Ireland’s HR and Leadership Priorities in 2026 with Alison Hodgson

Episode notes

Want a clear view of where HR in Ireland is heading and how to prepare your team for what’s next? Bill Banham sits down with Alison Hodgson, Market Director at CIPD Ireland , to map the practical priorities that will define people leadership in 2026: target operating models tuned to strategy, a smarter approach to productivity in hybrid work, cultures that enable creativity, and talent systems built on lifelong learning. Alison shares why operating models belong at the top of every HR agenda, walking through how structure, role design, skills, and workflows must link to the “book of work.” We dive into the messy middle of performance and productivity, where outcomes matter more than presenteeism and thoughtful in-person moments can supercharge collaboration. We also dig into Ireland’s unique context—an agile, open economy balancing flexible work with rising commute costs—and how that shapes retention, skills development, and the everyday realities of leading teams. A major focus is capability building beyond HR.