A Bridge Over Troubled Waters: The River Island Restructuring Plan
The UK retail sector has been grappling with subdued consumer demand, an accelerated switch to online shopping during the pandemic and rising costs squeezing profit margins. High Street and mixed channel retailers face stiff competition from online-only stores. This was the backdrop to clothing retail brand River Island sustaining losses in 2023 and 2024.
This Executive to Non-Executive Director masterclass is designed to support senior executives in successfully transitioning into non-executive (NED) roles.
As AI moves from concept to reality, many organisations are struggling less with the technology itself and more with its impact on people and culture. This session focuses on the practical and human challenges of AI adoption: anxiety about job security, confusion over future skills, and a growing divide between “AI insiders” and the wider workforce. We will consider how poorly managed implementation can erode trust, disengage employees, and undermine organisational values and what we can do to avoid that eventuality.
CHAIR
Jeff Uden, Global Head of Performance & Attraction, Aventum Group
SPEAKERS
Jamie Nevshehir, VP, HR Operations and People Analytics, NBCUniversal | James Gilding, Chief Strategy Officer, Knights Technologies
Modern Succession Planning involves collaborating with other departments in identifying and developing potential leadership successors, ensuring a seamless transition of power and resilience in adapting to a faster-changing workforce.
SPEAKERS
Sue Whalley, Chief People & Performance Officer, Associated British Foods | Peter Jackson, Former CEO, Hill Dickinson LLP
Uniting the Generational Gap: A Culture Framework for High-Performance Marketing
Join Matt Field, CMO of Aventum Group, for a critical session tackling the dual talent crisis facing modern marketing: a retiring workforce converging with an acute shortage of emerging talent. As AI accelerates change and widens the generational gap, the solution isn’t more tools, it’s building the right culture first.
SPEAKERS
Matt Field, Chief Marketing Officer, Aventum Group
AHN Members Dinner with Ian Workman, Chief Customer Officer at Homes England
With recent leadership changes at Homes England, we recognise that members will be particularly interested in the agency’s priorities for the coming years. We are therefore delighted to welcome Ian Workman, who leads Homes England’s Social Housing, Safety and Ownership Directorate, to our Affordable Housing Network members dinner.
SPEAKERS
Ian Workman, Chief Customer Officer, Homes England
Awaab’s Law in Focus: Sector Response and Government Outlook
Awaab’s Law, introduced following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak, set a new legal framework requiring landlords to address reported damp and mould within strict timeframes. The legislation has been a catalyst for accountability and change across the housing sector, but questions remain about how effectively the first version has been implemented and what future iterations could entail.
SPEAKERS
Cathy Steeghs, Health, Safety & Repairs – Awaab’s Law, Social Housing Directorate, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government | Anabelle Harraway, Policy Advisory, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government | Megan Stuart, Policy Advisor – Health, Safety & Repairs – Awaab’s Law, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
“The Skills Gap”: Bridging the Divide Between Education and Industry
The UK faces a growing misalignment between the skills graduates leave university with and the capabilities businesses urgently need. With automation, AI, and demographic shifts reshaping entry-level roles, organisations are struggling to source talent equipped with both technical expertise and the human skills of resilience, empathy, and curiosity.
CHAIR
Alastair Procter, SVP, Strategic Human Resource Operations, The Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG)
SPEAKERS
Phil Beach CBE, Chairman, Energy & Utility Skills | Ruchika Karakoti, Founder and Principal Consultant, Karakoti Consulting Limited | Steve Saville, VP, People, BAE Systems Digital Intelligence
Join this high-impact masterclass led by Paul R Smith, creator of the SOSTAC® planning framework and author of SOSTAC® Guide to Your Perfect Digital Marketing Plan. Ideal for directors and CEOs seeking a powerful, proven framework for marketing success.
You’ll gain a structured, practical approach to digital strategy—perfect for leaders who want to plan, execute, and optimise digital marketing that delivers real results.
Don’t miss this opportunity – reserve your place today!
TRAINERS
Paul Smith, TEDx Talker, international speaker and author, SOSTAC® Plans, PR Smith Marketing
