Programme

09.15 – 09.50

Speaking their language: Aligning learning with what matters to the C-suite

• Connecting learning to the goals of different C-suite roles 
• Building strong, strategic relationships with your executive team 
• Explore ways to position L&D as a driver of business value

Claire Kennady, Head of Learning & Development, IMI

10.00 – 11.00

Learning in flux: Trust, technology and the human response to change

How do people respond to change in an age defined by disruption and uncertainty, and what does that mean for learning? In this energising keynote, futurist and behavioural expert Thimon de Jong explores the shifting dynamics of trust, the psychological impact of emerging technologies like AI, and how organisations can design learning cultures that are both resilient and human-centric.

Thimon De Jong, Founder, Whetston

11.10 – 11.50

Measuring the value of learning innovation

• The value of innovation
• The importance of research to evidence that value
• How to match the right use-case to the right technology 
• Creating a strategy for scaling innovation

Sophie Costin, Director of Learning, Make Real
Jade Mountain, Director – Strategic Digital Learning Solutions, London Business School

 

11.30 – 12.10

From training to flow: Skills development that works where work happens

• Why a skills-first approach matters for a multigenerational workforce
• How to enable learning moments as work happens—not after
• The role of personal agency and making learning accessible, embedded, and real-time

Debbie Hayler, Learning & Development Manager, Workman LLP
Geraldine Voost, Learning & Development Strategist

 

12.05 – 12.45

Managers making a difference – the key skills L&D can support

13.40 – 14.20

Designing mandatory learning that works

• Individualised learning pathways and Embedding learning in the workplace
• Taking a behavioural, adaptive approach to mandatory learning
• Leveraging data for meaningful insights and action plans

Tory Parsons, Head of Line of Service Learning Design, PwC
Sam Taylor, Learning Strategy Consultant

 

 

13.45 – 14.25

How AI agents can support L&D in shaping the human–AI future of work

• Early lessons from applying AI Agents within the L&D function to support learning operations and business priorities
• How L&D can shape the adoption of AI Agents as part of a wider human–AI transformation journey
• Mindset shifts and strategic conversations L&D leaders need to initiate to guide responsible and value-driven integration

Avinash Chandarana, Chief Learning and Transformation Officer, mci group
Peter Manniche Riber, Head of NewTech, Digital Learning Solutions, Novo Nordisk A/S

14.10 – 14.45

No more chalk and talk: How to design for a true learning experience

• Why you need a clear learning approach that deliver for the learner
• Creating a holistic learning ecosystem and focusing on the important in delivery
• Re-thinking classroom training for the AI age and keeping it real

Nick Baker, Senior Lead: Learning Design & Digital Innovation, The Football Association
Jon Moon, Learning and Performance, Sodexo

 

 

14:45 – 15:25

Leveraging AI as coaches and mentors for continuous growth

• AI-powered coaching for personal development 
• Scalable best practice through AI 
• Data driven insights for continuous improvement 
• Enhancing human potential with AI

James Swift, Director of Talent Development, Leyton UK

 

14.55 – 15.35

Succeeding in transformational change where volatility or resistance exists

• Understanding the modern context of agile workplaces – unpicking the realities of this for you and your colleagues
• Being the big unblocker – key drivers for engaged and motivated environments
• How your existing L&D toolkit can equip you for success

Laura Watkin, Learning Partner – Design, BBC
Chris Baldwin, Head of Learning and Development, Healix Health

15.10 – 15.45

Learner mindset: Supercharging engagement with self-directed development

• Supporting the shift from recipients to active agents in learning
• Embedding reflective practice as a vital personal activity 
• Creating environments that boost learning autonomy – including AI

Andy Lancaster, Chief Learning Officer and Consultant, Reimagine People Development

 

16.10 – 16.50

The L&D Exchange: How to power up peer-to-peer and social learning

Take part in roundtable discussions with L&D thought leaders and fellow Delegates in this interactive and collaborative session

