HR BUSINSS PARTNER CONFERENCE 2025

25-26 March 2025 | NH Johannesburg Sandton • Johannesburg

KR

HR BUSINESS
PARTNER

Conference 2025

Building a Resilient Workforce:
HRBPs at the Forefront

25–26 March 2025
Protea Hotel, Fire & Ice, Melrose Arch • Johannesburg

Explore how HRBPs can lead initiatives to create adaptable and resilient workforces in an unpredictable environment.

In a world reshaped by the pandemic, digital transformation, and shifting workplace expectations, HRBPs face unprecedented challenges, including large-scale organisational changes, talent shortages, and the urgent need for resilience in the workforce. The

HR Business Partner Conference 2025 is designed to empower HR professionals by providing the latest insights, tools, and strategies to excel in their evolving roles.

This two-day event offers HRBPs an invaluable opportunity to explore cutting-edge topics and develop the skills needed to thrive in a dynamic environment. As the HRBP function has shifted from operational to strategic, sessions will explore AI and automation in HR, the integration of employee wellness, and the crucial role HRBPs play in driving organisational transformation and resilience. The agenda is packed with insights into change management, aligning HR with business goals, and managing the employee experience to foster retention and loyalty.

A key focus of the conference is on helping HRBPs enhance their strategic influence while managing their own mental health and well-being. As the demands on HR professionals continue to rise, the conference will offer sessions that provide practical strategies for building resilience, managing stress, and fostering psychological safety within teams. Attendees will also learn how to support employees during times of change, balancing empathy with strategy, and adapting talent management to embrace AI.

In addition, the conference will delve into the evolving role of HRBPs in talent mobility, succession planning, and performance management. Attendees will gain tools and strategies to improve internal career paths, enhance employee advocacy, and refine compensation strategies through salary surveys and benchmarking. Sessions will also cover collaborations between HR, Industrial Relations (IR), and Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP), providing HRBPs with actionable steps to improve employee engagement and organisational health.

This conference offers the perfect opportunity for HRBPs to future-proof their skills, equipping themselves to influence business outcomes and collaborate with line managers on strategic decisions. From exploring psychological safety and talent mobility to understanding the impact of AI, this event will provide a robust toolkit to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace, positioning HRBPs as essential drivers of organisational success in 2025 and beyond.

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS

Meet our Speakers

Learn directly from industry leaders, who are shaping the future of HRBP in the workplace.

Tebogo Maenetja

CHRO, MTN SA

Shaun Tooray

Global Head Talent Acquisition & Attraction, Nedbank

Vanisha Balgobind

Director, Talent and Org/Human Potential, Accenture

Seshni Pather

Lead: Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding, Vodacom

Seipati Tsotsotso

Head Human Capital: Africa & India, Momentum Metropolitan Holding

Rowena Llala

General Manager: HR & Talent Acquisition, DSV – Transport & Logistics

Lazola Sikupela

HRBP: Global Commercial & SA Commercial, Diageo

Renske Coetzee

Chief People Officer, Redefine Properties

Nyameka Semenya

HRBP Lead, BAL & NBA Africa

Keren-Amy Laughton

Senior Consultant, Humanity – The Employee Experience Company

Mercy Chigoma

Head of Talent, Zutari

Benefits of attending

Here’s what you’ll gain…

Stay Ahead of Industry Trends: Gain insights into the latest trends, technologies, and practices shaping the future of HRBP roles. Explore the transformative impact of AI, hybrid work models, and data-driven decision-making to ensure you’re equipped for the future of HR.

Building Resilience While Supporting Others: Learn practical strategies to address the unique mental health challenges faced by HRBPs. This session will help you build resilience, manage stress, and maintain your well-being while continuing to support others effectively.

Enhance Your Strategic Skills: Transition from a traditional operational HR role to a strategic business partner. Discover how to align HR with business goals and drive organisational success by influencing key business outcomes.

HR, Industrial Relations (IR), and Employee: Assistance Programmes (EAP) Explore how HRBPs can foster collaboration between HR, IR, and EAP to enhance employee engagement, resolve workplace conflicts, and improve mental health support.

Psychological Safety: Fostering Open Communication, Innovation, and High Performance: Understand the critical role of psychological safety in creating a culture of open communication and innovation. Learn how HRBPs can champion this through policy development, leadership training, and promoting an inclusive organisational culture.

Drive Organisational Change and Resilience: Gain strategies to manage change effectively, build a resilient workforce, and guide your organisation through periods of uncertainty and transformation. These skills are essential as organisations navigate the complexities of a post-pandemic world.

Focus on Employee Well-being and Engagement: Discover new approaches to improving employee experience, mental health, and engagement, ensuring long-term employee satisfaction and retention. Learn how to create a thriving workplace culture that prioritises well-being.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with HRBP peers, industry experts, and business leaders to exchange ideas, share experiences, and build valuable professional relationships. In-person networking fosters deeper collaboration and innovative solutions.

Future-Proof Your Skills: Position yourself as a future-ready HRBP by gaining the skills and competencies necessary to stay relevant in a rapidly changing business environment. You’ll leave equipped to tackle the challenges of tomorrow with confidence.

