The People Agenda is an HR podcast from LACE Partners, formerly called HR on the Offensive. It explores HR technology, transformation, and change management through expert advice, trends, and real-world success stories. Episodes help HR leaders adopt new technology, lead organisational change, and improve their HR strategy. Listeners get practical tools and fresh perspectives for tackling workplace challenges.
Episodes
What is a CPO? Andy Doyle on Kantar's agentic workforce
Andy Doyle has an unusual job title: chief people and agent officer at Kantar. In this episode of What is a CPO, part of The People Agenda podcast from LACE Partners, Andy talks to Debbie Mitchell and James McClintick about why Kantar merged its people and AI functions into one.
Andy explains why he now sees the CPO as the architect of an organisation's human capability, not the custodian of proc
What is a CPO? With David Jessop, Charities Aid Foundation
David Jessop, chief people officer at Charities Aid Foundation, joins Debbie Mitchell to unpack what the CPO role really involves across a charity, a bank and a global philanthropy operation, all under one roof.
David shares how a shared sense of purpose holds those entities together, how his people strategy helped triple CAF's charitable distributions from £650 million to £1.6 billion in five ye
What is a CPO? With Kristine Pollock
What is a CPO? With Kristine Pollock by LACE Partners
What is a CPO? With Stuart Price, CPO at Zenith
In this episode of the People Agenda Podcast, hosts Debbie Mitchell and Gemma Ryall are joined by Stuart Price, chief people officer at Zenith. Stuart draws on a career spanning food retail, healthcare and automotive to explain what the CPO role really involves, the constant tension between driving performance and protecting culture, and how to earn credibility at board level through commercial fr
What is a CPO - With Toby Hough, HiBob
This podcast episode explores the evolving role of the chief people officer in high-growth organisations. Featuring Toby Hough from HiBob, it examines how HR leaders align with business strategy, manage growth, and embed AI across the organisation. The conversation covers strategic prioritisation, organisational culture, performance evolution and the shift from hypergrowth to optimisation. Designe
What is a CPO? with Sean Mileusnic
The role of the CPO is evolving faster than ever. No longer focused solely on HR operations, today's CPO is increasingly responsible for driving organisational transformation, shaping strategy, influencing culture, and helping businesses navigate complex change. In this episode of the People Agenda podcast, Debbie Mitchell speaks to Sean Mileusnic from the RNIB as he shares his perspective on what
How can leaders manage change through uncertainty?
Change is no longer an occasional business challenge. It is a constant reality. Organisations are facing difficult decisions at an unprecedented pace. The real test for leaders is not whether change happens, but how they guide people through it when the impact feels personal. In this The People Agenda podcast Chris Howard, Annette Frem, and Ed Sparkes, explore the practical strategies for managing
What is a CPO? with Michelle Wall
The role of the Chief People Officer has evolved far beyond traditional HR. In high-growth, private equity-backed businesses, today’s CPO is a commercial leader responsible for driving growth, enabling strategy, shaping culture, and creating the conditions for long-term business success. In this episode of the People Agenda Podcast Chris Howard and Debbie Mitchell speak to Michelle Wall as she sha
What is a CPO? with Jonny Friedman
The modern Chief People Officer is no longer just a people leader. Today's CPO is a strategic business partner, cultural architect, and organisational conscience. In this episode of The People Agenda Podcast Chris Howard and Debbie Mitchell speak to Jonny Friedman, Senior Vice President of People and Talent at Acumetis, as he shares how people leaders can balance commercial performance, organisati
What is a CPO? With Neil Morrison, HR Director at Severn Trent
Great leadership roles are rarely defined by job titles alone. In this episode of the People Agenda podcast, Chris Howard and Debbie Mitchell sit down with Neil Morrison, the Chief People Officer (CPO) of Severn Trent as he explains why the modern CPO is no longer just an HR leader. The role has evolved into a business-critical position focused on organisational performance, culture, trust, and co
What is a CPO? With Joe Binnion, CPO at Keywords Studios
This People Agenda podcast episode examines what it means to be a chief people officer today. Featuring Joe Binnion, CPO at Keywords Studios, the discussion explores the relationship between people strategy and business strategy, credibility in the C-suite, the metrics that matter, and how AI is beginning to reshape workforce planning and HR leadership. Designed for senior HR, payroll, and change
Are your early careers hiring strategies ready for the AI era?
