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Keynote address

An audience with the Right Honourable Michael Portillo

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A general election is due by June 2010 and, whatever the outcome, it is likely to be followed by significant change. What will that change look like and what will the impact be for UK businesses?

We are delighted to welcome keynote speaker, the Right Honourable Michael Portillo, who will share his insights on the developing campaign, the potential outcome and the implications for UK businesses. There will also be an opportunity for questions from the audience.

A former Treasury Cabinet Minister, Employment Secretary, Defence Secretary and Shadow Chancellor, Michael understands policy making from the inside and is now one of the UK’s most respected and widely followed political commentators.

Click here to see Michael Portillo's biography

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UK Human Resources Conference 2010
Performance through people: From passive or checked-out to engaged and productive
16 March 2010, London

This one-day event will explore how to drive improved business performance through effective employee engagement.
Although tentative, employers are more optimistic about the UK economy in 2010, likely to mean that they will be driving for improved performance, through top-line growth and / or increased productivity. At the same time an impending election, irrespective of the outcome, will bring a new political landscape, creating further change and uncertainty for the business agenda.

From the employee perspective, a sustained period of pay restraint, job insecurity and, for some, inadequate funds to allow retirement, has left parts of the workforce de-motivated and disengaged. And with a ‘jobless recovery’ predicted, where fewer people are doing more work, any current unease may be exacerbated.

The challenge for HR will be to bridge the emerging needs of the business with those of employees to create a high-performing workforce.

The conference will draw on Mercer HR and industry experts, bringing diverse perspectives and practical solutions to challenges faced by senior decision makers in HR, reward, pensions and benefits. The conference will combine plenary sessions and ‘deep dive’ discussions, giving participants the opportunity to choose the sessions most relevant to them.

Robin Bew, Editorial Director and Chief Economist for the EIU, will chair a panel of business, HR and industry experts exploring the outlook for 2010 and the impact for business and HR.



We are also pleased to welcome the Right Honourable Michael Portillo as our keynote speaker for the event. Michael will share his insights on the developing campaign for the general election, the potential outcome and the implications for UK businesses.

Who should attend?

The event is relevant for HR directors and their direct reports for HR / talent strategy, pensions, benefits and rewards.

Please be advised Mercer has the right to decline any registrations received from competitors and other potential delegates that do not match the intended audience.

Event overview

08:30 Registration
09:00 Welcome
09:15 EIU panel discussion:
The outlook for 2010 and beyond: the impact for business and HR
10:20 Facilitated discussion at table:
The outlook for 2010 and beyond: the key issues we need to address
10:50 Coffee break
11:10 Creating a high performance environment: why, how and measuring the impact (part 1)
11:40 Deep dive discussions on critical HR issues in HR strategy, reward, pensions and benefits
12:40 Lunch
13:45 Creating a high performance environment: why, how and measuring the impact (part 2)
14:15 Deep dive discussions (Continued)
15:15 Break
15:30 An audience with Michael Portillo
16:20 Wrap up
16:30 Event closes

Click here to view the full event programme