10 reasons to get hyped for the 2025 CIPD Festival of Work

10 reasons to get hyped for the 2025 CIPD Festival of Work in summary:

There’s plenty of reasons why you should go to this year’s CIPD Festival of Work, including:

• Celebrity guest speakers including TV’s Alex Horne, Alex Scott and Jamie Laing: plus, a whole host of leading lights from the worlds of business and HR.
• It’s the ideal time to see some of the latest HR technology up close, and get a handle on the latest trends (and challenges) coming HR’s way.
• There’ll be plenty of free merchandise for you, and the event is completely free to attend.

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Whether you’re a seasoned HR pro, a payroll perfectionist, or just in it for the tote bags (we see you), the 2025 CIPD Festival of Work is just around the corner.

If you’ve ever needed an excuse to break free from your inbox, soak up some inspiration, and reconnect with everything that makes the world of work wonderful – this is it. This year’s event is promising to be bigger, bolder, and more energising than ever before.

So, expect a packed agenda full of thought-provoking talks, hands-on workshops, and plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded professionals who are just as passionate about making work a better place. Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas, practical takeaways, or just a well-earned boost of motivation, this is the place to be.

Here’s why you should be seriously hyped for the 2025 CIPD Festival of Work.

1. This ain’t your usual HR event

Let’s be honest: sometimes HR events can feel a bit… well, beige. But not the Festival of Work. This isn’t your average conference with dry PowerPoints and sad sandwiches. It’s a full-on celebration of innovation, people, and possibility.

Across two buzzing days, expect high-energy keynotes, punchy panels, and dynamic demos. Whether you’re into elevating the employee experience, hybrid working hacks, AI in HR, or just looking to future-proof your people strategy, there’s something here to spark your curiosity and fire up your brain.

This year’s line-up of speakers is possibly one of the best yet! Taking to the stage over the two days are comedian, bandleader and creator of the wildly popular Taskmaster TV series Alex Horne, sports broadcaster and presenter Alex Scott MBE, and broadcaster and entrepreneur Jamie Laing… and that’s just for starters!

Some of the best and brightest talent from the worlds of business, HR, learning and development will also be imparting their knowledge and insights…. Which brings us nicely onto…

2. It’s not just talks… it’s tangible takeaways

You’ll walk in with questions and leave with answers (plus a few gadgets, maybe a reusable coffee cup, and some new LinkedIn connections). The free-to-attend sessions go deep – not just surface-level waffle. They provide real insights and solutions to real problems. Think:

• How to take a more holistic approach to wellbeing
• What generative AI actually means for HR
• Data-driven decision-making (without the spreadsheet-induced migraines)
• Making learning and development irresistible

You’re not just passively watching panels: you’re actively levelling up. To get a full rundown on the talks taking place, just click here.

3. You’ll meet our brilliant team at Cezanne

Yep, you guessed it. The fantastic Cezanne team will be at there on stand F20 on both days, and they can’t wait to say hello.

If you’ve been curious about what modern HRIS software can really do, or you’ve got burning questions about how to simplify your UK payroll, our team will be on-hand ready to chat. Whether you’re a current customer or just shopping around for better software (or just really like talking HR tech), come and find us. We’ll also be hosting a series of engaging talks, including:

We’ll be talking all things, including:

• Struggling to get HR Software approved? Learn how to build a business case your bosses can’t ignore!
• Beyond the Hype: Building AI that solves real HR problems: We discuss how AI can be a truly helpful tool for HR teams, and not something to be feared.
• What to expect when you’re expecting… to roll out your HR & Payroll system: Your HR technology antenatal class!
• First 90 Days as a HR Leader – An essential guide for HR Professionals: A three-month roadmap to help you hit the ground running

Plus… we’re not coming empty-handed…

4. There’s free merch. And it’s actually really good

We’re bringing a stash of Cezanne goodies to give away. Not your run-of-the-mill pens that don’t work by the time you get home… we’re talking seriously covetable free merch. Think smart, useful, and with just the right amount of swag.

Want a tote that doesn’t tear after one use? A notebook that makes your desk look ten times more professional? Printed guides to help you become a successful HR leader? Or even our coveted (and sought after) I💖HR mugs? Then reserve your goodies here, and come find us at stand F20 and get your hands on the goods (while supplies last!).

5. The networking is next-level

Even if you’re not the “walk up to strangers and make small talk” type, the CIPD Festival of Work makes it weirdly easy to do some good old fashioned networking with like-minded HR folk.

Whether it’s during a breakout session, over a coffee, or while comparing merch hauls, you’ll find yourself swapping stories, ideas, and maybe even business cards with people who just get it. From fellow HR managers to tech providers to thought leaders – this is your tribe.

There’s nothing like stepping out of your daily bubble and realising you’re part of a much bigger, buzzing, brilliant community.

6. It’s where the future of work gets real

The Festival of Work isn’t just about what’s trendy. It’s about what’s coming next. From AI and automation to mental health at work and inclusive leadership, you’ll hear from the people shaping the future of HR, L&D, and business leadership. You’ll see what’s working now, what’s on the horizon, and how to steer your organisation through it all.

Bring your notebook (and your questions). The insights here aren’t just filler: they’re fuel for the next stage of your career and your company’s strategy.

7. You can explore tech that actually makes your life easier

Now, we know HR systems can sometimes feel more confusing than helpful. Thankfully, the Festival of Work is your chance to see it all in one place, side by side. You can demo HR tools, ask awkward questions, and get honest answers. And yes, that includes us!

Thousands of people and payroll professionals have already made the switch to the Cezanne HRIS because it’s built for growing businesses that want to ditch the admin drain, and focus on what matters – people, performance, and progress. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your onboarding, simplify your absence management, or finally get payroll running like clockwork, we’d love to show you how we can help.

8. Did we mention it’s free to attend?

That’s right! Access to the incredible event, live demos, and all that networking goodness won’t cost you a penny. That means no budget sign-off needed. Just register, show up, and soak it all in.

There are also premium tickets for those who want access to CPD-certified conference sessions, but the free expo access alone is more than worth the trip.

9. It’s a break from the norm (and let’s be honest: you deserve it)

When was the last time you spent a day out of the office doing something just for your development? Not for compliance, not for ticking a box… but because you wanted to be inspired?

The Festival of Work is your permission slip to step away from the to-do list, get your spark back, and remind yourself why you got into this field in the first place. Spoiler: you might even have fun.

10. You’ll leave buzzing with ideas (and stuff)

From bold visions of the future to quick wins you can roll out the next day, the Festival of Work is like a creativity shot to the arm. You’ll leave with:

• Fresh and future-proofed HR strategies to take back to your team,
• practical tips from your peers,
• connections with brilliant people,
• and maybe a cookie or two

And, when you’re back at your desk and someone asks, “How was it?”, you’ll have about fifty things to say (and a bag of swag to prove it).

Don’t forget to come find Team Cezanne at the 2025 Festival of Work

So, if you’re heading to the Festival of Work this year, make sure to stop by and say hi to the Cezanne team on stand F20. We’ll be there, ready to talk HRIS, payroll, and all the ways you can make your HR tech work harder (so you don’t have to).