The future of early careers is being rewritten in real time.
As AI reshapes entry-level roles and application volumes surge, employers are rethinking what potential really looks like, and candidates need a new playbook to stand out.
In this episode of The People Agenda podcast, host Chris Howard is joined by LACE Partners’ Emma Johnson and Talia Pavell, alongside Emily Goodyear, Head of Early Care
Who owns agentic AI? With Chris Cherry, Senior Director at Eightfold
The conversation around AI in the workplace is shifting fast and the real tension isn’t about technology, it’s about ownership. Who actually “owns” AI inside an organisation today?
In this episode of The People Agenda podcast Chris Howard and LACE Director of AI Data and Technology, Martin Colyer, speak with Chris Cherry from Eightfold. They cut through the noise and explore how HR, IT, and bus
What is a CPO? With Keniro Miller, CPO at Ultimate Performance
The role of a Chief People Officer is evolving fast and it’s no longer just about HR. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast, host Chris Howard and Debbie Mitchell speak to Keniro Miller, Chief People Officer at Ultimate Performance, as he reveals how a “triple lens” approach is redefining the modern C-suite. Keniro shows why today’s CPO must operate as a hybrid business leader who can driv
My career in Reward with Jenny Craik
“Reward and performance is all about understanding people.” says Jenny Craik. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast, host Chris Howard is joined by experienced HR leader Jenny Craik, who shares insights from her career in reward and performance at organisations like HSBC, Standard Chartered and Barclays.
If you want to hear the full conversation and dive deeper into these insights, listen
How can smart incentive design drive performance?
Well-designed incentives can transform organisational performance however, poorly designed ones can quietly undermine strategy, culture, and results. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast host Chris Howard and LACE reward specialists, Julie Elder and Mike Aldred as they explore how organisations can design incentives that genuinely drive the behaviours they want. They discuss why incentives
How can CPOs build greater influence in the C-suite? With Hilary Gee
Great leadership does not start with a title. It starts with influence. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast, we explore one critical question: how can today’s Chief People Officer (CPO) move from having a seat at the table to genuinely shaping business transformation? Drawing on insights from our research “From implementer to influencer” host Chris Howard and fellow LACEr Debbie Mitchell
SWP Summit 2026. All you need to know - with Douglas Leach
Strategic workforce planning (SWP) is no longer a future-focused concept; it’s a present-day business imperative. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast, host Chris Howard is joined by Douglas Leach, Founder of People Strategy Hub and the driving force behind the SWP Summit, to explore what people can expect from the event and why SWP has become critical to business performance today.
SWP
The death of the job application: Is AI at fault?
AI is flooding hiring pipelines with polished look-alike applications, and recruiters are struggling to tell real capability from well-written automation. Inspired by an article in The Economist titled “Job applicants are winning the AI arms race against recruiters”. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast host Chris Howard and fellow LACErs Gemma Ryall and Adele Reid break down how the job a
What does M&A get wrong about people and how can it be fixed?
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals fail less because of spreadsheets and more because of people. Most M&A promise growth, scale, or capability. Many underdeliver because leaders underestimate the human side of change. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast host Chris Howard and LACEr Shivani Sasidharan speak to Andrew Philp, CFO at activpayroll, as they break down what actually matters bef
AI and ESG: Busting the myths
In our recent podcast with Beth Scaysbrook from Addidat, a leading ESG data and advisory firm, and our very own Martin Colyer, Director of Digital and AI here at LACE. Together they explore why the intersection of AI and ESG matters, the myths that often hold organisations back, and the practical steps leaders need to take to navigate this evolving landscape.
From workforce transformation to eth
How is AI moving workforce decisions from insight to impact?
AI is no longer a future concept. It is already reshaping how organisations lead, plan, and compete. The real question is not whether AI will change the world of work, but who will lead that change.
In this episode of The People Agenda podcast, we unpack Visier’s latest report, The Business Case for Humans in the AI Era, exploring five key trends that show why HR, powered by data and generative
What strategic disruptors will define HR in 2026?
