2026 is set to be another challenging year for organisations and the people profession. As economic uncertainty continues and AI adoption accelerates, where should the profession focus its efforts? How can job design and management capability drive productivity without increasing burnout? And what skills do people professionals need to navigate the year ahead.

CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by a trio of leading HR podcasters, Fay Wallis, career and leadership coach and host of HR Coffee Time; Lucinda Carney, Chief Executive Officer at Actus Software, and host of HR Uprising podcast; and Bruce Daisley, host of Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat podcast.

Recorded: 09 January 2026

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Bookings are now open for the CIPD Student Conference 2026. Student members can secure your place for free at cipd.org/studentconf2026

Take ownership of your learning and enhance your professional practice. Explore our suite of tools to support your CPD journey at cipd.org/en/learning/cpd/

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Explore more podcasts from this week’s panel:

HR Coffee Time with Fay Wallis

https://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-coffee-time-podcast/

HR Uprising with Lucinda Carney

https://hruprising.com/

Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat with Bruce Daisley

https://eatsleepworkrepeat.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HR People Pod – Ep 40: Priorities for the People Profession in 2026

CIPD

HR People Pod – Ep 40: Priorities for the People Profession in 2026