The Future of Workforce Planning with David Edwards: Leading with Strategy, Humanity & AI - 2026 Next Practices Weekly

In this eye-opening session of i4cp’s Next Practices Weekly on February 19, 2026, David Edwards, renowned workforce strategist and author will challenge conventional thinking on Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP). Drawing from his bestselling new book The Strategic Workforce Planning Handbook, David will unpack what it really means to make SWP a business issue, not just an HR exercise. He’ll share hard-won insights from decades of experience across tech, banking, consulting, and operations, including his time leading transformative planning initiatives at NatWest Group and Ericsson.

Hosted by i4cp, this conversation invites HR leaders to rethink their role in shaping the future of work. David’s voice is part strategist, part storyteller, and unflinchingly practical. He’ll explore the need for cross-functional collaboration, why SWP must include all worker types (from gig workers to AI agents), and how to lead with data, empathy, and clarity in a rapidly evolving labor market.

Why You Should Attend

• Hear directly from David Edwards, a pioneer in SWP and author of The Strategic Workforce Planning Handbook, on what truly works, and what doesn’t.
• Discover how to turn SWP into a business advantage, not just an HR function.
• Get practical frameworks for managing all types of workers, including temps, third parties, gig workers, and AI agents.
• Learn to balance AI innovation with human-centric leadership, creativity, and ethics.
• Equip your organization for transformation, with smarter upskilling, reskilling, and long-term capability planning.

This session is an urgent call to reclaim HR’s role as a business-critical driver. Learn why effective workforce planning is essential for reducing business risk, enabling transformation, and preparing for a future where AI and human potential go hand in hand.

To ensure open discussion, this event is exclusively for HR practitioners. Vendors and consultants are not permitted to attend.