Future of HR as a profession and business impact of HR

In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, geopolitical tensions, and economic uncertainty, the role of Human Resources (HR) is undergoing a seismic shift. The Daily FT Guest Columnist Dinesh Weerakkody engages with Prof. Dave Ulrich—renowned as the Father of Modern HR and a celebrated professor—to explore how HR can evolve from a support function to a strategic powerhouse driving value for all stakeholders. Prof. Dave Ulrich is known as the “father of modern HR” and “HR thought leader” of the decade.

- By Dinesh Weerakkody

Talent, leadership, and culture are interdependent. Talent thrives under strong leadership, and leadership flourishes within a high-performance culture. A holistic approach aligns these elements with strategy, ensuring they reinforce one another to maximise stakeholder value. Organisations that integrate these components execute better, innovate faster, and adapt more effectively. HR’s mandate now spans people, organisation, and leadership—making integration the engine of sustainable performance.

How can HR shift its focus from internal HR processes to delivering tangible value to all stakeholders -employees, customers, investors, and the community?