Business Disability Forum’s (BDF) annual conference returns on 28 June (in person and online), focusing on how to attract and retain disabled talent in 2023.
Sponsored by NatWest, ‘Back to the Future – How should employers respond to the “new normal”?’ this year’s event will explore the workforce challenges facing businesses today. These include recognising the value of a diverse workforce, how to compete for talent, and how to keep skilled and experienced staff in a time of rising costs.
The conference will also explore the experiences of disabled people throughout their working lives from school leavers and disabled graduates through to those with caring responsibilities and older workers. Experts will provide practical advice for employers on supporting disabled colleagues to thrive at every life stage. Business Disability Forum will also be sharing the latest findings from its Great Big Workplace Adjustments Survey 2023 and look at the role of adjustments throughout life.
“Employers are facing many staffing challenges in 2023. At the same time, disabled graduates are having difficulty finding work and more older workers are leaving the workforce early. Something needs to change,” stated Diane Lightfoot, CEO of Business Disability Forum, who will be co-chairing the conference. “Join us to discuss how we attract and keep talent and make the workplace work better for everyone.”
EXPERT SPEAKERS
Conference keynote addresses will be delivered by:
· Oliver Holbourn, CEO, RBS International
· John McCalla-Leacy, Head of Global ESG, KPMG International and Head of ESG, KPMG in the UK
· Tom Pursglove MP, Minister of State for Disabled People, Health & Work
Confirmed speakers at the event also include:
· Claire Cookson, CEO, DFN Project SEARCH and DFN Foundation
· Helen Cooke, CEO & Founder, MyPlus
· Anna Skeats, CEO, Mason Foundation
· Gordon Tillman, CEO, The Oaks Specialist College
· Louise Pepper-Kernôt, Head of Disability Services, The University of Manchester
· Andy Briggs, CEO, Phoenix Group
· Natalie Quilter, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Lead and Chair of Carers Network Notting Hill Genesis
· Gary Smith, Leadership Coaching Lead and Co-Chair for the Families and Carers Network, NatWest
· Angela Matthews, Head of Policy, Business Disability Forum
· Dr Nasser Siabi OBE, CEO, Microlink
· Chantel Emery, Advice Service Officer, Business Disability Forum
Lost Voice Guy AKA Lee Ridley has also joined the conference line-up. Lee won Britain’s Got Talent in 2018 and went on a massive sell-out UK tour in 2019.
The conference will take place online and in person at NatWest Bishopsgate Conference Centre, London, from 9.30am to 4.30pm on 28 June 2023. Go to Business Disability Forum’s website to find out more or register.
RELATED ARTICLES
Business Disability Forum’s CEO Diane Lightfoot shares why we need to get better at listening to the experiences of disabled people.
Over a third of employees still fear disclosing an invisible disability at work, mainly due to fears of discrimination, revealed a new study.
The world’s top 20 changemakers driving disability, neurodiversity and mental health inclusion in business in 2023 have been revealed.
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