Leading The Workplace and Workforce Evolution

Book your ticket for our upcoming event 'Leading The Workplace and Workforce Evolution' for leaders, managers and HR/people professionals, exploring the key leadership challenges that face organisations today.

An event in association with the North East Chamber of Commerce and in media partnership with NE Times.

Event Overview:

Both the workplace and workforce are undergoing seismic shifts. Today’s leaders are seeking to navigate rapid technological innovation, conflicting views on hybrid and flexible working, disparate expectations amongst an age diverse workforce, talent attraction and retention challenges, and an increasing focus on corporate values, individual wellbeing and equitable opportunities for all.

At this event, we’ll explore the issues presented by our constantly changing business environment. Our speakers and panellists will discuss some of the biggest leadership challenges facing organisations today. And we’ll consider the values and skills that are critical for managers, leaders and businesses to thrive.

Speakers and Panellists:

Joeli Brearley MBE

Joeli Brearley MBE is a prominent British activist, author, and public speaker, best known as the founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, a charity dedicated to addressing workplace discrimination and the motherhood penalty. Her work has inspired changes at both societal and legislative levels. She is credited with influencing the recent £5.2 billion investment in childcare, as well changing laws on flexible working, tribunal time limits, and redundancy protections. In 2021 she took the Government to court for indirect sex discrimination and won her claim. Joeli spearheaded the biggest protest of mothers the UK has ever seen - March of the Mummies saw 15,000 parents march across 10 UK cities garnering nationwide attention for demanding workplace equality and better policies for parents.

Joeli was listed among British Vogue’s “25 Most Influential Women,’’ was PR week’s 8th most prominent British communicator in 2023, and the New Statesman listed her on their left power list. Her book, Pregnant Then Screwed: The Truth About the Motherhood Penalty, has been lauded for its candid exploration of these issues and for empowering women to fight back against discrimination. Joeli remains a tireless advocate for creating a fairer and more inclusive workplace for women everywhere.

John McCabe, Chief Executive, North East Chamber of Commerce

John is chief executive at the North East Chamber of Commerce, business and economy board chair at North East Combined Authority, honorary professor at Teesside University and development committee member at The King’s Trust North East.

John started his career in PR with Northumbrian Water before moving to communications roles with Transco and Newcastle Building Society. After these positions he became Alcan’s corporate affairs director where he led on government affairs in the UK and Europe. John subsequently established his own business with the launch of Fusion PR Creative and went on to oversee its growth and diversification as well as its work with a substantial client list of major public and private sector organisations. John sold Fusion prior to joining the North East Chamber of Commerce as CEO in October 2022.

Dr Helen Charlton, Associate Professor and Head of Executive Education, Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University

Helen is an Associate Professor and Head of Executive Education for the Business School. Helen’s remit includes all business apprenticeships, executive CPD programmes, and distance learning programmes. 

Helen's teaching focusses on practice related HRM at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She has taught within HRM-related programmes in FE and HE for over a decade and has specialised in the development of students’ academic and employability skills. Helen’s professional practice was in senior HR management in the not-for-profit and arts sectors. 

Helen holds a Doctorate in Education and a Masters in Human Resource Management.  She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development, and a Chartered Manager and Fellow of CMI. Helen co-convenes the University Vocational Awards Council's Higher Education Tripartite Professionals network.

Agenda