Thought Leadership
16 Sep 2026
Why Equality, Diversion & Inclusion starts with recruitment: Building inclusion before day one
Graham Bradley explores how inclusive recruitment supports Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) by removing barriers, reducing bias and widening access to public sector careers. The article highlights practical approaches, including inclusive job design, structured interviews and data-driven decision-making, to help organisations attract broader talent pools and build workforces that better reflect the communities they serve.
16 Sep 2026
The hardest part of moving forward? Knowing what to leave behind
Moving forward isn’t always about embracing the next change. Sometimes it starts with deciding what to leave behind. Michelle O’Neill explores the idea of the pivot: the point where we let go, reframe what’s in front of us and find a different direction. For people, that means finding balance when things move. For organisations, it means creating the space to question old assumptions and make better choices about what comes next.
16 Sep 2026
Stronger communities start with stronger connections
Rebecca Davis reflects on the first West Midlands Community Cohesion Summit, highlighting how trusted relationships, shared learning and practical support can help public sector colleagues respond confidently to complex community challenges. She explores the importance of addressing misinformation, building trust before issues arise and finding common ground, while emphasising that stronger communities depend on continued collaboration and a resilient workforce.
15 Jul 2026
The broken middle: Why public sector recruitment is getting harder, not easier
Recruitment in the public sector is changing. While application volumes are increasing, many organisations are still struggling to make appointments, retain new starters and address ongoing skills shortages. In this article, Chloe Herrmann explores why the recruitment challenge has shifted from attracting candidates to assessing capability, improving conversion and building long-term workforce resilience. She examines the impact of AI-assisted applications, early attrition, workforce planning and local government reorganisation, and explains why recruitment success now depends on what happens between application and appointment.
15 Jul 2026
Inclusive leadership in a world of permacrisis
In today's world of constant disruption, leadership is more challenging than ever. In this article, Shakil Butt, HR Associate at WME, explores why inclusive leadership has become a business imperative. He examines how diverse thinking, psychological safety and the confidence to have difficult inclusive conversations enable organisations to navigate complexity, move beyond echo chambers and build cultures where people feel valued, heard and empowered to contribute their very best.
15 Jul 2026
The new unfair dismissal landscape: Rethinking probationary periods
The forthcoming changes to unfair dismissal rights are prompting many organisations to rethink how they manage probationary periods. Lorna Wells explores whether the real issue is probation itself, or the need for stronger people management from day one. She considers the implications for HR professionals, recruitment, onboarding and employee development, arguing that continuous support and fair performance management create better outcomes for both employees and organisations.
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.
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.
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.