Collaborations

One of Laura Overton’s longest standing collaborations, with Michelle Ockers (Founder and Director of Learning Uncut), has resulted in The L&D Leader, released in 2025.

The thinking has come from over 20 years’ research with over 10,000 L&D professionals and the additional layer of Michelle’s interviews with more than 230 learning leaders created something fresher, contemporary and ready for today. The collaborate has allowed them to test these past insights for a new future.

Laura and Michelle wrote this book for seasoned and aspiring learning leaders. Their approach is rooted in their belief that the real value lies in the process of exploration, rather than in arriving at a definite destination. They draw inspiration from the remarkable journey and wisdom of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, celebrating it’s 50 anniversary in 2025, the year the book was published. The L&D Leader is a new lens on past insights to prepare people for the future.

We are pleased to share a special discount to order your copy: please use KOGANPAGE25 to get 25% off the book
(alongside free shipping to the UK and US)

The Speech Exchange has been part of OEB, the annual global, cross-sector conference and exhibition on digital learning and training since 2011. It’s the digital learning event for HR and L&D: an incredible melting pot of ideas, connections, and perspectives, and Laura Overton has had the joy of hosting it from the start. She has been shaping new ways of doing conferences. Leaning into the wisdom of the crowd, collaborating with contributors and participants, celebrating unique voices.

Since 2021 Laura has collaborated with Jo Cook, Director Lightbulb Moment, to create a hybrid version of the event. They are combining Laura’s experience chairing this event with Jo’s incredible skills and expertise running virtual events, to make this a unique experience for the audience live and online.

The essence of the collaboration is when you come together, trust each other’s skills and let go of pre-conceptions, then something new comes about: new ways of doing conferences, new ways of connecting and engaging your audience.

Online Educa Berlin (OEB), is the only event on digital learning that brings different sectors together to push boundaries and challenge conventions.

Laura has has been a member of the OEB Global Council since 2007 and continues to play a key role in shaping the agenda to provide new ways for the L&D community to think differently about learning impact, workplace learning and shaping the future together.

The 32^nd Annual Global, Cross-Sector Conference and Exhibition on Digital Learning will return to the hotel InterContinental Berlin, 2-4 December 2026.

Since 2022 we’ve been collaborating with inmisceo as a partner on the Business of Training Conference.

It’s an exclusive event specifically designed for directors and senior managers of training companies. Since the inaugural event, we’ve been dedicated to filling this critical gap in the L&D industry.

In 2025 the event focused on ‘Creating Value’ and took place at the Royal Horseguards Hotel in London in October.

Laura Overton hosts this event, as well as creating the programme including the speaker selection.