The CIPD Festival of Work returns to Excel London on 11-12 June 2025, featuring a full programme focused on the evolving world of work. Organised by the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, the two-day event is free to attend and will welcome more than 11,500 professionals from across the HR and business landscape.
This year’s line-up includes a mix of well-known personalities and business leaders. Jamie Laing, entrepreneur and broadcaster; Alex Scott MBE, former professional footballer and sports presenter; and Alex Horne, creator of Taskmaster, will join the speaker roster alongside corporate and academic experts.
Key industry figures such as Sarah Armstrong-Smith, chief security officer at Microsoft, and Matthew Syed, known for his work on performance and mindset, are also scheduled to appear.
Across seven stages, over 130 speakers will share insights on topics such as AI, skills, wellbeing and organisational change. More than 180 exhibitors will present solutions designed to support people and change functions across industries. Festival-goers will be able to access all talks, exhibits and features without charge by registering for a standard two-day pass.
Attendees will also have the option to engage with interactive features including AI demonstrations, wellness sessions and legal clinics. The event is designed to encourage HR professionals and business leaders to re-evaluate how they work, lead and learn in an increasingly complex environment.
AI, wellbeing and legal support among event highlights
The 2025 edition of the festival includes a series of hands-on features aimed at offering practical value for visitors. The AI Lab will host expert demonstrations exploring applications of artificial intelligence across the people profession. The Employment Law Clinic will provide free drop-in sessions for legal guidance on workplace issues.
The Wellbeing Village will offer yoga, mindfulness talks, breathing exercises and on-site massage therapy. A new Social Impact Hub is being introduced to inspire attendees to take action in their organisations on sustainability, community engagement and workplace inclusion.
HiBob will facilitate structured 30-minute speed networking sessions, while dedicated Festival Trails will support navigation across the extensive event programme. These trails will highlight recommended speakers, activities and exhibitor stands aligned to specific professional interests, such as learning and development, internal communications and technology.
The CIPD stand will provide updates on the organisation’s work in professional development and people strategy, along with offers on membership and training resources.
New HR30 list to recognise impact-driven professionals
This year’s Festival of Work will also see the launch of the inaugural CIPD HR30 list, created to recognise 30 senior people professionals who have delivered measurable outcomes in their organisations. Those selected will be invited to a closed networking and celebration event during the festival.
Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, said, “We’re looking forward to welcoming attendees back to this year’s Festival of Work. Now in its seventh year, it’s become a leading event for all those interested in the big themes shaping the future of work.”
He continued, “As the world of work continues to shift, organisations are having to rethink operating models as well as address significant challenges around productivity, engagement, wellbeing, accessing skills and AI implementation. By bringing together a wide variety of business and HR professionals, thought leaders and academics, regulators and solution providers, we aim to inspire organisations to tackle these challenges, to invest in their workforces and shape their businesses for the future.”
On-site and virtual options available
The festival will run from 08:15 to 17:30 on Wednesday 11 June and from 08:30 to 16:30 on Thursday 12 June. Visitors can register online for a free pass, which grants access to all stages, exhibits and interactive areas across both days.
For those unable to attend in person, a Content+ pass is available for £125 plus VAT. It includes on-demand access to recorded sessions from all seven stages for 90 days after the event, along with exclusive follow-up content.
The CIPD Festival of Work 2025 is expected to offer attendees a wide-ranging view of current trends and developments influencing the people profession, with a focus on collaboration, innovation and practical solutions.
Alessandra Pacelli is a journalist and author contributing to HRreview, where she covers topics including labour market trends, employment costs, and workplace issues.
- Alessandra Pacelli
- Alessandra Pacelli
- Alessandra Pacelli
- Alessandra Pacelli
