From Exit to Onboarding: Leveraging the CHRO Role in CEO Transitions
Together, we’ll explore what happens before the welcome announcement, how executive relationships are formed in the earliest days, and why the most valuable information often comes from beyond the boardroom. We’ll also examine how leaders can stay connected to the reality of employee experience during periods of significant change.
CHAIR
Misti Melville, NED/Chair Nominations & Remuneration Committee, Al Jammaz Group
SPEAKERS
Helen Easton, Chief People Officer, Darlington Building Society | Neil Hayward, Chair, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundations Trust
Trustee Considerations in Journey Planning III – Surplus Extraction and Distribution
With new rules coming in at the end of 2026 trustees feel the burden of the decision to extract any surplus as well as how that surplus should be distributed if the decision is made. Though decisions on surplus will have to be in line with trustee duties and take into account wider considerations including members and the strength of the covenant, this is a new responsibility for trustees.
SPEAKERS
Graham McLean, Managing Director, Retirement, WTW | Tina Kripps, Senior Managing Director, WTW | Edward Brown, Partner, Hogan Lovells Cadwalader | Arabella Slinger, Senior Partner, XPS Covenant, incorporating Penfida
USA ‘Deep Dive’: The Tax Environment for Multinational Groups
In the latest in our ‘deep dives’ into specific regions and countries we turn our attention to the USA. This discussion will be of interest to tax directors from a wide range of groups which have operations or trading relationships in the USA. It will also be of interest to regional Heads of Tax of US-owned groups reporting into group HQ.
CHAIR
Sandy Markwick, C-Suite Director, Winmark
SPEAKERS
Rodrigo Gastalver, Global Head of Tax, Ferroglobe Plc | Ian Halligan, Global Head of Tax, Baker Tilly International | Sanford Stark, Partner, Gibson Dunn
In an era defined by disruption and continuous transformation, the ability to lead change and build organisational agility has become a defining leadership capability. This dynamic session — led by Perry Timms, CIPD Chartered Member and HR’s Most Influential Thinker of 2022 — explores how leaders can foster adaptability, resilience, and alignment in fast-changing environments.
TRAINERS
Perry Timms, Founder and Chief Energy Officer, People & Transformational HR Ltd
Executive Transitions – Why They Often Fail & How to Better Navigate to Success
Stepping into a new executive role is one of the highest-stakes moves a leader, and their organisation, can make. The numbers tell a sobering story: research consistently shows that more than 40% of executive transitions fail within the first 18 months. Behind that statistic sit real costs: lost momentum, unsettled teams, damaged reputations, and, too often, a talented leader whose potential never had the chance to land.
CHAIR
Laurence Kiddle, Partner, Head of Data and Technology Services, S&W
SPEAKERS
Peter Jackson, NED, Taha Capital | Richard Turner, Portfolio CFO, Executive Transition Coach / Adviser
Google Cyber Dinner: Protecting C-Suite, Board and High-Profile Individuals
Join us for this in depth session centred on the nexus of cyber and physical security for the modern executive in 2026 and beyond. The modern threat landscape requires a comprehensive approach to executive security, inclusive of both cyber and physical protections. This requires robust solutions that respects the individual’s privacy while ensuring the executive is protected like every other key corporate asset.
SPEAKERS
Blake Renaud, Lead – High Value Asset Protection (Mandiant), Google
How do you bring AI into decisions that carry real legal and organisational risk? The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has built an AI-powered system to guide the analysis of personnel requests to review management decisions.
CHAIR
S. Nicole Jordan, General Counsel,UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services)
SPEAKERS
John (Jack) Nairn, Legal Specialist, UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services)
Developments in Pension Trustee Board Effectiveness, Recruitment & Remuneration
Our annual remuneration survey of Pension Fund Chairs and Trustees is designed to highlight trends around chair and trustee pay and related topics. At the survey launch discussion, we will be sharing the main highlights as well as insights into current board effectiveness priorities and challenges.
CHAIR
Jenny Gibbons, Head of Trustee Governance Consulting, WTW
SPEAKERS
Luna Fadayel, Scheme Actuary & Relationship Manager, WTW | Catherine Qi, Head of Research, Winmark | Tamara Dupree, Head of Financial Services, Nurole
