In this episode of Getting Our Reward Heads Together, we explore Generation Alpha and what their arrival in the workforce will mean for Reward and HR professionals.

Reward Heads CEO Victoria Milford is joined by Jannine Smith, Senior Consulting Manager at Reward Heads, to discuss how this next generation — born from 2010 onwards — is already reshaping expectations around work, Reward, wellbeing, and leadership.

They discuss:

• Why Generation Alpha are true digital-first employees
• Expectations around flexible and hybrid working
• Control over work environment, benefits and personalisation
• The growing importance of mental health and wellbeing support
• Inclusive leadership and support for neurodiversity
• Sustainability, ethics and purpose-driven work
• How Total Reward goes far beyond pay for this generation
• What employers should be doing now to prepare

Drawing on emerging research and real-world insight, this 15–16 minute episode provides Reward and HR leaders with a practical framework for preparing their organisations for the next generation of talent.

• The 2026 National Living Wage increase and continued pay compression
• Expected stabilisation of pay awards amid ongoing inflation
• Salary exchange and pensions planning ahead of the 2029 changes
• Why employee recognition is becoming a critical retention lever
• The growing importance of pay transparency, ahead of the EU Pay Transparency Directive
• Wellbeing moving from an add-on to a core element of Reward
• Data-driven personalisation of benefits and Total Reward

In this episode of Getting Our Reward Heads Together, we take a look back at 2025 — a year defined by rising costs, shifting employee expectations, pay compression, and fast-moving policy changes.

Reward Heads CEO Victoria Milford is joined by Jannine Smith, Senior Consulting Manager at Reward Heads, to reflect on the biggest trends shaping Reward this year.

They explore:

• The impact of the National Living Wage increase and wider minimum wage rises
• Ongoing pay compression and fairness challenges
• The surprise employer National Insurance hike and its effect on pay review budgets
• Increasing focus on low-cost and innovative benefits
• The rise of Total Reward, flexibility, and personalised benefits
• How AI and digital skill demands continue to reshape job design and pay
• Growing expectations around pay transparency and fairness
• The shift toward purpose-driven Reward

This 10 minute episode provides a clear snapshot of the forces shaping Reward in 2025 — and what they mean for the years ahead.