-focused lens to one of possibility, exploring innovative ways to help employees bring their best to work and support our institutions through systemic changes.
Join us for a strengths-based perspective on today’s challenges and gain new ideas to revitalise your approach to employee engagement and experience.
Speaker: Carley Brown | Organisational Psychologist & Consultant, Strengthify
10:15 - 10:45
Break & Networking
10:45 - 11:30 Workshops Block C
Intersectional approaches in higher education require a balance between holding space for individual protected characteristics and recognising that our human resources are complex, multifaceted human beings. Staff networks are operating in a sector landscape where funds and resources are limited – how, then, can we expand the inclusivity of our institutions? Using the model of our Intersectional Pride event, we will facilitate a workshop aimed at maximising the intersectional impact of cross-staff network cooperation at a grassroots level. Delegates will be encouraged to practice collaboration and network-building in the session, and to conceptualise an intersectional event or project for their own institution.
Speakers: Vik Brown | Lifestyle Student Advisor, Teesside University
Emily Downes | Senior Student Success Tutor (Academic Skills), Teesside University
Saliah Hameed | Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Teesside University
Developing impactful evidence-based approaches ensures EDI is truly embedded within organisations to improve experiences of diverse staff and students. In a data rich world, how can we truly do this effectively? This interactive session will showcase the newly innovative EDI Data approach developed and currently utilised within Man Met University, who have been named the top performing institution for EDI in The Times Higher Education Honordex EDI index in 2024. Come along to find out more about how you can embed a sector leading approach to make real impact!
Speaker: Naheed Nazir | Director of EDI, Manchester Metroplitan University
Often when we hear about the efficiencies and effectiveness technology can bring us, the focus is on spending money on a new product. However, there is so much we can do with what we already have. Hear more about how the Central Staff Hub at the University of Birmingham has effectively utilised existing platforms to transform processes and improve productivity including:
· Use of Sharepoint to streamline our PG Teaching contract processes
· Engaging customers to use Microsoft Forms
· Taking the opportunity to let Leapwork Studio absorb the high volume repetitive tasks that often come into our service
These examples, alongside other tools you probably already have available to you, have helped develop and improve not just our processes, but also our team’s digital skills.
Speakers: Charlotte Bowles | HR Operations and Service Improvement Manager, University of Birmingham
Sarah Darby | Deputy HR Director & HR Director of the Central Staff Hub, University of Birmingham
In today’s dynamic hybrid working landscape, organisations face the challenge of nurturing a cohesive and engaging culture across their remote, hybrid and onsite teams. This session dives into practical strategies for building a unified culture that transcends physical locations, exploring how line managers and HR can support an environment where every team member feels connected and valued—whether they’re onsite, remote, or anywhere in between. Attendees will learn actionable approaches to foster trust, inclusivity, and purpose, ensuring employees feel a strong cultural alignment no matter where they work. This talk will shed light on the evolving role of leaders and HR in creating flexible, resilient teams who thrive together in the modern world of work.
Speaker: Gary Cookson | Director, EPIC HR
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) undertook an 18-month project to update the university’s academic work allocation and planning system. We implemented a devolved, principles led approach that supports academic managers to make informed resource decisions and have meaningful work discussions with colleagues. The project was recognised at NTU’s 2023 Team Excellence Awards. This session offers reflections on implementing a project through three themes: our design, empowering our people, and our purposeful conversations. We will explore this complex multi-team project’s journey through models of change management.
Speakers: Gareth Williams | Associate Dean for International, Recruitment and Strategy, Nottingham Trent University
Alastair Wilson | Associate Director - Organisational Development, Nottingham Trent University
The application of the disciplinary process can cause significant harm to those being taken through it, as well as those involved in delivering it, with a wider impact on organisational culture and effectiveness. In recognition of this, a national change programme has been developed to address its overuse. The ‘Avoiding Harm’ programme, acknowledges the impact that the application of our HR policies and processes can have on our workforce. In 2024, HPMA launched its new programme with a focus on ‘Avoiding harm through our employee investigations’ and a discussion paper available at www.hpma.org.uk/avoiding-harm providing a fresh perspective on the process. This workshop will explore the benefits and opportunities of taking a different approach, an approach which puts your people at centre rather than processes. Underpinned by research and insights from the patient safety movement in health care, this social movement is gaining momentum beyond healthcare boundaries. Broader interest in collaborations include CIPD, local government and academia.
Speakers: Andrew Cooper | Development Director - Avoidable Employee Harm, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Julie Rogers | CEO, HPMA
11:30 - 12:00
Break & Networking
12:00 - 12:45 Business Sessions Block C
Through a case study presentation jointly with a leading university, this session will walk through a project approach to reviewing pay frameworks and implementing and embedding change successfully. Lessons will be shared and outcomes discussed.
