Our Latest News
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT – Hr NETWORK Launches November HR Business Partner Programme
PROGRAMMES & MASTERCLASSES
HR BUSINESS PARTNER PROGRAMME COMMENCES IN NOVEMBER – ONLY 5 PLACES REMAINING!
Hr NETWORK is very proud to present a series of professional development programmes & masterclasses designed specifically for the HR profession and people managers. Our aim is simple: to equip and support HR and people teams with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to thrive today and into the future.
Coming to you in November/December 2025…
- The HR Business Partner Programme (November/December 2025)
ONLY 5 PLACES REMAINING!! - Day 1 and 2 – Wednesday 5th & Thursday 6th November at The Bonham Hotel, Edinburgh
- Day 3 – Thursday 4th December – Venue to be confirmed
Designed for the Profession, by the Profession
From strategic topics tailored to senior HR leaders through to essential skill development for every member of your HR and people teams, our programmes are shaped around the real needs of the profession. We have consulted with leaders from across industries to ensure the content is current, practical, and impactful, offering learning experiences that are not only valuable but also memorable and enjoyable.
Expert-Led, Experience-Rich Learning
We’ve partnered with highly experienced delivery specialists across a wide range of topics.
Each session blends technical know-how with case studies and practical examples, while also introducing you to highly experienced and seasoned HR professionals who are leading the way with award-winning, best-in-class practices and modern approaches. This mix ensures that learning is engaging, relevant, and applicable to your own organisation.
For more information on our HRBP Programme launch in November,
contact us by Tel: 0131 625 3267 or email: subscriptions@hrnetworkscotland.co.uk
When times are turbulent it pays for companies to be open with employees
When times are turbulent it pays for companies to be open with employees
According to WTW’s most recent EX Intelligence Report, companies that provide transparent communication to employees during turbulent times are more successful. 82% of employees in financially high-performing companies are more likely to say their leaders are providing a clear mission and strategy compared with their peers in average performing companies (76%).
High-performance companies are distinguished by their ability to communicate effectively, inspire employees around their purpose, build high levels of trust in their leadership, drive a competitive position in the market and recognise employees through transparent and equitable pay and benefits.
In contrast, average-performing companies often struggle with effectively conveying their mission and strategy, leading to a disconnect between leadership and the workforce. This gap in communication can have far-reaching consequences, including reduced innovation, lower morale, and diminished productivity.
The most high-performing companies prioritise making use of employee insights, supporting better communication, trust and engagement. In fact, 79% of employees in financially high-performing companies believe their leaders are making a more concerted effort to gather their thinking and opinions compared to only 68% of employees in average-performing companies.
Gaby Joyner, Head of Employee Experience Europe at WTW said: “As the economic landscape remains uncertain, companies that effectively communicate and bolster employee insights are likely to see better outcomes in terms of employee engagement and overall performance.
“In an environment characterised by rapid change and increasing complexity, top-tier organisations recognise the value of employee insights and make use of them to shape rewards landscapes and communication strategies focused on two-way dialogue that foster trust and engagement.”
Alvarez & Marsal Announced as Key Sponsor of the Hr NETWORK National Awards 2025
Alvarez & Marsal Announced as Key Sponsor of the
Hr NETWORK National Awards 2025
Hr NETWORK Magazine is delighted to announce that Alvarez & Marsal (A&M), the global professional services firm and leader in people and organisational transformation, has been confirmed as the key sponsor of the Hr NETWORK National Awards 2025.
Now in their 18th year, the Hr NETWORK National Awards are the most prestigious awards in the HR and people development calendar, recognising, acknowledging and rewarding outstanding individuals, teams, and organisations across Scotland. This year’s Gala Dinner will take place on Thursday 13th November 2025 at the Hilton Glasgow, with nearly 700 HR and business professionals expected to attend.
A&M’s sponsorship reflects the firm’s commitment to supporting innovation, collaboration, and excellence within HR. Through its People Services offering, which brings together expertise in People, Reward & Performance (PRP), Executive Reward, Employment Tax and Equity Reward, A&M helps organisations align people strategy with business priorities, driving measurable value whilst challenging traditional advisory models.
Anthony McNulty (pictured), Managing Director of A&M’s PRP Practice for EMEA, based in Scotland, said: “Our team is thrilled
to partner with Hr NETWORK on this year’s National Awards. Having attended a number of Gala Dinner events as a guest previously, I’ve seen first-hand the impact these particular Awards have on the HR and people industry. Through our sponsorship, we are excited to reinforce our commitment to delivering practical, high-impact advice on people and performance issues, while helping to recognise the incredible talent and dedication across the HR and business community.”
Lee Turner (pictured), founder of Hr NETWORK, added: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Alvarez & Marsal as key sponsor of the Awards for 2025. Their global reputation and expertise in people and organisational transformation make them an ideal partner for this celebration of HR excellence. The growth of the Awards since their launch in 2007 is testament to the strength of the HR profession in Scotland, and this new partnership takes the event to another level.”
