Hi Reader,
Have you ever listened to something so good you had to stop what you were doing?
That’s exactly what happened the first time I came across Dr Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey’s podcast, The Element of Inclusion (ranked in the top 1% of all podcasts in the world).
I was doing the ironing on a Sunday afternoon (my weekends are very rock n roll…😅) and within minutes I abandoned the ironing board, sat down, and started taking notes.
What he was sharing was that good.
A few weeks later, nerves jangling, I invited him onto HR Coffee Time. I was still in my first year of podcasting, and he was already an established voice in the podcasting world - so I felt incredibly fortunate when he said “yes”.
He joined me for Episode 42: Diversity & Inclusion at work: 7 mistakes to avoid (& what to do instead) - and I remember thinking how refreshing it was to hear inclusion talked about so clearly and practically.
We’ve stayed in touch ever since, and I’ve benefitted from his advice many times. We even managed a catch-up over mocktails in the sunshine last summer.
So… you can imagine how delighted I am to finally share this with you:
Jonathan is joining us as a speaker at The HR Planning Day 🎉
When I ran the event for the first time last year, I knew I wanted to invite him - but I’ll be honest, I was too nervous to ask. This year, I mustered up the courage, and he said “yes” straight away.
And I know you’re going to love what he has planned.
Jonathan has a wonderfully down-to-earth way of taking something that can feel overwhelming - inclusion plans, business cases, gaining buy-in - and making it feel achievable. His approach is practical, evidence-based, and genuinely impactful.
With all the criticism HR has been facing in the press recently (I’m not sure why certain newspapers seem determined to bash the profession), having someone like Jonathan in your corner feels refreshing. If every organisation followed his advice, inclusion work would be seen as far more credible, strategic, and valued.
And of course, his session is just one part of the day.
The whole purpose of The HR Planning Day is to give you space to think clearly about the year ahead, set meaningful goals, and make sure the work you do in 2026 has the impact you want it to have - for your organisation and for your career.
You’ll leave feeling organised, supported, and ready to start the new year with a clear direction, a renewed sense of confidence, and plans you can stand behind.
If you haven’t booked your place yet, I would love you to join us. You can save your spot here.
If you have any questions about the day, please don't hesitate to ask by replying to this email. I'm always happy to hear from you.
Best wishes,
Fay
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