Robin Hoyle, World of Learning Conference Chair and Author
Jo Cook, World of Learning Conference Co-Chair, Learning Consultant and Editor of Training Journal
Aimee Young, Senior OD Consultant (Digital and Operations) UCL
Andy McConville, Leadership Development Manager, ResQ
Andy Evans, Senior Learning Partner, EvolvHR
Andy Lancaster, Chief Learning Officer and Consultant, Reimagine People Development
Tracey Gaughan, Learning and Leadership Manager, Skyscanner
Tom McDowall, Chief Learning Geek, Evolve L&D
Pash Reddy, Senior Director – Global Head of Learning, S&P Global CI
Paul Matthews, CEO & Author, People Alchemy
Rebecca McDowall, Chair, The Learning Network
Chris Baldwin, Head of Learning and Development, Healix Health
John Helmer, Showrunner & Host, The Learning Hack

 

 

 

 

9.15 – 9.50

Empowering managers to be career development champions

• How career conversations can surface hidden talent
• How to empower managers to spot, support, and stretch career growth
• What it takes to help leaders grow successors — not just manage performance

Andy McConville, Leadership Development Manager, ResQ

10.00 – 11.00

From learning to leading: Owning our professional evolution in uncertain times

Laura Overton, Analyst and Author, Learning Changemakers
Sarah Lindsell, Learning and Development Director, Global Human Capital, PwC

 

11.10 – 11.50

Harnessing AI for hyper-personalised learning

• Connecting learning to business with AI – stop measuring training hours and start proving business impact 
• Real-time hyper-personalisation 
• Shaping performance in the moments that matter

Nelson Sivalingam, Co-Founder & CEO, HowNow
Penny Simpson, Director of Enablement, Inriver

 

 

11.30 – 12.10

Neurodiversity at work: Creating inclusive learning environments

• Exploring neurodivergence and why it leads to better learning for everyone
• How to design learning that supports a range of cognitive needs and giving colleagues a voice
• Bridging the gap between accessibility, inclusion for an equitable user experience

Emma Hutchins, Talent and Capability Lead at Aviva
Susi Miller, Founder and Director eLaHub, Author, LPI Learning Professional of the Year 2025

 

12.05 – 12.45

From dashboards to development: Turning insights into action

• Identifying critical skill needs through performance metrics and strategic priorities
• Creating an agile learning ecosystem that responds to real-time performance needs
• Building a data-informed culture to drive growth for the business and its people

Jackie Barefield, Head of Future Capabilities Operations, BAT
Erica Stewart-Jones, Head of Learning & Organisational Development, RSPB

 

13.35 – 14.10

What is the role of learning leadership in developing organisational culture?

Sebastian Tindall, Strategic Enablement Director, Vitality
Pash Reddy, Senior Director – Global Head of Learning, S&P Global CI
Marina Mologni, Global Talent Learning & Development Manager, Atlas Copco
Dani Saadu, Global Head of Talent Management, Wireless Logic

 

14.15 – 14.55

From static courses to smart conversations: How AI will make learning human again

• How AI Shifts learning from rigid courses to interactive, adaptive experiences 
• From purely content delivery to AI enabled real time, human like learning experiences 
• Learning support and learning intervention 

Aki Fredrich, Director of Learning Experience, Superside

 

 

14.35 – 15.15

From research to results: Design tactics for learning transfer

• Why learning transfer is the biggest problem we face in L&D
• Research-proven methods you can leverage to influence transfer
• Practical guides and templates for you to take immediate action

Melanie Martinelli, CEO, Institute for Transfer Effectiveness
Fergal Connolly, Director (Learning Transfer Expert), MasterCard

 

14.20 – 14.55

Why investing in a learning and coaching culture is more important than ever

• Adapting to rapid change, unlocking potential performance and supporting organisational resilience
• Creating a culture of accountability and ownership
• Attracting and retaining talent and fostering inclusion and psychological safety

Claire Angliss, Head of Organisational Development & Capability, Rolls-Royce SMR
Dani Saadu, Global Head of Talent Management, Wireless Logic

15.15 – 15.40

Hearts, minds and money: Gaining buy-in for high-impact learning

Robin Hoyle, World of Learning Conference Chair & Author