CIPD 2024: unlocking growth and productivity

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Over the next two days, 120 speakers and 6,500 delegates and visitors to the Manchester Central event will hear and share what organisations need to do to unlock growth in a year where uncertainty characterises the political and economic climate and half the world went to the polls.In an upbeat introduction to the two-day CIPD ACE 2024 conference and exhibition, the CIPD’s CEO Peter Cheese firmly emphasised the people profession’s role in creating the conditions for growth in this uncertain environment.He reiterated what he said at his first conference 12 years ago and in the years since. “There has never been a more important time to be in HR. The themes we are wrestling with now are influencing business and are incredibly empowering and invigorating.”

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Creating certainty through values and purpose

At a time of great uncertainty and fast-paced change, he highlighted how now is an opportunity to double down on the profession’s core values, its evidence base and professional qualifications, and hold true to what is important for business, growth and people.Opening the event, Peter Cheese outlined the annual conference and exhibition’s core themes – skills, productivity, technology and its ethical use, Good Work, wellbeing, the economy, globalisation, diversity, equity and inclusion.Recognising these themes are largely unchanged over the past years and their role in allowing businesses and organisations to grow, he explored this changing context, including the impact of a second presidency for Donald Trump on the global economy.

'Looking after our own'

Peter Cheese noted how the economy and immigration have been major talking points in the world’s elections and how there is a sense the “handbrake is coming on” for globalisation. “A lot of what seems to be defining politics in many countries now is we’ve got to look after our own,’ he said.“What will that mean, particularly around some of the things Donald Trump has said around the economy? Is he going to put up things like tariffs and become more protective, which will almost certainly encourage other countries to do the same. Is that a good thing for us?“It will create more uncertainty and economic uncertainty is not good for any of us. It tends to hold back investment. So these are really important issues.”Flipping the script on “looking after our own” in relation to growth, Peter Cheese referred to the European Commission’s Industry 5.0 approach. This recognises the role of industry in today’s social and economic transitions. Its vison of industry goes beyond efficiency to reinforce the role and the contribution of industry to society, including around wellbeing and the digital and green transitions.“Responsible businesses see themselves as part of society that creates opportunities for people to thrive and be inclusive,” said Peter Cheese.

International collaboration key to growth

He related this to the new tripartite way of working and influencing government policy since July and the change of political leadership in the UK. Involving unions, government, business representatives and leaders, he believes the new approach will help “bigger thinking” around the Employment Rights Bill, an Industrial Strategy and growth and what the CIPD and its 160,000 members can influence.“The new Labour government is definitely engaging on themes close to our heart,’ said Peter Cheese. “They are open to consultation. We are representatives of you as a profession. These tripartite meetings between government, unions and business representatives and leaders are eye-opening. It’s about moving forward in a more partnerial way.”Welcoming the international representation at this year’s conference and the CIPD’s own work with related professional bodies around the world, he said that new governments, policies and ways of working are highlighting the need for greater international partnerships and collaboration in the profession.“We can learn from others, like the Singapore model and hear what’s going on in countries like Australia and New Zealand.”The keynote’s final message was to get involved, including developing your own thinking, asking questions and reskilling. “The best way to predict the future is to shape it,” concluded Peter Cheese, borrowing Abraham Lincoln’s quote. “That is our opportunity as a profession.”

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