Event Type : Sector-focused Roundtable Event

Navigating the Multi-Generational Workforce – Adapting to the Future of Work

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, understanding and addressing the unique challenges and opportunities presented by a multi-generational workforce is crucial for success.

In the next few years, we will have 6 generations in the workplace. This will lead to challenges in the differences in communication styles, general work practices, collaboration and expectations from employers.

For this Business Leaders Forum, the second of this year, we are inviting Inspire, Lead and Business Alliance members to join us at this roundtable event to discuss how we can effectively manage this challenge.

Hear from the following from business leaders –

Natasha Johnson, Director, Organic P&O Solutions

Dr. Lucy Gill-Simmen, Vice-Dean for Education & Student Experience in the School of Business and Management, Royal Holloway, University of London

Lucas Thompson, Director, Thompsons Refurbishments

Agenda

09.45 – 10.00 – Arrival, coffee and networking

10.00 – 11.00 – Speaker presentations

11.15 – 11.40 – Round table discussion

11.40 – 12.00 – Networking and event closure

Our quarterly Business Leaders Forums are exclusive events for Inspire, Lead and Business Alliance members and are a perfect platform for engaging and informative discussion on dedicated issues.

Please contact Sarah Irving to book your space.

State of the Region

This business briefing will examine the results of the Q1 Quarterly Economic Survey from a regional and national perspective

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is the largest independent business survey in the UK and a significant economic indicator.

As the most highly respected national survey, results are recognised as a key economic indicator by the Government, the Bank of England and independent economists and provide the evidence needed for the BCC to lobby Government.

The QES results for Q4 2024 showed concern about tax, including national insurance, had spiked. Business confidence had slipped to its lowest level since the aftermath of the mini-Budget in Autumn 2022. Taxation was the top external factor of concern, with 55% of companies expecting prices to go up, with labour costs the biggest driver.

How will the results differ for Q1 2025?  Join us for this QES Q1 briefing with sponsors James Cowper Kreston, who will be discussing the results and what they mean in real terms for local businesses with Yuan Yang, MP for Earley and Woodley and representatives from the British Chambers of Commerce.

We recommend local businesses attend this meeting to find out what the results mean for the economy going forward and plan accordingly.

Host – Tim Major, Senior Account Manager, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce

Chair – Sue Staunton, Partner, James Cowper Kreston

Panel – David Bharier, British Chambers of Commerce and Yuan Yang MP for Earley and Woodley

The Chamber hosts the only region-wide, curated industry working group for the health and life sciences (HLS) sector.  We bring together industry leaders from global corporates, SMEs and spin-outs; academics and researchers; NHS hospital trusts and government representatives.

Inspired by the call from the Office for Life Sciences to bring together the industry cluster located across the region, our ambition remains to foster collaboration, information and knowledge exchange and advance the Thames Valley’s global reputation for HLS.  The continued importance, and value, of our working group is recognised by government in the invitation we receive to comment on government policy (most recently the Industrial Strategy white paper) and through our lobbying work in representing the business interests of the sector.

Speakers

Laura Holland, Rosalind Franklin Institute

Yuan Yang, MP for Earley and Woodley

Michalis Papadakis, CEO Brainomix

Please note that this working group is invitation only. Please contact the Business Representation & Policy team for more information.

Photo Credit: Rosalind Franklin Institute 

HR Forum: Multi-Generational Working

Our HR Forum, sponsored by BP Collins, brings together senior HR practitioners from our larger members to hear the latest HR trends, share knowledge, learn from first-hand experience, and exchange opinions with other like-minded professionals from across all sectors.

For the second HR Forum of the year, we will be focusing on Multi-Generational Working. How can businesses manage age-diverse teams whilst avoiding direct and indirect discriminations?  What is the future generation of our workforce looking for from employers?

We are delighted to welcome staff and students from Buckinghamshire New University, who will be sharing their views on topics such as what the next generation is looking as they enter the world of employment, employers flexibility and how, with 5+ different generations in the workplace, what are the expectations of work place culture between generations.

Chaired by Claire Madle, Learning and Development Manager at HR Wallingford, this roundtable will focus on open discussions, with the opportunity to ask questions, share best practice and discuss challenges and opportunities.

