HR Buzz Live Chat

HR professionals need more than qualifications and conferences to stay ahead these days especially in the age of AI where conversations, connections and communities that challenge their thinking become even more important.

In August's HR Buzz Live, we were joined by Michelle Hartley, Founder and Chief Geek Officer at People Sorted and HR Geek Squad, to explore why HR communities are where it's at!

We discuss:

• Why community is becoming one of HR's greatest assets
• The story behind The Great Geek Together
• Building thriving local HR communities
• Learning beyond traditional conferences
• Why events like DisruptHR Birmingham create lasting impact
• How authentic conversations help HR professionals grow

Watch along for an engaging discussion full of practical insights, fresh perspectives and plenty of geeky enthusiasm.

Every organisation talks about transformation. Few actually manage change well.

Change management expert Richard Page Brown joined Jamie Keeling, our Group Head of Sales, to unpack the messy reality of organisational change; from rushed implementations and poor communication to “change fatigue” and leadership disconnect.

With extensive experience in HR transformation, digital experience, operating models, and continuous improvement, Richard shares practical advice for HR professionals tasked with delivering change without always having formal change-management expertise. Perfect for HR leaders, People teams, L&D professionals, and anyone trying to make change actually stick.

New legislation. Shifting expectations. AI creeping further into the workplace… April is bringing a wave of change for HR, but what actually matters?
Jamie Keeling sits down alongside Florence Hunter, Group Head of HR at the Torrington Group, and Trish Hewitt, CPO and founder of Haylo HR, for a no-nonsense, practical conversation on what HR professionals need to know right now and what to do next.

In this session, we cover:

✔ The key April updates (including day one sick pay and beyond)
✔ What these changes mean in practice for HR teams and managers
✔ Where organisations are getting it wrong
✔ What’s coming next and how to stay ahead
✔ Your questions, answered live

This isn’t about theory or headlines, it’s about real-world HR. That means whether you’re reviewing policies, advising leaders, or trying to stay ahead of constant change, we will give you clear, practical takeaways you can apply immediately.

In this HR Buzz Live session, host Jamie Keeling is joined by digital skills educator Storm Rae to explore how AI is reshaping the workforce and challenging the way HR thinks about talent.

Together, they’ll discuss why many organisations are still recruiting for outdated skill sets, the growing shift between blue-collar and white-collar work, and how AI could help bridge the gap - if businesses invest in the right training and development.

Storm Rae, a lecturer at Cranfield University’s MK:U and a leading voice on AI literacy and workforce readiness, brings a human-centred perspective on how organisations can build digital capability at scale.

Expect a practical conversation about the future of work, digital skills, and what HR leaders should really be looking for when hiring in the age of AI.

As pressure, change and performance demands keep rising, many organisations are quietly exhausting the people they rely on most. 
This live session explores what human sustainability really means and why protecting people is no longer a nice to have, but a leadership responsibility. Bring your opinions and questions...
With guests: Lynsey Kitching and Dr Paul Jones, and our host Verity Gough.

Lynsey Kitching, co-founder of CAPE People Development and an expert in conversation-led leadership, works with founders, leaders and teams to build clarity, confidence and capability through everyday leadership conversations. She holds a postgraduate qualification in organisational leadership from Oxford University Saïd Business School and is co-author of Beyond Small Talk.

Dr. Paul Jones, Associate Dean for Education and Student Experience at Aston University, and a Teaching Fellow for Human Resources and Workplace Psychology. He has worked across the public, private and third sectors and brings with him a wealth of experience across various people orientated roles. He has worked in Higher Education for the last 15 years across roles including research management, careers advice and guidance and employability skills development. As a keen advocate of AI in the workplace, he brings a refreshing perspective on human sustainability.

As hybrid working becomes embedded, many organisations are struggling to balance trust, visibility and performance. The return-to-office debate isn’t going anywhere; it’s evolving.

So how do we engage people split between home and the workplace? How do we make the office feel worth coming back to? And how do we rebuild culture and connection across on-site and off-site teams?

We explore what good return-to-office strategies look like in practice, particularly in people-heavy, customer-facing environments.

Guest Matt Payne, HR Director at Build-A-Bear Workshop (UK & Ireland) and Board Director for the BABW Charitable Foundation, brings a real-world perspective on engaging hybrid teams, balancing flexibility with operational reality, and encouraging office return without mandates.

Join Jamie Keeling live for honest insight, practical examples, and audience Q&A.

HR friends… ready to swap spreadsheets for a festive HR face-off?
This episode of HR Buzz: The Big Festive HR Quiz + 2025 HR Round-Up; is a live, interactive quiz on the big moments in HR, work and workplace culture this year. Host, Jamie Keeling is joined by three of our absolute fave HR people:

⭐ Debra Corey - Step It Up HR
⭐ Trish Hewitt- LLB, MA, FCIPD - Haylo HR®
⭐ Toby Kheng - Freeformers

You'll hear:

✅ A 10-question multiple-choice quiz on HR history, legislation, strikes, culture shifts & employee experience (ooooh)

✅ A 2025 HR themes round-up (of course!)

✅ Live audience participation in the comments - bragging rights included (get in!)

It's engaging and informative (and very, very funny!) So dip in, have a go at guessing the answers, and enjoy some good old-fashioned quizzy fun!

Talk Isn’t Cheap: The real cost of poor workplace communication
This session we’ll dive into the real cost of poor workplace communication and how clarity, empathy, and listening can transform culture, prevent burnout, and build trust from the top down.

🎧 Featuring:
Jo Coxhill – Workplace Culture, Employee Experience, Listening & Internal Comms Consultant | Burnout Advocate and Speaker | Founder of Vision 29 and ConnEXions:MK | Fellow IoIC

Jo helps organisations improve performance, profits and cultures by creating happy, healthy, and engaged teams. Known for her authenticity and results-driven approach, she champions better communication, burnout prevention, and belonging at work.

Tara Birch – Fractional Senior Leader and Co-Founder of Saffron & Birch
Tara specialises in change, communication, and culture, working with start-ups and small businesses to build workplaces people genuinely care about. Through Saffron & Birch, she connects leaders for honest conversations and real connection.

Expect authentic conversation, practical insights, and actionable takeaways to help your teams thrive.