Plenary
Strategic L&D That Makes a Difference
Date Friday, Nov 29 Time – RoomPotsdam III
What really matters at work, and how can L&D make a difference? Join learning leaders who’ve been there and done it for an insightful discussion. Superficially, it’s simple: understand the problem and provide a solution. Strategic learning leaders know that behind that simple statement lies a complex web of activities and relationships. It involves performance consulting rather than reactive order taking and understanding the power of technology rather than chasing the latest shiny, over-hyped thing. It demands a great team, not all of whom work in the L&D department, and above all it requires a rich network across the organization and beyond. And it never involves simply saying “Yes, sure” when someone asks for a course.
Rafael Fernández Qundez
Head of Talent, MOEVE , Spain
Rafael Fernández Qundez is a seasoned HR professional with an extensive career in Human Resources Management, having worked for leading multinational companies across various industries, including automotive (PSA Peugeot-Citroën), retail banking (Caja Madrid Group), corporate and investment banking (Société Générale), and the oil and gas sector (CEPSA). Currently, he serves as Head of Talent at CEPSA, a major Spanish energy company, where he drives corporate-level talent initiatives.
With a strong belief in HR as a key driver for business success, he has led significant organisational change and talent management projects. His expertise spans Talent Management, Change Management, Learning & Development, and People Management, where he has designed and implemented impactful HR strategies that align with business goals across diverse cultural and geographical settings.
In addition to his corporate role, he has been a professor at IE Business School in Spain since 2007, teaching HR in Executive MBA programs, Executive Education, and other senior-level courses. His passion lies in developing creative, business-aligned HR initiatives and helping organisations foster talent and leadership development.
Derek Bruce
Leadership and Culture Manager, TESCO
Derek Bruce is a globally recognized HR thought leader and Chartered FCIPD professional with deep expertise in Learning, Leadership, and Talent Development. As Head of Learning, Leadership & Talent Development at Tesco, he brings a strategic approach to empowering teams and organisations. An MBTI Type II and NLP Master Practitioner, Derek combines psychological insight with practical skills to foster impactful growth. A passionate mentorship advocate, he also founded Derek Bruce Associates to champion personal and professional development. Known for his dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Derek is as committed to creating inclusive workplaces as he is to expanding his impressive collection of Adidas Stan Smith and Superstars sneakers.
Links
Oya Torum
Head of Global PM/EPC Training, Nordex Energy SE & Co. KG
Oya Torum, Head of Global PM/EPC Training at Nordex Energy SE & Co. KG, brings over ten years of experience in Learning and Development to the wind energy sector. Known for her ability to connect learning programs to real business impact, she leads teams and projects with a strategic mindset that makes a difference.
In 2013 she established the first Technical Academy for Turkey and the Middle East, helping transform the region into a key area of strength with a highly skilled workforce. Building on that success, she led the development of a global training department for the Project Management and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) business unit.
Recognized for her leadership and vision, Oya was selected for her company’s Top Management Leadership Development Program. She also led a company-wide initiative to boost the efficiency of L&D departments, sponsored by higher management.
Currently, she is taking on a new challenge: managing a new project to design a learning program to enhance at improving “first-time-right” results in production of wind turbine components.
Passionate about digitalization and efficiency, Oya stays at the forefront of trends and tools, implementing technology that drives real improvements in daily work. Outside of work, she enjoys the same energy and commitment on the tennis court, and, of course, the windsurf board.
Moderator
Donald H Taylor
Chair, Learning Technologies, United Kingdom
Donald H Taylor has worked in learning and technology since the mid-1980s.
He has chaired the Learning Technologies Conference in London since 2000 and writes and speaks world-wide. His annual L&D Global Sentiment Survey, started in 2014, provides a unique perspective on L&D trends from over 100 countries. From 2010 to 2021, he chaired the Learning and Performance Institute.
He chairs the Workforce Development board for VC firm Emerge Education, and advises several EdTech start-ups.
The author of Learning Technologies in the Workplace, Donald is a graduate of Oxford University and the recipience of an honorary doctorate from London’s Middlesex University.