Endnote

Originally broadcasted on Friday 16th October 2026, 12:30

As the virtual conference draws to a close, join us for a final reflective discussion that brings together the key themes, conversations and challenges explored throughout the week. We'll look beyond the notes, slides and presentations to ask a more important question: what will you do differently because of what you've heard? From AI and innovation to planning, leadership, customer experience and continuous improvement, this session will explore the ideas that stood out, the lessons worth taking forward and the opportunities to turn learning into action. We'll challenge delegates to think about their own commitment to raising standards. What is the one thing you'll take away, apply and act on when you return to work? Because learning only creates value when it leads to change. A practical, thought-provoking and engaging close to the week that will leave you inspired to turn ideas into action and continue raising standards across your organisation.

Operational Improvement Keynote

Originally broadcasted on Thursday 15th October 2026, 09:30

From Busy to Valuable 
How to create more impact with less effort. This keynote explores the growing gap between being busy and making a difference. We'll challenge some of the habits, processes and expectations that consume time without improving outcomes, and look at practical ways to focus effort where it has the greatest impact.

Positive Tension Keynote

Originally broadcasted on Wednesday 14th October 2026, 10:30

Positive tension is the hidden engine of high‑performing teams, and this session allows you to understand how you can utilise this tension effectively in teams/operations and organisations. Drawing on Kate Manton’s global leadership and operations background, we will explore how differences in thinking aren’t conflicts to avoid but the gap that drives better teamwork, decisions, stronger collaboration, and smarter customer operations. 
 

#RaisingStandards Keynote

Originally broadcasted on Monday 12th October 2026, 10:30

Be Ready to Learn: Turning Learning into Lasting Impact
Learning is about far more than attending a conference, completing a module or gaining new knowledge. The real value comes from creating the time and space to reflect, challenge existing assumptions, apply ideas in practice and share what we discover with others. In this keynote, we explore what it means to be prepared to learn, from understanding how we learn and protecting time for development, to creating the structure, support and momentum that turns learning into action.

Webinar: The Manager's New Toolkit: Closing the Action Gap in the AI Era in Partnership with Centrical

Frontline managers have never had more performance data, and never had less time to act on it. Signals are scattered across QA, WFM, LMS, CRM, and a growing stack of dashboards. Now AI agents are joining the workforce as a new layer to oversee, and the gap between performance insight and performance change is widening fast.

This is the action gap. Closing it is the defining challenge facing frontline leaders this year.

Join Ian Chappell, Director of Consulting, EMEA at Centrical, for a practical follow-up to The Forum's Best Practice Showcase. Ian opens with a look at why most platforms are widening the gap rather than closing it, then previews three Centrical capabilities built for the manager's job in a hybrid human-AI workforce.

Partnerships

Technology is the key enabler for success in our industry and it is key that relationships between end users and technology providers continue to improve, so raising standards in customer operations. 
NCFE x SVL were totally aligned in the requirements from a new CCaaS implementation and how this delivered a seamless journey to delivery of a truly omni channel platform. 
NatWest wanted to offer more than just the minimum for their vulnerable customers, so worked with National Support Network to offer trusted support that went beyond just banking.

Awards Panel Discussion

Hear best practice from a panel of individual and team award winners across Planning, Insight and Learning/Knowledge. Featuring SSCL, LNER, OVO Energy and HGS.

Webinar: See the WFM AI Assistant in Action in partnership with Sabio

WFM AI Assistant: Real-Time Intelligence for Smarter Workforce Decisions
Spot problems early. Understand the cause. Fix them immediately.
Managing workforce performance in real time has never been more complex. Volumes spike unexpectedly, AHT drifts, shrinkage creeps up — and by the time daily reports arrive, the damage is already done. The Sabio WFM AI Assistant changes that.

The WFM AI Assistant is a platform-agnostic AI solution that draws real-time data from:
 - Contact centre platforms
 - WFO and analytics platforms
 - HR systems
 - CRM solutions

Opening Keynote #RaisingStandards

Originally Broadcast Monday 13th October, 10:30

Reset, Redefine & Raise Standards
This keynote launches the week by challenging us to turn intent into action. Explore how learning, reflection and ownership drive personal growth and organisational progress. Discover how tools like the Learning Tracker, Reflective Method, and the Learning Pyramid support continuous improvement. We'll explore how to break out of firefighting, align strategy with daily action, and shift from “being busy” to “making a difference”. It's time to reset habits, redefine success, and commit to doing things differently. Because done will always beat intended.

20 Transformational Innovations Changing the Future of Work

Celebrating the 20 finalists from this year’s Innovation & Transformation awards. Trailblazers who are redefining workforce planning, customer experience, and operational excellence. From AI to culture change, these organisations are proving that bold thinking drives real-world results.

The Art of Storytelling

Phil Anderson, The Forum leads a brief keynote on “The Art of Storytelling” then a panel discussion where practical examples of understanding the difference you can make, and how to engage and influence others is discussed with some of this year’s judges and finalists: Graham Watson from Capita Regulated Services and Scott Budding from Calabrio.

Partnerships

Karl Fletcher, Novuna  brings to life their partnership with Verint around the benefits of a full WEM (Workforce Enterprise) solution.

Knowledge Sharing

Hear from Claire Boys-Layton from NFU Mutual on their award winning Engaging Knowledge Management journey. 

Raising Standards

This is a chance to understand The AA’s award story in the round and the benefits this has delivered for customers, colleagues and the company.

Focus on the Customer

Hear Margot Vanwynendaele share the award-winning story from Trainline on how a new telephony system allows teams to focus on the customer.