The future of work is on everyone’s agenda. This event brings thought leaders together to share cutting edge ideas on the future, from both a people and technology perspective.
It will allow an understanding of the key drivers of change and enablers of innovation that will shape how, where and when work takes place. Our conference programme will explore future technologies, cutting edge award-winning workplaces and people, change and engagement within the workplace community.
As the future of work continues to evolve, organisations are faced with the dual challenge of embracing digital innovation and adapting to shifting work models. This theme explores the shifting dynamics of workplace design, leadership, and employee engagement, highlighting strategies for humanising transformation, balancing remote and in-office work, and creating resilient organisations that thrive in a rapidly changing environment.
We’ll start the day by gauging the biggest challenges shaping today’s workplaces, the barriers holding back progress, and the opportunities that lie ahead. This interactive session will set the stage for the day’s discussions, inspiring a collective drive toward innovation and meaningful change.
Tired of disengagement, burnout, or turnover draining your team’s potential? Discover how to lead in a way that energises your people, builds trust, and unleashes their best work—without burning anyone out. In this fast-paced, practical session, you’ll gain powerful insights from leadership expert Lauren Parsons to create a thriving, high-performance team culture.
In an era of constant change, employee fatigue is on the rise. How can leaders maintain the necessary pace of transformation while keeping employees engaged and cooperative? Dr Paulette Brazzale explores a more nuanced understanding of how employees respond to change—beyond simple resistance or acceptance. This session will provide insights into managing diverse reactions, fostering a positive change experience, and sustaining engagement at both team and organisational levels.
As workplaces continue to evolve, understanding the true impact of transformation is key. This theme covers how organisations are redefining success through holistic approaches that measure employee experience, well-being, and business outcomes. It explores the integration of design, technology, and culture to create spaces and systems that foster productivity, inclusivity, and engagement, while offering practical strategies for assessing and optimising workplace impact.
Biophilia has been a buzzword for years, but a new term has been emerging to take the spotlight: Workplace Topophilia. While topophilia sounds like biophilia, it represents a distinct concept: our connection to place. The way we experience places, and the way we connect to spaces, is deeply rooted in human beings. Yet in our increasingly digital world, our spatial awareness is diminishing. In this keynote session, we will uncover how digital-physical tensions reshape our cognitive patterns and workplace behaviours and explore strategies to enhance our spatial connection in the modern workplace
This presentation explores Beca's transformative workplace journey, outlining key findings and valuable lessons learned using our global headquarters as a case study. From strategic planning to execution, it highlights challenges faced, solutions implemented, and insights gained that shaped success. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on creating effective strategies to bring multifunctional teams together to deliver considered workplace designs.
With competing priorities and siloed functions, how can organisations align teams to assess true impact and enhance the employee experience holistically? This panel will explore cross-functional strategies to break down barriers, leverage data, and establish meaningful metrics beyond traditional KPIs. Industry leaders will share insights, challenges, and innovative approaches to workplace and performance analytics—helping organisations redefine success and optimise employee experience, productivity, and business outcomes.
Innovation is no longer a long-term goal—it’s a necessity. This theme delves into how organisations are driving rapid transformation through innovative methodologies, from the SWAT approach to fast-paced business transformations, to the integration of AI into everyday operations. Sessions will focus on real-world examples of how businesses are experimenting with new models, adopting cutting-edge technologies, and embracing digital disruption to maintain competitive advantage and enhance workforce productivity.
Drawing inspiration from law enforcement SWAT Teams learn how, through iteration and experimentation, they discovered a fit-for purpose approach that has now delivered multiple outcomes for the business. Learn how to solve macros adaptive non-linear organisational challenges that require cross-functional teaming to solve, understand how to enable teams closest to the problem to develop solutions and discover the power of combining methodologies to create a fit-for-purpose approach to meet your business’s unique needs.
Eighteen months into a trial of a 9-day fortnight, Lucy will share the things that have worked, the things that didn’t quite work as expected, the unanticipated benefits, and the things learned about the mindset or attitudes of different groups within the team. And with 18 months behind them, would Grant Thornton recommend it to others?? Come along and find out…
This panel explores the transformative role of AI in the workplace, examining its impact on productivity, operational efficiency, and human-machine collaboration. The discussion will dive into real-world experiences, unexpected challenges, and key lessons from AI adoption across industries. How are organisations navigating the hype, identifying the right use cases, and adapting to the fast-changing AI landscape? Panellists will share insights into what they are learning, where they are experimenting, and how their approaches continue to evolve.
As the day concludes, join us to reflect on key themes, insights, and takeaways from the conference. This interactive session will distil key learnings, spark discussion, and explore how the ideas presented can drive future action. Share your thoughts, gain fresh perspectives, and leave inspired to turn insights into impact.
Join Philip for a deep dive into international workplace innovation, featuring ground-breaking examples from leading global organisations that have created innovative new HQs, like Booking.com in Amsterdam and Lego in Billund, as well as emerging technologies and trends transforming work.
In this session, Brian Elliott, a leading expert on the Future of Work, will explore recent research on the benefits and challenges of hybrid work. He'll present case studies from leading organisations to demonstrate how to create successful hybrid work programs that enhance utilization & employee engagement. Highlighting the shift from "facilities" to "facilitation" and the growing importance of collaboration between Workplace, People, and Tech leadership. Attendees will gain insights into the ROI of investing in collaborative spaces and strategies for aligning Workplace, People & Tech Teams.
Designed to align with Medibank’s commitment to fostering health and wellbeing, hand in hand with authentic connection to Country, Medibank reinvented its workplace and established a bold new way of working. This presentation will outline how genuine consultation with Medibank employees resulted in “layer upon layer upon layer” of human-centric design decisions integrated into a responsive, paradigm-shifting workplace.
This talk examines a case study of one of the most exciting new offices in the USA. The discussion will focus on how to move from pre-pandemic models that were characterized by a pervasive sense of languishing, to a future based on deep flourishing. In doing so, we will explore concepts originating in sociology that will be critical to developing metrics for tracking the behavioral impact of our physical environments in the larger context of hybrid work.
Architecture Plus Information (A+I) will present Le Truc, a cutting-edge workplace innovation within Publicis' New York flagship building. Designed as a 'Clubhouse for Creativity,' Le Truc challenges traditional office structures by prioritizing the creative process. The space features vibrant, diverse areas for ideation, each with unique colors, lighting, and functionality. This innovative design enhances creative agency and fosters a strong sense of community, creating a dynamic environment where creativity flourishes.