Jeff Kong, Solicitor, Employment, BP Collins, will also be presenting on the legal implications of Multi-Generational Teams and will explore topics such as common pitfalls in recruitment, promotion and redundancy processes and some practical strategies for HR.

Bookings

The HR Forum is open to HR practitioners at our Inspire, Lead and Business Alliance members. Unfortunately, it is not open to HR service providers (recruiters/HR consultants/employment lawyers) at this time.

To book onto this event, please contact Sarah Irving, Head of Business Engagement and Communications.

Sponsored by:

We are delighted to welcome Clive Jones, MP for Wokingham and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Business and Trade, to the next in our series of Political Working Lunches.

Speaker

• Clive Jones, MP for Wokingham, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Business

• Introduction by TVCC
• ‘View from Westminster’ by Clive Jones, MP
• Conversation with selected businesses from the Thames Valley business community
• Q&A with delegates
• Networking and light buffet lunch

We are inviting all participants to submit questions to Clive Jones prior to the event.

Booking

This event is only open to TVCC members and priority will be given to Wokingham based companies.

To submit a question, please contact the Business Representation & Policy team

Business 101 Roundtable

From Values to Action: Cultivating a Sustainable Workplace Culture

Business planning is critical for the success of a small business. It provides a roadmap for navigating challenges,
seizing opportunities, and achieving sustainable growth.

A strong company culture can lead to positive outcomes such as increased productivity and employee retention and improved innovation. Healthy, happy employees should be every company’s goal, whatever the size of the business, but it’s not always easy to provide company benefits that suit all sizes. Thats why it’s so important to offer flexibility by providing a wide range of benefits both in monetary and non-monetary terms.

Join us for our second Business 101 Roundtable of the year, hosted by Account Manager Manoj Pandya, where you will initially hear from the panel on what they are doing to keep their employees engaged, happy and healthy, then join in the discussion as we talk about what employers are doing (and can do), to keep their workforce happy, whatever the company size.

The Thames Valley encompasses companies from all over the world, covering a wide range of sectors, who are bought together to in a connected business community. As a region, it is forecasted to be the highest-growing region in the UK, with a Gross Value Added (GVA) growth of 2.4% predicted for 2024-26. We are proud to be the largest and most influential business membership organisation in the region, with a wide events programme, including our Business 101 Roundtables, which are offered to our Discover, Inspire, Lead and Business Alliance members only.

Speakers:

Alison Thomson – The Safety Elf Read Speaker Bio

Dr Nisa Aslam – Inuvi Read Speaker Bio

Agenda:

9.30     Arrivals and networking

10:00   Presentations and Discussions

12:00   End of event

Our Business 101 Roundtables have limited spaces so please contact Manoj Pandya to book your place.

Join your host Tim Major for an informal session of networking and insights from industry experts. Explore the latest news and views in commercial and residential property, as well as valuable perspectives from accountancy and finance professionals . Connect with like-minded individuals and stay up to date in the dynamic world of property.

Don’t miss this opportunity to broaden your property interests and engage with many property professionals , grow your network and knowledge or maybe new to the property industry then this event is for you.

We meet at the offices of Awdry Law solicitors at their flagship head office in Swindon for this relaxed and informal session.

Agenda

8.30am – Arrival, coffee and networking

9.00am – Speaker event including Q&A

10am – Close

The Chamber hosts the only region-wide, curated industry working group for the health and life sciences (HLS) sector.  We bring together industry leaders from global corporates, SMEs and spin-outs; academics and researchers; NHS hospital trusts and government representatives.

Inspired by the call from the Office for Life Sciences to bring together the industry cluster located across the region, our ambition remains to foster collaboration, information and knowledge exchange and advance the Thames Valley’s global reputation for HLS.  The continued importance, and value, of our working group is recognised by government in the invitation we receive to comment on government policy (most recently the Industrial Strategy white paper) and through our lobbying work in representing the business interests of the sector.

Speaker

Sam Roberts, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

Please note that this working group is invitation only. Please contact the Business Representation & Policy team for more information.

Photo Credit: University of Reading