HR leadership is moving through a period of rapid adjustment as organisations balance capability building, technology expectations and evolving workplace standards. Just last month, Liz Mahon of PHX Ireland Wins HR Rising Star of the Year at HR Leadership & Management Awards 2025 shows how emerging leaders are shaping modern practice through practical impact rather than grand theory. This accolade sets the bar for next year’s awards, showcasing the level of influence and effectiveness expected from rising leaders. HRLocker and Paycheck Plus integrate HR and payroll for SMEs points to sustained demand for simpler systems that reduce administrative pressure and give teams more space to focus on people-centred priorities. Seamless alignment between platforms is becoming a marker of operational maturity as smaller organisations scale. New EY survey identifies how HR can close talent gaps in AI adoption examines capability gaps that require both steady leadership and consistent organisational support. The findings reinforce the need for structured development pathways that help teams work confidently with new tools. Each story speaks to a sector refining its methods while keeping its focus on people. This issue brings those themes together to help readers track where HR leadership is heading next.