2025 was the year HR realised the ground was shifting, and 2026 will be the year HR must act.
Across every sector, HR leaders are being pulled into bigger and more complex decisions. AI adoption, salary pressure, shifting legislation, rising wellbeing concerns and cultural fatigue are no longer abstract ideas, they are daily reality.
Many HR Directors, Heads of HR and HR Managers tell us they are expected to provide clarity in conditions that feel unclear, and they are being asked to make high impact decisions with limited certainty.
As Andy Parke, Founder of Parke Lane People, puts it:
“HR leaders are carrying more weight than ever before. The expectations are rising, the risks are rising and the pace is rising. This Forum is designed to give people a space to talk openly about what they are facing and what is coming next.”
This is not a moment of steady evolution, it is a turning point for the profession.
And it is why the PLP HR Forum on Thursday 29 January 2026 could not be arriving at a better time.
Why HR Needs a Different Kind of Conversation in 2026
The challenges coming towards HR are not isolated. They are interconnected, fast moving and increasingly scrutinised by boards, employees and regulators. HR leaders need spaces where they can share, debate and hear from others who deal with the same pressures daily.
As Andy explains:
“Too many HR teams are dealing with the same problems in isolation. When people come together and speak honestly, that is when the real solutions start to appear.”
Three themes sit firmly at the centre of this year’s session.
1. Employment Law Update
Nicola Wallbank, Employment Lawyer at Freeths
This practical session sets out the legal duties around mental health and wellbeing and how to meet them. We’ll cover the business impact, how to identify key risk factors, ways to prevent work‑related stress, when and how to make reasonable adjustments, what non‑compliance can mean, and the simple, practical steps you can put in place right away.
2. Wellbeing and Mental Health in the Workplace
Camilla Rogers, Founder at fifty50 Coaching
Employee wellbeing remains one of the most pressing challenges for HR. Burnout, absence levels, workload pressures and cultural fragmentation are placing strain on organisations across every sector.
This session will explore what HR can influence meaningfully and sustainably, looking at culture, structure and leadership, not just initiatives.
3. AI and the Human Workforce
Marnie Wills, AI Trainer and Consultant
AI is already shaping job design, fairness, recruitment, skills and performance expectations. HR sits at the centre of decisions that carry legal, ethical and cultural consequences.
This session will explore what HR must consider when integrating AI responsibly and what it means for the workforce of 2026 and beyond.
Andy highlights the urgency:
“AI is moving faster than most organisations can keep up with. HR has a crucial role in making sure AI strengthens the business, protects people and supports culture, not the other way around.”
PLP’s Evolving Role in 2026
Alongside recruitment, 2025 saw more organisations asking us for support with salary benchmarking, benefits reviews and workforce planning. It is clear that HR is becoming more strategic and more involved in shaping future structures, not just managing day to day operations. The Forum reflects that shift.
As Andy notes:
“We are seeing HR functions step further into strategy. People want clarity on salaries, benefits, structures and future skills. The Forum is part of helping HR leaders navigate that bigger picture.”
Our Partner and Host: Freeths Oxford LLP
We are pleased once again to partner with Freeths Oxford LLP, a respected legal firm known for clear, commercially grounded advice. Their Oxford office at Spires House is an ideal setting for high quality discussion. Their employment team works closely with HR leaders across the region, making them a natural host for this Forum.
Event Details
Date: Thursday 29 January 2026
Time: 09:30 to 11:30
Venue: Freeths LLP, Spires House, 5700 Oxford Business Park South, OX4 2RW
Audience: Senior HR professionals across all sectors
RSVP: Please contact Andy Parke directly
Refreshments will be provided.
Why You Should Be in the Room
If 2025 taught us anything, it is that HR cannot wait for clarity, it must create it.
2026 will require:
- Faster decisions
- Stronger governance
- Better data and insight
- Clearer communication
- Confidence with AI
- A deeper understanding of risk
- Stronger cultural leadership
The PLP HR Forum exists for HR leaders who want to think bigger, challenge assumptions, learn from peers and return to their organisation better equipped for the year ahead.
As Andy says:
“If you work in HR at a senior level, you should not be navigating these challenges alone. The Forum is a chance to connect, learn and prepare for what is coming.”
Spaces are limited. To secure your place, please RSVP directly to Andy.