“People and Culture in Turbulent Times”
09.15 Mini Summit Opens
10:00 Welcome
Julia will outline the significant change the automotive industry is experiencing, and explain how critical the role of the HR Professional is for business transformation, security, resilience, and continuity.
Julia Muir is the CEO of Gaia Innovation Ltd and the award-winning founder of the Automotive 30% Club; a network of over 70 automotive CEOs and MDs who are building high performing gender-balanced teams by increasing female representation to rise to the challenges of industry transformation. Read her full bio here
![Adam Pay and Melissa Mulholland-Wells [photographs]](https://www.automotive30club.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Adam-Pay-and-Melissa-Mulholland-Wells-1-1-1.webp)
10:10 Adam Pay - MD Halfords Garages & Melissa Mulholland-Wells - Talent Director Halfords Group: People and Culture Strategy at Halfords
Adam and Melissa will share the key components of the Halfords People and Culture strategy, what the process was for creating it, and what impact it has had on the business to date. They will explain how they are adapting to embrace new technology, and provide examples of the changes they are implementing to increase the representation and retention of women. Read their full bios here
10:40 Julia Muir - Group Collaboration Exercise
In groups we will work to identify key challenges that automotive HR professionals are facing, and discuss workable solutions.
![Laurence Abbott - Chief Technology Officer, Autotech Group [photograph]](https://www.automotive30club.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Laurence-Abbott-Chief-Technology-Officer-Autotech-Group-1-1.webp "Auto30Club")
11:15 Laurence Abbott, Chief Technology Officer, Autotech Group - Transformation Through Technical and Technology Skills
Laurence will outline the changes happening in the sector and who will be affected, including the blending of mechanical skills with software and systems, the need for different people with different skills, and the need for better people management and leadership. He will speak about the opportunities of embracing advanced technology, but also how we neutralise the risks. To embrace the rapid change effectively we must consider the high levels of neurodiversity in the workforce, the mental wellness impact, the investment in reskilling and upskilling, and the need to find new sources of skills from wider talent pools than the past. Working norms and practices must be changed to ensure the successful adoption of technology, and this will open new female talent pools and attract others who are excluded due to opting out of the current culture and working practices. Read his full bio here
![Claire Roberts and Antony Roberts - Co-founders, Full Fathom Five [photographs]](https://www.automotive30club.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Claire-Roberts-and-Antony-Roberts-Co-founders-Full-Fathom-Five-1-1.webp)
11:45 Claire Roberts - Co-Founder & Chief Transformation Officer and Antony Roberts - Co-Founder & Chief AI Officer at Full Fathom Five AI: The Impact of AI on the Automotive HR Professional.
Claire & Antony will describe the overall context of how AI will impact the automotive sector by 2030. They will cover how this will lead to changes in job design and how it will impact the role of the HR professional, in terms of values, culture, training, recruitment, and data analytics. AI recruitment tools have been found to be discriminatory against women, so HR professionals must be aware of the legal implications. Claire will share how to use HR AI tools effectively to avoid biased decisions. Read their full bios here
12:15 LUNCH
![Jade Archibald, Christos Tsoupranis, Aman Sidhu and Jane Cusdin (host) [photographs]](https://www.automotive30club.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Feb-Panel-x4.webp)
13:00 Panel: People and Culture Changemakers
- Jade Archibald - Director of People Partnering and Talent Acquisition - Halfords
- Christos Tsoupranis - People & Culture Director - Autotrader
- Aman Sidhu - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lead - Volkswagen Group UK
- Jane Cusdin - Host
The panel will discuss the key factors affecting their part of the sector that HR Professionals must respond to. They could include employment law changes, AI adoption, cyber security, employee health, restructuring, or skills deficits. The panellists will also be asked to identify the priorities for action, and to share practical solutions and tips on what works. Read their full bios here
![Rebecca Fox, Founder and CIO at Relentica [photograph]](https://www.automotive30club.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Rebecca-Fox-Founder-and-CIO-at-Relentica-1-1.webp)
13:30 Rebecca Fox Founder / CEO / CIO Relentica: How an Inclusive Culture is Critical for Cyber Security
Cyber security is now a core responsibility of the HR Professional, and it must be fully embedded in the People and Culture strategy they are accountable for. Rebecca will speak about the very high risk of cyber-attack being faced by every UK business, and explain the level of cyber skills we need now in the workforce. She will share what a good culture for effective cyber security looks and feels like. Read her full bio here
![Matt Wigginton, Director of Growth and Development at Ben [photograph]](https://www.automotive30club.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Matt-Wigginton-Director-of-Growth-and-Development-at-Ben-1-1.webp)
14:10 Matt Wigginton, Director of Growth & Development - BEN: Creating a Culture of Mental Health Protection and Crisis Prevention
In conversation with Julia Muir, Matt will describe the current context in these turbulent times regarding the mental and physical health issues affecting automotive employees, and how BEN can assist. They will discuss how employers must protect the mental health of colleagues and take preventative action to try to stop their employees from reaching a crisis, and what inclusive companies must actually do to plan for, respond to and support people affected by mental health issues. They will talk about the role of the HR Professional in protecting the mental health of colleagues, and identify the tools, materials, training and support available from BEN and other sources. Read his full bio here
14:50 Closing Words Julia Muir
Julia will summarise the key messages from the day.
15:00 Mini Summit closes
With thanks to our sponsors Halfords, Autotrader and Autotech.