HR business partnering: building influence and strategic impact

About this event

Part of our mid-career stream of monthly events for people professionals taking on more responsibility and broadening their influence.

As people professionals progress in their careers, they're increasingly expected to influence business decisions, shape organisational outcomes and operate as trusted advisers to senior leaders.

This exclusive Mid-Career event is designed for experienced CIPD members who want to strengthen their strategic influence, build credibility with stakeholders and increase their impact across the organisation.

Drawing on expert insight and real-world experiences from fellow members, we'll explore how successful HR business partners build trusted relationships, navigate organisational challenges and position themselves as key contributors to business success.

Whether you're already working in a business partnering role or looking to broaden your influence in your current position, this session will help you develop capabilities associated with more senior people leadership roles.

As part of your CIPD membership, you'll also have the opportunity to learn directly from peers facing similar challenges, share experiences and build connections with professionals at a similar stage in their career journey.

What you'll take away

By attending this session, you'll:

• Strengthen your ability to influence leaders and decision-makers.
• Build greater credibility and confidence as a strategic partner.
• Understand the capabilities and behaviours associated with senior people leadership roles.
• Learn from real career journeys and experiences shared by fellow members.
• Identify practical actions to increase your visibility, impact and influence within your organisation.
• Develop a clearer understanding of future skills and capabilities that will help support your ongoing career progression.

About the Mid-Career series

As your career develops, so do the challenges and opportunities you face. Whether you're leading teams, influencing senior stakeholders, driving organisational change or preparing for your next role, the Mid-Career series is designed to support you at every stage of your professional journey.

Exclusively for CIPD members, these sessions bring together experienced people professionals from across sectors to learn from experts, share experiences and build valuable professional connections. Alongside practical insights, you'll gain access to peer support, fresh perspectives and the latest thinking from the CIPD and fellow practitioners facing similar challenges.

Because career development doesn't stop once you've gained experience. As your professional body, the CIPD is here to support you throughout your career, helping you build the confidence, skills, knowledge and network needed to increase your impact and progress towards your future career goals.

Speakers bio:

Rebecca Peters, Senior Policy & Practice Adviser - People, CIPD

Rebecca joined the CIPD research team in 2019, specialising in health and wellbeing at work, as both a practitioner and a researcher. Rebecca now leads the CIPD’s research and policy agenda on the People Profession the Future of the Profession, dedicated to gathering insights on HR and people management practices.

Rebecca has a Master’s degree in Occupational Psychology from Kingston University, where she conducted research on the resilience of Prison Officers. Her background in Occupational Psychology motivates her ambition to bring together research and practice throughout all the work that she does.

Adam Redfern, Strategic HR Business Partner

Adam Redfern is a Strategic HR Business Partner at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, having progressed from HR Apprentice in 2021 before obtaining CIPD Level 7 in 2024.

With his current role to provide strategic workforce and organisational development support across a range of services. He works closely with senior leaders to shape people strategies, organisational design, workforce planning and change programmes that support the Authority's objectives.

Amy Clayton

Senior HR Business Partner, Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS)

Amy Clayton is a Senior HR Business Partner at Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS), a Scottish technology company transforming how food is grown through vertical farming. A Chartered CIPD professional with over 20 years' HR experience, Amy partners with leaders and employees to create positive and inclusive workplaces founded on mutual trust and respect. Her expertise spans employee relations, organisational change, talent acquisition and people strategy. Alongside her core HR role, she supports initiatives including employee engagement, AI governance and professional development, and is passionate about helping people and organisations thrive.

Rob Rees, Group Head of People & Culture, Dowds Group

Rob is a board-level people and communications leader who builds organisations that perform. He brings together culture, communication and responsible business practice to drive commercial results and a genuinely better experience of work, spanning the full employee lifecycle from attraction to exit.

A qualified professional coach and Chartered Fellow of the CIPD. Rob designs modern, technology-enabled people functions built on fairness, honesty and follow-through. Outside work, he referees rugby union and runs both keep him grounded and sharp.

1. Participants will receive their joining details 24 hours before the webinar, along with a reminder 15 minutes before the session begins.

2. The session may be recorded and shared afterwards.

3. The chat function will be used to engage with participants.

4. If there is an external speaker, their views will be their own and may not necessarily reflect those of the CIPD.

5. If any reasonable adjustments are required, participants are encouraged to make this known and assistance will be provided.