Name: From passion to profession: HR career stories
Start: 2026-03-19T18:30:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-19T20:00:00+00:00
Location: Surrey Business School

From passion to profession: HR career stories

Networking opportunity followed by a panel of people professionals sharing their personal first steps into HR.
About this Event

The event will begin with an informal networking session from 18:30-19:00, giving attendees the opportunity to connect with fellow students and early-career professionals.

This will be followed by a panel discussion from 19.00–19.45, featuring people professionals from a range of specialisms. The session will be introduced by Ruth Parkin and Isabelle Willetts, members of the branch. Each panellist will then spend approximately ten minutes sharing insights into their career journeys, including their first steps into the HR profession. Speakers will also offer practical advice and tips for students preparing to enter the HR industry, as well as guidance for early-career professionals considering different HR specialisations.

The event will conclude with an interactive Q&A session from 19.45–20.00, providing attendees with the opportunity to ask questions and gain further insights from the panel.

About the speakers

- CEO and Founder of ChangeWave Consultancy

- Chief People Officer, System1Group

- Talent Acquisition Adviser at Stephenson Harwood LLP

- Senior Human Resources Business - for Cloud & Security at Vodafone UK Business

Pay and display parking is available in two locations on campus.

Please note:

Reminder emails will be sent to you the day before, with a further reminder on the day of the event.
Photography and video production may be taking place at the event, and these images may be used in the CIPD newsletters.
By attending the event, you are giving consent for your image to be used on any CIPD promotional materials.
As we are supplying refreshments, if you can no longer attend, please cancel your place either on Eventbrite, or by responding to the confirmation email.
This event may include an external speaker who has prepared their own presentation. Any views or opinions expressed by the speaker are their own and do not reflect those of the CIPD.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to enhance your experience, please get in contact with us by responding to this email and we will do our best to accommodate.