Hiring Trends, Talent Strategies & the Future of TA

Our next Sourcing & Social brings together senior HR and Talent leaders to explore the evolving world of hiring, onboarding and talent acquisition.

Through practical insights and real-world experience, our speakers will share what's working, what's changing, and where talent teams should focus their efforts next.

From supporting returning parents and rethinking EDI, to hiring at speed and getting buy-in for the tools TA teams rely on, this session is designed to spark discussion, share knowledge and connect peers across the talent community.

Speakers Ellen Barnes, Chris Nightingale, Cat Hardy, Vicky Nicholson.

Ellen Barnes – HR Consultant, The HR Guru Talk: Back to Work: How to Attract, Support and Retain Returning Parents Ellen will explore how organisations can better attract, support and retain parents returning to work, and what practical steps HR and TA teams can take to make that transition easier.

Chris Nightingale – Head of People & Talent, Boxbar Tech Talk: Whatever Happened to EDI? Chris will take a candid look at where EDI efforts have stalled or lost momentum, and what talent teams can do to keep it a genuine priority rather than a box-ticking exercise.

Cat Hardy – Talent Partner, Axiologik Talk: Hiring at Speed: How to Deliver High Quality on Urgent Role(s) When They Land Cat will share practical strategies for delivering on urgent hires without cutting corners, and how TA teams can stay fast without losing quality or candidate experience.

Vicky Nicholson – Talent Acquisition Partner, Ligentia Talk: Pitching an ATS to People Who Don't Do RecruitmentVicky will share lessons from getting buy-in for an ATS from stakeholders outside of recruitment, and how to make the case for the tools TA teams need to work effectively.

Why this matters
Talent Acquisition is evolving fast, and success now depends on making smarter, more intentional decisions across the entire hiring lifecycle. From supporting parents back into work and keeping EDI genuinely front of mind, to delivering under pressure and winning stakeholder buy-in for the tools that make TA work, these talks go beyond theory to offer real-world insight into what's genuinely working today.
For TA and HR professionals navigating constant change, this session is about practical takeaways, learning from peers, and building sustainable, human-focused approaches fit for the future of work.

Event details
Event: Sourcing & Social – Leeds
Date: Wednesday 14th October
Format: Breakfast event Time: 9:00 – 10:30
Location: 1st Floor, 1 York Place Leeds, LS1 2DR
Breakfast and refreshments provided.