Exploring the business case for the Real Living Wage
Amid a cost-of-living crisis, ensuring people are paid fairly is more important than ever. And while employers face rising costs elsewhere, the business case for paying the real Living Wage remains strong.
At this special event to mark Living Wage Week 2022, we will consider Greater Manchester’s Living Wage City-Region campaign in the context of the new economic environment.
Business leaders will share what becoming a real Living Wage employer has meant to them. How does paying the real Living Wage benefit staff morale? What is the impact on employee retention? Could paying staff more now help reduce costs long-term?
We’ll hear how Greater Manchester’s Good Employment Charter, a voluntary membership and assessment scheme, is raising work standards for employers and employees. There will also be an opportunity to network and ask questions directly related to your sector.
This event is in collaboration with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the GM Good Employment Charter, the Real Living Wage Foundation and Spark by Bruntwood Works.
Spark is Bruntwood's Business Support programme which focuses on sparking growth, ideas and connections for the businesses in our buildings and cities. Find out more about the programme here.
About the Speakers:
Andy Burnham was elected as Mayor of Greater Manchester in May 2017.
Prior to this Andy was MP for Leigh from 2001. In government, Andy has held Ministerial positions at the Home Office, Department of Health and the Treasury. In 2008 he became Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, before returning to Health as Secretary of State in 2009.
In opposition, Andy has served as Shadow Education Secretary, Shadow Health Secretary and Shadow Home Secretary.
Andy lives in Leigh, Greater Manchester, with his wife and three children. He is a keen supporter of Everton FC.
Jen joined Bruntwood in 2012 and is the People Director across Bruntwood’s group of companies.
Leading the People and Talent teams, Jen works with the board to develop the colleague strategy and organisational culture. She has a particular focus on developing the companies’ diversity and inclusion agenda.
Bruntwood were proud to become members of the Good Employment Charter in late 2019 after being part of the pilot group. Jen is a member of the GEC Programme board, providing oversight on the delivery of the Charter and acting as a champion for good employment, strategically driving the charter forward to deliver the outcomes and benefits for all employers across Greater Manchester.
Jen is also a trustee at Hideout Youth Zone in Gorton which opened in September 2020 as a safe and inspiring place for thousands of young people to spend their leisure time.
Shaun leads the team at Manchester Central in its mission to drive business growth through the development of its three key assets; its experienced team of people, its world-class facilities and its outstanding levels of service. With a focus on innovation as a means to achieve this, Shaun is passionate about maximising opportunities as Manchester cements itself as the UK’s second city and the heart of the Northern Powerhouse.
Prior to joining Manchester Central, Shaun previously led international operations at BridgeStreet Global Hospitality and has more than 25 years’ experience working across hospitality, property and business service sectors. Having held leadership roles across a wide range of business functions, Shaun is in prime position to steer Manchester Central through its next phase of growth.
Gillian is an experienced chair, non-executive director, advisor, and mentor, with a strong track record of supporting purpose-driven organisations that prioritise people and growth. Currently holding a number of NED role, Gillian serves as Chair of Back on Track, a Manchester-based charity, and as a Board Member of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter.
With extensive leadership experience in global retail, Gillian has held pivotal roles within IKEA Group across diverse international markets. She was CEO for IKEA in China, UK & Ireland, and more recently, led IKEA’s global consumer experience. Her career has been defined by a passion for making a meaningful difference to both people and businesses. She is known for driving business growth and sustained profitability by fostering inclusive organisational cultures and transforming business practices.
Gillian’s leadership at IKEA UK led to a significant milestone in 2017 when the company became the first large retailer to achieve accreditation as a Real Living Wage Employer. This achievement highlights her long-term commitment to humanistic values—believing that when employees receive fair compensation and positive working conditions, it not only boosts their well-being but also enhances customer experiences, driving long-term growth and success for the business.
An exiled Scotsman, Ian has spent his career working on environmental and public health issues – and the socioeconomic policies that underpin them – from community to international levels.
Starting his career as an environmental health officer with Carlisle City Council, he has worked in delivery, policy and leadership roles for Edinburgh City Council, the Health and Safety Executive, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, The World Health Organisation (Euro), the UK Public Health Association, Groundwork UK and The Growth Company.
Since March 2019, he has led the development and implementation of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, – an initiative established by the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham in his first term and now a major policy foundation to help address employment related inequalities and build economic and social resilience in his second.
Interested In The Event?
If you’re interested in attending, you can book online here.
