About this event
As part of our ODD/LD SIG, we are hosting a panel event to pose questions to an entrepreneur, employment lawyer and people director.
The panel is made up of an employment lawyer, an entrepreneur and a director of people. This session will be an engaging question and answer event (on any topic).
Please submit any questions you have before-hand using the order form when booking your ticket or email tees@cipdbranch.co.uk
Meet the panel:
Hollie Ball - Managing Associate, Ward Hadaway
Hollie advises employers in the public, private and third sector including many employers in charitable organisations, the sports sector and manufacturing. She has significant experience across all areas of employment law including supporting employers when issues arise including situations involving disciplinary matters, TUPE, collective and individual redundancies, grievances, performance issues, family friendly rights, sickness absence and discrimination. Hollie is also experienced in handling employment tribunal claims and conducts her own advocacy. Hollie is a Chair on the FA’s National Panel for Serious Cases adjudicating on misconduct matters in football and is a Trustee of a local charity.
Sam England – Director of People, Gentoo
With over 17 years of experience in HR, Recruitment, and Learning & Development, Sam has built her career dedicated to driving people strategies that enhance business performance and workplace culture. Sam’s experience spans manufacturing, global outsourcing with EMEA responsibility, and social housing, where she has led transformational initiatives to improve leadership effectiveness, workforce planning, and employee engagement.
As a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, Sam specialises in culture transformation, talent management, strategic HR planning, and change management. She has successfully implemented HR modernisation programs, negotiated complex union agreements, and introduced leadership development initiatives that have strengthened organisational capability.
Sam is passionate about creating inclusive, high-performing workplaces and partnering with business leaders to drive meaningful change. Throughout Sam’s work, she has championed employee engagement strategies that have resulted in measurable improvements in colleague experience, retention, and business outcomes.
Polly Lerner
Based in the North-East of England, Polly is a distinguished coach, HR partner and leadership and team development consultant.
With over 25 years of HR experience across various industry sectors, Polly is a highly credible, dynamic, and organizationally savvy business partner. She excels in enhancing business performance through organisational change, offering solutions in leadership transformation, talent development, and culture change. Polly has a deep understanding of complex corporate systems and navigates them adeptly. She collaborates globally with FTSE 100 companies and locally with SMEs.
Polly recently left corporate life, having spent 12 years with GSK and Haleon (de-merged from GSK) as HR Business Lead and Capability Director for 20,000 strong supply chain organisation. Prior to this Polly has a strong generalist HR background primarily in manufacturing, with Nissan, Flymo and MFI, as well as 6 years with her own ‘Hands on HR’ consultancy business.
Polly is passionate about supporting the development and growth of others, helping individuals and teams to reach their full potential. Her coaching and development interactions leave people and organisations in a better place. Polly works with clients towards actionable solutions, combining a results-oriented approach with empathy, building a foundation of trust and respect.
Polly holds a degree in Business and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. She has also completed accredited training in Coaching Practice.
Please submit any questions you have before-hand using the order form when booking your ticket or email tees@cipdbranch.co.uk
Please note:
1. Reminder emails will be sent to you the day before, with a further reminder on the morning of the event.
2. Photography and video production may take place at the event, and these images may be used in the CIPD newsletters.
3. By attending the event, you are giving your consent for your image to be used on any CIPD promotional materials.
4. Please cancel your ticket so someone else can take your place if your plans change and you can no longer make it – there is usually a waitlist for our events.
5. This event may include an external speaker who has prepared their own presentation. Any views or opinions expressed by the speaker are their own and do not reflect those of the CIPD.
6. Please note that refunds for CIPD Non-Member tickets will only be available until 7 days prior to the event, any cancelled tickets after this will not receive a refund.
7. If you require any reasonable adjustments to enhance your experience, please get in contact with us by responding to this email and we will do our best to accommodate.
