Local business owner Dr. Kate Jenkinson, founder of Doncaster-based Next Step HR Ltd and the Poetry in Business Conference is proving that business and creativity are a powerful partnership after receiving glowing acclaim for her recent high-profile appearances in London, Sheffield and across the UK.
Kate, a Fellow of the CIPD and an accredited Executive Coach, recently delivered captivating Spoken Word Finales at two major London conferences, hosted in partnership with IRM UK and The Productivity Institute Annual Meeting at the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield. The institute recently highlighted Kate's performance on LinkedIn, celebrating how Kate’s unique form of "poetic intelligence" can synthesize complex organisational themes into powerful, human-centered takeaways.
Feedback from these events has praised Kate’s ability to inject soul, emotion, and clarity back into the corporate world, helping leaders look at productivity and workplace culture through a completely different lens.
Bridging Science, HR, and Creativity
Operating from Old Cantley in Doncaster, Next Step HR Ltd specializes in human-centered executive coaching and workplace neuroinclusion—with a specific focus on unlocking the unique strengths of neurodivergent talent. Kate’s background as a biological research scientist, combined with over 20 years in senior HR leadership, allows her to blend strict evidence-based practice with creative, out-of-the-box approaches like business poetry.
"Organisations thrive when we move past a rigid tick box mentality and create spaces where people are genuinely seen and heard," says Kate. "Traditional corporate buzzwords can feel mundane and transactional. Poetry allows us to navigate complex transitions, spark innovation, and understand multiple truths in the workplace."
Following the success of her national conference appearances and a recent poetry flash mob at the CIPD Festival of Work, Next Step HR is continuing to expand its reach, with bookings already secured for upcoming national business expos, HR and Coaching Conferences in Warrington and Manchester.
To learn more about how creative executive coaching, neurodiversity training, or spoken word keynotes can transform your leadership and corporate culture, contact Kate at kate@nextstephr.co.uk or visit
?? Watch the Performance
To see a similar performance in action, you can view this Spoken Word Finale at the Productivity Forum. This video showcases exactly how Kate weaves business insights and poetic reflection together dynamically at national events.
Next Step HR Ltd
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Kate Jenkinson
- June 24, 2026
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