One of the core benefits of attending the
HR Business Partner Conference 2025
in person, is the opportunity to build meaningful human connections. In an age where digital tools and automation are reshaping HR operations, the power of face-to-face interaction remains unparalleled. Engaging with peers and experts in a live setting fosters deeper collaboration, sparks creativity, and ignites innovation in ways that e-learning simply cannot match. By attending, you’ll experience first-hand how genuine human interactions fuel fresh ideas, problem-solving, and impactful, human-centred solutions that can drive lasting change within your organisation. This event is designed to create a dynamic environment where networking and idea-sharing lead to breakthroughs that will leave you feeling inspired and better equipped to navigate the evolving HR landscape.

Who Should Attend?

The HR Business Partner Conference 2025 is an excellent platform for anyone interested in the intersection of HR and business strategy, especially those who want to enhance their ability to drive business outcomes through HR practices.

  • HR Business Partners (HRBPs): This conference is especially designed for HRBPs who want to deepen their knowledge, connect with peers, and learn about the latest trends in strategic HR, talent management, and organisational development.
  • HR Leaders and Managers: HR directors, managers, and other leaders can gain insights into effective partnership with business units, evolving HR strategies, and leadership skills to better support organisational goals.
  • Talent Management and Development Professionals:Professionals focused on talent acquisition, employee development, and succession planning will benefit from learning about best practices in aligning HR initiatives with business objectives.
  • Organisational Development (OD) Specialists:OD specialists can find value in sessions focused on change management, employee engagement, and creating an agile, adaptive workforce aligned with business goals.
  • Compensation and Benefits Professionals: Understanding how compensation and benefits can strategically support business objectives is a key area covered in many HRBP conferences, making it relevant for these professionals.
  • Learning and Development (L&D) Specialists: : L&D professionals can discover new ways to develop training programs that align with business strategy, helping employees develop skills that drive business success.
  • C-Suite Executives and Business Leaders: Senior executives and managers who are interested in understanding how HR can better partner with business units to drive growth and transformation may find valuable insights at an HRBP conference.
  • HR Analysts and Strategic Planners: Professionals in analytics roles can learn how to apply HR data in a business context, using metrics and KPIs to make strategic decisions and improve HR’s impact on the organisation.
  • Early-Career HR Professionals Aspiring to HRBP Roles:Entry-level or mid-career HR professionals who want to move into an HRBP role can learn about the competencies and skills they need to develop.

Programme at a Glance

  • A deep dive into the challenges, changes, and expanding responsibilities of HRBPs in 2024 and beyond.
  • Exploring the HRBP landscape and strategies to navigate its evolving nature within real-time organisational contexts.
  • Shifting from an operational focus to strategic influence
  • Shaping business outcomes through talent management and workforce planning
  • Building credibility and influence in the C-suite
  • Enhancing the employee lifecycle through digital tools
  • Personalising experiences to drive retention and loyalty
  • Moving beyond satisfaction to meaningful engagement and purpose
  • Balancing responsibilities with self-care to prevent burnout
  • Practical strategies for building resilience and managing stress
  • Creating a culture of self-care among HR teams and peers
  • Creating internal career paths and mobility frameworks
  • Leveraging technology for talent mobility and succession planning
  • HRBP’s role in identifying and nurturing internal talent
  • Understanding the impact of AI on HR operations
  • Balancing human touch with automation
  • Strategic workforce planning in an AI-driven environment
  • Identifying future leaders and building talent pipelines
  • Aligning succession planning with organisational goals
  • Using salary surveys to maintain competitive compensation
  • Moving beyond annual reviews to a culture of continuous feedback
  • Coaching managers for better performance conversations
  • Using data to align performance with organisational goals
  • Managing talent in times of economic downturn
  • Developing agile strategies for workforce adaptability
  • Leading change management and engagement during uncertainty
  • Aligning culture with business goals and strategy
  • Driving cultural transformation and fostering adaptability
  • Building a culture of engagement through meaningful interactions
  • Implementing efficient workflows and technology to reduce time-to-hire
  • Leveraging analytics to refine recruitment strategies
  • Proactively developing talent pools for quicker access to candidates
  • Roles of HR, Industrial Relations, and Employee
  • Assistance Programmes in supporting employees
  • Aligning conflict resolution, compliance, and wellness initiatives
  • Integrating EAP services to enhance mental health support
  • Embracing agile HR processes for innovation and adaptability
  • Creating a culture of continuous improvement and learning
  • Case studies of successful agile HR transformations
  • Future trends in employee wellness: integrating mental, physical, and financial well-being
  • Using data to improve the effectiveness of wellness programmes
  • HRBPs fostering a culture of well-being in the workplace
  • Strengthening employer brand through employee advocacy
  • Communicating organisational values externally
  • Aligning employer branding with talent acquisition and retention strategies

Don’t miss out!

View registration options and fees for the HR Business Partner Conference 2025

Download a conference brochure

Sponsorship & Exhibition options available!

Partner with us for the HR Business Partner Conference 2025

For more than 30 years KR has delivered high-level events to leaders – who are hard-to-reach decision-makers. Boost your brand with enhanced business relationships, lead generation and a full pipeline.

Benefits of becoming a partner:

  • Valuable face-time with current and new business partners
  • Build relationships, gather leads, and make sales
  • Showcase your latest products and service offerings
  • Profile your executives with speaking opportunities that are designed to enhance your position in the market
  • Enjoy networking with top decisions makers
  • There’s a sponsorship package for every budget

VENUE

NH Johannesburg Sandton

NH Johannesburg Sandton is conveniently situated near the heart of Sandton, offering easy access to many of Johannesburg’s top attractions. Take advantage of early booking to experience the luxury of a world-class venue and the vibrant energy of the city.

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