Andy Craggs

Founder - The Jump Network

Ahead of the game, Andy founded The Jump Network in 2006 to help leaders guide their teams through disruption and change as they navigate their organisations towards the future. Since then, the Network has grown into a collection of business leaders, subject matter experts and academics who together enable large scale organisational change.

His background as an international writer and consultant began with The Wall Street Journal in New York over 20 years ago, followed by senior corporate roles in Financial Services, Insurance, Technology, FMCG, Media and Entertainment including Dow Jones, Walt Disney and Sony.

In 2022 he consolidated much of his work with global organisations such as BBC, Dyson, Apple, in "The Change Mindset - The Psychology of Leading and Thriving in an Uncertain World".

Zoe Baker

People Director - UK Nations, BBC

Zoë is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD with over 15 years generalist HR experience across media and corporate professional services including The Ingenious Group, Lloyds TSB, Burberry and The Engine Group.

She was appointed into her current role March 2020 having spent 4 years as Head of HR, BBC Wales. Previous roles include Head of HR for BBC Television leading HR activity across UK Factual, Entertainment, Drama and Comedy Commissioning and Production. Zoë has also held HR roles within Technology and Global News Ltd at the BBC.

Amanda Arrowsmith

Executive Director People and OD, Royal British Legion

Amanda was Director of People at the CIPD between 2022 and 2025, during which time she led the organisation's most ambitious and significant transformation.  She has recently taken up a new, exciting role as Executive Director for People and OD at the Royal British Legion.

A Chartered Fellow of the CIPD since 2012, Amanda has over 30 years' experience across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Amanda also holds a number of volunteer roles, including being an independent committee member on the People, Culture and Inclusion panel at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Mark Hendy

CHRO and Executive Director, Siderise

An accomplished C-Suite HR professional with over two decades of experience working with some of the UK's largest businesses, Mark began his career as an HR Apprentice in the steel industry before taking on key roles across various industries, including mining, healthcare, aerospace, and recycling, before occupying his current role as Chief HR Officer at passive fire protection manufacturing firm, Siderise.

His expertise spans employee relations, unionized environments, mergers and acquisitions and organizational culture.

Sarah Hopkins

Founder, Pathways People Solutions

A Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and an experienced HR practitioner, with 27 years' experience, 13 of which were in Executive positions Sarah now runs her own consulting company, Pathways People Solutions, supporting clients to evolve their people and culture strategy, create leadership and management programmes, and deliver senior level coaching.

Sarah's passion for culture transformation and has led her to launching a second business - The Culture Kit – focusing on helping organisations to create and nurture sustainable workplace culture.

Alongside all that – she is a qualified Executive coach, a Trustee Director of National Energy Action and Cardiff Rugby Community Foundation, and on the Board of the Women's Utilities Network.

Lydia Stirling

People Director, Welsh Rugby Union

Lydia joined the Welsh Rugby Union as their People Director in September 2021 and took the role of Chief People Officer in 2025.

Sitting on the Executive Board, Lydia is responsible for the People, Inclusion and Governance teams and the delivery of the People, Culture and Governance enablers of The Welsh Rugby Union's One Wales Strategy 2024 – 2029.

Lydia has worked in the people profession for over 20 years including roles in the industries of sport, engineering, manufacturing and professional services including global consultancy firm Arup and F1 team McLaren Racing. She holds an MSc in Human Resources, has Chartered MCIPD and is trained in managing mindful change.

Outside of the day job, Lydia has two children, volunteers as a governor for a local primary school and enjoys family trips, pilates and wine with friends!

Neil Morrison

Director of HR and Communications, Severn Trent

Neil started a career in HR management in 1996 and prior to joining Severn Trent in 2017, worked across multiple industries and sectors, including media, retail, B2B and the public sector. From his early career supporting the delivery of one of the first private finance partnerships in the NHS, through the introduction of pioneering ecommerce in retail, he has led organisations through significant change and was one of the leads in the global merger between Penguin and Random House, the largest merger in publishing history.

Neil sits on the Youth Futures Foundation Board and has previously served on the board of the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development and the Board of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. He was one of the inaugural members of the REC's Good Recruitment Campaign and sits on the Social Mobility Commission's Employer Panel.

Cath Sims

Group HR Director, Creditsafe Group

Cathryn is a senior HR leader with a passion for designing exceptional employee experiences.  As Group HR Director, she leads a multi award-winning team known for delivering innovative people strategies and building inclusive, high-performing cultures.

Her work centres on creating authentic employer value propositions that reflect what truly matters to employees, helping the organisation attract, engage and retain talent in meaningful ways.

Cath brings strategic insight and a people-first mindset to every initiative - always focused on shaping the future of work through more human-centred approaches.

Gareth Way

Chief HR Officer, Creditsafe Group

In Gareth's role as CHRO, he helps steer global HR strategy across a fast-moving international business.  He is passionate about creating people-first change, building inclusive cultures, and linking talent development to commercial success.

Based in Cardiff, Gareth has played a key role in Creditsafe's global expansion.  He supports a number of strategic groups, sharing ideas on HR innovation, digital transformation, and organisational resilience - with a focus on making things practical, impactful, and human.

Rt Hon Carwyn Jones, Lord Jones of Penybont

Former First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones spent eighteen years in government in various roles before stepping down in December 2018.  His time in office took him across the globe, from Patagonia to Perth, meeting world leaders including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Angela Merkel. He is now a much sought-after speaker with plenty of experience to set the context of the day.

Oli Howard

Head of Membership and Product Portfolio, CIPD

Oli Howard is currently responsible for membership, product portfolio, online communities and UK regional teams at the CIPD as Head of Membership, having been with the Institute for eight years in a range of management roles. Prior to the CIPD, he spent most of his career in internal and change communication roles - either as part of or working closely with people teams - including at the Civil Aviation Authority, Scope and Royal Mail. He also teaches employee communication at Masters level.

CAVC

Hugh James

ACT / ALS

Cardiff and Vale College

Quantum Advisory

CIPD

HSF

The Culture Kit

Julie Grabham HR Solutions

Resolution at Work

Executive HR

Educ8

Darogan

ACT / ALS

GJR Performance Solutions

Hugh James

Sweetmans

Human Resourcing

Vester Group

Endometriosis UK

ESP Solicitors

Hallmark

SYNLAB