Shedding the workforce is one of the most emotionally taxing experiences for employees and the exco alike. Leading HR executives at the 2026 HR Indaba unpacked how to navigate retrenchments with transparency and empathy while sharing practical strategies for communication, leadership alignment and preserving culture.

For years, organisations have been told that the answer to growth is finding better talent. But in 2026, that challenge has changed to accessing capability and building skills at scale.

Top HR leaders at the 2026 HR Indaba unpacked why a CPO presence in the boardroom is now a non-negotiable requirement, due to new and binding changes to the Companies Amendment Act.