Conference addresses HR challenges facing business in South West
The Future of HR Conference brought together practitioners, undergraduate and postgraduate students in June 2017.
More than 100 delegates from across the South West attended a conference at the University of Plymouth exploring some of the HR challenges facing business leaders now and in the future presenting an exemplar of how research and business can together produce innovative practice.
The Future of HR Conference was organised by the HR and Leadership group at Plymouth Business School and the iSPER People Organisations and Work research group in conjunction with Devon and Cornwall branch of the CIPD.
It brought together business owners and managers, alongside current undergraduate and postgraduate students, and focused on the strategic role of the HR function in creating a fair workplace, improving working lives and harnessing the discretionary effort of employees.
The day-long conference included keynotes from Peter Cheese, CEO of the CIPD, and Professor Tony Dundon of Manchester Business School.
Professor Richard Saundry and Dr Sue Kinsey, from the People Organisations and Work group within the University’s Institute of Social, Policy and Enterprise Research, presented early findings from a recent ACAS-sponsored research project on the role of HR in the management of conflict at work.
Other guest speakers included Tony Cooper, director of ACAS South West, Michael Rabone, Head of Human Resources at The Rick Stein Group, and Eve Skuse, Head of Human Resources at Burts Potato Chips Limited.
Dr Kinsey said:
“The day provided a vital opportunity for researchers and HR practitioners to come together and discuss what the profession stands for, and how the HR function can ensure it makes a meaningful contribution in organisations. As one of our delegates commented, it’s rare to have such a rich and engaging panel of speakers in the South West.”