Tania Gerard presents at the People and Skills Conference at Loughborough University.

Last month, I had the privilege of speaking at the East Midlands People and Skills Summit, hosted by the East Midlands Chamber in partnership with Vision West Nottinghamshire College and Loughborough University. It was an inspiring day filled with forward-thinking discussions about the future of work, diversity, and inclusive business practices.

A Day of Powerful Insights

The summit brought together HR professionals, business leaders, and educational representatives from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing employers today. From skills reform and recruitment strategies to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), the conversations were both practical and transformative.

The event featured an impressive lineup of speakers and panelists, including Professor Eva Selenko from Loughborough University, who shared fascinating research on what attracts young people to work and how to retain them. Eileen Perry MBE DL from ER Recruitment brought decades of recruitment expertise to discussions about productivity and government policy, while Veronica Moore, Director of Student Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Loughborough University, offered valuable insights into creating truly inclusive workplaces.

My Workshop: Accessible Marketing for Inclusive Recruitment

I delivered a workshop titled "Accessible Marketing: Inclusive Communication for Recruitment & Retention," focusing on how businesses can remove barriers that prevent neurodivergent individuals from accessing job opportunities. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with participants eager to implement practical strategies for making their recruitment processes more inclusive.

The workshop covered essential topics including:

Understanding neurodivergent candidates' needs during the application process
Creating job descriptions that attract diverse talent
Designing accessible interview processes
Building retention strategies that support neurodivergent employees

What struck me most was the genuine enthusiasm from attendees. These weren't just HR professionals ticking boxes, they were passionate about creating workplaces where everyone can thrive.

The Power of Local Partnership

One theme that emerged throughout the day was the strong desire for collaboration between local businesses and educational institutions. Representatives from colleges and universities repeatedly emphasised their commitment to working with Leicestershire businesses to develop talent pipelines and address skills gaps.

This local partnership approach is exactly what our region needs. When businesses, educational institutions, and support organisations work together, we create stronger communities and more sustainable economic growth.

Key Takeaways from the Summit

Skills England and Future Planning: The Department for Education's update on Skills England and the Get Britain Working initiative highlighted the government's commitment to addressing skills shortages through targeted interventions.

Rethinking Career Values: Professor Eva Selenko's research revealed that young people's career values are evolving, with greater emphasis on purpose, flexibility, and inclusive workplace cultures.

EDI as Business Strategy: The summit reinforced that equality, diversity, and inclusion aren't just moral imperatives, they're business necessities that drive innovation, productivity, and competitive advantage.

Practical Solutions: From employment law updates to values-based recruitment strategies, the workshops provided actionable tools that businesses can implement immediately.

Moving Forward

Events like the People and Skills Summit remind me why I'm passionate about accessible marketing and inclusive recruitment. When we remove barriers and create truly inclusive processes, we don't just help individual candidates, we strengthen entire organisations and communities.

The conversations I had with fellow attendees, from small business owners to corporate HR directors, reinforced that there's a real appetite for change. Businesses across the East Midlands are ready to embrace more inclusive practices; they just need the right tools and support to get there.

Working Together

If you're a Leicestershire business looking to make your recruitment and marketing more accessible, or if you want to explore how inclusive practices can strengthen your company, I'd love to continue these conversations. The summit showed me that our local business community is ready for positive change and I'm here to help make it happen.

For more information about accessible marketing and inclusive recruitment strategies, or to discuss how we can work together to create more inclusive business practices, contact us today.

Speaking at the East Midlands People and Skills Summit 2025