Good Employment Charter leadership series: Leadership That Supports Growth and Change (Salford)
As businesses grow and evolve, leadership needs to adapt to new challenges and opportunities. This session focuses on how to lead effectively through change, maintain team engagement, and build a culture that supports performance and accountability.
We will explore practical approaches to communication, performance management, and development, helping you create an environment where your team can perform at their best. Whether you are managing a growing team, navigating change, or looking to strengthen your leadership impact, you will leave with clear, actionable ideas to drive both people and business forward.
About the Speakers:
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.
Gillian Drakeford MBE is an experienced chair, non executive director and advisor with a strong track record of leading organisations through cultural transformation and purpose led growth. She currently serves as Chair of Back on Track and holds NED roles with One Manchester Housing and the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, alongside her work as an executive coach and mentor.
With more than 30 years in global retail, Gillian held senior international leadership roles across Hong Kong, China and the UK, including CEO for IKEA China and CEO for IKEA UK & Ireland. She later led IKEA’s global consumer experience, shaping inclusive cultures, strengthening e commerce capability and driving customer centric innovation across diverse markets.
Gillian has been a key contributor to the business transformation of IKEA — one of the world’s most recognisable heritage retail brands — helping evolve its omnichannel retail system and modernise the customer experience while protecting the values at the heart of the brand. She now brings this blend of global retail expertise, cultural stewardship and strategic clarity to boards and leadership teams committed to building organisations where people and performance thrive together.
Neal has spent his career working to build the effectiveness of people and the organisations they are part of; first as an HR Director and later as a Learning and OD Consultant. Neal has worked in large organisations in in sectors ranging from Pharmaceuticals to FMCG , Chemicals and Higher Education. He has also served as a Non-Executive Director in the NHS and with a regional orchestra. Neal is an accredited user with multiple psychometric tools including StrengthScope, MBTI, Wave, and Extended DISC. Neal is an accredited practitioner with the International Coaching Federation (ICF ACC), and is qualified to use the Three Brains Coaching model.
Dr Ann Mulhaney is the Associate Professor for Change Management at the Salford Business School’s Centre for Sustainable Innovation. Ann has both an academic and industry background, working with small and large businesses across the region.
As change management lead for the Centre for Sustainable Innovation, Ann delivers Salford Business School’s Help to Grow: Management course, supporting business leaders to develop strategies for sustainable growth and organisational development. She also works closely with organisations across a range of sectors to strengthen leadership capability, improve operational resilience and embed effective change practices.
Ann has led the design and delivery of business improvement, leadership development and innovation programmes that enable organisations to apply learning directly to real-world challenges.
Interested In The Event?
If you’re interested in attending, you can book online here.
For any further enquires about this event, contact [email protected]
