The CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition, one of Haymarket’s best-attended and most prestigious live events, drew some famous faces to Manchester as it set new standards for diversity of content and innovative delivery.

HR professionals from dozens of countries attended the two-day event, which Haymarket organises on behalf of the CIPD. And they heard from ITV political editor Robert Peston and TV personality Sue Perkins, among many other expert speakers.

Peston kept delegates up to date on the latest economic machinations affecting businesses, while Perkins – presenter of Great British Bake Off and Late Lunch, among others – discussed developing and maintaining confidence in both a personal and professional capacity.

It was part of an ambitious programme that took in four difference conference streams – all of them full to capacity with highly engaged delegates – as well as three separate Insights stages delivering talks and Q&A sessions for conference attendees. New formats included a legal drop-in clinic and a career hub, while all conference content was delivered on a hybrid basis for online visitors.

David Monaghan, Haymarket’s director of events, said: “This event is designed to be the heartland of the people profession and it was fantastic to see so many people from the HR community come together. We added a lot of new elements to the event but one thing does not change – the energy and the buzz which people get from sharing ideas and creating connections.”