What is the HR Innovation Roundtable?

A powerful closed-door workshop bringing together 40 HR executives from leading global
brands for intimate discussions about specific challenges and transferable solutions.

Agenda:

5th June 2025

8 AM - 8:40 AM | Breakfast, Networking and opening remarks

Arrival Reception & Welcome

About:

Virgin Media O2’s state-of-the-art headquarters in Paddington Central, London, as part of its continued post-merger integration. This multi-million-pound investment brings together teams from Hammersmith and Slough into a modern, flexible workspace designed for hybrid work. The building is fitted with smart technology and eco-friendly systems like air source heat pumps, cutting energy use by over 40%. Located close to the Reading office, it will help boost collaboration and create a vibrant hub for innovation and connection.

With over 18,000 employees, Virgin Media O2 is focused on building an inclusive, people-first culture. Their values are reflected in their “All In” strategy, aimed at achieving gender balance and increasing ethnic diversity by 2027. Their employee value proposition includes generous leave policies, wellbeing support, and ongoing development opportunities, including AI training. The new HQ is a key step in delivering on their purpose to upgrade the UK through both cutting-edge tech and a strong commitment to their people.

8:40 - 9:20 AM | Opening Keynote

Digitilisating & Modernising HR in the Age of AI

SPEAKERs:

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

Virgin Media O2 is leading the way in modernising HR by embracing AI-powered tools and cloud technology to drive innovation and deliver more value-led outcomes. By implementing Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM, they’ve taken a major leap forward—replacing outdated systems with a single, intelligent platform that gives employees more control through intuitive self-service tools. From booking leave to tracking time and accessing development resources, employees now have a seamless, modern HR experience. At the same time, HR teams are freed from manual admin and empowered by AI and generative AI to focus on strategic initiatives like workforce planning, skills development, and employee engagement.

• How self-service tools powered by cloud HCM improve the employee experience and reduce friction in day-to-day HR interactions

• How AI and generative AI are helping HR teams shift focus from admin to strategy, unlocking more value across the business

• How consolidating HR systems drives innovation, improves data visibility, and sets the foundation for agile, forward-thinking people practices

9:20 - 10:30 AM | SESSION #1

Humans in The Age of AI: Learning, Skills And The Future Of Jobs

PanelistS:

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

As AI continues to reshape industries, the future of work is being redefined—putting learning, adaptability, and human skills at the center. In this session, leaders will explore how organisations can prepare their people for an AI-driven world by rethinking the way they approach upskilling, reskilling, and talent development. With rapid advancements in automation and generative AI, the most successful companies will be those that invest in continuous learning, cultivate uniquely human capabilities like creativity and emotional intelligence, and align skill-building with emerging business needs. This isn’t just about surviving the shift—it’s about thriving in it.

• How to build a future-ready workforce by embedding continuous learning and digital fluency into your talent strategy

• Which human skills will be most valuable in an AI-powered world—and how to identify and grow them at scale

• How to align learning, skills, and career development to ensure your people and business evolve together

10:50 AM - 12 PM | SESSION #2

Empowering Managers as People Leaders: Key Skills for the Future of Leadership

PanelistS:

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

As organisations navigate hybrid work, rapid technological change, and evolving employee expectations, the role of the manager is transforming. No longer just task supervisors, today’s managers are expected to lead with empathy, coach for growth, and foster inclusive, high-performing teams. This session will dive into how companies can empower managers to become true people leaders by equipping them with the right mindset, skills, and tools. From emotional intelligence to feedback culture, we’ll explore what the future of leadership looks like—and how to prepare managers to thrive in it.

• How to develop critical leadership skills like empathy, coaching, and active listening to help managers better support and grow their teams

• How to equip managers with the tools and frameworks needed to lead effectively in hybrid, fast-changing environments

• How to build a culture of continuous learning and feedback that enables managers to evolve alongside their teams

1 - 1:30 PM | Afternoon Keynote

From Wide Talent Pools to Wide Open Possibilities

PanelistS:

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

​Virgin Media O2 has reimagined its talent acquisition strategy by integrating advanced, AI-powered technology to enhance recruitment efficiency and elevate the candidate experience. Following the merger of Virgin Media and O2, the company seized the opportunity to build a flexible, future-ready recruitment ecosystem tailored to diverse hiring needs. By moving beyond traditional HCM systems, they implemented a customisable tech stack that supports automation, personalisation, and agility—enabling recruiters to focus more on strategic, human-centric interactions. This transformation has not only streamlined processes but also improved hiring outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction.

• How to build a scalable, AI-enabled recruitment ecosystem that supports both high-volume and specialised hiring needs

• How to balance automation with human connection to enhance candidate experience and recruiter effectiveness

• How to secure executive buy-in for HR technology investments by aligning recruitment innovation with business goals

1:30 - 2:40 PM | Session #3

How AI is Changing Every Part of HR—and Every Role in the Company

PanelistS:

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

AI is already transforming HR, but expect this pace of change to exponentially increase where every role becomes more data-driven and efficient. AI tools are facilitating instant access to HR resources, streamlining strategic talent management, and employee experiences through conversational interfaces and automated processes. The advent of autonomous learning platforms indicates a shift towards personalised, AI-generated content in development programs. Moreover, AI in people analytics promises deeper workforce insights by integrating varied data sources. However, the implementation of AI in HR necessitates careful attention to data quality, privacy, and ethical considerations. As Chief HR Officers and their teams adapt to these changes, they will play a pivotal role in leveraging AI to foster innovation and operational efficiency within their organisations.

• AI in Recruitment: Discover how AI transforms recruiting, enabling precise talent matching and streamlining the hiring of specialised roles through advanced data analysis

• AI in Talent Management: Enhance strategic talent management by enabling the creation of dynamic growth plans, unbiased performance feedback, and equitable pay structures, ultimately driving more informed and fair HR practices

• AI in EX: Understand how AI transforms employee experience by enabling conversational interfaces and automating processes, significantly improving efficiency and personalisation in HR interactions and recruitment

• Building the best Human + Machine Interactions: Reflections on how differently things are done because of the integrative power of AI and what the future holds for the AI-driven HR function of tomorrow

3 - 4:10 PM | Session #4

The Future of HR: How Data, Technology, and Partnerships Drive GenAI Success

PanelistS:

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

The future of HR lies at the intersection of data, technology, and strategic collaboration—and nowhere is that more evident than in the successful adoption of generative AI. In this session, leaders will explore how HR can become a true driver of business value by using data to inform decisions, leveraging the latest AI technologies to enhance experiences, and partnering across functions to build scalable, ethical, and effective solutions. Rather than seeing GenAI as a standalone tool, progressive organisations are embedding it into the fabric of their people strategy to unlock efficiency, personalisation, and innovation at every level.

What you’ll learn:

• How to use data and GenAI together to power smarter, faster, and more personalised HR solutions

• How cross-functional partnerships are key to building scalable and responsible GenAI use cases in HR

• How to position HR as a strategic leader in driving AI adoption across the organisation

4:15 PM Onwards

Networking and Reception Drinks

Get to know your esteemed peers over some hors d'oeuvre and deliciously prepared cocktails. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere in the presence of your peers to learn, share and ponder over the key topics of what was discussed earlier in the day.

Apply to Attend

Please fill out your details in the form below.

We reserve the right to reject any registrations if your role is to provide HR services, products, or consultancy offerings.
The HR Leaders Innovation Roundtable is strictly reserved for Executive level HR Practitioners (both generalists & specialists).

Why Should You Attend the Innovation Roundtable?

Members

Hosted at Virgin Media O2’s HQ

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