Programme

Time  Main Conference and Concurrent Session Concurrent Session Masterclass
09:30-09:45
    Opening Session
Welcome Remarks
Mr Ian Choy, President
HKIHRM

Opening Remarks
Mr Chris Sun, JP, Secretary for Labour and Welfare
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
   
09:45-10:25 
   
Keynote Lecture
HR Future: Delivering Stakeholder Value Through Human Capability with AI
   

This is an inflection point for HR to respond to changing business context (AI, economic uncertainty, social toxicity, demographic expectations, and environmental uncertainty).
To move forward, HR needs to respond to four pivot points:
  1. Deliver value to all stakeholders inside and out,
  2. through human capability
    (talent + leadership + organization + HR),
  3. with upgraded HR operating model, practices, analytics, and professionals, and
  4. using AI to make progress.
When HR professionals recognize and master these pivots, they contribute more value and become true business partners. The keynote will present insights (ideas, frameworks, tools, and actions) to shape the future of HR.

Prof Dave Ulrich, Rensis Likert Professor Emeritus
University of Michigan 
10:25-10:40
   
Leadership Presentation
People Strategy as Business Strategy: Navigating the New World of Work

Today's environment calls for leaders to deliver current performance, transform for the future, while engaging their workforce. It is one cohesive strategy, not separate agendas. The workforce forms the spine of business success as Hang Seng Bank leads in an era of accelerating change. It is the new world of work that integrates AI adoption, deepening customer relevance, meeting employee expectations and new risk demands, constantly considering what is expected of a bank that is championing the Hong Kong's future.

Ms Luanne Lim, Executive Director and Chief Executive
Hang Seng Bank
10:40-10:55
   
Leadership Presentation
Lead Through Change: Building a Future-Ready Workforce

Presentation Synopsis
In an era where AI, automation and data are transforming the workplace, organisations are reimagining how they create value and prepare for the future. Drawing on Hyatt's hospitality perspective, Mr. David Udell explores how technology can augment human capabilities rather than replace them. Through practical examples, including Hyatt's AI-enabled Performance Hub, he illustrates how organisations can leverage data-driven insights to enhance decision-making, improve organisational agility and empower leaders to focus on what matters most. The presentation highlights the importance of balancing technological advancement with uniquely human qualities such as empathy, judgment, care and leadership. Mr. Udell will share why future-ready organisations must remain people-centred, ensuring that technology strengthens employee and guest experiences while fostering trust, connection and meaningful impact. Ultimately, the most successful enterprises will be those that combine digital innovation with the enduring power of human leadership and care.

Key Takeaways
  • Understand how AI and digital technologies can enhance decision-making and organisational effectiveness while keeping people at the centre.
  • Learn why human capabilities such as empathy, judgment, care and leadership remain critical in an AI-enabled workplace.
  • Discover how organisations can balance innovation, workforce transformation and employee experience to achieve sustainable success.
  • Gain insights into building a future-ready enterprise where technology amplifies, rather than replaces, human potential.

Mr David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific
Hyatt Hotels
10:55-11:10
   
Leaders' Panel
The Augmented Enterprise: Future Capabilities and Workforce Transformation in a Disrupted World

As AI, digital innovation, and economic volatility reshape global commerce, organizations must build the "Augmented Enterprise"—harmonizing technology with human talent to elevate productivity and agility. In this C-suite panel, distinguished leaders from retail banking and hospitality examine strategies to navigate disruption, upskill workforce capabilities, and align talent with overarching business goals.

Panel Speakers:
Ms Luanne Lim, Executive Director and Chief Executive
Hang Seng Bank

Mr David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific
Hyatt Hotels

Panel Chair:
Ms Joy Xu, Co-Chairperson
Advisory Board of 2026 HKIHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition
11:10-11:35 Networking Break
11:35-11:55 
   
Industry Presentation
Building Employee Value Proposition Beyond Traditional Employee Benefits - Building Sustainable Workforce by Shifting Focus from Reactive Benefits to Proactive Wellness

As employee expectations continue to evolve, leading employers are redefining their Employee Value Proposition (EVP) by moving beyond traditional benefits towards a holistic wellness strategy. This session explores how organisations can foster a healthier, more engaged and sustainable workforce through proactive support for employees’ physical, mental and financial wellbeing - transforming benefits from a reactive safety net into a strategic driver of talent attraction, retention and long-term workforce resilience.

