
Time | Session information | Speakers | Add to calendar |
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09:00 | Conference Registration Hangout/ Networking/ Drop in HR Team meeting/ Reflection/ Plan |
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09:30 - 10:30 |
Conference Opening & Plenary 1 - The power of 7 Martine Wright is a survivor of the never to be forgotten day in 2005 when terror hit the streets of London. As 52 people lost their lives in a series of attacks across London, she was the last survivor pulled from the train in Aldgate, losing her legs, and very nearly her life. The events of 7/7 are one bookend of her life in which her remarkable fight for recovery and rehabilitation culminated in becoming a Team GB Paralympian, appearing at London 2012. In tribute to those that died that day, Martine chose to wear the number 7 team shirt and will share with you how she developed and adopted her mantra of the ‘Power of 7’ to provide resilience, positivity, structure and new purpose into her much-changed world. Her compelling story of survival to sporting success and her easy and refreshingly honest approach will provide inspiration and clear key messages to all who take part in Martine’s presentation. |
Martine Wright MBE, 7/7 survivor, Paralympic Athlete, Inspirational and Motivational Speaker | ![]() |
Time | Session information | Speakers | Add to calendar |
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10:30 - 11:15 |
A1: Responding to staff on student sexual misconduct cases The workshop is aimed at:
The workshop will start with a presentation on the recommendations of the guidance and then open up to questions on putting this into practice. |
Margaret Ayers, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, Canterbury Christ Church University Fiona Waye, Policy Manager, Universities UK |
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10:30 - 11:15 |
A2: Our journey to enabling a progressive, compassionate, and responsible culture during uncertain times Through the Colleagues, Culture and Inclusion project the University of Westminster HR Team developed and delivered a series of connected strategies, initiatives and activities placing Wellbeing and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the heart of our university. The project was initiated following an extremely challenging time with major restructuring and voluntary redundancies leading to extremely low levels of engagement and trust amongst colleagues. The project was developed collaboratively maximising the essential balance between; senior buy in, support and leadership through our Vice Chancellor and President, Peter Bonfield; sustainable engagement built over the long term through our colleague networks; measured impact, development and improvement, internally through regular engagement activities, externally through the UN Sustainable Development Goals framework and Impact Submission and most importantly the professional expertise and resilience of the HR Team in partnership with Everyday Juice Limited, the Juice platform provided the visible, clear and engaging brand for all activity and the opportunity to develop a distinct and diverse offer unique to Westminster but adaptable to other organisations. The beauty of the project is that this work is a constantly evolving learning experience for individuals, teams and the university. The work may have no end but therefore neither do the possibilities enabling us to change, innovate and continually improve the lived experience of all colleagues, students and partners of the University of Westminster. |
Duncan Barratt, HR Director, University of Westminster Andy Norris, Head of Culture and Inclusion, University of Westminster Gary Butterfield, Co-founder and Executive Director, Everyday Juice Limited |
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10:30 - 11:15 | A3: Springing back: fuelling change with energy from resistance We know that the volume of change encountered by universities is increasing. While accepting that change must be embraced to remain relevant and take advantage of new opportunities, however, resistance often makes it difficult to respond to change in a timely and efficient way. How do we deal with internal resistance to change amongst our colleagues and stakeholders? Is resistance to change merely an obstacle to be overcome or should it be valued as providing much needed balance? Could resistance become a source of new ideas and better ways of working? This session examines how resistance can be understood as a necessary - even positive - force in change. Drawing on the lessons learnt from recent engagements with HEIs, we will take participants through practical and interactive exercises designed to help identify and understand resistance in its varied forms and convert the energy from resistance into a fuel for change. |
Sarah Willcox, Director, Fairisle - Consulting for Change Philip Ratcliff, Consultant, Fairisle - Consulting for Change Jane Drysdale, Executive Director of People and Culture, WWF UK |