Speakers: Suzanne Daley | Member Engagement and Reward Consultant, ECC
Chris Mooney | Head of Reward, University of Leeds
Drawing on 15 years of working with AI, insights from organisational psychology and day-to-day work with public and private organisations, Benjamin explores how AI can unlock deeper understanding to support transformation in employee experience and organisational culture. The session also illustrates challenges in language, culture, and how AI can both simultaneously contribute to and reduce bias. The talk examines the strengths and weaknesses of different AI approaches and how they can uncover hidden patterns, or sometimes just imagine them. Through practical examples and real-world stories, participants will learn to leverage AI to foster engagement and enhance workplace culture, while understanding the ethical considerations and limits of automated analysis. And everyone will go away knowing why there really are 2 ‘r’s in strawberry.
Speaker: Benjamin Ellis | CEO, SocialOptic
An introduction to USS, the many benefits of being a member of the scheme, and how we can help you support your participating members and best explain the value of a USS pension.
Speakers: Jay French | Proposition Officer, USS
Stuart McLean | Pension Policy and Stakeholder Executive, USS
Joanna Rigby | Proposition Officer, USS
The higher education sector is currently navigating significant challenges, with institutions facing financial pressures, restructuring, and the demands of adapting to a rapidly evolving landscape. These pressures create substantial consequences for HR professionals, who must manage restructuring, redundancy, and outplacement processes, while supporting both organisational goals, broader people development and retention, and the wellbeing of the people involved. In such a complex environment, it is easy to lose sight of the “human” aspect at the heart of our work, creating a need for intentional and compassionate practices that prioritise people. Even in times of uncertainty and potential consultation we need to put people first and policy and process second.
Through this co-facilitated discussion in a collaborative space delivered by two highly experienced HE change professionals, who also have significant coaching and senior leadership experience, participants will identify tangible actions to take forward in their work, enhancing their capacity to support their institutions and colleagues through times of change and retain the “human” aspect.
Speakers: Kathryn Eade | Lead Consultant, AHEP Consulting
Vikki Goddard | Lead Consultant, AHEP Consulting
Join us for an overview of this year's TrailBlazer Development Programme which took place in February at Birmingham University. You will have an opportunity to discover the benefits of this very unique programme and meet some of this year's participants and hear about their experiences and learning journey.
Speakers: Fiona Dorrington | Royal College of Art
Leatham Green LLM, MBA, ACEL | Transformation Director, Public Service UK&I, Oracle
Tom Jones | Teeside University
The Employment Right Bill (dubbed as “the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation”) was introduced to Parliament on 10 October 2024. It has a number of provisions which could affect universities and their SUs as employers.
The Bill seeks to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts, end fire and rehire, and introduce basic employment rights from day one – like paternity and parental leave, and protection from unfair dismissal. There will also be a consultation on probationary periods (something affecting those universities which in particular use longer probationary periods).
Trade unions' access to workplaces will also be strengthened under the Bill and it will lower the thresholds for industrial action. Had these rules been in place in 2023, the NASUWT would have surpassed the threshold for action, joining the NEU on the picket line.
Our session will discuss the key issues for HR teams in higher education institutions and the actions they need to take.
Speakers: Siobhan Mulrey | Legal Director, Bevan Brittan LLP
Ashley Norman | Partner and Head of Higher Education, Bevan Brittan LLP
Anne Palmer | Legal Director, Bevan Brittan LLP
With the new duty to prevent sexual harassment already in force, changes to that duty and the introduction of Registration Condition E6 higher education bodies will want to and need to review and update their policies/practices around sexual (and other harassment). This session will look at current law on this topic as well as forthcoming changes to the Registration Condition. We will share our knowledge and expertise from the projects we have supported other universities with, focussing on the key strategic, practical and legal considerations.
Speakers: Pili Fernandez-Mahoney | Principal Associate, Mills & Reeve LLP
Judy Roy | Principal Associate, Mills & Reeve LLP
What are the key considerations that HEIs should be aware of when dealing with criminal allegations against employees, whether these allegations relate to workplace conduct or conduct unconnected with work?
This session will address issues including:
• When is it appropriate to suspend?
• At what stage can any disciplinary action be taken?
• How can a fair investigation be conducted?
• How can a fair process be followed?
• When might it be appropriate to terminate employment?
• What are the risks and how can these be managed?
Case study examples will be used to put the issues in context and provide practical solutions for dealing with what can be difficult and sensitive situations.
Speakers: Jane Byford | Partner & Head of Higher Education, VWV
Bob Fahy | Partner, VWV
Michael Halsey | Partner, VWV
Katie Hurst | Senior Associate, VWV
14:30 - 14:45
Break & Networking
14:45 - 15:30
Dr Heather will be sharing her inspirational story of resilience, diversity, and leadership on how she proved all those wrong who said she couldn’t. Further sharing key messages and tools that inspire her and keep her going that the audience can implement within their own lives.
Speaker: Dr Heather Melville OBE | Partner, Stork & May, Trustee and Senior Advisor, Entrepreneur & Chancellor of York University
15:30
Conference Close - join our conference host, former UHR Chair Kim Frost as we bring #UHR25 to a close and reflect on the past few days.
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