Fern leads Employer Brand and EVP at NESO, where she’s spent the last few years shaping a people-first narrative that speaks to talent at every level. With a background in global employer branding at National Grid, she brings a sharp mix of strategy, storytelling and insight to the table. Fern’s work is about campaigns and connection. She’s passionate about creating inclusive, values-driven brands that resonate deeply and endure. Outside of NESO, she’s a firm believer in the power of listening before acting, and (rumour has it) can turn even the driest spreadsheet into a story worth telling.

James Dowling is a talent leader who enables the recruitment, development and performance of organisations that are building reputation, targeting growth or transformation. He currently leads talent management at Open Society Foundations (OSF), having previously led the transformation of talent acquisition and redeployment process at OSF, as it made significant organisational changes with a new operating model. James has had the privilege of working across multiple sectors, including energy, healthcare, digital transformation, consumer products, insurance and now global philanthropy. 

With over a decade working on the creative side of employer branding, Liam has had the pleasure of creating work that solves tough challenges and delivers unbelievable results for organisations of all shapes and sizes—from technology giants changing the world to housing associations and healthcare companies helping people care for theirs. 

CCO and Co-founder of Tonic, Mark has worked with national and international brands across a wide range of sectors, developing global and national EVPs, creating compelling Employer Brands that resonate throughout the whole employee experience. Our work has won over 145 awards in our 13-year history, because we believe the best results come from creativity does more than attract, it entertains and builds lasting loyalty. I’m constantly inspired by the ideas and impact our industry delivers, and proud to play a part in its success.

Dave brings over 16 years of expertise in recruitment marketing, employer branding and talent attraction. Leading a talented team at Creed, Dave delivers industry-leading strategies and solutions that empower clients across sectors to enhance their employer brands, attract top talent and navigate the evolving recruitment and people communications landscape. 

With 14+ years in recruitment across multiple sectors, Adam’s built his career around spotting potential and helping people find where they thrive. Now at NESO, he’s a recruitment business partner helping power the UK’s energy transformation - one hire at a time. He’s lived the highs and headaches of large-scale hiring and brings a grounded, people-first approach to the process. A proud dad, football coach and diehard Blackburn fan, Adam’s known for cutting through the noise, backing his team and never losing sight of the human behind the CV.