HR Technologies UK 2026 to spotlight future of work as industry leaders gather in London 

HR Technologies UK will return to Excel London on 29–30 April, bringing together senior HR and people leaders to explore the forces reshaping the future of work, with The Well Crowd set to attend. 

The two-day event will feature a conference programme focused on digital transformation, leadership, employee wellbeing and the evolving role of HR in driving organisational performance. 

Speakers from a wide range of organisations, including Google, Ipsos, Unilever, the NHS and Five Guys, will share insight across keynote sessions, panels and seminars designed to combine strategic thinking with practical application. 

The agenda reflects a shift in how organisations are approaching workforce challenges, with increasing focus on the intersection between technology, human performance and workplace wellbeing. 

Day one will open with Christine Armstrong, author and speaker at Armstrong & Partners, who will outline the economic and cultural pressures shaping HR decision-making. Alex Mahon, chief executive of Superstruct Entertainment and former Channel 4 chief executive, will follow with a keynote on leading through change and building resilient, creative organisations. 

Further sessions will examine the reality of AI adoption in HR, with David Wilson, founder of Fosway Group, addressing the gap between hype and implementation. Other speakers will explore intergenerational workforces, culture and leadership in increasingly complex environments. 

Day two will focus more directly on the human impact of transformation. Alice Darbyshire, founder of Alice Darbyshire Ltd, will examine leadership in AI-enabled workplaces, while Jacqui McBurnie, senior programme manager at NHS England, will share practical insight on menopause policy design, highlighting the growing importance of inclusive health support at work. 

Sessions on accessibility and inclusion will feature voices from Google and Unilever, exploring how technology can support neurodiverse and disabled employees, reinforcing the role of workplace design in employee wellbeing and performance. 

Alongside the keynote programme, more than 100 exhibitors are expected to showcase HR technologies spanning people analytics, AI-driven recruitment, employee engagement and workforce planning. 

The event will also include a multi-stream seminar programme, offering practical demonstrations and case studies on how organisations are implementing technology to support employee experience and business outcomes. 

For UK employers, the themes running through the programme reflect a broader shift in the workplace. As organisations continue to invest in technology to drive efficiency, there is growing recognition that performance remains closely linked to employee health, engagement and experience. 

The increasing integration of AI, data and digital tools is changing not only how work is delivered, but how employees manage workload, decision-making and wellbeing throughout the working day. 

Nicki Morris, group exhibition director at HR Technologies UK, said: “This year’s conference programme goes further than ever in addressing the real challenges facing HR leaders today. We’ve brought together an exceptional mix of global voices, innovative thinkers and practitioners who are not only shaping the future of work, but actively building it.” 

She added: “From AI and digital transformation to leadership, culture and employee experience, the agenda is designed to spark new thinking, while delivering practical insight our audience can take straight back to their organisations.” 

HR Technologies UK is co-located with Learning Technologies, allowing attendees to access both events and gain a broader view of workplace transformation.