About this event
This event will be when the formal annual business of the branch is conducted as well as being a networking opportunity for CIPD members.
Don Leeson, former Chief Executive of the Labour Relations Agency will be our guest speaker.
Attendees will hear about the work of the branch over the past year, including the finance report and the election and appointment of officers for the coming year.
Don Leeson will also give us some insights on HR Leadership from his former position as Chief Executive of the Labour Relations Agency and from his long service to the HR profession in Northern Ireland.
Speakers Bio:
Don Leeson, Chartered FCIPD. Having retired as the Labour Relations Agency’s Chief Executive in 2024, Don is now pursuing a portfolio career. This includes consultancy work and being a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Translink and a Diversity Mark Assessor.
Don was voted the IoD NI’s Director of the Year in the category of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in 2023 and, in March 2025, was recognised by CIPD NI for his outstanding contribution to people development in Northern Ireland.
Prior to becoming the Agency’s Chief Executive, in 2020, Don was its Director of Corporate Services since March 2017. He earlier worked as a senior manager at the Agency between 2011 and 2013, managing the Agency’s arbitration services and facilitating collective conciliations and mediations.
Outside of the Agency, Don has had a varied career. He was the Consumer Council’s Director of Operations (2013-17); Head of Corporate Services for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (2004-11); and the Equality Commission’s Head of Disability Policy (2002-04).
Prior to moving to Belfast, Don was Investors in People UK’s Quality Manager, with responsibility for quality assurance and development of the IiP standard. It was while in this role he developed a passion for organisational development and good employment practice. He has also been a Civil Servant working in Westminster on employment-related issues.
Don has an MSc in Managing Change.
He is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, where he uses his experience to mentor HR professionals through the CIPD mentoring programme.
Don is the Chair of the board of ESC Films, an award-winning film therapy charity working to support highly marginalised people.
Please note:
1. Reminder emails will be sent to you the day before, with a further reminder on the day of the event.
2. Photography and video production may be taking 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. As we are supplying refreshments, if you can no longer attend, please cancel your place either on Eventbrite, responding to this email.
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.
