In September 2022 we held a conference with the aim of improving policy around inclusivity at work. The event was a great success, with key note speakers Dame Carol Black and Dr Christian van Stolk, Kim Conchie from Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, and academics from The University of Exeter.

The event focused on the findings of The Inclusivity Project and how we can apply learning on a practical level. We focused on our three key areas of work:

• Bias and inclusive recruitment
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Systems thinking: closing the skills gaps

We considered how our findings from the Cornish small business community can be applied to policy and business on a national level, to produce tangible positive change in the workplace.

 See the presentations

Many people asked us for the presentations. While these will help embed the messages if you were at the event or watched the livestream, we will also be uploading videos of the full presentations in due course.

Kim Conchie: A brief overview of the Cornish business landscape
Dame Carol Black: Working for a healthier tomorrow
Dr Christian Van Stolk: Health and wellbeing in SMEs
Dr Daniel Derbyshire: The Disability Employment Gap – Employer and Employee Perspectives
Dr Esmaeil Khedmati-Morasae: Complex employment systems for older people
Dr Esmaeil Khedmati-Morasae: Complex employment systems for disabled people
Dr Shruti Raghuraman: Supporting frontline organisations to develop a culture of inclusion as they transition to hybrid working

You can also find our photo project ‘Emerging inclusivity in Cornish workplaces’ here: https://theinclusivityproject.co.uk/photo-project-cornwalls-inclusive-workplaces/

Who was this event for?

From Cornwall and nationwide:

✓ SMEs – Owners, management and HR
✓ Policymakers
✓ Local government
✓ Researchers and academics
✓ Anyone with an interest in inclusivity and bias
✓ Anyone with an interest in hybrid working.

About our guest speakers

Dame Carol Black has been a leading voice on the connection between health and work for many years. As well as being an internationally-recognised government advisor on the topic she currently chairs the Centre for Ageing Better.

Dr Christian van Stolk is executive vice president at RAND Europe, where he manages Britain’s Healthiest Workplace competition. He sits on several expert panels for the UK government on occupational health, mental health, and employee health and wellbeing in the NHS.