HR leaders are being asked to deliver more strategic value at exactly the moment when uncertainty, cost pressure, and technology disruption are accelerating. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast host Chris Howard and fellow LACErs, Marcus Uzubalis, Gemma Ryall and Kayley Gaylor, discuss the strategic disruptors that the new HR ecosystem needs to adapt to.
If you want to hear the nuance b
Rewired HR: Building an ecosystem for continuous change
Is it time to rewire HR? In this episode of The People Agenda podcast host Chris Howard talks to LACErs Kat Bernardes and Alice McCormack who are behind our latest campaign Rewired HR. This campaign explores our new HR operating model built to respond to rapid global change, moving beyond traditional structures to focus on business outcomes, agility, and integrating AI as a core part of the team r
What should payroll leaders know from the Reward Strategy Summit 2025?
The latest episode of the People Agenda podcast dives into the evolving world of payroll and reward strategy, offering insights that every HR and payroll professional needs to hear. Hosted by Chris Howard from Lace Partners, this episode features two industry experts: Simon Puryer, Head of Payroll Practice at Lace Partners, and Vickie Graham, Managing Director of Reward Strategy. Together, they un
How can organisations optimise UK pensions post-budget?
What changed in the UK Budget for pensions and salary sacrifice? From 2029, a £2,000 annual cap will be introduced on National Insurance (NI) savings through pension salary sacrifice. Any pension contributions made via salary sacrifice above this cap will become subject to NI.
In this episode of the People Agenda podcast, host Chris Howard is joined by reward experts, Mike Aldred and Jeremy HIl
SWP Conference 2025: Key insights
Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) is no longer about spreadsheets and headcount forecasts. It’s about driving real business change.
In this episode of the People Agenda podcast, host Chris Howard is joined by some of our people analytics team; Nancy Allen, Jo Clarke de Dromantin and Julian Holmes as they reflect on the SWP Conference London. During the conference it was acknowledged how SWP h
What is a CPO? With Danny Harmer
A concise conversation with Danny Harmer, Chief People Officer at Aviva, exploring what makes a modern CPO effective. Discover how aligning people strategy with business goals, building trust-based relationships, and anticipating future workforce needs drive organisational success.
What is a CPO? With Nicky Bliss
Welcome to the first episode of our new mini-series, What is a CPO? Hosted by Debbie Mitchell, Director at LACE Partners and lead of our CPO Network, this series explores the evolving role of the Chief People Officer (CPO). Through conversations with experienced CPOs, we’ll dive into how the function is changing, the challenges leaders face, and how collaboration is shaping the future of HR.
In
Black History Month: How to turn awareness into lasting change at work
As part of Black History Month in this episode of The People Agenda podcast we are raising awareness of how organisations can be more inclusive. Host Chris Howard and Christina Adeniyi from our DE&I team speak to Lildonia Lawrence, a Diversity and Inclusion Consultant, as they discuss allyship, anti-racism, and bystander intervention as key skills for every HR leader.
How is AI redefining performance management?
In this new episode of The People Agenda podcast, host Chris Howard and performance management expert Debbie Mitchell sit down with Amira Kohler, AI Change Consultant and Transformation Expert at People Stuff Limited, to explore how AI is transforming performance management.
From turning data into real-time insights that help managers prepare, coach, and evaluate more effectively, to analysing
From implementer to influencer: How can HR drive business change?
In a rapidly changing business world, HR is no longer simply the team that implements transformation, it’s becoming the driving force behind it. That’s the focus of the latest People Agenda podcast episode, which explores how HR’s influence in shaping business transformation has evolved from supportive to strategic. Host Chris Howard and co-authors Julian Holmes and Katie Jacobs, discuss insights
Welcome to The People Agenda Podcast
It’s an exciting day as we announce that our podcast - previously known as HR on the Offensive has had a refresh and will now be The People Agenda!
New name, same faces and same great content. We believe this new identity better reflects how work, people, and leadership have evolved. In this episode hosts Chris Howard and Debbie Mitchell dive into the deeper question of how HR has transformed
How can HR use strategic workforce planning to drive business impact?
