Top HR Conferences in the UK for 2027

Twelve UK HR events have confirmed dates for 2027, from February through November. Several are free to attend, including The Workplace Event, the CIPD Festival of Work, and RecFest.

You don't need to fill your calendar. Two or three well-chosen events a year is plenty. Pick by what you need to fix, not by prestige.

How do you pick which HR conference is actually worth it?

Before you book, ask yourself three questions:

1. Is the programme relevant to your work this year? If you're developing a wellbeing programme, look for sessions that address the gaps you're trying to fill. If you're working on time-to-hire, look for examples of hiring processes you could adapt for your team.

2. Does the cost make sense for your team? Include travel, accommodation, and time away from work alongside the ticket price. The big enterprise symposiums are built for CHROs with a travel budget and a team of ten. If you're the only HR person in a 40-person company, skip them without guilt. A nearby one-day event may be a better use of your budget.

3. Will you have a chance to talk to people? Think about who you'd like to meet and what you'd ask them. A conversation with someone dealing with a similar problem can be as useful as a session on the programme. One good conversation often pays for the day.

Winter 2027: Manchester and Belfast

HR Summit Manchester takes place on 9 February at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Manchester Airport. It's free for senior HR professionals and worth considering if you're based in the north.

The CIPD Northern Ireland Conference follows on 23 February at the Europa Hotel, Belfast.

Spring 2027: wellbeing, HR tech, and regional conferences

Health & Wellbeing at Work runs on 9-10 March in Hall 6 at The NEC, Birmingham. The two-day programme covers workplace health, culture, and safety, with an emphasis on practical sessions. If employee wellbeing is part of your role, it's worth a look. Early-bird tickets cost £79 plus VAT until 14 January 2027.

HR Vision London follows on 17-18 March. The venue hasn't been announced yet, so check before booking travel. The event explores the relationship between people and technology, including how senior teams are using HR tech.

The CIPD Scotland Conference takes place on 24 March at the EICC in Edinburgh, followed by the CIPD Wales Conference on 15 April at ICC Newport. Both are one-day regional events, useful options if you'd prefer to stay closer to home.

The Workplace Event runs on 27-29 April in Hall 3a at The NEC, Birmingham. It's free to attend and focuses on workplace and facilities, so it suits you if you also own the office and employee experience.

HR Technologies UK takes place on 5-6 May at ExCeL London, alongside Learning Technologies. Its theatres are free to access, and you can register your interest on the organiser's site.

Summer 2027: the CIPD Festival of Work and RecFest

The CIPD Festival of Work runs on 9-10 June at ExCeL London. CIPD describes the whole event as free for HR and L&D professionals and also lists the dates on its events page. For a small team, a free pass to walk the floor and meet providers makes this an easy yes.

RecFest UK takes place on 8 July at Knebworth Park in Hertfordshire. It's a festival-format recruiting event with free tickets, aimed at in-house talent acquisition teams. Go if recruitment is your main job.

Autumn 2027: HR Summit London and HR Vision

HR Summit London takes place on 16 September at the Radisson Blu Hotel, London Stansted Airport. It's free for senior HR professionals. Despite the name, the venue is about 40 miles from central London. If you're staying overnight, look at hotels near the airport.

HR Vision's second London edition follows on 17-18 November. The venue is still to be announced.

Other UK HR events to watch

The CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition hasn't published its 2027 dates yet. It usually takes place in early November in Manchester, so keep an eye on the organiser's site if you're planning an autumn event.

The Employee Engagement Summit also tends to return each year, but its 2027 date is still to be announced. Check the organisers' sites for dates and prices before making plans.

If choosing a new hiring tool is also on your list for 2027, take a look at PontaHR's applicant tracking system. It's built for small teams, and a demo gives you a chance to see how it would fit the way you hire.

Looking beyond the UK?

For events further afield, browse our roundups of the best European HR conferences and the best HR conferences in the United States.