Annual International Conference
Rethink Work:
Evolve or Endure
ONLINE
Online | Tuesday 7 October 2025
Session 1: 09.45 – 10.45 DST (09.45 – 10.45 BST)
Session 2: 14.00 – 15.15 DST (14.00 – 15.15 BST)
Event
Over the next decade, organisations are confronting unprecedented challenges driven by geopolitical instability, economic shifts, technological advancements and evolving social norms. The problem is not just the scale of these changes but their rapid pace, reshaping everything from supply chains to workforce dynamics.
The need for effective organisational responses is urgent. Climate change, resource scarcity, and disruptive technologies are already impacting industries, while demographic shifts and changing employee expectations challenge traditional work models. Organisations must rethink their business strategies, focusing on risk management and the critical skills needed for future success.
HR’s role is pivotal. HR leaders must guide their organisations through this upheaval through strategy adaptation, fostering new skills and capabilities, and preparing employees and the business for change. They must also address the human impact of these transitions, ensuring that technology enhances rather than distances the workforce.
In the online version of our conference, we will address the key topics of the changing business context, how we respond to shifting population demographics, and a workshop on designing a preferable future of work.
Who is this event for?
- HR/People Directors
- CIOs/CTOs
- Business Leaders
Learning Objectives
- Analyse the impact of geopolitical, economic and technological changes on your organisation and HR’s key role in preparing for these shifts.
- Explore how demographic shifts will reshape our business models and our talent management approaches
- Identify what the preferable future of work looks like in light of these significant macro changes
Costs
Members: This event is free for CRF members. Simply login to register below.
Non-Members: £150+VAT. If you are not a member and interested in attending please contact events@crforum.co.uk.
To register for this event please ensure you are logged in. If you are not a member and interested in attending, please contact us below.
If you would like to amend or cancel your booking please contact events@crforum.co.uk.
To attend the in-person version of this event, please see information here.
Agenda
| Time | Session | Speaker |
| 09.45 – 10.45 | Leadership in a Time of Disruptive Change | Prof. Ian Goldin, Oxford University |
| Break | ||
| 14.00 – 15.15 | Creating Capability: The Future of Learning | Sarah Toms, IMD Business School |
Speakers
Ian Goldin
Professor of Globalisation and Development, Oxford University
Ian Goldin is Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford, Professorial Fellow at Balliol College, Oxford University, and from 2006 to 2016 was the founding Director of Oxford University’s interdisciplinary Oxford Martin School. He currently leads the Oxford Martin research programmes on Technological and Economic Change, Future of Work and Future of Development. He has published over 60 journal articles and 23 books, most recently Rescue: From Global Crisis to a Better World.
Gina Jardine
ex CHRO CRH, NED Forterra, Partner Jardine Oates
Gina Jardine is a former C-suite executive who has made her mark on some of the world’s largest and most renowned companies listed across the leading stock indices. With a career spanning over 30 years, Gina has worked across public, private, and semi-government organisations, where she was responsible for developing and leading high-performing teams and organisations in her roles as Chief People Officer. Her global experience in industries such as mining, building products, automotive and warehousing and logistics, has given her a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by organisations that have long term investments in financial and human capital-intensive programs. She has worked with some of the industry’s leading Chairs and CEO’s to help organisations deliver their strategy by ensuring that the Organisation and People agendas are aligned, that the culture drives performance and that employees have the capability and engagement to succeed. As a mentor and coach, Gina focuses on helping a range of diverse and senior executives navigate the cultural elements required for success in modern organisations.
Sarah Toms
Chief Innovation Officer, IMD Business School
Sarah Toms is Chief Innovation Officer at IMD. She leads information technology, learning innovation, Strategic Talent Solutions, and the AI Strategy. A demonstrated thought leader in education innovation, Sarah is passionate about amplifying IMD’s mission to drive positive impact for individuals, organizations, and society.
She previously co-founded Wharton Interactive, an initiative at the Wharton School that has scaled globally. Sarah has been on the Executive Committee of Reimagine Education for almost a decade, and was one of the ten globally to be selected as an AWS Education Champion. Her other great passion is supporting organizations who work to attract and promote women and girls into STEM.
She has spent nearly three decades working at the bleeding edge of technology, and was an entrepreneur for over a decade, founding companies that built global CRM, product development, productivity management, and financial systems. Sarah is also coauthor of The Customer Centricity Playbook, the Digital Book Awards 2019 Best Business Book.
