Season 8, Episode 7: Empowering People Teams: A Chief People Officer’s Perspective

Join Bhavna Sawnani in conversation with Ena Rivera, Chief People Officer for Asia Pacific at Ipsos, as they explore what it takes to transform people teams into strategic, future-focused partners. Drawing on insights from Ipsos 2025 Empowering People Teams report, they discuss the shift from transactional HR to influencing organisational priorities and shaping long-term success.

Ena and Bhavna talk about the importance of turning culture into observable behaviours, and why financial fluency and strategic courage are essential for earning credibility at the decision-making table.

The conversation also looks at today’s talent landscape, from the rise of skills-based hiring to the need for building capability within existing teams and creating meaningful, growth-oriented work environments that attract high performers.

They touch on future readiness, the growing role of AI and the powerful combination of artificial and human intelligence in elevating impact across organisations.

This episode provides strategic depth, practical guidance and a bold vision for how HR and People teams can lead organisations into the future: stronger, smarter and more human.