HR leaders and professionals from across the country attended Dovetail & Slate's HR Leaders Conference, an event bringing together some of the sector's most forward-thinking voices, hosted at University College of Birmingham. Delegates were treated to a compelling programme of keynote addresses, expert panels and interactive breakout sessions, all united by a powerful central message: people remain at the heart of every successful organisation.
A Morning of Timely Insights
The day opened with guest speaker Kieran Innes, CEO of Stribe, who delivered an insightful address on amplifying employee voice. Kieran explored how organisations can create multiple, meaningful channels for colleagues to speak up and examined the secret sauce behind multigenerational teams, highlighting the measurable impact of embracing age diversity across the workforce.
Nicola Perkins, Founder of FE HR Hub followed with a thought-provoking session on the human response to artificial intelligence, now firmly embedded within organisational infrastructure. Her talk acknowledged both the opportunities and the cultural adjustments that AI integration demands of HR professionals today.
Jules Quinn, Group Director of People Services at Milton Keynes College Group, then shared the remarkable two-year journey of adopting AI into daily practice. Through the establishment of a dedicated digital transformation group, strong leadership buy-in, internal appetite for change and a constructive relationship with Ofsted, the college has achieved real success. Quinn offered a memorable word of caution: “It’s all about your data… if your data is incomplete, AI will only amplify the mess.”
Phil Bramhall from Bramhalls Solicitors rounded off the morning with a comprehensive overview of the most significant changes to employment law in two decades. His rallying call was clear: “If we’re not ready for the changes, we’ll be caught off guard.” Bramhall underscored the importance of empowering managers to navigate human issues with confidence and a strong, consistent culture, a theme that resonated throughout the entire day.
An Afternoon of Resilience, Wellbeing and Culture
Following lunch, the afternoon was opened by Baroness Sharron Davies MBE, who began with warm reflections on her memories of Birmingham from her time filming the television series Gladiators. Sharron shared an extraordinary personal story: competing in the Olympics at just 13 years old, training up to six hours a day, overcoming serious injury, including training with two broken arms, before retiring at 18, only to return to competitive swimming eight years later.
Her guiding philosophy, “Don’t spend your life saying ‘what if’,” drew a standing connection with the audience. Sharron spoke candidly about the relationship between physical health and mental wellbeing: “If I’m fitter and healthier, I’m more productive and confident.” She challenged delegates to develop positive habits and prioritise themselves in order to lead happier, healthier lives both inside and outside of work: “It’s about finding the things you enjoy.”
Her session prompted a rich exchange with the audience, who shared their own workplace wellbeing initiatives, from free access to gym facilities to men’s networks and parents and carers groups. The conversation reinforced that investing in people’s wellbeing is not a perk, but a strategic imperative.
Breakout Sessions and Closing Address
Delegates then dispersed into breakout sessions, deepening their engagement with the day’s key themes. Topics spanned workplace culture, crafting compelling job adverts, AI in practice and an in-depth exploration of employment law, encouraging every delegate to leave with practical, actionable knowledge.
The conference was brought to a close by Guy Walker, CEO of Dovetail & Slate, whose compelling address on workplace culture focused on three pillars critical to the modern business: purpose, recognition and the value of regular one-to-one conversations. Guy reinforced the day’s prevailing message, that culture begins and ends with how people are treated, and that understanding the mindset of your workforce is a leader’s most valuable skill.
A thread running throughout the entire conference was clear and consistent: people cannot be replaced by AI or technology. But organisations that embrace the tools available to them, treat employees fairly, and build cultures rooted in trust and inclusion will be best placed to thrive in the years ahead.
The Dovetail & Slate HR Leaders Conference continues to establish itself as a must-attend event for HR professionals across the country, a day that aims to inform, challenge and inspire in equal measure.
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