The role of the Chief People Officer (CPO) is evolving faster than ever. No longer focused solely on HR operations, today's CPO is increasingly responsible for driving organisational transformation, shaping strategy, influencing culture, and helping businesses...
Archive: People strategy
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People strategy:
What is a CPO? with Michelle Wall
The role of the Chief People Officer has evolved far beyond traditional HR. In high-growth, private equity-backed businesses, today’s CPO is a commercial leader responsible for driving growth, enabling strategy, shaping culture, and creating the conditions for...
What is a CPO? with Jonny Friedman
The modern Chief People Officer is no longer just a people leader. Today's CPO is a strategic business partner, cultural architect, and organisational conscience. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast Chris Howard and Debbie Mitchell speak to Jonny Friedman,...
What is a CPO? with Neil Morrison
Great leadership roles are rarely defined by job titles alone. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast, Chris Howard and Debbie Mitchell sit down with Neil Morrison, from Severn Trent Water as he explains why the modern CPO is no longer just an HR leader. The...
What is a CPO? With Joe Binnion
What is a CPO, and how is the role changing as organisations face relentless transformation? In brief Explores what a CPO is and how the role links to business strategy. Discusses metrics, talent and credibility in the C-suite. Examines how AI is reshaping workforce...
Are your early careers hiring strategies ready for the AI era?
The future of early careers is being rewritten in real time. As AI reshapes entry-level work and application volumes surge, employers are rethinking what makes talent stand out and candidates need a new playbook to keep up. In this episode of The People Agenda...
What is a CPO? With Keniro Miller
“A Chief People Officer is a hybrid role of pretty much most of the exec roles that sit around the table.” The role of a Chief People Officer is evolving fast and it’s no longer just about HR. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast, host Chris...
SWP Summit: Moving beyond the Bs in strategic workforce planning
In brief Why the ‘killer Bs’ of strategic workforce planning often create confusion rather than clarity How to refocus SWP on real business problems and outcomes Practical examples of SWP driving cost control, risk reduction and delivery ...
SWP Summit 2026 – all you need to know ahead of the conference
Strategic workforce planning (SWP) is no longer a future-focused concept; it’s a present-day business imperative. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast, host Chris Howard is joined by Douglas Leach, Founder of People Strategy Hub and the driving force behind...
What does M&A get wrong about people and how can it be fixed?
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals fail less because of spreadsheets and more because of people. Most M&A promise growth, scale, or capability. Many underdeliver because leaders underestimate the human side of change. In this episode of The People Agenda...
Beyond the UK Budget headlines: Preparing your People strategy for 2026
In brief • The UK Budget appears stable at headline level, but underlying structural changes will significantly increase employment costs and payroll complexity.• Key reforms to pensions, income tax thresholds and the National Living Wage will reshape reward...
How to turn talent scarcity into strategic advantage
In brief Talent scarcity is driving organisations to expand global hiring, with digital skills in highest demand. Global hiring offers access to diverse talent, cost efficiencies, and greater organisational resilience, but brings complexity and cultural challenges. HR...
What is a CPO? With Danny Harmer
In brief The Chief People Officer (CPO) aligns people strategy with business goals, maximising organisational performance by maximising people performance. Effective CPOs are commercial, expert in HR levers, and future-focused—using data and insight to drive...
Welcome to The People Agenda Podcast
It’s an exciting day as we announce that our podcast - previously known as HR on the Offensive has had a refresh and will now be The People Agenda! New name, same faces and same great content. We believe this new identity better reflects how work, people, and...
How can HR use strategic workforce planning to drive business impact?
Strategic workforce planning (SWP) at its heart is about answering a very human question: how can organisations ensure they have the right people, in the right roles, at the right time to deliver on their goals? That’s the compelling premise of The Strategic Workforce...















