Supporting our members to navigate complexity with confidence remains at the heart of City HR. In this month’s bulletin:
- The City HR Benchmarking Survey 2026 is now live!
- FINAL chance to apply for The City HR and Middlemore CPO Accelerator Programme
- See what events you can join across May
- Hear from our thought leaders on Leadership Opportunities, Emotional Intelligence, The Employment Rights Reset and What you need to know by September in regards to the FCA guidance on NFM.
- Plus catch up on key content from April
PARTICIPATE IN OUR 2026 BENCHMARKING SURVEY
This year marks an exciting evolution. We’re introducing enhanced technology, supported by PwC as our technical service provider, alongside new capabilities including AI-driven insights and an interactive benchmarking dashboard.
The survey will explore key areas shaping the future of work, including:
- HR Operating models and Workforce Planning
- Reward, Pay Transparency, and Regulatory Change
- Talent, Development, and “hot jobs”
- Culture, ESG, and Inclusion
- AI, Skills, and Future Readiness
FINAL CHANCE TO APPLY FOR THE CITY HR x MIDDLEMORE CPO ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME
The CPO Accelerator Programme 2026, delivered in partnership between City HR and Middlemore, is a year-long, cohort-based development experience designed to prepare senior HR leaders for the CPO role.
This unique programme equips our second cohort with the commercial acumen, leadership capability, and strategic insight required to succeed in today’s evolving business landscape.
Member applications close EOB 4th May
JOIN OUR EVENTS ACROSS MAY
View our upcoming sessions designed to help HR teams stay informed and connected. From early-career HR professionals looking to strengthen their commercial acumen, to our upcoming roundtable where Resourcing & Assessment professionals can come together to discuss pressing topics, and sessions for Reward and Compensation members to share the wins and challenges from their recent remuneration cycle, there’s something for everyone.
LHH VIEW FROM THE C-SUITE – LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN A SHIFTING LANDSCAPE
LHH’s View from the C-suite is an annual report exploring the views of over 2,500 board level executives and c-suite business leaders across 13 countries. After several years of sustained disruption, many executives are asking a different question, not how to respond to volatility, but how to lead through it decisively.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN LEADERSHIP: THE KEY TO A THRIVING WORKPLACE
In today’s complex workplace, leaders must go beyond technical expertise to build trust, foster psychological safety, and support high-performing teams. This blog explores how emotionally intelligent leadership drives engagement, strengthens feedback and performance conversations, and supports effective change management. With practical frameworks such as the five levels of self-awareness, it highlights how organisations can embed emotional intelligence into leadership development. A valuable read for HR professionals looking to create more resilient, inclusive and successful workplace cultures.
THE EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS RESET
As the Employment Rights Act introduces wide-ranging reforms—from enhanced worker protections to new employer obligations—HR leaders face a critical “reset” moment. The article explores how organisations can move beyond compliance to build more transparent, fair, and resilient workplaces. With changes including expanded dismissal rights, flexible working expectations, and greater accountability, it emphasises the need for proactive planning, policy review, and leadership readiness. A must-read for HR professionals navigating one of the most significant shifts in UK employment law in recent years.
FCA GUIDANCE ON NFM: WHAT FIRMS NEED TO KNOW BEFORE SEPTEMBER 2026
The article outlines how behaviours such as bullying, harassment and violence will increasingly fall within regulatory scope, with implications for conduct rules, fitness and propriety assessments, and organisational culture. It highlights the need for firms to review policies, strengthen reporting frameworks, and ensure leaders are equipped to respond effectively. With a clear steer from the regulator, this is a critical moment for HR and compliance teams to align workplace culture with regulatory expectations.
WHAT’S NEW ON THE CITY HR RESOURCES HUB?
Looking to catch up on the latest insights? We’ve got you covered. You can easily access these articles (and much more!) by logging into the Members Only section of our website. For the best experience, log in before clicking the links below:
- Article: EDI Disruption and a Renewed Focus
- Peer Insights: Cash in Lieu of Pension Contributions – SIG Responses
- Recording: Leadership Listens: From Caesar to Cyborgs – What lessons from the past can help prepare leaders for the future?
- Recording: Legal Change & Real HR Decisions: With NFM and day one rights, what insights might help with decision making?