Disrupt Cambridge 12.0

💥 What Happens When You Mix TED, Ignite, and Talent?

Disrupt Cambridge is not your typical business event. It’s fast-paced. It’s unapologetically bold. It’s where some of the region’s sharpest minds each get just 5 minutes to share an idea that will shift how we think about work, people, and the future of talent*

⚡ Imagine TED-style talks… on espresso.

🧠 Why Attend?

✅ Get Inspired: 10 thought-provoking talks in a single afternoon. Hear fresh perspectives from HR leaders, academics, and workplace disruptors shaping the future of work.

✅ Stay Ahead: Discover how companies across Cambridge are challenging outdated practices and leading meaningful workplace innovation in 2026.

✅ Build Your Network: Connect with forward-thinking professionals who care deeply about people, purpose, and performance.

Agenda

2:15 - 3:00 - Registration & networking

3:00 - 3:10 - Event introduction with James Hems, Head of HR , People and Culture at Bluewave Technology and Chanelle Mwale, Events and Front-of-House Co-Ordinator at Innovate Cambridge

3:10 - 3:20 - Partner talks

3:20 - 4:45 - Multiple 5-minute presentations by local business experts and academics:

• Jules Quinn, Group Director: People Services at Milton Keynes College Group
• Stuart Potter, Senior Lecturer Practitioner in Business at Anglia Ruskin University
• Alex Clark, Head of Culture and Learning at The Scouts
• Jo Stansfield, Founder & Director at Inclusioneering Ltd and Trustee at BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
• Paula Baetu, Business Psychologist, Psychometrician, and Executive Coach at Pawsometrics
• Richard Simmons, Director at Arthur
• Bill Banham, Editor at HR Gazette
• Rhianne Chamberlain Talent Acquisition Partner at Gearset

4:45 - 6:00 - Thanks, wrap up and final networking

Past speakers include:

• Tracy Lowe Sheppard, Head of People at Swim England
• Rhiannon Rees, Organisational Development Strategist at Hoxby
• Nikki Scarr, Senior HR Director at BVI Medical
• Maya Bullen, Head of HR at TRI
• Diana Ford, Head of People & Culture at Riverlane
• Sarah Hayes, HR Director at Securitas UK
• Nic Marks, The Happiness Statistician
• Tracey Wells, Talent Acquisition Manager at Redgate Software
• Steve Rimmer, Angel and NED with Inspire 2 Ignite CIC
• Dr Ali Raza Nemati, Programme Lead and Head of HR at Magna Carta College
• Christopher Land, Professor of Work and Organization at Anglia Ruskin University
• Alessia Mevoli, Lecturer in Management and Student Development at Anglia Ruskin University
• Andrew Bailey, Virtual Ward Operations Manager at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Elisha Rasif, Course Director and Lecturer in Management at Anglia Ruskin University
• Damayanti Chowdhury, ARU
• Rachel Way, Founder at The Work Bees
• Emma Bell, Human Resources Consultant at Pineapple HR
• Peter Whitelock, Chief People Officer at LIFE Education Trust

* Registering for this event does not guarantee entry. Capacity is limited and this event is specifically designed for internal HR, Talent pros, and senior leaders at medium-large organisations. If you do not fit the criteria (e.g. you are a consultant/HR vendor) your application to attend may be rejected. Guests of partners and speakers will receive priority.

Why Attend?

DisruptHR is a high-energy idea forum designed to inform and empower executives, business leaders, people in the human resources field and anyone, really, who are passionate about people.

It's always in a cool, relaxed venue full of like-minded people. Join us!

Data Provacy & GDPR

DisruptHR Cambridge's license is held by Iceni Media Inc. and your data security is taken seriously. To inform you of future events, we would like to use the information you supply during registration and you will have the option to opt-in to this as you register. You can also opt-out at any time. DisruptHR Cambridge wouldn't be able to support good causes without its generous sponsors. In the spirit of the event and to allow the sponsors of this event to continue the conversation, your registration details will be passed to them. You can opt out of their communications at any time including during registration. You can see more about the security of your data on the Privacy Policy at The HR Gazette.

Thanks to our sponsors and partners including:

Organising Partner: HR Gazette

HR Gazette and the HRchat Podcast publishes the latest opinions, reviews, and news for pros interested in HR Technology, Talent, DEI, Performance, Wellness, Learning, and Leadership. Learn more: hrgazette.com

Venue Partner: Glasshouse

The Glasshouse is a new, central community space to connect, support and showcase high-growth science and technology companies and investors with the Cambridge innovation ecosystem.

Community Partner: Inspire 2 Ignite CIC

Empowering young people (16-24) to build sustainable and equitable communities. We do this through entrepreneurial experiences and events that connect them with industries and employers who value entrepreneurial thinking. Learn more: inspire2ignite.co.uk

HiBob

HiBob is on a mission to transform how organizations operate in the modern world of work with its HR platform, "Bob." Leading the way for the future workplace, Bob offers resilient, agile technology that wraps all the complexities of HR processes into a game-changing, user-friendly tool that touches every employee across the business. Learn more: hibob.com

More About DisruptHR Cambridge

Disrupt is an information exchange designed to energise, inform and empower executives, business leaders and people in the HR field.

The global event series is built on the belief that how we’ve approached people and talent in the past won’t be the best way to approach them in the future. Disrupt is founded on the idea that ALL business leaders need to be ready to take some risks, to stir the pot…in short, to DISRUPT.

Rebooted in 2023, DisruptHR Cambridge is a community of innovative HR pros, TA pros, and leaders.

Data Privacy & GDPR

DisruptHR Cambridge's license is held by Iceni Media Inc. and your data security is taken seriously. To inform you of future events, we would like to use the information you supply during registration and you will have the option to opt-in to this as you register. You can also opt-out at any time. DisruptHR Cambridge wouldn't be able to support good causes without its generous sponsors. In the spirit of the event and to allow the sponsors of this event to continue the conversation, your registration details may be passed to them. You can opt out of their communications at any time including during registration. You can see more about the security of your data on the Privacy Policy at The HR Gazette.

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Host or Publisher HR Gazette