2025 Acas Conference: Resetting employment relations:building healthy workplaces for economic growth
Training Session
2025 will be a critical year for UK employment relations: the Government’s Make Work Pay agenda commits to enhancing workers’ rights, while focusing on economic growth; we are facing significant societal, organisational and role changes from the introduction of new technologies, including AI and green energy; and seeing a generational shift in approaches to work and working patterns.Business Need
All this offers benefit and opportunity, but also risks workplace conflict – which costs the economy tens of billions of pounds each year.This conference brings together the leading thinkers on the economy and the world of work to examine the drivers of conflict; how we can prevent, manage, and resolve it; and look at how we can depolarise the debate.
Throughout the day, we will be making space for collaboration, networking and debate, so you can hear and be involved in the wider conversation and help influence and form decisions.
Training Suitable for
- senior stakeholders
- policy makers
- social partners,
- think tanks/ institutes
- commentators
- academics
- and employers (C-suite and D-Suite) – People, Finance, Strategy.
Session Outline
The day will be divided into three parts with different sessions:
Part I: Preventing conflict – for healthier happier workforces
Panel discussion: Healthier, more productive workplaces – what’s the new frontier?
We’ve long known that treating employees well improves company performance, but given that national productivity and growth are currently stalled – what are the big ideas to enable growth, productivity and overall quality of employee relations?
Panel:
- Chair: Clare Chapman, Chair, Acas
- Sir Edward Braham, Chair, M&G plc
- Prof Alex Edmans, London Business School
- Nita Clarke OBE, Director, Involvement and Participation Association
- Will Pomroy, Director, Impact Engagement & Sustainability, Federated Hermes Limited
Debate: Changing workplaces – future world of work
AI offers ways to enhance work and improve the workplace experience. But fear surrounds change. Two leading thinkers will go head-to-head on a range of provocations, including how to change your business model fairly; having the confidence to test and try new things; and the types of new roles and opportunities AI could create. The audience will be invited to participate.
Speakers:
- Chair: Maryam Moshiri, BBC
- Mike Clancy, General Secretary, Prospect Union
- Anna Thomas MBE, Founding Co-Director, Institute for the Future of Work (FOW)
Breakout sessions:
Networking opportunities to deep-dive into key challenges in workplaces and share knowledge, expertise, learn new skills and build relationships.
1. Is empowering and upskilling line managers the panacea to productive workplaces?
Speakers:
- Prof Richard Saundry, Principal Research Fellow, University of Westminster
- Deborah Rees, HR Manager, LSN Diffusion (manufacturing SME based in Wales)
- Ian Cass, Managing Director, Forum of Private Business
- Terry Duffy, Strategic Growth Partnership Lead, Acas
2. The mental health epidemic and what can be done
Speakers:
- Samantha Downie, Managing Director, Mates in Mind
- Jodie Hill, Founder and Managing Partner, Thrive Law
- Liz Rajasingam, Senior Business Adviser, Acas
3. Peer-to-peer networking and one to one ‘surgeries’ with Acas experts
Acas Speakers:
- Stewart Gee, Head of Inclusive Dispute Resolution
- Marina Glasgow, Chief Conciliator
- Paul Gronow, Senior Business Adviser
- Louise Ramsey, Senior Business Adviser
- Paul Roberts, Senior Business Adviser
- Sam Turner, Senior Business Adviser
Part II: Managing Conflict
Panel discussion: Addressing economic inactivity – scale of the challenge and high impact solutions
In 2024, the ONS estimated that nearly 22% of the working age population was economically inactive – with causes ranging from long-term sickness, to caring responsibilities, to neurodiverse needs which can’t adapt to inflexible workplace practices. This is impacting individuals as well as fiscal policy. There are conflicting ideas on how to address this challenge – with some employers taking a harder line on workplace participation, and others testing greater flexibility.
The panel will unpack the challenges and solutions being offered in different sectors, look at the data and seek creative solutions.
Panel:
- Dan Ellis, Interim Chief Executive, Acas
- Stephen Phipson CBE, Chief Executive, Make UK
- Clare McNeil, Timewise
- Sir Charlie Mayfield, Head of the Keep Britain Working Review (independent Government panel) and former Chair of John Lewis Partnership
Part III: Resolving Conflict
Debate: Depolarising the debate – growing the economy while improving jobs and living standards
The challenges and opportunities of introducing the Make Work Pay Agenda at the same time as improving productivity and growing the economy. The panel will explore the potential for positive creative solutions and make the case for a social partnership between employers, trade unions and the public sector.
Speakers:
- Chair: Marina Glasgow, Chief Conciliator, Acas
- Paul Nowak, General Secretary, Trade Union Congress
- Rupert Soames OBE, Chair, Confederation of British Industry
Discussion: Thinking differently about conflict
Taking the lesson from critical areas of conflict and exploring how these can help us rebuild respect and trust in the workplace.
Speakers:
- Chair: Maryam Moshiri, BBC
- Nicky Perfect, Hostage Negotiator
- Anjula Mutanda, President of Relate, Accredited Practitioner, Broadcast Media Consultant