2pm Thursday 16th October 2025
HR leaders and Reward & Benefits specialists are well-versed in navigating the needs of a multigenerational workforce. However, it’s hard to ignore the voices of two specific generations, asking very different things from their employers: both have needs that are critical to their retention.
Join us as we explore the contrasting needs of Gen Z and Gen X. Our Gen Z colleagues, known for their future-focused mindset, clear demand for hyper-personalised support, and an eye on long-term career expectations. Gen X sitting squarely in the sandwich generation, balancing care for both young and old, their immediate requirements include reducing work/life stress through flexible working and flexible care solutions for both children and elderly parents. Cost of living pressures take their toll on both generations, while the budget pressures are real for employers.
This session will unpack what it really takes to engage, retain, and empower these two pivotal groups—and how smart investment in wellbeing, flexibility, and family support solutions across all life stages can drive ROI across your workforce.
Key Learnings
- The needs behind the stereotypes: Get expert insights you can actively put into practice to engage your workforce.
- Real world research data: when it comes to family life, understand what Gen Z and Gen X are looking for in their next employer; and what immediately alienates them.
- Why it is worth investing: analyse the ROI when you provide the supports your multigenerational workforce demands.
Why Attend?
This is for all HR, reward, benefits and people leaders looking to:
- Engage multiple generations and meet the needs of every life stage at work
- Retain talented parents and carers with cutting edge strategies
- Understand the trends and stay ahead.
- Enjoy a lively hour of discussion and insight with actionable take-aways
Guest: Jennifer Liston-Smith, Head of Thought Leadership, Bright Horizons
Jennifer has spent over 20 years driving innovation in family-friendly, flexible working, and wellbeing programmes. She is a recognised speaker and consultant, previously leading the Coaching & Consultancy division of Bright Horizons. She now focuses on identifying and translating key trends into practical actions for employers.
Guest: Catherine Ritchie, Senior Wellbeing and People Experience Manager, Clifford Chance LLP
Catherine Ritchie is Wellbeing and People Experience Manager at global law firm Clifford Chance. A key member of the firm’s HR team, her focus is on driving forward the strategic and programmatic elements across all locations, but with specific responsibility for the UK and Middle East.
Since 2018, Catherine has been developing people-first strategies to promote wellbeing and positive experiences across market-leading businesses. In 2023 she was recognised for her work by Make a Difference (Best Multinational Workplace Wellbeing Programme). Her training in marketing combined with her rich experience means her work achieves impact across diverse populations.
Hosted by: James Marsh
James is an organisational learning and development specialist and has worked as an HR manager, consultant, in-house recruiter and trainer with expertise in both management strategy and HR policies and processes. A former editor of HRreview, James then spent seven years at specialist retailer Planet Organic as the architect of their learning strategy and apprenticeship programmes before moving to Guardian News Media in June 2022. He has continued to work closely with HRreview as a podcast presenter and the regular chairperson of their award winning webinar series, InsideHR.
