The Malta Foundation for Human Resource Development (FHRD) is holding another edition of its Annual HR Conference & Expo, Malta’s flagship event for human resources, learning and development, and business leaders, at the Hilton Malta Conference Centre, St Julian’s, on October 23, 2026.
The conference is expected to welcome over 600 HR professionals, business leaders, executives and decision-makers from across Malta.
This year’s theme, ‘HR Lead: Powering Strategy Through People’, reflects the rapidly evolving role of human resources in today’s business environment.
As organisations navigate digital transformation, artificial intelligence, changing workforce expectations, skills shortages and increasing pressure to remain competitive, HR has become a strategic business partner driving organisational performance and sustainable growth.
The conference will explore how HR leaders can harness people, technology, culture and data to create resilient, future-ready organisations.
Delegates will leave with practical ideas, innovative approaches and actionable strategies that can immediately be applied within their workplaces.
International keynotes
The conference programme features three internationally recognised keynote speakers who will share fresh perspectives on leadership, culture, AI and organisational transformation.
‘The Power of People: Building and Sustaining High Performance Cultures’, delivered by Jane Sparrow, will show how organisations can create high-performance cultures that inspire engagement, accountability, innovation and long-term business success.
Amit Grinvald will lead ‘Who’s Flying the Plane? Leading with Data, AI and Human Judgment’, an insightful session exploring how organisations can combine people analytics, artificial intelligence and human decision-making to improve leadership and organisational performance.
And in ‘Leading Through Change: Courage, Capability, and Human-Centred Innovation’ by Rosa M. Colón-Kolacko, one will learn how leaders can successfully navigate continuous change while keeping people at the centre of transformation and innovation.
Practical workshops
Delegates will also have the opportunity to attend highly interactive workshops led by experienced practitioners and subject matter experts:
• ‘Rethink, Rebuild, Lead: HR Strategy for a New World of Work’ by Elli Matsouka;
• ‘Strategic HR Leadership: Turning People Insights Into Business Impact’ by Mariella Galea;
• Leading Anywhere: Adaptive Leadership for Hybrid, Remote & Global Teams’ by Daniel Cassar;
• ‘Inclusion by Design: Fixing the Systems Behind How Work Gets Done’ by Natalia Perkowska;
• ‘Securing Buy-In from Management and Staff: Elevating HR’s Strategic Voice’ by Martin Spiteri Schillig;
• ‘From Resistance to Resilience: A People-Powered Appreciative Approach to Positive Change’ by Mireille Pellegrini Petit;
• ‘AI Unboxed for HR: From Regulation to Real-Life Results’, moderated’ by Pamela Mamo, featuring guest experts from MDIA, Lufthansa Technik Malta, and Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates;
• ‘The Unbundled Workforce: Rethinking Work in the Age of AI’ by Elaine Dutton; and
• ‘Thriving at Work: How What We Say – and Don’t Say – Shapes Well-being and Results’ by Darine Aboulezz.
More than a conference
Beyond the keynote sessions and workshops, delegates can look forward to a thought-provoking panel discussion, an exhibition showcasing leading HR products and services, valuable networking opportunities and meaningful conversations with local and international experts.
Whether one is an HR professional, business leader, learning and development specialist, or people manager, the conference offers a unique opportunity to stay ahead of emerging trends while expanding one’s professional network.
Early bird registrations are currently available for FHRD corporate members and non-members. FHRD professional members benefit from exclusive preferential rates that remain available throughout the entire registration period until the conference.
One can register and select their workshops here.
For more information, contact [email protected]
As part of this year’s initiative, FHRD has also launched the Malta HR Annual Report 2026 − the foundation’s first national study examining HR trends, workplace practices and emerging priorities across Malta.
The anonymous survey takes just five minutes to complete, and the findings will provide valuable insights into the current state and future direction of the HR profession. It is available at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/7pwvg9dSmg.
The FHRD conference partners are APS Bank, Attard Bros Group, Employment 360 by Fenech & Fenech Advocates, Hilton Malta, MAPFRE, Shireburn Software Ltd, StudioSeven, TeamBuilding Malta, Times of Malta and Vivendo.
