Culture and Careers: HR’s crucial role in Change
Welcome to the Summer Edition of the People Matter Newsletter.
This edition focuses on two key themes – the role of HR across a number of pressing policy areas and the need for action in developing careers. We have fantastic insights from our contributors including HR’s role in building resilient organisations, transforming career development and talent retention and creating meaningful workplace connections. We also have valuable insight on striking a balance between freedom of expression and workplace harassment, alongside the landmark discrimination ruling from Mahmood v Standard Chartered Bank.
Also in this issue:
- We share the highlights from our annual AGM and Summer Member Forum.
- Oakleaf Partnership invite you to an upcoming webinar where they will reveal the results of their 2025 Hiring Trends and Priorities Survey.
- We reveal the key findings of HireRight’s 2025 Global Benchmark Report.
- And in the member’s only section, be sure to listen to our latest podcast episode focused on our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) special interest group.
Enjoy all this and more expert contributions below!
AGM Highlights
On 24th June, we held our annual AGM and Summer Member Forum. Members gathered to explore the topic of culture and, more specifically, how to get it right in the year ahead. The day, kindly hosted by Charles Russell Speechlys, consisted of key industry updates, powerful discussions and a highly insightful panel discussion. Read below for more highlights of a fantastic event.
Meet the 2025 Shadow Board Intake
We are absolutely delighted to welcome six new Shadow Board Members, all of whom will provide their own unique, fresh perspectives and continue the board’s development. Please click the link below for details of our new members.
HR’s Role in Building Resilient Organisations
Change is itself changing. Geopolitical shocks, economic volatility and AI, mean that disruption is constant, rapid and increasingly unpredictable. How do HR Leaders build systems, cultures and careers that are both resilient and people-first? A new report from Mercer is a manifesto for practical HR actions. Click below to discover key insights and the tools needed to respond to these challenges.
Hiring Trends and Priorities
Oakleaf Partnership is hosting a webinar on Tuesday 22nd July from 09:30-10:30am, to unveil the results of their 2025 Hiring Trends and Priorities Survey. This session will look at emerging themes from its results – and explain what this means for HR, Reward and Payroll leaders navigating the year ahead. To sign up for this exclusive webinar, please click on the link.
Non-Financial Misconduct: New Rules from the FCA
The FCA have finalised the rules on non-financial misconduct (NFM) under its conduct roles. PwC have summarised the rules in a new report which highlights the dropped proposals, revised definitions and a new consultation on broader guidance including fitness and propriety assessments. The FCA is expected to publish the final guidance by late 2025, with full implementation of the rules from 1st September 2026.
The Role of HR in Protecting Investigators from Vicarious Trauma
Internal investigations can take a toll on those who lead them. In this article, Byrne Dean highlights practical steps HR can take to support investigators and mitigate the risk of vicarious trauma.
HireRight’s 2025 Global Benchmark Report: Key Findings
Artificial Intelligence (AI) remains a leading topic of discussion among the HR community. HireRight’s latest annual report offers multiple insights in this area. These include how likely HR practitioners are to use AI tools to support talent acquisition and workforce management activity; how emerging AI legislation may limit HR’s use; and the level of confidence HR professionals have in detecting AI-assisted CVs. To find out more, download the report via the link.
Navigating Career Development and Talent Retention
New and comprehensive research by LHH explores the career aspirations of 2,000 professionals within companies with more than 500 employees – and asks 500 HR leaders what they are doing to develop the careers of their employees. Nearly half (43%) of employees see career progression as essential but only one in six (17%) of leaders agree. How can businesses address this disconnect?
HR’s Role in forging Connections for Career Progression
A new article from Talking Talent emphasises the key role that meaningful workplace connections play in career progression. It also highlights a ‘disconnection epidemic’ in financial services driven by layoffs, poor leadership skills and remote work. Successful organisations will be those that prioritise and master human connection. Read more below.
Freedom of Expression vs Workplace Harassment
A recent article by Fox Williams explores the challenges employers face in balancing employee’s freedom of speech with the risk of workplace harassment. It highlights legal complexities, recent case law and advice on mitigating risk. The article will help members set clear policies and manage social media to navigate these sensitive issues. Read more below and complete the survey here.
Mahmood v Standard Chartered: Landmark DIFC Discrimination Ruling
A report from Charles Russell Speechlys explores the landmark DIFC (The Dubai International Financial Centre) case, in which the court dismissed allegations of racial discrimination and victimisation against Standard Chartered Bank. The judgement explained differing aspects of DIFC Employment Law from that in the UK, including the burden of proof and causation. The importance of this decision is that it sets a precedent for future discrimination claims in the DIFC. This article first appeared in the ELA Briefing in May 2025.
Members Only Content
Podcast: EDI Special Interest Group
Our latest podcast focuses on our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) special interest group. It was brought to us by Claire Harvey from TP ICAP who gave an overview of what the group discussed with members who either work in, or are interested in, inclusion. We were also joined by Mark Gettleson, City of London Corporation who explained the company’s City Belonging Project and Kasia Jazeel from PwC who examined the recent government consultation on extending gender pay to ethnicity and disability pay reporting.