The 2025 Programme

REGISTRATION & NETWORKING

Chair's welcome and opening comments

Darren Sanderson-Williams, General Manager, Specsavers

Fireside Chat: How to tackle the ageism problem plaguing retail workforces

PART A. Spotlight on neurodiversity in the workplace:

Neurodivergent people make up a substantial proportion of both retailers’ workforces and customer bases - yet career support can be minimal and often overlooked. Here how and why more and more retailers are setting up employee forums and networks, focussed on supporting those neurodivergent employees, to increase awareness and specific employee training on the topic.

PART B. Retail Perspectives Panel: Building and achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace - refocusing on purpose and values for engagement

NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK

Retail Strategy Spotlight: The continued transformation and evolution of the role of HR - using technology to become to an agile organisation

Streamlined workforce planning, prediction and management are just a few benefits that can be unlocked by clever strategic tools and technology, enabling HR to have the agility to quickly realign as priorities change.

Retail Expert Insights: Positively disrupting the workforce to ignite and motivate your employees

Retail needs to truly step change and deliver a people experience that excites employees, so they can further engage customers.

With a special introduction to the session from Sanish Mondkar, Founder & CEO, Legion - illustrating how AI-driven workforce management an empower and engage employees - our panel will share the importance of bringing the culture of the organisation to the forefront of their people strategy, to ensure retail has thriving employees and happy customers.

LUNCH & NETWORKING

PART A. Retail Inspiration Panel: Finding the right candidate - recruitment strategies for developing and retaining great talent

The current employment space and how the retail world is changing constantly, means the war on talent has become increasingly competitive. Our panel of experts will share tips for recalibrating your recruitment strategy to attract new talent, whilst assessing your culture and policies to retain and motivate

PART B. Retail Inspiration Deep Dive: Navigating political change - the implications for employment law

As we approach the milestone of the first 100 days of a new government, this session will explore some of the proposed reforms to employment law that will impact businesses and their employees. Hosted by TRBs official Legal Partner

NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK

Retail Revelations: Upskilling / reskilling the ‘magic middle’ management - how to stimulate and re-energise employees through effective L&D

Retail Fireside Chat: Effective workplace mental health and physical wellbeing support - creating a culture of connection and engagement

How can employers support employee wellbeing without becoming responsible for it?

Chair's summary and closing remarks