Looking to connect with peers and learn best practices to improve work? Join us for DisruptHR Cambridge at The Glasshouse

Disrupt Cambridge returns on October 7th!

A fresh burst of ideas, energy, and unfiltered honesty about the future of work.

Following a fantastic event in the Spring, Disrupt will be back in October for one of the most electric World of Work events in the region.

Expect bold ideas, brilliant conversations, and a room full of people who don’t just talk about change… they build it.

💥 What Happens When You Mix TED, Ignite, and a Dublin-style truth serum?

You get Disrupt Cambridge - a rapid-fire, idea-packed, community-powered experience.

Speakers get 5 minutes.

20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds.

No fluff. No corporate sugar-coating. Just pure, high-octane insights that challenge how we design work, lead teams, and shape talent in 2026 and beyond.

If TED talks had a rebellious cousin who’d had just enough caffeine… this would be it.

Agenda

2:15 - 3:00 - Registration & networking

3:00 - 3:10 - Event introductions with James Hems, Head of HR, People and Culture at Bluewave Technology and Sara Turkentine, Talent Acquisition Manager at Gearset

3:10 - 3:30 - Partner talks

3:30 - 5:00 - Multiple 5-minute presentations by local business experts and academics including:

Gemma Manning, People and Operations Director at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

Tracy Lowe Sheppard, Head of Human Resources at 2 Sisters Food Group

Stacy Cunningham, HR Lead (Change/Relationship Management) at Westminster City Council

Nikki Scarr, Snr HR Director at BVI Medical

James Whatmore, Director of Sales at Ciphr

Natalie Izzard, Head of Partnerships at The Electric Car Scheme & The Charge Scheme

5:00 - 6:00 - Thanks, wrap up and final networking

Thanks to our supporters including:

Innovate Cambridge

Innovate Cambridge is leading an inclusive, forward looking and ambitious innovation roadmap for Cambridge. The Innovate Cambridge strategy, underpinned by a partnership with over 200 organisations and Charter Signatories and over 500 key stakeholders, aims to ensure that Cambridge’s science, innovation and business communities have what they need to be successful, maximising economic and social return and sharing that growth with the wider community and the UK.

Ciphr

Ciphr provides award-winning HR, payroll, recruitment and learning software that helps organisations attract, manage and develop their people. Trusted by thousands of UK employers, Ciphr empowers HR teams to work smarter and deliver better employee experiences.

HR Gazette

HR Gazette and the HRchat Podcast publishes the latest opinion, reviews, and news for pros interested in HR Technology, Talent, DEI, Performance, Wellness, Learning, and Leadership.

World of Work | Cambridge

Our community is passionate about improving the world of work and the workplace. Share this belief? We will see you soon.

Inspire 2 Ignite CIC

Empowering young people (16-24) to build sustainable and equitable communities. We do this through entrepreneurial experiences and events that connect them with industries and employers who value entrepreneurial thinking.

* Registering for this event does not guarantee entry. Capacity is limited and this event is specifically designed for internal HR, Talent pros, and senior leaders at medium-large organisations. If you do not fit the criteria (e.g. you are a consultant/HR vendor) your application to attend may be rejected. Guests of partners and speakers will receive priority.

More About DisruptHR Cambridge

Disrupt is an information exchange designed to energise, inform and empower executives, business leaders and people in the HR field.

The global event series is built on the belief that how we’ve approached people and talent in the past won’t be the best way to approach them in the future. Disrupt is founded on the idea that ALL business leaders need to be ready to take some risks, to stir the pot…in short, to DISRUPT.

Rebooted in 2023, DisruptHR Cambridge is a community of innovative HR pros, TA pros, and leaders.

Past speakers include:

Bukky Gray, Director of Talent Management and Human Resources at the University of Cambridge Development and Alumni Relations Office

Alex Clark, Head of Culture and Learning at The ScoutsTracy Lowe Sheppard, Head of People at Swim England

Jules Quinn, Group Director: People Services at Milton Keynes College Group

Wanda Serafin, Change Lead, AI Programme at Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Rhianne Chamberlain, Talent Acquisition Partner at Gearset

Stuart Potter, Senior Lecturer Practitioner in Business at Anglia Ruskin University

Barry Winkless, Head of the Future of Work Institute Cpl. MD of the Experiential Strategist and author of the Future Work World

Rhiannon Rees, Organisational Development Strategist at Hoxby

Nikki Scarr, Senior HR Director at BVI Medical

Maya Bullen, Head of HR at TRI

Diana Ford, Head of People & Culture at Riverlane

Sarah Hayes, HR Director at Securitas UK

Tracey Wells, Talent A

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