HR leaders plan workforce transformation with AI and wellbeing in 2026

As organisations prepare for 2026, HR leaders are emphasising the convergence of technology, employee wellbeing, and skills development.

Executives from Frasers Group, GE Healthcare, IBM, HUGO BOSS, GXO, Barilla Group, Valvoline, and The Cardinal Group shared their resolutions and optimism for the year ahead.

Adam Holton, Chief People Officer at GE Healthcare, said he is focused on elevating the employee experience in ways that are both deeply human and sustainably scalable. He added, “2026 will be about being intentional, courageous, and future-oriented in evolving how we serve and support our people.”

Jochen Eckhold, SVP Global HR at HUGO BOSS, is embedding a future-ready mindset across his organisation, combining AI adoption with skills-based workforce planning and ethical governance. “With the right mindset, AI can transform HR from a transactional function into a strategic powerhouse – predicting talent needs, personalising development, and enhancing employee experience,” he said.

Adam Reynolds, Head of Talent at Frasers Group, is encouraging his team to seek applicants who have creatively leveraged AI to enhance their applications.

Mark Simmons, SVP HR at GXO, emphasised upskilling, inclusive culture, and holistic wellbeing to build a future-proof workforce.

Other leaders highlighted HR’s strategic role in reshaping work. Francesca Dellacroce at Barilla Group aims to link talent, culture, and organisational design to business priorities.

Valvoline’s Jon Caldwell is focusing on internal people leaders and consistent employee experiences, while IBM’s Jon Lester is redesigning work with AI to increase high-value activity and engagement.

Peter Lynch at The Cardinal Group emphasised AI-enabled talent and human-centred workplaces.

Discover how leading HR teams are integrating AI and employee-first strategies to future-proof their organisations in the full story.