In a year where the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic have continued to test the resilience of business, British industry has resoundingly risen to the challenge. Our latest leadership roundup pays tribute to our incredible businesses, organisations and people, looking back at the top five most read Leaders Council members’ news stories in the year 2021 and shining a light on their trials, tribulations and successes, as well as some of the major questions many have been asking.
1. Global Tunnelling Experts boss responds to White Paper on UK workforce
Back in January, the government published its Skills for Jobs White Paper, setting out reforms to post-16 technical education and training which were to help people develop the skills they need to get good jobs and improve national productivity.
Responding to the White Paper, Global Tunnelling Experts UK Ltd managing director, Kevin Browning, called upon ministers to recognise the value of hands-on experience as well as that of written qualifications and suggested that the government consider introducing accreditation through proven past experience to boost the UK workforce with more skilled people.
2. Leith Group called in to help save Manchester's green belt
Back in December of 2020, the Leith Group, a town and country planning consultancy involved in construction, investment and property management, were hired by one of the largest action groups in the UK to help continue the fight to save Green Belt land across Greater Manchester.
3. Payroll professionals recognised as unsung heroes of the pandemic
From the start of the 2020-21 tax year, payroll professionals were forced to contend with the ever-changing nature of the government’s coronavirus support measures.
Before the pandemic, payroll processing seemed a thankless task. When one’s monthly salary arrived promptly in their back account on time, accurately and with a minimum of fuss, it was easy to give minimal thought to the process around how this was done or the people responsible for making it happen.
However, more than ever before, the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals [CIPP] believes that the value of payroll specialists is being properly recognised, thanks to how they have gone above and beyond during the pandemic to keep the country paid.
4. "All Zoomed out: the rise of the group video call and why I hate it"
In this article, Ross Hindle, former content director at The Leaders Council and current managing editor of global coffee industry publication, Perfect Daily Grind, explores the “virtual meeting”.
While Zoom, Microsoft Teams and other apps may have kept us all connected during the Covid lockdowns with virtual meetings when face-to-face contact was legally prohibited, “video call fatigue” became a very real issue for many of us, especially for the more camera-shy. It is this issue which Hindle delves into in great depth, from a very personal, honest and eye-opening perspective.
5. Bellfield Junior School headteacher calls for plan that puts children's needs first
Writing for the Leaders Council, Bellfield Junior School headteacher Nigel Attwood highlighted some of the many problems that the pandemic has forced upon the education sector and society at large, urging the government to show robust leadership for all to help guide the country to a more prosperous future.
Attwood shares his perspective that the pandemic has exposed a disconnect between ministerial understanding of what happens in schools, and the reality on the ground, and why a plan for education that puts the needs of pupils above all else, is necessary for the future.
Photo by Jehyun Sung on Unsplash
