Human Resource matters for Sheffield Businesses

15th May 2012

Over 90 businesses from the city region descended on the Niagara Conference and Leisure centre in Wadsley Bridge to attend the Human Resources Conference 2012 organised by Sheffield Chamber.

The conference addressed important topics and considerations for businesses looking at the impact and future of pensions and the use of mediation towards conflict resolution with guest speakers Jillion Thomas, Managing Director of Future Life Wealth Management Ltd, and twice winner of the Sheffield Business Awards Woman in Business Award and Start up Business Award in 2010, and Jane Worrell, Senior Employment Relations Advisor at Acas, sharing their knowledge and experience. Senior associate in Irwin Mitchell's Employment Team, Liesel Whitfield, provided a Legal and legislative update and Bridget Strong, Chief Executive for Sheffield MIND, a mental health and support charity, presented issues on Mental Health in the workplace and the importance and promotion of good mental health. Mick Hood, HR Director at TATA Steel, gave an inspirational case study on how to turn company fortunes around using a complete bottom-up approach to HR.  Catherine Evans, HR Manager at Sheffield International Venues provided a case study on physical health and getting the right work-life balance. The conference also featured exhibitors providing services relating to Human Resources.  Rachel Dawson, HR Coordinator at DDC Outsourcing Solutions who attended the conference, said -The exhibitors were all very helpful and informative and had brought along relevant information packs to take away to digest.  Overall, the conference has given me plenty to think about. Alison Tilley, Event Coordinator at Sheffield Chamber said of the event, -The delegate numbers and attendance rate of the conference show that these are important issues which companies are keen to hear more about. Alison added that -Following the success of the HR Conference and also Health and Safety Conference which took place in February, we are keen to continue to host similar events covering topics which are important to our members and will look to design an annual conference programme addressing similar issues. The next Chamber conference is provisionally looking to be hosted in the early autumn and will address the area of, and surrounding, employment.