HPMA London Academy Conference 2025

* Please note this session is for HPMA members only**

*This session is for those in HR/OD/ Workforce roles**

Venue - ONLINE or In-Person

Governor’s Suite, St Thomas’ Hospital, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH

Book your tickets now as we expect demand to be high. In-person and online tickets are available.

Conference Overview:

As NHS HR leaders, we play a critical role in shaping the workforce and ensuring our people are ready for change. This one-day event will explore what transformation really means for NHS HR, what challenges and opportunities lie ahead, and how we can prepare ourselves to lead with confidence.

Key Takeaways for Participants:

✅ A clear understanding of what transformation means for NHS HR
✅ Practical tools to assess and enhance readiness for change
✅ Insightful discussions on real challenges and opportunities
✅ Networking with peers and NHS workforce leaders

9:00 AM – Registration & Networking

9:30 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks

· Bernadette Thompson (Conference chair) OBE, Director of People and Culture, North Middlesex University Hospital, The Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust

· Laura Bevan, Chief People Officer, The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and HPMA Joint Vice President, London and the South East

· Julie Rogers, Chief Executive, HPMA

9:50 AM – Keynote: The Future of NHS Workforce Transformation

Speaker panel chaired by Sue Steen, Chief People Officer, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Speakers

Lord Victor Adebowale, Chair, NHS Confederation

Professor Meghana Pandit, Co-National Medical Director (Secondary Care), NHS England

Tom Simons, Chief HR and OD Officer, NHS England

This session will cover:

· What does transformation really mean in today’s NHS?

• Key drivers of change: Productivity, workforce planning, digital, inclusion, transforming people services
• Are HR teams equipped for the challenge?

10.50 AM – Break & Networking ☕

11.20 AM – Interactive Panel: "Transformation in Action"

Speaker panel chaired by Lynn Demeda, Director of SEL ICS Workforce Programme at NHS South East London

Speakers

· David Probert – Chief Executive Officer, University College Hospitals London NHS Foundation Trust and Deputy Chief Executive, NHS England

· Victoria Sherlock, Head of Workforce Transformation, New Hospitals Programme, NHS England

This session will cover:

· Case studies from NHS Trusts

• How HR can move from reactive to proactive

12:00 AM – Table discussions: Are You Ready? Assessing HR’s Readiness for Change

Facilitated by Karen Chummun, Deputy Director of People, Talent and Leadership at NHS England, South East

• Self-assessment of HR teams’ transformation capability
• Identifying gaps in skills, mindset, and processes
• Strategies to build resilience and agility

12:30 PM – Lunch & Networking 🍽️

1:15 PM – Leadership lessons: Transformation in Your Trust Hearing from our HR leaders on the key lessons they have learnt from facing complex and wicked problems

Speaker panel chaired by Cheryl Samuels, Director of People and Culture at Evelina London, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

Speakers

· Michael Pantlin, Interim Group Deputy CEO, St Georges, Epsom and St Helier Hospital Group

· Janine LaRosa, Chief People Officer, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

· Delvir Mehet, Acting Chief People Officer, Homerton NHS Foundation Trust

Interactive session:

• What is the most significant challenge or change I have dealt with in my career and how have I navigated it?
• What advice would I give to my younger self?
• What are the three lessons/hints/tips you want to pass on to participants

2.00 PM – The Big Debate: "Is HR Driving or Blocking Change?"

Speakers

· Peter Cheese, Chief Executive Officer, CIPD

· Elizabeth Nyawade, Chief of People and Culture, Surrey & Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

· Leatham Green, Transformation Director, Oracle

· Sarah Morgan, Chief People Officer, North Central London Integrated Care Board

For & Against: Two teams argue the role of HR in enabling or hindering transformation.

• Audience Q&A and live polling
• Insights on overcoming resistance to change

2:45 PM Break & Networking ☕

3:00 PM – Closing Keynote: Leading with Confidence in Uncertain Times

Peju ‘The Spark’ Abuchi

Peju “The Spark” Abuchi is a powerful poet, sassy speaker and empowering coach. She is passionate about using her spoken and written words to energise, illuminate and draw out the greatness in others.

• Practical strategies to lead through change
• Building personal and team resilience
• Leaving with a renewed sense of purpose

4:00 PM – Closing Remarks & Next Steps

Speaker

· Laura Bevan, Chief People Officer, The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and HPMA Joint Vice President, London and the South East

**Please note due to the size of the room, there are a limited number of spaces per Trust in person - there are unlimited tickets available online!

Date: 22nd October 2025

Location: Online & In person

In Person Venue - Governor’s Suite, St Thomas’ Hospital, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH

Time: 09:00 start, finish 17:00

By booking on this event, you are indicating that have read and agree to our event booking terms and conditions.

In the event that you’re not able to attend, please let us know within 5 working days of the event or we will charge a £100 cancellation fee regardless of the reason given for cancellation or non-attendance. We know that there are many good reasons why people are not able to attend HPMA London events they have booked on, please ensure you update your attendance in good time.

If an event is overbooked and the maximum attendance has been reached from a particular trust, the events team may need to cancel any further places that are booked. The team will then email individuals who have booked after the maximum number has been reached. See our event booking policy

We may take pictures or record our events to use in publicising our events programme including on our social media platforms. By booking on this event, you are giving consent to this unless you let us know otherwise. Any questions, please email Isabelle.Meakin@nhs.net in advance of the event.