Joanne Caine

Press Release - Cathedral Appointments, a leading South West recruitment consultancy, is proud to announce its official certification as a B Corporation (B Corp) joining a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact along with an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy.

In an ever-evolving employment landscape, “company culture” has become a key topic for many businesses across the region. Great culture helps retain great talent, but how do you nurture it, and what are the pitfalls of a toxic culture? As organisations navigate everything from hybrid working to AI integration and generational workforce shifts, company culture has emerged as a critical topic for HR professionals, leaders, and employees alike. At our latest Talking HR event, we brought together a panel of experts to discuss Does Company Culture Matter? and explore what culture really means in today’s workplace.

Lack of skills shortage planning is a threat to businesses across the country, with 71% saying they don’t have a plan for growing skills (Open University). With 20% of the UK workforce under skilled for their jobs by 2030, just five years’ time, this is a growing problem that businesses need to address to protect themselves long term.

Those who hold a CIPD qualification can also earn up to 12% more than those without, according to Lightcast. HR roles requesting CIPD Qualifications pay on average £4,400 more than without. The CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) qualifications in 2025 will remain highly respected in the HR and people management field, with each level corresponding to specific career stages and responsibilities.

As we approach 2025, the hiring landscape is poised for significant changes. From the increasing use of AI to shifts in economic conditions, the Employment Rights Bill and workplace dynamics, it will be interesting to see what the year ahead brings.

On average, a person will spend a third of their life at work, or 3,507 days over their lifetime. And when we’re spending so many precious hours working, it’s crucial that we’re doing so in a way that is, at the very least, manageable but hopefully enjoyable and satisfying too.

It’s no secret there has been a huge shift in the way we all work since the pandemic, with hybrid working making up a large proposition of available jobs on the market right now. But is it here to stay?

Su Apps, Partner at Ashfords LLP, covered their experience of the transition as well as giving an update on the upcoming Employment Rights Bill. As she remarked, the bill “has the potential to be the biggest change to employment law in a generation.”

The 2024 King's Speech introduced several pivotal bills aimed at, among many other reforms, revolutionising employment in the UK. These initiatives underscore Labour's commitment to improving workers' rights, job security, and overall workplace conditions, marking one of the most significant overhauls in recent years.

People Management recently discussed ten ways AI is transforming the recruitment process, and we are certainly starting to see more adoption of this innovative tech form both in our business and across the market.

As we get ever closer to the General Election on July 4th, we’ve reviewed the party manifestos to see what they have pledged and how it pertains to employment and the future of work.

On Wednesday 15th May, we gathered HR and internal recruitment professionals from across the region for our very first Talking HR event at the beautiful Froginwell Vineyard.