Cezanne Connect 2026: 7 reasons not to miss it

Cezanne Connect 2026: what’s on, who’s speaking and why it’s worth your day

TLWR? Here’s a summary:

Cezanne Connect 2026 is Cezanne’s annual customer event, held on Tuesday 17th November 2026 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London, from 09:00 to 17:00. Themed Elevate, the free day for Cezanne customers covers practical AI, the changing role of people teams and employee experience, with expert speakers, live product demos, customer panels and awards. If you’re a customer of Cezanne, you can book your free place by registering for the event here.

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If the last twelve months have felt like one long climb, you’re in good company.

HR and payroll teams have been asked to get to grips with AI, keep up with new legislation and keep people engaged… often in the same week. So, this year, we’re taking Cezanne Connect somewhere a little higher. Our 2026 customer event is called Elevate, and it’s built around a simple idea: reaching new heights is a lot easier when you do it together.

Last year’s Levelling Up event gave us a brilliant day and plenty of feedback to work with. This time, we’ve focused on what makes the day genuinely useful when you’re back at your desk. That means practical ideas, insightful conversations with peers and an exclusive deep-dive look at what’s coming to the Cezanne HRIS.

Here’s what’s in store, and why it’s worth blocking out the date.

When and where is Cezanne Connect 2026?

Cezanne Connect 2026 takes place on Tuesday 17^th November 2026, from 09:00 to 17:00, at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in central London. If you joined us last year, you’ll recognise the sweeping staircases and chandeliers… we enjoyed the venue so much that we’re heading back! It’s a short walk from Holborn and Covent Garden tube stations, so getting there shouldn’t take much planning. Doors open at 09:00 for breakfast and coffee, and our CEO, Simon Noble, welcomes everyone at 09:45.

Who is Cezanne Connect for?

Cezanne Connect is our annual customer event, and it’s free for every Cezanne customer. It’s designed for anyone who works with Cezanne day-to-day; from HR and payroll leads to the people who keep the system running. You can save seats for yourself and your team – so, it’s worth bringing along colleagues who’d get something out of the sessions.

What’s the theme of Cezanne Connect 2026?

This year’s theme is Elevate: reach new heights, together. The day is split into three themed blocks, each focused on a different part of your working life. Every block mixes expert speakers, live product demos and stories from Cezanne customers. The aim is that you leave with ideas you can use, rather than just another notebook full of buzzwords.

What’s on the agenda at Cezanne Connect 2026?

The agenda runs across three themed blocks, with breaks, lunch and time to talk in between. Here’s a closer look at each one.

Your tech: practical AI you can use the day you get back

Let’s be honest: there’s been a lot of noise about AI in HR, and not all of it has been helpful. Our morning block cuts through it, moving from AI hype to hands-on ideas you can use straight away. Wendy Muirhead, Founding Partner at Work Fair Solutions, opens with a keynote on practical AI strategies for people teams, minus the jargon. Then Julie Lally, our Chief Product Officer, shares where Cezanne is heading and where we’re investing next.

After that, it’s over to the people who matter most. In our customer showcase, Cezanne customers will share how they’re already using AI to save time and make better decisions. Our product team then rounds off the morning with a live look at the latest AI in Cezanne. That covers everything from sharper insights to fairer, faster hiring. If you’d like some background first, our guide to what people professionals can expect from AI in HR is a good place to start.

Your role: grow your impact, not your workload

The role of people teams is changing fast, and the late morning is all about building the influence to match. Adrian Goddard, Commercial Director at the CIPP, joins Peter Hall, our Director of Customer, to open the block. Their session explores how people and payroll teams can move from enablers to shapers. Next, Paul Meagh, our Product Manager for Payroll, and Julie Lally sit down for payroll without second-guessing. It’s an interview on real-time payroll, clearer variance reporting and statutory calculations you can trust.

Most HR professionals have a story about the time something went badly sideways. Andrew Weir, Managing Director of HR ToolBox shares real stories of when things go wrong and the legal lessons behind them. He’ll also cover how to protect yourself and your organisation.

After lunch, the block picks up with a customer panel on how your voice helps shape our direction. Customers will share what they gain from the Cezanne community, and how you can get involved. Our product team then shows off new time-savers in Insights, audit and work patterns, and hiring. Worth noting if you’ve ever lost a Friday afternoon to a stubborn report. For more on this theme, take a look at our thoughts on how HR can improve its influence.

Your people: better experiences for your teams

The afternoon turns to the people you support, and how to keep them engaged and growing. James Gozney, Founder and CEO of Aslan, opens with a session on financial wellbeing. Money worries follow people to work. James will explain what that costs organisations, and what you can do about it. It’s a subject we’ve written about before, and we’re keen to hear his practical take.

Next, comes one of the sessions we’re most looking forward to. Julie Lally and Raffaella Gozzini from the Cezanne Learning product team will give you a first look at the new Cezanne Learning and the future of learning insights. A customer panel then shares how organisations are keeping their people engaged and learning. If engagement is high on your list, our piece on whether your HR processes are damaging engagement is worth a read. To close the block, Julie returns with a first look at what’s next for performance management. She’ll also share how customers are helping to shape it.

Why is Cezanne Connect worth a day out of the office?

Celebrate this year’s Cezanne customer award winners

The Cezanne Awards return to shine a light on the work HR and payroll teams do that often goes unnoticed. Simon Noble will announce this year’s winners at 16:10, as we round up the day. Last year’s entries set a really high bar, and we can’t wait to celebrate this year’s winners with you.

Book a 1:1 with your Customer Success Manager

Got questions about how Cezanne works for your organisation? Head to the Dorset Suite on Floor 3. Customer Success Managers and account teams will be running pre-booked 1:1 meetings there throughout the day. It’s a chance to dig into the features you care about and get advice that’s specific to you. These slots have gone quickly in previous years, so it’s worth booking early – just follow this link to reserve your slot.

Swap ideas with peers who get it

Some of the most useful conversations at Connect happen over coffee rather than on stage. With Cezanne customers from across the UK in one room, you’ll have plenty of chances to swap ideas with people facing the same challenges. This year, the fabulous HR Ninjas community is joining us too, so look out for the orange sofas between sessions. Two customer panels and a customer showcase also mean you’ll hear directly from organisations using Cezanne in the real world.

Help shape what comes next

Connect is where we show what’s coming, but it’s also where we listen. Several sessions – including the first look at next-generation performance management software module – are shaped by what customers have told us. And the whole idea behind our Connect events are to hear about the challenges HR and payroll professionals face every day, and what we can do to help overcome them. Basically, if there’s something you’d love to see in Cezanne, this is a great day to tell us in person.

Good food, good company and a free drinks reception

Perhaps most importantly, we’ll keep you fed and caffeinated from breakfast onwards, with lunch at 12:45 and breaks throughout the day. Once the awards are wrapped up, stick around for a free drinks reception sponsored by Rethink HR, running until 17:00. It’s a relaxed way to end the day, compare notes and maybe toast a winner or two. And, a huge thank you to our partners for this year’s event: ReThink HR, Web Expenses, Aslan and HR Toolbox.

Cezanne Connect 2026 agenda table

Cezanne Connect 2026 Frequently Asked Questions