Wolverhampton Business School hosts ground breaking International HR Day Conference
The University of Wolverhampton Business School proudly hosted its first-ever International HR Day Conference, themed “Building a Future Ready Workforce: Embracing Diversity, Technology and Sustainable Practices in the Global Landscape.”
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The event brought together HR professionals, academics, and industry leaders from across sectors and continents to explore the evolving role of HR in a rapidly changing world.
The conference was officially opened by Vikki Potts, Director of the Business School, who welcomed attendees and emphasized the importance of global collaboration in shaping the future of work. The event was led by Dr. Olu' Shokunbi, Senior Lecturer in HR & Leadership, whose vision and coordination were instrumental in the conference’s success.
Inspiring Keynotes and Thought Leadership
The day began with a powerful keynote from Deji Ajibola, HR Director at Guinness Nigeria, who set the tone by addressing the critical role of HR in driving inclusive and tech-enabled growth. He was followed by Tracy Evans, Group HR & Quality Director at Pertemps Network Group, who shared insights on aligning HR strategy with business transformation.
Professor Jenni Jones delivered a compelling talk on bridging the gap between academia and practice, advocating for sustainable collaborations that prepare future HR leaders for real-world challenges.
Engaging Panel Discussions
Two dynamic panel sessions provided rich dialogue and practical insights:
Panel One explored Leveraging Technology for Workforce Transformation and Sustainable Practices in Workforce Management. Panelists included Joanna Grocott, Leighton Hughes, Dee Roberts-Molloy, Diana Levi, Danica Williams, James Amphlett, Sukhvinder Singh, and Dr. Jan Firth.
Panel Two tackled Navigating the Future of Remote Work, Upskilling and Reskilling for a Dynamic Workforce, and Ethical Considerations in Workforce Technology. This session featured Dr. Nicky Adams, Tinuke Bosun-Okusaga, Zoya Nadeem, Andy Tromans, and Tajinder Singh-Sian.
Career Journeys and Skill-Building
A highlight of the day was a personal and inspiring talk by Shila Malthora, Director of HR and Interim Chief of People at the University of Wolverhampton, who shared her journey to becoming a senior HR leader.
Attendees also benefited from a hands-on workshop on Cross-Cultural Communication Skills, led by Kate Moseley, Senior Lecturer in HR & Leadership, which provided practical tools for navigating global workforce dynamics.
Nicky Hope, the CIPD Midlands representative and Leighton Hughes, the Chair of the Black Country CIPD branch also joined the conference to add colour to it
A Vision for the Future
Reflecting on the event, Dr. Shokunbi remarked, “As technology continues to influence the people profession, HR professionals, academics, and organizational leaders must adapt collaboratively for a brighter, more rewarding future.”
The conference was widely praised for its rich content, diverse perspectives, and commitment to actionable outcomes. With its success, Wolverhampton Business School has laid the foundation for what promises to be a landmark annual event in the global HR calendar.