Mr Andrew Lee, Head of Corporate Solutions Strategy
AIA Hong Kong and Macau
16/F Grand Ballroom - Main Hall
JC YUP Concurrent Session (Bilingual Session)
Building the Next Generation Talent Pipeline: From Awareness to Commitment

As Hong Kong's workforce continues to evolve, organisations face growing challenges in attracting, developing and retaining young talent. At the same time, many young people encounter uncertainties in navigating the transition from education to employment, often facing gaps in workplace readiness, career exposure and confidence.

This dedicated session aims to bridge these perspectives by bringing together youth representatives, employers and programme stakeholders to explore how cross-sector collaboration can create sustainable pathways for youth employment and upward mobility.

Through real-life experiences and practical insights, the session will highlight how employers can build future-ready talent pipelines while advancing their talent, business and social impact objectives.

Panel Speakers :
Ms Evelin Mak, Talent Acquisition Senior Manager, Strategy and Employer Branding​
DFI Retail Group

Mr Yi Zhang, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Asia Pacific and Global Luxury
Hyatt Hotels Asia Pacific Limited

Ms Joanna Hui, Marketing Director​
Auiset Biotechnology Company Limited

Panel Chair :
Mr Andy Luk, Vice President
HKIHRM
16/F Grand Ballroom - Concurrent room
 
11:55-12:20 
   
Featured Presentation
    Elevating HR Beyond Borders:
Culture, Credibility, Strategic Influence, and Ethical Leadership


As organizations expand across borders, HR leaders face a growing challenge: balancing local legal requirements, cultural expectations, and business objectives while maintaining a consistent organizational culture and value system.

In a world where employees, customers, investors, and communities increasingly expect organizations to act responsibly, HR has a unique opportunity to serve not only as a strategic partner, but as the moral compass of the enterprise.

This keynote explores how HR can elevate its influence by shaping culture, earning executive credibility, and championing ethical leadership across diverse global environments. It examines why CEO's do not always trust HR’s strategic advice what HR leaders must do to build that trust, and how the profession can become a stronger steward of organizational values in an increasingly complex world.

Mr Anthony Ariganello, President and Chief Executive Officer
CPHR British Columbia & Yukon
16/F Grand Ballroom - Main Hall
12:20-12:45
   
CEO Talk
    From Success to Significance: Creating Purpose-Driven Organisations for 2027 and Beyond

Drawing from Ar Donald Choi's diverse leadership journey as architect consultant across global markets, property developer in Hong Kong's competitive landscape, and now leading a statutory organisation serving the broader public interest across multiple stakeholders, he explores how organisations can thoughtfully build on prior success rather than replicate it. The critical mindset shift: viewing strategic repositioning not as abandoning what worked, but as evolving practices and policies to serve emerging needs. By 2027 and beyond, organisations that thrive will reimagine work around purpose, attracting talent driven by meaningful contribution, belonging, and growth rather than transactional compensation alone. Strategic repositioning of HR practices and policies enables your organisation to navigate transformation while cultivating a workforce united by shared purpose and connected to something larger than themselves. This is how we build organisations truly built to last.

Ar Donald Choi, BBS, JP, Managing Director
Urban Renewal Authority
 
12:45-14:00
   
Luncheon Presentation with Light Lunch Buffet
    Crafting a Talent Mobility Strategy

For too long, companies have depended on external hiring to address skills gaps, leading to slow and costly processes. However, the necessary talent often exists within the organization. Talent mobility focuses on maximizing workforce potential by identifying and developing existing skills, moving people where they are needed most, and enhancing employee engagement. This strategy not only boosts retention and productivity but also helps companies determine whether to build, buy, or move talent. Balancing internal mobility with strategic hiring fosters agility and resilience, while effectively utilizing data and tools reduces costs and ensures optimal placement of people in their roles.

Mr Stephane Michaud, Senior Solutions Architect, APAC
SHL
   
    Beyond AI Hype: What Separates AI-Ready Organisations from the Rest

Organizations around the world are investing rapidly in AI, but most are still struggling to build the leadership and workforce capability needed to use it effectively. Join Bryan Benjamin, Executive Director of Executive Education at Ivey Business School, for a timely look at how top talent leaders are responding to AI and what it means for workforce strategy.

