People on the agenda at two North conferences

Dec 6 2007 by Iain Laing, The Journal

WORFORCE development and employment relations are the subject of two conferences in the New Year.

The Business and People 2008 will be presented by senior influencers and thinkers in the field of employment relations and people development.

Dr John McMullen, partner and head of employment law at Watson Burton LLP, and Phil Pluck, regional director of Acas Northern Region, have brought together key leading figures in the world of employee relations to deliver impressive schedules of topics addressing the latest industry thinking.

On February 20 in Leeds, speakers Prof John Purcell, strategic academic adviser for Acas, Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, and Richard Armstrong, head of HR at Syngenta, will examine the changing face of employee representation and gaining increased business performance through employee engagement. And in Newcastle the following week on February 28, Prof Purcell will review the role of line managers in effective people management. Michael Gibbons, of the Better Regulation Commission, will discuss his government-sponsored review of individual dispute resolution, and Christine Borley, HR director at Traidcraft, will outline corporate social responsibility and equality.

Both days will followed by an afternoon of workshops led and facilitated by employment experts from both Acas and Watson Burton LLP, designed specifically to provide delegates with the most up-to-date knowledge and legislative practice. To attend, you can book online at www.watsonburton.com and select the events section; email Anthony Walker events@watsonburton.com to request a booking form; or call Anthony Walker on 0113 235-5496.