Our Speakers
Donald H. Taylor
Chair | Learning Technologies
Conference
A renowned commentator on all things L&D, he has chaired the Learning Technologies Conference in London since 2000 and writes and speaks world-wide about Learning and Development. His annual L&D Global Sentiment Survey, started in 2014, provides a unique perspective on L&D trends from over 100 countries. From 2010 to 2021, he chaired the Learning and Performance Institute.
Amy Brann
Director | Synaptic Potential
Amy is the Founder and Director of Synaptic Potential and a specialist in helping organisations unlock their people’s potential through neuroscience. She is well-known as a keynote speaker, author, and people development expert. Her approach is grounded in facts, providing a trusted voice amidst a world filled with questionable science and neuromyths. Amy firmly believes that understanding the brain is essential to achieving full potential in both life and work. Her blend of scientific insight and real-world business experience equips audiences with practical, proven frameworks that enhance brain performance.
Over 18 years, Amy has advised businesses globally, including Tesco, Warner Bros., EY, Twinings, Novartis, and BNP Paribas. Her evidence-based insights challenge current thinking, and her practical frameworks help close the gap between potential and performance, driving individuals and organisations toward their Whole Brain Potential.
Darren Edwards
The world's leading adaptive adventurer
Darren Edwards is the World’s Leading Adaptive Adventurer, Record-Breaking Explorer, and Inspirational Speaker.
Darren has faced life’s greatest uncertainties head-on, drawing from his experience leading record-breaking expeditions and overcoming a life-changing injury. Speaking with unmatched authority and authenticity, he shares how to conquer fear and thrive in the face of challenges. With a natural gift for storytelling, Darren captivates audiences by blending inspiration with practical insights, offering real-world solutions to even the most daunting obstacles, all grounded in his extraordinary
personal journey.
Frankie Deane
Director of Organisational Development | AG Barr
Frankie brings a wealth of experience and a contagious enthusiasm to the field of organisational development. For over two decades, Frankie has dedicated her career to partner organisations in navigating complex challenges and achieving extraordinary goals through people-centred solutions. Currently the Director of Organisational Development at AG Barr, overseeing the TA, DEI and L&D, she has experience in multiple sectors including retail, NHS and in recent times, FMCG. Her particular areas of interest are modernising the employee life cycle, leadership development and culture transformation. Frankie works with a genuine desire to create workplaces where people thrive and is looking forward to spending the day with a room of like-minded people to share more about what is going on in the world of AG Barr.
Natal Dank
Co-founder | PXO Culture
Natal Dank co-founded PXO Culture, which offers learning, coaching and consultancy and specialises in people experience, HR and business agility. She is also Chief Trendwatcher at the HR Trend Institute and was named one of the Most Influential HR Thinkers by HR Magazine. Recognised as a pioneer of Agile in the people profession, Natal hosted the first London-based Agile HR Meetup in 2016, which has since grown into a global movement reshaping the L&D and people profession. In 2020, Natal published Agile HR: Delivering Value in a Changing World of Work and in 2024, followed up with Agile L&D: A Toolkit to Improve Organisational Learning and Drive Performance. Natal is an Australian who lives in the East Neuk of Fife, where she runs a global business from the Scottish seaside.
Noel Brown
Global Head of Talent Acquisition | HSBC
Noel joined HSBC in 2022 as the Global Head of Talent Acquisition, and in 2025 took on an expanded remit as Global Head of Enterprise Talent bringing the Talent Acquisition and Talent Management teams together to reimagine the evolution of this function. Passionate about skills-based hiring and driving inclusion through the organisation, this role will ensure HSBC has agile, holistic solutions for talent both inside and outside of the bank and that we are ready for the important skills shifts needed in the organisation as we embrace AI in the future of work.
Noel joined from Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving Science, where he had worked for the prior 11 years, with previous Talent leadership roles at Life Technologies and Heineken.
Jo Chisolm
Senior HR Director for Talent & Organisational Development | Weir
Jo Chisholm is the Senior HR Director for Talent & Organisational Development for global
mining technology business, Weir, headquartered in Glasgow. With a passion for helping people and organisations thrive, Jo brings deep expertise in talent and leadership
development, learning strategy, and cultural transformation. She has led impactful initiatives
that shape inclusive, high-performing environments and is a trusted partner to senior
leaders. Jo brings warmth, insight, and a future-focused mindset to everything she does, especially when it comes to building future-ready organisations.
Mairi McInnes
Global Leader for Industries | PWC
Mairi McInnes is the Global Leader for Industries for PwC and PwC’s UK Place & Purpose
Leader. In her Global Industries role, she delivers the global market and client growth strategy
across PwC’s global network of clients. Mairi is based in the UK, following 16 years working for
PwC in Hong Kong / China.