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10:30 - 11:15 | A4: What makes a ‘best place to work’? How to grow a multi-generational workforce, retain staff and develop career paths in an increasingly competitive industry How to grow a multi-generational workforce, retain staff and develop career paths in an increasingly competitive industry - on the back of a global pandemic. |
Richard Doherty, Senior Director of Product Marketing, Workday Andy Rossington, Account Executive, Higher Education, Workday |
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10:30 - 11:15 | A5: Fixing Meetings We are on a mission to change the way the world thinks about meetings. We want to break the cycle of your calendar being booked back to back. We want to create a culture where no one has to sit in a boring or unproductive meeting again. |
Hayley Watts, Productivity Ninja, Think Productive UK | ![]() |
11:15 - 11:45 | Refreshment Break Networking & Exhibition |
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11:45 - 12:30 | B1: The Imposter Phenomenon – how it differs from self-doubt and how to overcome it An exploration of the imposter phenomenon, often erroneously termed 'imposter syndrome' and confused with self-doubt. This session will cover what it is, and isn't, and provide some tips to help overcome the imposter chatter. |
Kate Atkin MSc, Speaker, Facilitator and Researcher | ![]() |
11:45 - 12:30 |
B2: Leveraging the latest digital technology to improve Employee Experience In this session, we take a closer look at why employee experience plays a critical role in driving organisational success. We will discuss new digital HR capabilities that enable universities to attract, develop, motivate, manage and engage their talent, and then take a deeper dive into what ROI you can expect from an HR transformation project.
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Nick Gibson, Industry Sales Director at NTT DATA Business Solutions Kulan Kandasamy, Solution Director HXM at NTT DATA Business Solutions |
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11:45 - 12:30 |
B3: Designing and launching a highly-impactful Women’s Network during Covid-19 and Lockdown. Sharing key highlights and good practice Designing and launching a highly-impactful Women’s Network during Covid-19 and Lockdown. Sharing key highlights and good practice |
Adèle MacKinlay, Director of People. Organisational Development and EDI, Loughborough University Dr Jenna Townend, Research Policy and Researcher Development Manager, Loughborough University |
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11:45 - 12:30 |
B4: Digital Recruitment – Improving Diversity and EVP A session looking at cutting edge recruitment advertising. Social media and programmatic are the way forward to get experienced candidates to join your institution. We’ll explore real-life case studies and speak with experts to demonstrate how digital can improve your diversity, your employer reputation and talent pools.
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Tristan Moakes, Strategy Director, Penna Christopher Kenna, CEO and Founder of Brand Advance Group |
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11:45 - 12:30 |
B5: Leadership Lessons of Covid: Wellbeing Workload and new Working Practices Ewart Wooldridge gives key findings of his HE sector survey on the change management and HR challenges of leading the transition out of Covid
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Ewart Wooldridge CBE, Consulting Fellow, The Halpin Partnership | ![]() |
Time | Session information | Speakers | Add to calendar |
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12:30 - 13:30 | Lunch Break Networking & Exhibition |
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13:30 - 14:30 | Plenary 2 - How can we find meaning in times of crisis? A recent survey found that 41% of people are considering switching jobs post-pandemic in an effort to find work with more meaning. Faced with all the uncertainties of the past year, many of us are questioning not just how we work and where we work, but also what work we do, and how that work fits with our deeper values and aspirations. HR professionals in higher education are especially challenged by the current crisis, since they not only work in a sector that has been through a complete upheaval in ways of working, but are also in the profession that has been placed at the very forefront of handling the crisis. As we begin to re-emerge into the new working world post-COVID, how can HR professionals find and retain their own sense of meaning and purpose, while helping academics and professional services staff in higher education institutions do the same? In this talk, I identify four pathways to a sense of meaningfulness in the work we do, and five ways we can encourage a culture of meaning through our organizations. |
Katie Bailey FAcSS FHEA AcFCIPD FRSA, Professor of Work & Employment, Head of HRM & Employment Relations Group | ![]() |
14:30 - 15:00 | Exhibition Meet our conference supporters and visit the exhibition stands |
