← All Workplace Geeks episodes
WORKPLACE GEEKS ·Workplace Leaders Series·
WORKPLACE GEEKS · EVENT CONVERSATION

From Blue Coats to Boardrooms: Workplace Leaders 2026. Live from the NEC

Five workplace leaders. Five very different career journeys. Recorded live at the NEC, this special episode explores hybrid working, AI, workplace experience and the future of work through conversations with some of the industry's most influential voices.

with Joe Harris, Sarah Tait, Sam Wharton, Chloe Baum and Kathryn Horton

The conversation.

What does a Pontins Blue Coat, a post room assistant, a receptionist and a business studies graduate have in common?

They all ended up helping shape the future of workplace.

Recorded live at the Workplace and Facilities Event at the NEC, this special Workplace Geeks episode brings together five conversations with members of the Workplace Leaders Top 50 2026. Along the way, we hear the stories behind the job titles, explore the challenges facing workplace leaders today, and look at where the workplace might be heading next.

From Joe Harris at Hubstar discussing “magnets not mandates”, to Sarah Tate’s vision of a workplace that anticipates what employees need before they’ve even asked for it, these conversations cover everything from hybrid working and workplace experience to AI, culture, talent and the changing role of the office.

Featuring:
• Joe Harris, Hubstar
• Sarah Tait, Lloyds Banking Group
• Chloe Baum, LinkedIn
• Sam Wharton, Pinterest
• Kathryn Horton, OCS

Whether you’re a workplace professional, facilities leader, people leader, or simply curious about how work is evolving, this episode offers five different perspectives on one of the most important questions facing organisations today:

How do we create workplaces where people can do their best work?

‍

Explore further

Read the transcript

JOIN THE GEEKS COMMUNITY

More to think about.

Get new conversations and ideas from Workplace Geeks in your inbox.

Sign up to the newsletter