The session draws on findings from the Ivey Workforce Evolution Lab Global Talent Leaders Survey, which gathers perspectives from over 400 CHROs and senior HR leaders around the world. We will explore what the data reveals about how organizations are approaching AI and where critical differences are emerging. Bryan will highlight key findings on leadership readiness, workforce capability, and talent practices, and discuss what they mean for organizations navigating AI-enabled change.

Attendees will leave with a clearer view of how organizations around the world are responding to AI, where the most significant workforce challenges are emerging, and what these findings may mean for their own organizations.

Mr Bryan Benjamin, Executive Director
Ivey Executive Education
    Performance by Music Children Foundation
14:00-14:20
   
Industry Presentation
Leading the Borderless Workforce: Strategic Talent Acquisition in an Unfolding Future

As the world of work rapidly transforms, HR leaders must bridge local skills shortages while supporting enterprise growth. In this session, George Polyzos shares how APAC leaders are building agile, borderless organizations. Attendees will learn how to access global talent, ensure 100% compliance across international labor laws, and consolidate global payroll—turning HR into a key driver of future organizational readiness.

Mr George Polyzos, Head of ENTERPRISE lead APAC
Deel
14:20-14:45
   
CEO Talk
More Than Burgers and Fries. It's Where Young Futures Begin.

We all know McDonald's for its burgers and fries. Few know it is also where thousands of young people get their first job and first opportunity to grow. As one of Hong Kong's largest youth employers, McDonald's believes youth employment is about more than filling roles. It is about building confidence, developing capabilities and opening doors. In this CEO Talk, Randy Lai will share how McDonald's creates meaningful experiences that attract, engage and empower young talent, turning first jobs into pathways for growth and future success. The session offers insights into how organisations can nurture the next generation of talent and create workplaces where young people can belong, shine and thrive. 3 key takeaways

1. A First Job Is More Than a Job. It's Where Confidence, Capability and Potential Take Shape.
2. Creating a Workplace Where Young People Feel They Belong Is the Foundation for Engagement and Growth.
3. Investing in Young Talent Today Is How We Build a Stronger Workforce for Tomorrow.

Ms Randy Lai, Chief Executive Officer
McDonald's Hong Kong
     
14:50-15:50
   
Concurrent Session 1
    Beyond "Generations": Designing Inclusion for Real Needs - Skills, Life Stages, and Belonging

In today's rapidly evolving workplace, traditional age-based generational labels often oversimplify workforce diversity and mask the genuine needs of employees. To build a truly agile enterprise, forward-thinking leaders must move past demographic stereotypes and design inclusion frameworks grounded in real-world human needs—focusing on practical skills, life stages, and organizational belonging.

Under the theme "The Future Unfolding: Leadership, Talent and Work in a Changing World," this 1-hour C-suite panel brings together distinguished leaders across banking, executive talent, and public infrastructure. Together, they will explore how organizations can shift from rigid generational segmentation to personalized, capability-driven inclusion strategies that enhance productivity and retention.

Panel Speakers:
Ms Mukta Arya, Managing Director, Chief Human Resources Officer, APAC
Societe Generale

Mr Mathew Gollop, CEO
ConnectedGroup

Ms Gill Meller, Legal & Governance Director
MTR Corporation Limited

Panel Chair:
Mr Sudesh Thevasenabathy
Advisory Board Member of 2026 HKIHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition
16/F Grand Ballroom - Main Hall
   
Concurrent Session 2 (Putonghua Session)
Navigating Tech and AI Transformation: Insights from Leading Chinese Enterprises

Enterprise AI in Action: From Scenario Discovery to Productivity Transformation. As AI rapidly reshapes the workplace, Chinese leading enterprises are moving beyond experimentation to large-scale deployment. This session shares real-world practices from Feishu's work with leading consumer and retail enterprises, demonstrating how AI is being applied across frontline operations, customer experience, knowledge management, and cross-functional collaboration. The talk covers a practical framework for identifying high-value AI scenarios, from Voice of Customer insights and service quality monitoring to AI-powered store management and employee empowerment. Attendees will gain actionable insights into how to start small, scale fast, and build an AI-ready organization.

