Helen Hogben, a leading employment and discrimination barrister from Trinity Chambers, will chair the upcoming Manchester HR Conference, “Dismissal for HR: Shaping New Developments into Solution-Focused Answers for Employers,” on 25 March 2026 at The Lowry Hotel. The event aims to help HR professionals navigate complex dismissal scenarios through court-proven strategies.
Hogben, who was appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown in 2023 and has been recognized as a leading junior in the Legal 500 for seven consecutive years, will deliver a keynote address and lead discussions with a panel of legal experts. The conference will address pressing issues such as managing obstructive behavior, handling 'word-against-word' situations, accommodating neurodivergence, dealing with cultural misalignment, and navigating mental health-related absenteeism.
“I am delighted to chair this important conference,” said Hogben. “The world of HR is constantly evolving, and it is crucial for employers to stay informed on the latest legal developments and best practices. This event will provide a valuable platform for HR professionals to gain practical, solution-focused answers to some of the most challenging dismissal questions they face.”
Sessions will cover a range of difficult topics. Rebecca Peck of Bexley Beaumont will explore strategies for progressing performance management when employees resist engagement or allege bullying. Danielle Ingham from Mills & Reeve will provide guidance on handling inappropriate behavior between employees at off-site events. Angela Brumpton of Gunnercooke will discuss challenges related to undiagnosed neurodivergence, while Mary Walker from Gordons will address when to act on employees who are a poor cultural fit. Bryn Doyle of Lewis Silkin will offer insights on minimizing legal risks with mental health-related absences, and Naeema Choudry from Eversheds Sutherland will clarify redundancy and maternity leave complexities.
Hogben's journey to the Bar, as the first in her family to attend university, and her appointment as Junior Counsel to the Crown underscore her commitment to excellence and diversity. Her experience in complex cases, detailed on her website, and her dedication to professional development through seminars and webinars make her an ideal chair for this conference.
The full-day event includes lunch and offers five hours of CPD for delegates. For more information, visit the White Paper Conference website.
