NETWORKS
LEADERSHIP CONNECT
Connecting leaders: creating confidence
This network for senior people and business leaders provides a safe space to discuss and debate tricky issues that often end up in the "too difficult" box or under a very lumpy carpet.
Strong leadership doesn't happen in isolation. Building strong, trusted networks is vital for success – yet senior professionals often lack the space to share challenges openly and learn from peers who truly understand the pressures of leadership.
Leadership Connect provides networking opportunities for senior HR professionals, executives, and business leaders. These sessions offer a confidential, supportive environment for real conversations, peer learning, and meaningful connections – going beyond surface-level networking to create genuine lasting value.
Each session explores a timely, thought-provoking topic that sparks discussion and practical insight – from ethics and accountability to inclusion and integrity. Participants are invited to share real-world insights and lessons learned from peers facing similar challenges, discuss emerging trends in leadership, culture and people strategy, test ideas and explore solutions in a confidential, non-competitive setting – while building authentic long-term relationships across sectors.
Recent and upcoming themes include:
- Post office scandal: Leadership, ethics, and accountability lessons
- Crisis and reputation: Managing impact while protecting people
- Transgender inclusion: Building genuinely supportive workplaces
- Balancing rights and results: Navigating social responsibility and business goals
- Leading with vulnerability: Authenticity, trust, and emotional intelligence
- Integrity in leadership: Ethics, decision-making and reputation
- The DEI backlash: Addressing resistance and sustaining inclusion
WOMEN IN HR
Women in HR Network is a free, not-for-profit community for women working at a senior strategic level across HR, People, Talent, Learning, Reward and Organisational Development.
Founded in 2022 by Georgina Kelly, its mission is simple: to bring brilliant women in HR together to connect, learn and support one another. Through regional networking events, roundtables, online sessions and our thriving WhatsApp community, we create welcoming spaces where meaningful conversations happen and genuine relationships are built.
Often described as "networking for women who don't like networking," the Women in HR Network now connects over 11,000 HR professionals across the UK and internationally.
As Regional Ambassador, Lesley is working with Georgina as the Women in HR Network expands into Wales. We're delighted to be launching our Wales chapter, with our inaugural event taking place in Cardiff on 12 November 2026. If you're a senior people leader and would like to get involved or learn more about the network, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch here.
The Women in HR Wales chapter launches on Thursday 12 November 2026 with an Afterwork Social.
Venue: Browns Marriott Cardiff - Mill Lane, Cardiff, CF10 1EZ
Time: Arrive from 5:30pm (Introductions start at 5.45pm), event close at 7.30pm
Hosts: WiHR Founder Georgina Kelly, and WiHR Regional Ambassador Lesley Richards
Tickets: £20 + VAT per person (includes eventbrite fees)
What to expect
These informal gatherings bring together phenomenal women across the HR profession. We're all about honest conversation, peer support and shared learning - because none of us have it all figured out, and that's exactly why community matters.
How we operate
The Women in HR Network is entirely self-funded with no corporate sponsors. Food and drinks will be available for individual purchase at the venue. The £20 + VAT ticket fee (including Eventbrite fees) is a small contribution to help cover the operational costs and to fund more regional events as we expand our community.
About the network
The Women in HR Network is a not-for-profit community founded in 2022 by Georgina Kelly. From five HRDs around a table, we've grown into a network of over 12,000 followers, united by a shared goal: to build community, confidence, and allyship among senior women in HR.
We're now expanding beyond London with new regional events across the South West, North West, Midlands, Yorkshire, East of England, Scotland, Sussex, West of England, Berks & Hants, North East and Wales - thanks to our fantastic ambassador network.
More info:
🌐 Our Website
🔗 LinkedIn Page