Strategic workforce planning (SWP) at its heart is about answering a very human question: how can organisations ensure they have the right people, in the right roles, at the right time to deliver on their goals? That’s the compelling premise of The Strategic Workforce Planning Handbook by David Edwards, which highlights what it’s really like to grapple with workforce challenges on the ground. Davi
How can smarter payroll unlock business value?
The Payroll function may not always be the ‘flashiest’ part of a business, but it’s one of the most vital and one that’s undergoing a remarkable transformation. In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, host Chris Howard and LACE payroll expert Tricia Conway are joined by guest Ian Giles Global Payroll Sales Director at Dayforce, discussing Payroll’s role, challenges, and future in the m
What HR leaders need to know about the Employment Rights Bill
Fifteen million people, half of all workers, are set to benefit from the Employment Rights Bill, which will establish day one rights to parental and bereavement leave, include sick pay for up to 1.3 million of the lowest earners, and challenge fire and rehire practices. This marks the biggest shift since the Employment Rights Act of 1996. For HR professionals and business leaders, the conversation
How HR can better support employees facing Triple Negative Breast Cancer?
Did you know not all breast cancers can be treated the same way? In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast host Chris Howard, a member from our CSR team Natalie Berkoff, and guest Robin Woolcock, chairman of the UK charity for Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), pulls back the curtain on one of the most aggressive and least understood forms of the disease.
The UK charity for Triple Ne
How can strong payroll foundations drive business growth?
Ever wondered what it really takes to run a world-class payroll function? In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, host Chris Howard and LACEr Julie Choudhury and special guest Melanie Pizzey, Founder of the Global Payroll Alliance (GPA), dive into the evolving landscape of payroll and the critical importance of getting the basics right.
Listen now to learn how your Payroll function
How can CPOs drive business success through people-first leadership?
For many, the title has a different meaning depending on the business and the requirements (the scope also differs depending on which ‘hat’ a CPO wears), often seen as just another corporate rebrand of HR. Yet, as Kathryn Kendall, CPO at Saltus, explains in this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, the role is complex and nuanced. It’s about creating the conditions where people thrive so or
Case studies: How Payroll and HR Shared Services drive transformational change?
What does HR Shared Services and Payroll transformation look like in practice?
That’s the question at the centre of the latest HR on the Offensive podcast, where Chris Howard and Dawn Goodall from LACE Partners were joined by Clare Phillips, Global Head of HR Services at IFS, and Michael Serbrock, Head of Change at Lloyds Banking Group.
Clare and Michael recently spoke to our HRSS and Payroll
How can HR leaders effectively tackle addiction in the workplace?
Addiction in the workplace is often a silent issue. In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast host Chris Howard and guest, Dr. Georges Petitjean, Clinical Director at Inclusion, cut through the taboo to reveal why HR leaders can’t afford to ignore it.
Georges explains that addiction is as a spectrum, from low-risk use, on one end, to compulsive behaviours continued despite harm, on the
How our payroll community can boost your payroll strategy?
In a recent conversation, Chris Howard sat down with LACE payroll experts Simon Bunday and Simon Puryer to unpack the not only the insights from our latest whitepaper but also the power of our payroll community. They emphasised how the community, through shared insights, can support a more holistic approach to payroll strategy, that goes beyond day-to-day transactions and focuses on payroll as a s
Is HR facing a silent mental health crisis?
If you’ve ever asked yourself who’s looking out for the people who look after everyone else, the latest episode of HR on the Offensive dives straight into that question. Chris Howard is joined by clinical psychologist and Ultimate Resilience co-founder Dr. Jo Burrell to unpack a tough but important reality: HR professionals, who are responsible for supporting the well-being of others, are increasi
Why merging HR and IT could be the key to unlocking AI’s full potential
What happens when two of the most culturally distinct functions in a business—HR and IT—are brought together under a single umbrella? In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, Chris Howard is joined by fellow LACEr Julian Holmes and guest John Guy, CEO at Simply Get Results, as they explore the implications of merging HR and IT in an era increasingly shaped by AI and workforce transforma
Can HR play a role in driving business transformation?
In this episode, Chris Howard and LACE founder Aaron Alburey unpack the results of a global study revealing the disconnect between HR’s ambitions and its real influence in business transformation. What needs to change—and how can HR step up? Tune in to find out.
How can you build trust in AI and future-proof your HR strategy?
