14.00 – 14.30: Registration and welcome coffee 

14.30 – 15.30 – Session 1: Internal or external? Choosing the right approach to investigations 

Workplace investigations have become more frequent, complex, and visible. One of the most critical early decisions for an employer is whether to conduct an investigation internally or appoint an external investigator. This panel will explore the strategic, legal, and practical factors that should guide that decision. Drawing on real-world examples, panellists will examine when internal investigations are appropriate, when independence is essential, and how employers can manage cost, credibility, and risk while maintaining procedural fairness. The discussion will also address common pitfalls, cross-border considerations, and how to preserve trust with employees, regulators, and the public.

15.30 – 16.00 – Coffee break 

16.00 – 17.00 – Session 2: Getting it right: conducting fair, effective investigations

Even well-intentioned investigations can unravel if witnesses disengage, questions are poorly framed, or accused employees are treated unfairly. How an investigation is conducted – tone, process, and human handling – often determines whether findings are trusted, defensible, and sustainable. This session will focus on the practical realities of conducting workplace investigations. Panellists will explore how to manage reluctant or fearful witnesses, how to question alleged victims and witnesses with sensitivity and rigour, and how to treat those accused of misconduct in a way that is fair, lawful, and proportionate. The discussion will highlight common mistakes, behavioural dynamics, and techniques that help investigators uncover facts while maintaining dignity, neutrality, and procedural fairness.

17.00 – 18.00 – Session 3: The final report: Internal record or public document? 

An investigation report can serve very different purposes depending on its audience. Some reports are written exclusively for internal decision-makers; others may be shared with regulators, complainants, or even published in full or in summary. These differing end uses significantly affect what an investigator should include, how findings are framed, and the level of detail that is appropriate. This session will explore best practice in drafting reports with a particular focus on how content, tone, and structure should differ between internal-only reports and those intended for public release. Panellists will discuss how investigators can remain independent and accurate while managing confidentiality, reputational risk, and legal exposure, and how to avoid the common mistake of writing a single report that is unfit for either purpose.

18.00 onwards – Close and networking drinks reception