Mr Xia Shixiang, Director, Consumer & General Industries Solution
Feishu (ByteDance)
16/F Grand Ballroom – Concurrent room
   
Masterclass by Prof Dave Ulrich
Latest Trends in Talent, Leadership, Culture and HR Transformation

The master class will build on the keynote and go into detail about latest innovations and how to deliver human capability (talent + organization + leadership + HR function). For each of these four elements of human capability, we will identify priorities and offer specific ideas, evidence, and tools for moving ahead. We will look at 10 talent initiative; 12 organization capabilities; 6 elements of leadership; and 10 dimensions of an effective HR department. Participants will select priorities from these 38 initiatives, and we will present the latest research, cases, and practices to make them happen. We will also show how these human capability initiatives can be formed into a human capability plan with change action steps.

Prof Dave Ulrich, Rensis Likert Professor Emeritus
University of Michigan
20/F Salons
15:50-16:15 Networking Break
16:15-17:15
   
Concurrent Session 3 (Cantonese Session)
Tech and Digital Transformation: Architecting the Future-Ready Workspace

As the future unfolds, the advancement of AI , digital innovation and human capability is reshaping how organisations operate, compete and grow.  "Transformation" is no longer simply about adopting new technologies; it is about redesigning work, upskilling people and creating organisations that can thrive in an increasingly dynamic business environment.

In this thought-provoking session, leaders from HAECO and eBay will share their experiences of driving digital transformation across aviation services and global e-commerce. Drawing on real-world examples, they will explore how organisations can leverage emerging technologies, data-driven insights and digital platforms to enhance business agility, workforce effectiveness and employee experience.

The discussion will also examine the leadership capabilities required to drive transformation, strategies for fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning, and approaches to developing a workforce equipped with future-ready skills. Attendees will gain practical insights into aligning technology with talent to build resilient, agile and high-performing organisations in a rapidly evolving world of work.

Speakers:
Ms Jodi Kwok, General Manager, Human Resources
HAECO Hong Kong

Mr Rico Yiu, Head of Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan, International Cross Border Trade
eBay International Hong Kong Limited

Moderator:
Mr Alex Cheung
Advisory Board Member of 2026 HKIHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition
16/F Grand Ballroom - Main Hall
   
Concurrent Session 4 (40 min)
Impact of AI on the HR Operating Model

While most organizations are investing in AI, few are realizing transformational value. As AI reshapes HR, CHROs must rethink operating models, workflows, and workforce capabilities to stay ahead.

Join this session to explore where AI is creating value in HR today, how it is transforming HR operating models, and the practical steps needed to build an AI-ready HR function.

Ms Lynn Yang, Regional Head of Business Development, SEA & HK
Gartner® Advisory (Singapore) Pte Ltd
16/F Grand Ballroom – Concurrent room
    Masterclass by Prof Dave Ulrich (cont'd)
Latest Trends in Talent, Leadership, Culture and HR Transformation

Prof Dave Ulrich, Rensis Likert Professor Emeritus
University of Michigan 
20/F Salons
17:20-17:55 
   
Keynote Lecture
When the Map Changes: Leading Talent in the Age of Agentic AI
   

As AI evolves from a tool into an increasingly autonomous agent, many assumptions about talent, leadership, and organizational design are being challenged. Drawing on research and fieldwork across some of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems, this session explores how leading organizations are rethinking roles, capabilities, decision-making, and workforce models in the age of Agentic AI.

Rather than focusing on technology alone, the session examines the leadership choices required when human and machine intelligence increasingly work together. Participants will leave with practical insights into how organizations can build adaptability, redesign talent systems, and prepare their people for a future that is already unfolding.
  1. Why talent strategy can no longer be separated from technology and organizational design.
  2. How Agentic AI is reshaping roles, skills, and decision-making across organizations.
  3. What leaders should start, stop, and rethink to build an adaptable workforce for the future.

Prof Mark Greeven, Professor of Management Innovation, Dean of Asia
IMD Business School
   
17:55-18:10 
    Closing Remarks

Ms Joy Xu , Co-Chairperson
Advisory Board of 2026 HKIHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition

Mr Roy Ying, Co-Chairperson
Advisory Board of 2026 HKIHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition
18:10
    Networking and Lucky Draw

Programme details are subject to change without prior notice.


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