AI is transforming the world of work at speed—but with great potential comes a need for clarity, accountability, and smart, human-centred decisions. That’s why we developed the TRUSTED AI framework at LACE Partners: a practical, values-led model to help organisations adopt AI in ways that are responsible, secure, and truly useful.
In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, Chris Howard s
How can you optimise your payroll function for the future?
When you think of payroll, it’s easy to imagine a simple process: work, get paid, repeat. But behind that straightforward cycle lies an intricate network of operations, systems, and strategy that most employees—and many businesses—rarely see. In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, host Chris Howard is joined by LACE payroll experts Chris Kirby and Nick Osborne-Moore to dive into our r
How can you unlock the full value of your HRIS?
Struggling to get the most out of your HR tech investment? You’re not alone. In the latest episode of HR on the Offensive, host Chris Howard, Ffion Bennett, and Louise Brown delve into “Less Stress Part Three,” a continuation of our Less stress series, which aims to guide businesses through their HRIS implementation journey. This third instalment tackles a commonly overlooked but crucial phase: po
How can AI enhance productivity and transform the future of work?
In the latest episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, host Chris Howard is joined by LACEr Gemma Ryall and guest Neil Carberry, CEO of the REC, for a great conversation about skills, productivity, and the changing world of work. They explore the challenges organisations are navigating in today’s fast-paced global environment—especially when it comes to embracing AI while maintaining the critic
Is AI the key to transforming the workplace?
What if AI didn’t just reshape jobs, but reshaped how we think about work itself? Many organisations are rethinking the way that work get's delivered, whether that's through skills-based approaches or changes in strategic workforce planning. AI is central to conversations on this topic and is the core of this discussion on the HR on the Offensive podcast, where Chris Howard is joined by fellow LAC
How can HR solve the business efficiency paradox?
In today’s evolving business climate, efficiency can no longer be synonymous with cost-cutting and headcount reduction. In our opinion, that's an outdated view risks undermining both performance and resilience. In our latest whitepaper The Efficiency Paradox, we outline a three-step approach to tackling this problem. For this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast Chris speaks with the authors
The global skills map: Navigating cultural nuances in talent acquisition
Navigating the evolving world of global talent acquisition is no easy task—it's complex, fast-moving, and full of unexpected challenges. That’s why this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, Chris and Pavan Bilkhoo speak to Monika Lubczak-Pufelska, author of Shortlisted for a Better Life. Monika unpacks the cultural nuances, strategic missteps, and hard-won lessons that define today’s intern
How to modernise your workforce strategy to tackle skills gaps
The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report for 2025 highlights a massive transformation in the global job market. An estimated 170 million new jobs will be emerging in the next decade, alongside the displacement of around 92 million roles. That's a net increase, but it underscores the sheer scale of the skills evolution we're facing. In the latest HR on the Offensive podcast. Chris is joined
How can HR strategically address the impact of rising NICs?
What do you do when your business is hit with rising costs, regulatory changes, and mounting pressure to deliver more with less? In this episode of HR on the Offensive, Chris is joined by Simon Fowler, CEO at Empowering People Group, to discuss how HR leaders can strategically navigate cost pressures—including minimum wage increases and recent changes to National Insurance contributions (NIC).
L
Is a skills-based approach the future of strategic workforce planning?
In today’s fast-evolving workplace, organisations are looking for smarter ways to manage talent, align workforce strategies with business objectives, and leverage technology to stay ahead. As part of our Becoming skills-powered campaign Chris alongside LACE strategic workforce planning expert Becki Lovelady speak to Tom Shurrock VP of Product at Beamery. In this episode they unpack the strategies,
How to improve your data quality for business impact
Today businesses rely on data more than ever, ensuring that information is accurate, actionable, and properly managed can make or break a technology investment. This episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast unpacks the complex, often overlooked role of data quality in HR technology and system implementation. Chris and fellow LACErs Martin Colyer and Becki Lovelady, explores the impact of poor-qu
How are Payroll teams shaping the future of work?
Payroll is the backbone of any organisation, ensuring employees are compensated accurately and on time. Yet, despite its critical role, payroll teams often operate behind the scenes, dealing with complex challenges that many outside the function rarely consider.
