The Pulse

10 Jun 2026

Is AI the answer to the future of work or are we asking the wrong question?

Dr Nicola J Millard reflects on long-standing debates about the future of work and why many technology-led predictions continue to fall short. Drawing on history, psychology and current discussions around AI, the article explores why challenges such as engagement, critical thinking and work design remain fundamentally human. It considers how organisations can move beyond efficiency gains to design work that supports better thinking, creativity and sustainable performance.

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10 Jun 2026

What the HSE’s renewed focus on stress at work really means for employers

Work-related stress is no longer just a wellbeing issue, it is firmly a health and safety risk, and the HSE is treating it that way. This article explains what the regulator’s renewed focus means in practice, including what “good enough” now looks like and why policies alone won’t protect organisations. It sets out practical, preventative steps HR leaders can take to evidence effective controls and reduce enforcement risk.

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10 Jun 2026

Human Intelligence in an AI World – the moment HR & OD have been waiting for

AI promises unprecedented efficiency, but it also raises a critical leadership challenge. In this thought-provoking article, Juliette Alban-Metcalfe explains why advances in AI create the strongest business case yet for human-centred leadership, culture and change readiness. For HR and OD professionals, this is not a threat but a long-awaited opportunity to drive meaningful, strategic change.

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30 Apr 2026

West Midlands Employers celebrates multiple national award wins for its resourcing services

West Midlands Employers is celebrating national recognition for its public sector resourcing services, with award success for both WMJobs and its WMTalent Acquisition Service. The achievements highlight WME’s not-for-profit, partnership-led approach to recruitment, supporting organisations to attract talent, improve candidate experience and build sustainable workforce pipelines.

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10 Feb 2026

Growing finance talent through apprenticeships at West Midlands Employers

West Midlands Employers is strengthening public sector careers through a finance apprenticeship supporting early career finance talent. New apprentice Ajmer Sidhu is gaining hands-on finance experience while studying for an AAT Level 2 qualification, demonstrating how apprenticeships build practical skills, professional confidence and long-term career pathways.

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05 Dec 2025

West Midlands Employers lead the way on practical AI with new Festival of AI in Practice

West Midlands Employers (WME) has launched the Festival of AI in Practice, a free virtual week (26–30 January 2026) to help councils understand and lead with AI. The programme features keynotes speakers, case studies and sessions showcasing real AI use across the region. Open to all WME shareholder council staff, the festival will demystify AI, explore ethics and governance, and show how technology is improving services such as social care and customer experience.

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09 Jun 2026

PS IHEART You: Balancing AI and trust in senior recruitment

Rebecca Davis, Chief Executive of West Midlands Employers, is joined by Steve, Director of Recruitment and Delivery at Solace in Business, and Jess Mullinger, Executive Director of Sector Support at Solace in Business. Together they explore how AI is shaping executive recruitment in local government, where it can improve efficiency and widen talent pools, and where risks around bias, authenticity and public trust remain. They also discuss pressures in the senior recruitment market and why succession planning, talent pipelines and human judgement continue to be central to effective public sector leadership.

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02 Jun 2026

PS IHEART You: From apprenticeship to career in local government

In this episode of the Public Sector I Heart You podcast, Chloe Herrmman is joined by Daisy Killian from Warwick District Council, Aman Sandhu from City of Wolverhampton Council, and Will Oldham from the Local Government Association to explore how apprenticeships can open the door to long-term careers in local government. They share real early-career journeys alongside national insight into recruitment and retention, highlighting progression opportunities and the importance of raising awareness of apprenticeships for young people.

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12 May 2026

PS IHEART You Unplugged: English Regions Collaborative: Leading through complexity and change

In the final episode of the Regional Employers Collective PS I HEART You podcast series, Rebecca Davis is joined by Gillian Bishop, Stuart Young and Kelly-Anne Phillips to explore what it means to lead organisations across the English Regions Collaborative. The discussion highlights the opportunities and challenges of working at a regional level, from collaboration and influence to agility, responsiveness and capacity. It also reflects on the importance of trust, relationships and shared values in supporting councils and leading effectively through complexity and change.

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15 Apr 2026

Resourcing through reform: Keeping services stable while rebuilding the workforce

In this article, Graham Bradley, (MCIPD), explores what it takes for resourcing leaders to keep services stable and capability growing through Local Government Reorganisation. LGR is a public, time bound workforce transition, often under financial constraint and rising demand. This paper distils ten resourcing considerations to help leaders balance internal mobility and targeted recruitment, align to programme dependencies, and manage risk as the new authority takes shape.

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31 Jan 2025

WMJobs Fair 2025 Attendee Interviews

Watch the WMJobs fair highlights for 2025 and the attendee interviews.

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25 Nov 2024

'I Am Not A Robot' Coaching and Mentoring conference 2024

Discover how the 'I Am Not A Robot' Coaching and Mentoring Conference by West Midlands Employers explored the balance between human intuition and digital tools.

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