As key sponsor, A&M’s brand will be showcased prominently across Hr NETWORK channels, including Hr NETWORK Magazine and its extensive digital community, offering unique opportunities to connect with industry leaders and innovators.
For more information on Alvarez & Marsal, please visit: https://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/expertise/emea-tax/people-reward-performance-services
OUR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE IS MOVING!!!! – STAY CONNECTED TO Hr NETWORK…
MAKE SURE YOU STAY CONNECTED TO Hr NETWORK MAGAZINE & EVENTS – OUR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE IS MOVING!!!!
Hr NETWORK is delighted to announce our brand new Subscription Service Hr NETWORK HUB and we are currently in the process of migrating all our existing SUBSCRIBERS to our new platform.
Our FREE membership will continue and you will be able to access all our regular online magazine issues and we have added a whole lot more in to our subscription service including CHAT ROOMS and GROUPS, plus opportunities to get priority booking at our many events held during the year, including our very exciting Hr NETWORK National Awards Gala Dinner 2025, taking place at the hugely impressive Hilton, Glasgow on Thursday 13th November 2025.
All you have to do is click the link below and complete the Community On-boarding From, unless you have already done so and start accessing all our regular activity and find out what’s happening in the Hr NETWORK Community:
https://register.hrnetworkscotland.com/community-form
List of forthcoming Events taking part in 2025 and 2026:
Hr NETWORK Breakfast Club 2025/26
Hr NETWORK National Awards Gala Dinner 2025
Hr NETWORK National Conference & Exhibition 2026
Hr40 Dinners 2026
We have a number of sponsorship, advertising and Exhibitor opportunities at our forthcoming events and if you require any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us on Tel: 0131 625 3267 or email: subscriptions@hrnetworkscotland.co.uk
OUT TODAY – September 2025 Issue of Hr NETWORK Magazine
OUT TODAY – September 2025 Issue of Hr NETWORK Magazine
SIGN UP TO OUR BRAND NEW Hr NETWORK HUB TO READ ALL OUR MAGAZINE ISSUES…
LATEST ISSUE: Hr NETWORK Magazine… 20 Years On
One magazine. 20 years. 120+ issues. As Hr NETWORK Magazine celebrates its 20th anniversary this month, Andy Moore discovers how more HR practitioners are throwing caution to the wind to embrace AI-driven workforce transformation and asks, what does the next 20 years look like for HR professionals?
Also in the latest issue:
- Meet the Judging Panel & Finalists for Hr NETWORK National Awards 2025
- SPECIAL FEATURE: Supporting employees coping with addiction
- The regular sections of the magazine include: News, STATS and EXTRA
- The ‘Insights’ section features first class comment from those in the know on a range of subjects including: Workplace ADHD Coaching; Money Laundering; Stress & Anxiety At Work; Employee Engagement
Click the front cover below to read the latest issue:
Skills shortages ease from post-pandemic peak but remain as high as in 2017
Skills shortages ease from post-pandemic peak but remain as high as in 2017
New data from the 2024 Employer Skills Survey, published recently by the Department for Education, shows a welcome decline in skills shortage vacancies as a proportion of all vacancies — down from 36% in 2022 to 27% in 2024. However, the level of skills shortages remains broadly unchanged from 2017 (22%), highlighting a persistent and entrenched challenge for the UK economy.
The findings reveal that while the most acute pandemic-era pressures may be easing, structural mismatches between skills supply and employer demand continue to constrain business growth — particularly in high-value sectors such as construction, health and social care, and manufacturing.
Dr Joe Marshall, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB), said: “The drop in skills shortage vacancies from 36% to 27% is encouraging, but we must not be complacent. The fact that we remain above 2017 levels — rather than significantly improving — tells us that this is not a short-term issue. The UK’s longstanding skills mismatches continue to hold back innovation, productivity and growth.”
“What’s particularly telling is how this challenge affects businesses differently by size. While larger employers with 100+ staff have seen skills shortages ease significantly — from 34% to 19% — the smallest businesses with 2-4 employees continue to face the highest skills shortage density at 42%, unchanged from 2022. This suggests that smaller firms lack the resources and networks to compete effectively for skilled talent, creating a two-tier labour market that risks leaving our most entrepreneurial businesses behind.”
“To address this, we need a more joined-up approach between education and industry. Universities have a critical role in preparing graduates with the skills employers need — but this requires deeper collaboration, clearer routes into priority sectors, and long-term investment in talent development.”
NCUB is calling for coordinated action to strengthen the UK’s skills pipeline through:
- Expanded work-based learning and employer-led course design
- Improved data sharing on regional and sectorial skills needs
- Targeted support for sectors facing the greatest shortages
- Greater support for SMEs to engage with skills provision