KNW Training at CIPD Festival of Work 2025
Last week, our KNW Training colleagues Samantha and Cathy represented us at the CIPD Festival of Work (11–12 June, Excel London). With over 11,500 HR, L&D and people-profession peers in attendance, this year’s Festival was the most significant yet—packed with inspiration, actionable insights, and powerful networking opportunities.
The Festival brings together seven dedicated stages—covering subjects like Learning & Development, Wellbeing, Leadership, Inclusion—and strong representation from leading voices such as Microsoft, CIPD, and industry specialists. Sessions included forward-thinking keynotes like Sarah Armstrong‑Smith from Microsoft on empathetic leadership during crises, and interactive discussions on neurodiversity, inclusive language, and AI in HR.
One of the standout themes was the integration of AI and technology into HR and L&D. From “Brave new world: putting AI to work” sessions to hands-on demos on smart workplace tools, the Festival underlined that digital capability is no longer optional—it’s essential. Samantha and Cathy also reported on practical takeaways, like designing “Gen Alpha” well‑being strategies, building psychological safety through inclusive culture, and providing leaders with tools to gather employee feedback and boost engagement.
The bustling exhibitor hall offered a treasure trove of resources—from tech vendors to wellbeing providers and learning-platform companies—giving our team fresh ideas and materials to bring back . Equally valuable were the spontaneous meetups and purposeful networking that led to thoughtful conversations and potential collaborations.
As a national training provider, KNW values continuous learning. Attending the CIPD Festival empowers us—and the organisations we support—to embrace new thinking, tools, and strategies, particularly around inclusive leadership, well‑being, and future‑ready skills. With the Festival’s practical insights and energy still resonating, Samantha and Cathy are working on new KNW programmes infused with these learnings.
We look forward with confidence—enthused by renewed purpose and equipped with fresh ideas—for the exciting year ahead!
