The CIPD Festival of Work returns to ExCeL London on 11-12 June 2025 with a two-day programme dedicated to exploring the evolving world of work. Organised by the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, the free event will bring together more than 11,500 professionals, over 180 exhibitors and more than 130 speakers across seven stages.
Designed to encourage new thinking on leadership, learning and work culture, the festival will feature contributions from both industry specialists and well-known public figures.
Notable speakers include Alex Scott MBE, broadcaster and former professional footballer; Jamie Laing, entrepreneur and media personality; and Alex Horne, comedian and creator of Taskmaster. The line-up also includes Sarah Armstrong-Smith, chief security officer at Microsoft, and Matthew Syed, known for his work on performance and mindset.
The Festival of Work will focus on key themes such as AI, wellbeing, workplace culture, skills and employee experience. Alongside the main programme, attendees will have access to interactive features including an AI Lab, an Employment Law Clinic, a Wellbeing Village, and a Social Impact Hub. The event also includes dedicated networking sessions and guided trails tailored to specific interests such as L&D, internal communications and product demos.
Celebrating Leadership and Workplace Impact
The 2025 edition of the festival will also mark the introduction of the CIPD HR30 list, which recognises senior people professionals who have demonstrated measurable impact within their organisations. The selected professionals will be invited to an exclusive celebratory event held during the festival.
Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, said, that they’re looking forward to welcoming attendees back to this year’s Festival of Work.
“Now in its seventh year, it’s become a leading event for all those interested in the big themes shaping the future of work,” he said. “As the world of work continues to shift, organisations are having to rethink operating models as well as address significant challenges around productivity, engagement, wellbeing, accessing skills and AI implementation.
“By bringing together a wide variety of business and HR professionals, thought leaders and academics, regulators and solution providers, we aim to inspire organisations to tackle these challenges, to invest in their workforces and shape their businesses for the future.”
The event runs from 08:15 to 17:30 on Wednesday 11 June and from 08:30 to 16:30 on Thursday 12 June. Attendees can register for a free two-day pass, which grants access to all festival stages, activities and the exhibition. A Content+ virtual pass is available for £125 + VAT, offering on-demand access to stage recordings and post-event content for 90 days.
