The CIPD’s Festival of Work 2026 to feature keynotes from Alice Roberts, Diana Osagie, Richard Osman, and Tim Harford

The Festival of Work 2026 is open for registration and has announced the speakers, exhibitors, and interactive feature activities that will be running during the two-day event, supporting over 12,000 attendees in shaping thriving, productive and future-ready organisations.  

This year’s festival will showcase the latest developments in leadership, development, employee experience, tech innovations, wellbeing, and practical solutions in the people management space. 

The event will feature engaging keynotes from Professor Alice Roberts (Biological Anthropologist, Author and Broadcaster), Diana Osagie (founder of Courageous Leadership, leadership coach, trainer, and author), Richard Osman OBE (TV presenter, producer, and bestselling author), and Tim Harford OBE (Financial Times’ undercover economist and presenter). The event also marks the final conference address from the CIPD’s chief executive Peter Cheese, ahead of his retirement at the end of June 2026. 

Aside from the busy speaker timetable and access to over 210 exhibitors, the festival’s interactive activities will include:  

• AI Lab – Featuring highly accessible, user-friendly interactive demonstrations from AI experts on how to harness AI to boost innovation and productivity at work.  
• Social impact hub – A place to connect with charity partners, join practical initiatives, and turn social responsibility into action. 
• Wellbeing village – Offering a selection of mindful talks, breathing exercises, and wellness initiatives. 

There will also be festival trails to guide visitors on targeted journeys through the activities, covering specific topics of interest such as L&D, technology, and management, as well as bustling exhibitors stands and hands-on demonstrations. 

In addition, the CIPD HR30 event will be taking place as part of the festival on 10th June. This invite-only event will bring together and celebrate senior people professionals who have demonstrated measurable, positive change in their organisations over the past year. 

Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, said: 

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the eighth Festival of Work, which has become a major event in the calendar for employers and employees alike. The world of work is changing more rapidly than ever in response to technological advancements like AI, changing global contexts, and the introduction of the new Employment Rights Act 2025.  

“It’s vital that business and people professionals are able to keep up and navigate these changes to optimise outcomes for business, for people, and for our wider communities.. The Festival of Work is where we can all come together to learn, share insights, and be inspired to help shape a positive future of work for all.” 

Visitors can register for a free two-day pass for the event at Excel London, giving them access to all festival stages, activities, and the exhibition. Guests who wish to attend virtually can purchase a Content+ pass for £125+ VAT, which gives on-demand access to recordings across all seven stages for 90 days after the event. 

The CIPD Festival of Work is open from 8:15 to 17:30 on Wednesday 10 June, and 8:30 to 16:30 on Thursday 11 June 2026. 

For more information: https://www.festivalofwork.com