Platform55 – The summit where workplace equality gets real

In an era when workplace equality is headline news, the conversation can feel stuck on repeat. We know the stats. We know the problems. What we don’t always see are the people willing to roll up their sleeves and do the messy, unglamorous work of change. Last year’s Platform55 Summit proved they’re out there, in force. Almost 200 people filled the room, with many more tuning in virtually, for a day that didn’t just talk about progress, but pushed it forward.

The speakers were as varied as they were compelling. Elliott Rae, one of the UK’s leading voices on fatherhood and gender equality, challenged men to become active drivers of change. Irish footballer Julie Ann Russell spoke with raw honesty about navigating elite sport, work, and young family life. And in the People Behind the Policies segment, the hidden challenges of modern work – fertility struggles, elder care, children with additional needs – took centre stage. Attendees weren’t there for sugar-coated platitudes; they came for truth, and they got it.

The atmosphere was equal parts urgency and optimism. Platform55’s trademark mix of audience interaction, thought-provoking debate, and unvarnished workplace realities created a space that felt less like a conference and more like a rallying point. And this year’s theme, Building Fair, Future-Ready Workplaces, signals that the momentum isn’t slowing. From dismantling the motherhood penalty to making sense of new EU pay transparency laws, the conversations will be unapologetically ambitious – because change may be happening, but not fast enough.

Here, founders Michelle and Tracy share what to expect at this year’s event – taking place Tuesday, September 16 at Light House Cinema.

Tell us about last year’s summit

Last year’s summit has been described by attendees as “the best event in the HR industry… by a long shot.” We had almost 200 people in the room and a virtual audience tuning in from everywhere. Our keynote speaker, Elliott Rae, spoke about the role men play in driving equality. Irish football star Julie Ann Russell shared how she juggles a professional sports career, work, and a young family. Our People Behind the Policies segment shone a light on everyday challenges – from fertility to caring for elderly parents and children with additional needs.

We also looked ahead to the future of work with Dr. Lollie Mancey, explored the impact of AI, and tackled the ‘S’ of ESG with Declan Bogan. The audience? A powerful mix of HR leaders, DEI professionals, and senior business leaders ready to make change happen.

What was the atmosphere like?

In a word, engaging. We bring our own Platform55 style to everything we do – lots of audience interaction, thought-provoking conversations and real stories from real workplaces. The room was buzzing, full of energy, and packed with people who genuinely care about creating change.

What topics will the summit be covering this year? Why these topics?

Change is happening, but not fast enough. This year’s theme is Building Fair, Future-Ready Workplaces. Our clients, Kerry Group and Ornua, sponsor the Summit as their internal goals are aligned with our mission, and they make the summit and these conversations possible. We are delighted to have Workvivo join as a sponsor this year, emphasising the importance of engagement and internal communication to our topics. In 2025, we will be tackling the issues that can really accelerate progress:

• The Motherhood Penalty – why it still exists and how to fix it (with Joeli Brearley MBE, founder of Pregnant Then Screwed).
• Navigating EU Pay Transparency – staying compliant while boosting fairness, retention, and culture.
• Senior Leader Dads (SLDs) – how male leaders role-modelling leave is reshaping workplace culture.
• Managing Multi-Generational Workforces – unlocking the best from every generation.
• Stories that Connect: Unlocking Engagement Through Internal Communications | Workvivo

We chose these because they are the biggest opportunities for real change.

Who do you hope will attend? What solutions will you give them?

We want industry leaders, HR and DEI professionals, and anyone in a position to influence workplace culture. People will leave inspired, thinking differently, and – crucially – armed with tangible actions they can take back to their organisations the very next day. Platform55’s latest research has some surprising stats. These are the numbers that make people stop in their tracks:

• Only 1 in 10 dads take their full family leave entitlement. Until that changes, women will keep being penalised in their careers for having a family.
• 46% said the biggest barrier to career progression was the mental load.
• For each additional month a father takes paid parental leave, the mother’s subsequent earnings increase by 6.7%.
• Less than half of respondents believe their company’s equality efforts are genuine. It’s not enough to say the right things anymore – legislation now means you have to prove it.

What is the ‘motherhood penalty’?

Coined by Ann Crittenden in 2002, it refers to the fact that a mother’s earnings drop by 5–10% for every child she has. It’s more than just a wage gap – it’s systemic unfairness baked into our culture. The fix? A cultural shift that redefines gender roles both at home and at work.

What’s the biggest takeaway you want for attendees?

That they walk away energised to take action – to build fair, future-ready workplaces – and join our mission to support one million people through life’s defining moments by 2030. Because when we get this right, everyone benefits. When people feel supported, they show up better, they lead better, and businesses perform better. And that’s a fact.

If you’d like to find out more about the work Platform55, do get in touch with the team by visiting www.platform55.com or emailing info@platform55.com. To book tickets to this year’s summit, visit here.