Episodios

  • What is a CPO? With Keniro Miller

    What is a CPO? With Keniro Miller
    Apr 9 2026
    The role of a Chief People Officer is evolving fast and it’s no longer just about HR. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast, host Chris Howard and Debbie Mitchell speak to Keniro Miller, Chief People Officer at Ultimate Performance, as he reveals how a “triple lens” approach is redefining the modern C-suite. Keniro shows why today’s CPO must operate as a hybrid business leader who can drive performance and shape strategy. Are you a CPO looking to meet likeminded individuals? Our CPO network meet semi-regularly to share insights, discuss challenges and people solutions around the fast-evolving role of a CPO.
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    28 m
  • My career in Reward with Jenny Craik

    My career in Reward with Jenny Craik
    Apr 2 2026
    “Reward and performance is all about understanding people.” says Jenny Craik. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast, host Chris Howard is joined by experienced HR leader Jenny Craik, who shares insights from her career in reward and performance at organisations like HSBC, Standard Chartered and Barclays. If you want to hear the full conversation and dive deeper into these insights, listen to this episode of The People Agenda podcast. It’s packed with real-world perspective you won’t get from theory alone. If you want support on how to build an effective reward strategy check out our Reward and performance services page to learn more.
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    33 m
  • How can smart incentive design drive performance?

    How can smart incentive design drive performance?
    Mar 12 2026
    Well-designed incentives can transform organisational performance however, poorly designed ones can quietly undermine strategy, culture, and results. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast host Chris Howard and LACE reward specialists, Julie Elder and Mike Aldred as they explore how organisations can design incentives that genuinely drive the behaviours they want. They discuss why incentives matter, the most common structures companies use, and how leaders can align reward programmes with business strategy to maximise impact. Incentive design sits at the heart of an effective reward strategy. When done well, it aligns people, performance, and business outcomes in a powerful way. If you want to hear the full discussion and deeper insights from reward experts, listen to this episode of The People Agenda podcast for practical examples and real-world perspectives on designing incentives that work.
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    29 m
  • How can CPOs build greater influence in the C-suite?

    How can CPOs build greater influence in the C-suite?
    Mar 5 2026
    Great leadership does not start with a title. It starts with influence. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast, we explore one critical question: how can today’s Chief People Officer (CPO) move from having a seat at the table to genuinely shaping business transformation? Drawing on insights from our research “From implementer to influencer” host Chris Howard and fellow LACEr Debbie Mitchell speak to executive coach Hilary Gee, on how CPOs can build influence among the C-suite. The shift from implementer to influencer is not theoretical. It is behavioural, structural, and relational. If you are a CPO, CEO, or executive navigating transformation in 2026, this conversation offers practical insight you can apply immediately. Tune in to this episode of The People Agenda podcast to hear the full discussion and start redefining HR’s role in business transformation.
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    30 m
  • SWP Summit 2026 – all you need to know ahead of the conference

    SWP Summit 2026 – all you need to know ahead of the conference
    Feb 26 2026
    Strategic workforce planning (SWP) is no longer a future-focused concept; it’s a present-day business imperative. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast, host Chris Howard is joined by Douglas Leach, Founder of People Strategy Hub and the driving force behind the SWP Summit, to explore what people can expect from the event and why SWP has become critical to business performance today. SWP is shifting from conceptual ambition to operational necessity. Listen now to hear the full conversation about the upcoming summit and dive deeper into these strategic workforce topics.
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    23 m
  • The death of the job application: Is AI at fault?

    The death of the job application: Is AI at fault?
    Feb 12 2026
    AI is flooding hiring pipelines with polished look-alike applications, and recruiters are struggling to tell real capability from well-written automation. Inspired by an article in The Economist titled “Job applicants are winning the AI arms race against recruiters”. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast host Chris Howard and fellow LACErs Gemma Ryall and Adele Reid break down how the job application is evolving, what signals are losing value, and how employers can redesign hiring to stay fair, fast, and human. To hear the full discussion on navigating the "AI arms race" in hiring and how your organisation can remain vigilant of recruitment fraud, listen to this episode of The People Agenda podcast.
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    26 m
  • What does M&A get wrong about people and how can it be fixed?

    What does M&A get wrong about people and how can it be fixed?
    Feb 5 2026
    Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals fail less because of spreadsheets and more because of people. Most M&A promise growth, scale, or capability. Many underdeliver because leaders underestimate the human side of change. In this episode of The People Agenda podcast host Chris Howard and LACEr Shivani Sasidharan speak to Andrew Philp, CFO at activpayroll, as they break down what actually matters before, during, and after an M&A. activpayroll helps companies manage global payroll and mobility in a secure and compliant way. If you want practical, experience-led insight into ensure a smooth adoption M&A on the people side, listen to this episode of The People Agenda podcast and hear directly from Andrew and Shivani who share their experiences.
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    31 m
  • AI and ESG: Busting the myths

    AI and ESG: Busting the myths
    Jan 29 2026
    In our recent podcast with Beth Scaysbrook from Addidat, a leading ESG data and advisory firm, and our very own Martin Colyer, Director of Digital and AI here at LACE. Together they explore why the intersection of AI and ESG matters, the myths that often hold organisations back, and the practical steps leaders need to take to navigate this evolving landscape. From workforce transformation to ethical governance and sustainability, we uncover the realities behind the headlines, and what it means for businesses preparing for the future.
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    34 m