2026 Programme

Thursday 12th March 2026

Keynotes from over 20 national and international expert speakers will be given on talent attraction, retention, leadership, mentorship, culture and the future of HR.

8.30 am Registration Opens

Grab yourself a coffee and explore the exhibition area and Vhi Wellbeing Area.

9.30am

Setting the Scene

This opening session will provide an overview of the key trends shaping HR in 2026, the macroeconomic enviornment of geopolitical and economic shifts, the impact of AI and automation, the shift towards skills-based hiring, evolving employee expectations, and more.

Picture of Rossa Mullally — **Rossa Mullally**

Director at Sigmar Recruitment

9.40 am | Opening Keynote

The Future @ Work: Mind the Gap Between Strategy and Reality

This opening keynote addresses the "Great Disconnect" between boardroom strategy and frontline reality, exploring why the "Productivity Paradox" sees stalling output despite increased digital tools. It challenges leaders to stop adding "more" and start designing for "better," offering a pragmatic roadmap to bridge the gap between IT’s vision and human capacity, shifting organisations from an "always-on" culture to one of sustainable, reality-based performance.

**Christine Armstrong**

Workplace Researcher, Author, and Future of Work Expert

10.00am | Panel

The Currency of Capability: Building the Skills-Based Organisation

As the half-life of professional skills shrinks in the face of AI and digital acceleration, the transition to a "Skills-Based Organisation" has moved from a theoretical concept to a critical competitive necessity. This panel gathers leading voices from L&D, strategic consulting, and high-tech industry to debate the future of human capability. The discussion will focus on the practicalities of moving beyond static job titles to dynamic talent mapping, identifying the "power skills" required for the next decade, and building agile learning ecosystems that allow the workforce to pivot as fast as the market demands.

**Malwina King**

Director at
Sigmar Recruitment

10.40 am Coffee Break

Grab yourself a coffee and explore the exhibition area and Vhi Wellbeing Area

11.10am | Insights

Title TBC

11.25am | Panel

From CPO to CEO: Operationalising Culture

As the Chief People Officer role evolves into a critical architect of business success, this panel examines the strategic journey from defining values to operationalising culture at scale. Moving beyond abstract mission statements, the discussion focuses on the mechanics of embedding culture into the daily "operating system" of an organisation—from the boardroom to the frontline. Attendees will gain insights into how top-tier HR leaders are bridging the gap between people strategy and operational execution, proving that a robust, living culture is the ultimate driver of CEO-level performance and organisational resilience.

**Jean O’Sullivan**

Chief Executive Officer at
Bus Éireann

11.55 am | Morning Keynote

Orchestrating the Future: Versatile Leadership in a Disrupted World

Drawing on the metaphor of the orchestra conductor, this visually arresting keynote explores Versatile Leadership as the essential skill for navigating a disrupted world. It challenges the traditional "Command and Control" model, demonstrating how modern leaders must adapt instantly between driving strategy and nurturing individual well-being to unify siloed teams. Attendees will learn how to "listen" through the corporate noise and set the tempo for their organisations, transforming a group of disconnected experts into a singular, high-performing ensemble.

**Karen Ní Bhroin**

Conductor & Founder of And Other Duties

12.30-1.45 pm Lunch

Grab yourself some lunch and explore the exhibition area and Vhi Wellbeing Area

2.00 pm | Insights

Better Than Human: Can AI Finally Fix our Bias Problem?

Moving beyond the fear of "robot racism," this data-driven session argues that the most biased operating system in the workplace is actually the human brain. It applies behavioural science to the AI debate, demonstrating how HR and IT can collaborate to audit algorithms and use "behavioural design" to interrupt systemic prejudice, creating a recruitment and talent ecosystem that is mathematically fairer than human intuition allows.

**Dr. Grace Lordan**

Author, Professor at London School of Economic & Behavioural Scientist

2.15 pm | Insights

Title TBC

2.30 pm | Panel

HR: The Architects of AI Strategy

As Artificial Intelligence reshapes the workforce, this session redefines Human Resources as a primary architect of digital strategy rather than a passive adopter. Bringing together senior leadership perspectives from both People and Technology functions, the discussion explores the critical collaboration required to build ethical, effective, and human-centric AI roadmaps. Attendees will discover how HR must partner with IT to govern data, audit for bias, and define future skills, ensuring that digital transformation amplifies human potential and solidifies the People function's seat at the technical table.

**Oonagh Kelly**

Chief People Officer at National Treasury Management Agency

**Eoin Greene**

Chief Technology Officer
at ESW

3.00 pm Tea & Coffee

Grab yourself a coffee and explore the exhibition area and Vhi Wellbeing Area.

3.30 pm | Fireside Interview

The Authenticity Advantage: Why Being Human is Your Best Strategy in an AI World

In an era where AI automates the procedural, this session posits that the "human touch" is the ultimate commercial premium, yet it remains untapped because too many employees are "covering" their true identities. It examines the economic cost of this hidden conformity and champions the strategic shift from "Culture Fit" to "Culture Add," arguing that systemic psychological safety and radical authenticity are now the primary drivers of innovation and resilience.

**Rory O’Neill**

Panti Bliss Creator, Performer, Businessman and Gay Rights Activist

4.00 pm | Closing Keynote

Surviving Digital Intensity: How to Beat Burnout in the Age of AI

Addressing the critical collision between human biology and the accelerating workplace, this session explores the new crisis of "Digital Intensity"—the relentless cognitive load created by AI and always-on technology. It combines neuroscience with organisational strategy to challenge the traditional "wellness" approach, urging leaders to stop trying to "fix the canary" and instead redesign the "coal mine," creating cultures that protect human thinking time in a high-speed world.