In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, Chris is joined by LACE payroll experts Adrian Axtell, Simon Puryer, Chris Kirby, T
How can leading through change strengthen business success?
Navigating change is one of the most critical challenges organisations face, and the latest HR on the Offensive podcast dives deep into this subject, offering insights into how leaders can guide their teams through transformation effectively. Chris and change experts Gemma Ryall and Annette Frem discuss the concept of leading through change.
Effective change leadership directly influences engage
How can inspiring your people lead to a successful business transformation?
Business transformation isn’t just about strategy and execution—it’s about people. In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, host Chris, along with Aaron Aubrey, speak with Sally Earnshaw, a specialist in driving cultural and leadership change. Their discussion centres on the crucial role HR plays in enabling large-scale transformation and how leaders can effectively communicate the “why
What is the role of a super-powered people manager in a skills-based organisation?
What makes a great people manager? And how do you build the skills for the future super-charged people manager who is no longer just supervisor; but a coach, mentor and enabler of growth?
Organisations that truly harness the potential of their people managers unlock new levels of productivity, engagement, and innovation. But what does it take to create these ‘supercharged’ people managers? And w
Why HR should lead business transformation — and how it benefits everyone
In today's fast-changing business world, transformation is no longer a one-time event—it’s a continuous process. In the latest episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast Chris and LACE co-founder Aaron Alburey discuss our new campaign, Driving business transformation: HR as the conductors of change, exploring why HR should take the lead in reshaping organisations. Our campaign aims to position HR
Is cultural alignment the secret to sustained business success?
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, company culture plays a pivotal role in driving sustainable performance. This was the central theme of a recent episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, Chris spoke with Niall Cluley, Managing Director at Dragonfish UK to discuss their latest research on culture alignment and its impact on organisational success.
Listen now to learn how your busi
Can payroll drive employee experience and business success?
What does the future hold for payroll? In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast Chris and LACE payroll expert Chris Kirby speak with Nick Day, Founder of JGA Recruitment Group as they discuss how you can build the perfect payroll professional.
The future of payroll is evolving rapidly, and those who embrace change won’t just thrive—they’ll redefine the impact payroll can have on organis
How can HR drive success in 2025?
In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast Chris, predicts the year ahead for HR with guest Idris Arshad, Head of People at Asthma + Lung UK. Idris believes that in 2025 HR transformation must transcend buzzwords, advocating for clearly defined roles and proactive contributions to organisational evolution.
Idris believes that in 2025 HR will not only secure a strategic seat at the table b
How can AI tools be used to empower HR professionals?
Artificial intelligence is revolutionising HR, and in the latest HR on the Offensive podcast Chris delves into this transformation with guests Andrea Derla, Principal Research Value and Ben Harris, VP EMEA both at Visier. The discussion is centred on a report from Visier, “Managers Know AI Tools Make Them More Effective – Can HR Deliver?” that explores how generative AI can empower managers and tr
How can skills-based strategies empower your workforce?
In today’s “HR on the Offensive” podcast, Chris and LACEr Pavan Bilkhoo speak to Jig Ramji, Chief Talent Officer at Aviva, as they explore skills-based organisations potential to redefine traditional HR practices and empower employees along the way. They discuss the ways this shift influences talent acquisition, reward systems and career progression as organisations prioritise skills over roles or
What makes LACE fundamentally different?
At LACE we talk about how we are ‘fundamentally different’ HR consultancy but what does that really mean? This guiding principle, or as we call it the LACE way, informs our approach to both clients and internal operations. In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast Chris speaks with LACE co-founder Aaron Alburey on what makes LACE 'fundamentally different'.
Listen now for insights on how
Who supports the supporters? Building a resilient workplace
HR professionals often carry the weight of organisational wellbeing on their shoulders. But in this case; who supports the supporters? In this insightful discussion from the HR on the Offensive podcast, host Chris Howard and Chris Horton explore this often-overlooked challenge alongside Paul McGregor, a mental health advocate and founder of Everymind at Work.
Listen now to learn how to build a wo
What valuable lessons can HR gain from the creative industry?
