October 08, 2026
10.00am - 4.00pm (BST)
London, United Kingdom
Moving beyond understanding the ERA reforms, this conference on 8 October 2026 at Eversheds Sutherland, London, focuses on what it really takes to make the new framework work in practice, across policies, processes and workplace culture. Join us to explore how organisations can move proactively in a new labor relations environment, strengthening relationships and embedding sustainable labor strategies. We will also consider the day-to-day practicalities of the ERA's IR changes. This milestone event will enable you to network in-person with your peers, hear our great line-up of speakers, ask questions and get involved in the debate.
Keynote speakers include Neil Carberry the new Chief Executive of the CIPD, Lindsay Judge, Research Director at the Resolution Foundation, Caroline Taylor, National Secretary, Community Trade Union and Matthias Thorns, VP, International Organisation of Employers (IOC) & VP Global Labor Relations & Human Rights, Samsung Electronics.
We have expert-led panels on the new workplace access right, recognition, pay negotiations and industrial action, a European perspective on union and workplace engagement in a different culture and a labor law update presented by our experienced industrial relations specialist lawyers.
Chaired by:
Tom Player, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland
Programme
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Time
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Topic |
Speaker |
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09.30-10.00 |
Registration and refreshments
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10.00 |
Introduction |
Chair: Tom Player, Partner
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Impact of ERA labor changes on engagement, workplace culture, employer identity and managing change
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Neil Carberry, Chief Executive, |
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The economic outlook: the impact of global and domestic economic events on the labor market
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Lindsay Judge, Research Director, The Resolution Foundation
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Refreshments/Comfort Break
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Labor law update |
Chris Mordue, Partner Eversheds Sutherland
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Panel session 1: |
Clare Ward, Partner Caroline Taylor, National Secretary, Philippa Kilgannon, Group People Experience Director,
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Lunch |
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Panel session 2: |
Stephen Chegwin, Partner
Jo Nunn, Chief Conciliator, Professor Richard Saundry, Principal Research Fellow
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A stronger seat at the table: the EU’s expanding model of worker voice and participation? with a discussion of the trend towards the increasing expectation of collective workers’ rights to participate, looking at the EWC Directive, Pay Transparency Directive and EU AI Act.
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Matthias Thorns, VP, International Organisation of Employers (IOC) & VP Global Labor Relations & Human Rights, Samsung Electronics |
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Chair – closing reflections |
Tom Player, Partner
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16.00 onwards |
Drinks, nibbles & networking
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Who should attend
This conference is targeted at all those responsible for labor relations and employment policy, HR professionals with strategic responsibilities, including officers, directors and VPs of HR, ER specialists, and in-house lawyers.