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This year’s event brought together experts from various fields to discuss pressing issues such as retention, upskilling, and diversity in the workplace.

With an excellent line-up of speakers, the event delivered actionable insights to attendees who were eager to build more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready workforces.

Susan Hayes Culleton, “The Positive Economist,” returned as the MC for the day, energising the crowd and keeping the momentum high.

Solat Chaudhry – Making Inclusion Safe Again

Solat Chaudhry, one of the founders of the Irish and UK Centre for Diversity, opened the keynote sessions with an impactful talk on the importance of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace. Drawing on his 20 years of experience in the field, Solat emphasised the role of organisational leaders in ensuring safe and inclusive work environments. His key message was that EDI should be deeply embedded within the organisational culture, not just as a compliance measure but as a driver for innovation and engagement.

Building Bridges: Effective Diversity and Inclusion Practices in HR

The first panel discussion of the day, Building Bridges, continued the focus on diversity and inclusion. Panel members included Anne-marie Tierney-Le Roux from IDA Ireland, Laura O'Donovan from the Irish Centre for Diversity, Renee Lewis from PepsiCo, and JulieAnn McCann of FRS Training & Turas Nua. The panellists explored practical strategies for implementing inclusive HR practices, touching on everything from inclusive hiring to fostering a culture where every employee feels valued and supported.

Their insights demonstrated how a proactive approach to D&I not only improves organisational culture but also drives tangible business outcomes.

Bertie Tonks – Flipping the Switch for the Future of Work

Following a short break, Bertie Tonks (FCIPD), named HR Magazine’s Most Influential Practitioner in 2023, delivered a compelling address focused on the future of HR and talent management. His session, Flipping the Switch for the Future of Work, challenged the audience to rethink conventional HR practices and embrace more human-centred approaches.

Tonks stressed the importance of creating workplaces that are adaptable and empathetic, particularly in a post-pandemic world. His forward-thinking strategies for retention, upskilling, and employee engagement offered attendees a new perspective on how to prepare for future workforce challenges.

The Talent Equation – Retention Strategies and Upskilling for Lasting Success

The second panel of the day, The Talent Equation, shifted the focus toward talent retention and the importance of upskilling in the modern workplace. Featuring insights from industry leaders such as Deirdre Ennis (Stryker), Imelda Rey (Grant Thornton Ireland), John Counihan (Alchemy), and Lynne McCormack (FRS Recruitment), the panel explored innovative ways to keep employees engaged and ensure their continuous professional growth.

Deirdre Ennis provided a particularly memorable takeaway with her statement that “stay interviews can prevent exit interviews.” She underscored the value of regular, meaningful conversations with employees to anticipate and address potential dissatisfaction before it leads to turnover. The panel also discussed how upskilling initiatives play a crucial role in retaining talent and ensuring long-term success.

Daire Lynch – Fireside Chat

In a change of pace, Irish Olympic medallist and World Rowing Champion Daire Lynch shared his personal story in a fireside chat. Lynch’s journey from discovering rowing in 2015 to winning bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics highlighted the importance of discipline, focus, and balance.

Lynch spoke about the value of structure in his life, saying, “I would always train before work, I’d always train after work, creating a bit of structure.” His ability to manage both his athletic career and his professional life inspired attendees to think about how similar principles could be applied in the workplace to achieve long-term success.

Following Lynch’s inspiring session, attendees had the chance to unwind and network over lunch. The conversations from earlier in the day carried on, with participants sharing their own experiences and discussing potential collaborations. The event concluded with a strong sense of community and a collective commitment to shaping the future of work in Ireland.

Key Takeaways from the Future of Talent 2024 Conference

1. Diversity and Inclusion: Organisations must embed diversity and inclusion into their core practices, ensuring that everyone feels valued and included. This drives not only a positive culture but also fosters innovation.
2. Talent Retention and Upskilling: Retention strategies need to be proactive, with stay interviews and continuous learning opportunities as key pillars of long-term success.
3. What You Don’t Know, You Don’t Know: The future of talent management requires HR professionals to challenge traditional practices and embrace innovative, human-centred strategies to stay ahead of the curve.

With invaluable insights from all the speakers and an engaged audience, the event delivered meaningful insights into how organisations should approach talent management in the years to come.

The FRS Recruitment team thanks all the speakers, attendees, and the fantastic staff at Croke Park for making the event such a success. We look forward to continuing these conversations at Future of Talent 2025!