London HR Leaders Learning Evening: 25 February 2026
Wed, Feb 25
|Uncommon Borough
Spend time with a community of growth-minded professionals. Free event.
Time & Location
Feb 25, 2026, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM GMT
Uncommon Borough, 1 Long Ln, London SE1 4PG, UK
About the Event
London Personal Development & Learning Evening – 25 February 2026
Date: Wednesday 25 February 2026, 6:30pm–9:30pm Venue: Uncommon Borough, 1 Long Lane, London SE1 4PG
Theme: The Future of Fair Work
Join us for our first evening event – an evening of networking, learning, drinks and canapés. Connect with like-minded HR professionals, followed by 90 minutes of energising talks and discussion.
Whether you're an emerging leader, seasoned executive, or someone committed to continuous improvement, you'll leave with practical tools, new connections and fresh perspectives.
Talk 1: Finding Hidden Talent in Unexpected Groups Jazz Singh, CEO & Founder, EmpowerAbility
Jazz will draw on his lived experience in the criminal justice system and years of leadership in business and social enterprise to explore the untapped potential within groups often overlooked by employers: returning citizens (prison leavers), care leavers, homeless individuals and young people.
In this session, Jazz will explore:
How societal biases obscure talent and opportunity
The skills, resilience and innovation these groups bring to the workplace
Practical strategies for creating inclusive pathways and supporting long-term success
Real-life stories of transformation and hidden talent in action
You'll leave with a fresh perspective on recruitment, inclusion and the power of seeing potential first – conviction or circumstance second.
About Jazz: Jazz Singh is the Founder of EmpowerAbility, a social enterprise dedicated to unlocking hidden talent in prisons and underrepresented communities. With over 20 years in wealth management and leadership roles across charity, hospitality and social value, Jazz combines lived experience of the criminal justice system with a passion for deep-rooted social change. He is a sought-after speaker and facilitator, inspiring organisations to recognise potential in unexpected places and build pathways for inclusive growth.
Talk 2: Horizon Scanning for HR Leaders – A Legal Perspective Harry Abrams, Partner (Employment Law), Shoosmiths
Harry will provide HR leaders with a practical legal update covering:
Key employment law changes coming in 2026 and beyond
HR's role in setting company culture
Handling difficult conversations – the art of the "protected conversation"
Interactive case studies for group discussion
About Harry: Harry is a Partner at Shoosmiths, a national law firm, based in their London office. He specialises in advising employer clients on the full range of people issues from onboarding to termination, with particular expertise in complex employee relations matters including disciplinaries, grievances and sickness absence management. Harry is viewed as a trusted advisor to HR leaders and in-house legal teams, with a focus on supporting fast-growth companies with their people strategy.
Talk 3: Trust, Ethics and Human Oversight: Making AI Work Responsibly in HR Renata Jahelkova
Renata Jahelkova is an MSc Human Resource Management graduate from the University of Lancashire, specialising in AI ethics and responsible technology adoption in HR. Her recently submitted dissertation, “Trust, Ethics and Human Oversight in the Use of AI for HR Decision-Making,” explores how HR professionals experience and manage issues of fairness, transparency and accountability when implementing AI-enabled systems. Her research is grounded in qualitative interviews with practitioners across sectors, offering real-world insight into the ethical tensions between efficiency, governance and professional judgement. Renata is particularly interested in how HR can balance innovation with responsibility, ensuring that AI enhances rather than replaces human decision-making. She will cover:
The ethical implications of AI in HR decision-making
Trust, transparency and accountability in AI-supported processes
The role of human oversight in maintaining fairness and professional judgment
Practical considerations for HR leaders adopting AI responsibly
What to Expect
Drinks, canapés and time to network
90 minutes of talks and interactive discussion
Authentic conversations with like-minded professionals from diverse backgrounds
A safe space to share challenges, breakthrough moments and learn from peers navigating similar journeys
Spaces are limited and fill quickly.
