Revaluing Soft Skills: Why they are critical to the success of your people and business
Machines are replacing human jobs and not necessarily just in low-skill jobs. In certain cases machines have been as able or better than accountants, receptionists and surgeons.
It's likely that future technological developments will replace more jobs, so it has become even more crucial now than ever to develop your "soft skills". Join us on 12th September as we discuss why soft skills are critical for the future workplace, and why in reality they are anything but 'soft'. These skills are critical for success, and should be regarded as core skills.
About the Speakers:
Laura McGowan holds the position of Group Head of People at MediaCom North with responsibility for approximately 500 staff across 5 offices. With 18 years of HR experience gained across a variety of sectors, Laura heads up the People team who are responsible for delivering on all employee related activity as well as driving initiatives relating to Diversity and Inclusion, Wellbeing, Mental Health and Future Talent. The focus that MediaCom North have put on D&I activity, in particular around Neurodiversity, has been award winning so far with the business having been awarded the “British Dyslexia Association Organisation Award 2018” for the recognition and adjustments made to embrace a diverse workforce both currently and into the future. Outside of work, Laura is a keen traveller, reader and enjoys watching sport – particularly if the mighty Leicester City are playing!
Angela is a highly skilled, inspiring and innovative digital leader, with an unwavering dedication to customer and human focused design and change within organisations. Angela has rare experience, in that she has been involved in digital change and transformation end to end within a business – not just front end.
As well as leading the consultancy side of This is Milk, Angela is the vision behind the now BIMA award winning Digital Transformation Programme. From problem to solution in under 6 months, this programme works globally to improve skills in facilitation roles, future proofing jobs and tackling industry wide problems with speed & innovation.
A lawyer who has a passion for people and business, who is well embedded in the Manchester business community . Alison is based in the City Centre where she is a consultant with the commercial legal firm Lockett Loveday McMahon Solicitors, and she also has her own business advisory company.
Alison is a champion of equality in the workplace, recognising the importance of diversity, inclusion and promoting health and well-being at work. This is not in response to ‘the latest trend’ but is something she has done throughout her thirty plus year career. In addition, she is keen to support the future generation – promoting links between the workplace and schools /colleges/ and our universities and working with various Mentoring programs.
Alison is a keen supporter of North West Business Community, being a Director of pro-manchester, and Co-Chair of the pro-manchester Skills Committee. She is also an Ambassador for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity (which raises money for and promotes awareness of the experience of homelessness) ,supporter of the Booth Centre for the Homeless, the Smart Works Charity and is a Trustee for the Wise Owl Trust.
Alison is a member of the Northern Power Woman Power List, and the Women of the Year Awards. She regularly provides comment to the media- National press, radio and television.
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.
Following an early career in the creative industries, Sam has spent the last decade and a half in student-centric leadership positions within a range of higher UK education institutions. As Pro Vice Chancellor for Student Experience at the University of Salford, Sam holds academic oversight for quality and standards of the taught portfolio, Executive responsibility for the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Centre within the university and Executive responsibility for developing the learning philosophy underpinning the student journey. These responsibilities focus upon enabling student success in the context of performance against student quality metrics to ensure value for money.
Sam also led on the university’s academic response to COVID-19. He has ensured teaching and learning practices have adapted towards delivery of excellent student outcomes, and that institutional practices are reimagined to learn from the pandemic as we tilt towards positive and lasting change.
Alongside work at Salford, Sam continues to work in leadership and thought leadership nationally and internationally, building on a range of external engagements and board experiences.
Sam is Co-Chair of the pro-manchester Skills Committee.
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]