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15:00 - 16:00 | Legal Session 1: EDI issues in HE: a fresh focus and new challenges While the COVID pandemic has dominated the past year, the EDI agenda within HE has continued to evolve. The pandemic itself exposed racial and ethnic inequalities and the Black Lives Matter movement has underlined the urgent need to tackle these inequality and injustice at work and in society. Sexual misconduct and violence continues to be a key area of challenge for the sector and the OfS is poised to introduce new governance and regulatory requirements in this area and in respect of all forms of harassment. Government interventions in relation to academic freedom and freedom of speech on campus carry the potential to create flashpoints in the interface between rights to free expression and protections against discrimination, harassment and hate speech. Our interactive session will consider this evolving EDI agenda for HE, including issues such as: • the key regulatory and governance changes and what HEIs should be doing in response to these • the implications of the OfS consultation on harassment and the key changes HEIs should be considering • insights from inside and outside the HE sector for advancing race and ethnicity equality and inclusion • managing the potential conflicts between freedom of speech and equality, dignity and respect. |
Diane Gilhooley, Global Head of Employment, Labour, Pensions and Education, Eversheds Sutherland LLP Robert Gray, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland LLP Siân Jones-Davies, Senior Associate, Eversheds Sutherland LLP Naeema Choudry, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland LLP Helen Mortlock, Legal Director, Eversheds Sutherland LLP |
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15:00 - 16:00 | Legal Session 2: Managing Global Mobility This session will consider global mobility issues facing the HE sector. The implementation of a new post-Brexit immigration system, coupled with the rise of global remote working, mean that managing global mobility compliance has never been more challenging. This session will be practical in focus and will cover the following: • Latest developments relating to the new post-Brexit immigration system as they affect the HE sector • How to make effective use of the Frontier Worker Permit and Global Talent visa for academic and research roles • How to manage compliance issues relating to staff employed and based abroad • Horizon scanning on mobility issues and the future world of work This session will be of value to all HR professionals involved in managing staff mobility compliance or planning for the post pandemic world of work. All Mills & Reeve speakers are senior members of our specialist employment education team. Alex is also an immigration specialist. |
Alex Russell, Partner, Mills & Reeve LLP |
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15:00 - 16:00 | Legal Session 3: New modern workplaces – any time, any place, anywhere? The Understanding Society Covid-19 Study, carried out by academics at Cardiff University and the University of Southampton, suggest that 88% of employees who worked at home during lockdown would like to continue working at home in some capacity, with around one in two (47%) employees wanting to work at home often or all of the time. This highly interactive session will explore the key considerations for HR when an employee wants to change their permanent place of work to: home; a geographically remote home in the UK; a home abroad. A rolling case study will be used to highlight the issues [including international aspects] that need to be considered when developing a location strategy. Using poll voting and discussion groups participants will have the opportunity to share ideas on the impact this change can have on the individual and those who manage them. At the end of this session participants will be provided with a checklist of key considerations relating to, for example, contractual terms, finance, immigration, performance management and well-being. |
Trish Embley, Head of Client Training, Employment, Pinsent Masons Rebecca Stephen, Legal Director, Employment, Pinsent Masons |
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15:00 - 16:00 | Legal Session 4 - Whistleblowing: Understanding and managing whistleblowing concerns: a legal update for universities A legal overview and practical guidance on the key issues which arise in relation to this important legal area. The rights and protections around protected disclosures are particularly resonant in the higher education sector, with complex intersecting legal principles around academic freedom of expression, confidentiality and employee relations. Our presentation will include: • Legal framework • Employment tribunal claims • Current whistleblowing issues including discrimination, harassment and Covid/health & safety related disclosures • Creating a positive culture for dealing with whistleblowing issues in the workplace |
Ashley Norman, Partner, Employment Law, Bevan Brittan LLP Rachel Newman, Associate, Bevan Brittan LLP |
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Time | Session information | Speakers | Add to calendar |
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16:00 - 17:00 | Reflection & Planning Time - personal, HR Team | ![]() |
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17:00 | Interactive Social Quiz (sponsored by Pinsent Masons) | ![]() |
Please note that the session titles and speakers are subject to change.