Imagine a workplace where creativity thrives, unbounded by traditional barriers—this concept is called “borderless creativity.” In this episode of HR on the Offensive, Chris and fellow LACEr Debbie Mitchell speak to Elaine Grell, Chief People Officer of Ogilvy, as they explore this concept and its transformative implications for leadership, diversity and workplace culture.
Listen now to learn how
How will AI impact organisations becoming skills-powered?
In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, Chris is joined by LACErs Charlie Frost and Aaron Lynch, our in-house AI experts, as they chat with Ben Williams, Founder and Managing Director of Sten10. They discuss the transformative impact of AI on organisations attempting to become skills-powered.
Listen now to learn how AI is reshaping workplace dynamics, skill requirements, and organisa
LACE Partners: Celebrating 10 years
In this special episode of HR on the Offensive, Chris sits down with our Co-Founders, Aaron Alburey and Cathy Acratopulo, to reflect on 10 incredible years. Together, they look back on LACE’s journey from an ambitious vision in 2014 to a leading consultancy with a team of nearly 100, a trusted network of associates, and long-lasting client partnerships across industries.
Aaron and Cathy share mem
How can a skills-based approach shape a more inclusive and adaptable future of work?
In our latest HR on the Offensive podcast Chris and LACE director Pavan Bilkhoo speak to Tom Larter, CEO of WithYouWithMe, a software platform which maps and manages workforce skills, allowing organisations to understand current capabilities and future requirements. The discussion centred around the organisation's innovative approach to combatting underemployment and fostering inclusive hiring pra
How can organisational development elevate HR to drive business success?
In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, Chris and LACE CEO Cathy Acratopulo are joined by Lucinda Carney, CEO and Founder of Actus and host of the HR Uprising podcast. They explore how organisational development (OD) reaches beyond structure to drive leadership development, talent management, culture, and continuous improvement—all aligning with broader business strategy.
Listen now t
How can organisations leverage a skills-based approach to bridge skill gaps?
In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast Chris and LACEr Gemma Ryall speak to Simon Gibson, Head of Talent at Center Parcs. The focus of the podcast is skills-based organisations and how companies can effectively transition to a skills-focused approach. More organisations are moving to a skills-based approach. That’s why we’ve launched our Becoming skills-Powered campaign to explore the
How are skills-based trends impacting the recruitment industry?
In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast Chris and LACE Director Pavan Bilkhoo speak to Neil Carberry, CEO of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), on how the world of recruitment is undergoing a significant transformation.
Listen now to learn how businesses and recruiters are rethinking their approaches to talent acquisition and workforce management.
How can people analytics drive business success?
In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, Chris welcomes fellow LACEr Julian Holmes, who shares his insights from the recent HR Analytics Summit. The discussion centres around the growing importance of data analytics in HR and how organisations can harness people analytics to drive better business outcomes.
Overall, the HR Analytics Summit showcased how organisations are utilising data
How can HR operating models adapt to meet evolving business needs?
In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, Chris, LACE CEO Cathy Acratopulo and guest Melanie Steel, one of HR Magazine’s most influential for 2024, delve into how different business drivers shape HR operating models. These drivers include agility, customer intimacy, growth, and productivity. This is part of our Demystifying the HR Operating Model campaign read more here - https://lacepar
What if skills could directly boost your business's bottom line?
In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, Chris and LACEr Pavan Bilkhoo discuss the importance of skills in driving business performance with their guest, Craige Heaney, VP of Talent and Organisational Effectiveness at Pandora.
Listen now to learn how a skills-based approach not only enhances employee capabilities but also drives bottom-line value for the business.
What is the role of leadership in enabling skills-based organisations?
In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast Chris and LACEr Chris Horton along with guest Anthony Nash, co-founder of Leadership Success, explore the role of leadership in enabling skills-based organisations (SBOs), focusing on how companies are adapting to prioritise skills over traditional job structures.
Listen now to learn what role leadership plays in guiding organisations towards a s
Why do family-inclusive employers get greater productivity?
How does having a family-inclusive approach benefit employers as much as employees? What impact does it have on employer brand? How can care provision when there is a disruption help to ensure engaged employees? These are just a few questions that we explore in our latest podcast, featuring Jennifer Listen-Smith from Bright Horizons. They talk about their Work+Family Snapshot, which you can find o
