ABOUT

Inspire People Professionals Academy

 

Inspire People Professionals is an Academy Programme combining the essentials of Human Resources, Organisational Development and Design. It is an evolution of two successful initiatives (Aspire HR Business Partners and Inspire OD) previously delivered by WME working in partnership with the CIPD and the LGA.

The People Professionals Academy is a more flexible and virtual approach to developing your leadership, offering a series of CIPD development modules that can be combined to deliver a complete programme, or offered as a Inspire HR essentials or  Inspire OD essentials.

Academy Learning is online via virtual classrooms spread over 12 weeks, coupled with some self-directed learning, enabling professionals to access learning in a way which fits into an already busy and demanding role.

CIPD’s learning experts have created a technologyenabled learning environment, with expert facilitators, which delivers an easy to access, engaging, high energy, interactive, live learning experience. Live chat, impactful slides, whiteboards and easy-to-use tools are all used by our facilitators to proactively remove barriers to participation, to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and that all learning needs are met as people learn, share and develop together, wherever they may be. The programme incorporates key aspects of CIPD learning and research and insights from Local Government so that the programme is contextualised to the public sector and within the current context of work in our sector including responding to the Covid Pandemic, creating positive and
inclusive working environments.

The result is an exciting new Peoples Professionals Programme framed around the CIPD professional map and with a focus on the CIPD Core Behaviours and latest research. The Inspire range of learning modules will address a broad set of professional needs and support learning and development across a variety of levels of experience.

Perspectives

 

The 2020 pandemic prompted a dramatic channel shift in the way organisations work and deliver services. Human Resources and Organisational Development professionals have been at the heart of this challenge, enabling both our people and organisations to not only respond but also to thrive. Now is the optimum time to build the strengths and capabilities of our HR and OD professionals to prepare them for leading a post Covid-19 world of work.

The LGA perspective

We are promoting Inspire People Professionals as part of our programme of support to councils across the country. In responding to the impact of the 2020 pandemic the role played by HR and OD professionals together, is critical to the redefining of our  organisations and the way we work.

We believe this programme will enable our HR and OD professionals to be better prepared for the recovery and reset work that lies ahead.

The CIPD perspective

We recognise that the role and purpose of HR and OD has a pivotal leadership role in helping organisations survive and thrive post-pandemic. People professionals are going to have to adapt and learn quickly to create compelling value propositions, establish new and innovative models and ways in which we can engage and develop people.

From such an unprecedented time has come a lot of positive change. Innovative problem-solving and creative ways of working forced us all to think and act in a more agile way. Whilst this has provided an opportunity to show the immense value people professionals add it has also highlighted the challenges and opportunities that they face. For example, with all the changes happening and the demand and opportunity for our profession, we need to focus more on the development of our skills and capabilities so that we can step up, have the courage to innovate, and adapt to the fast-changing world around us.

We know that the world of work is changing rapidly, and we’re committed to supporting people professionals not just to adapt, but to anticipate that change so that they’re prepared and equipped to thrive in a changing world of work.

Meet the Experts

 

The highly experienced CIPD consultants each come with a wealth of knowledge, experience and understanding in their given subjects which enables them to contextualise learning for our public sector environment. 

Keri Brennan

Keri Brennan

An experienced HR professional with experience of employment relations, facilitation, coaching, development and organisational change.

For nearly 10 years I have been working on Level 3 and Level 5 CIPD qualifications, helping too many HR professionals to count, achieve their potential and add value to their organisations.

Colin Smith

Colin Smith

Colin is an experienced facilitator & learning consultant with 10 years supporting clients in their digital & data transformations. He has extensive experience in the world of digital media & technology having held senior leadership roles at companies such as LinkedIn & Yahoo! Colin has designed and facilitated learning programs internationally

Esther O'Halloran

Esther O'Halloran

Sharing her vast business knowledge, commercial experience and people development skills, Esther draws upon a wealth of practical and operational experience gained at Director level in both senior business and HR roles. Appointed Managing Director at PAUL Bakery in January 2012 after more than 5 years as HRD. Following 11 years HR professional experience in specialist and generalist roles gained from working for a variety of brands.

Giles O'Halloran

Giles O'Halloran

I am not just an HRBP, I am the HRGP … I partner with HR, businesses and professionals to be that trusted advisor and provide the support they need through an ever evolving portfolio of people related practices.

Whether it is helping people understand and prepare for their next career step; helping HR partner more effectively with their business; building HR’s credibility as a strategic player; or helping individuals and organisations embrace technology to improve communication, collaboration and create a community of shared purpose – this is the kind of work I do.

Jaimini Lakhani

Jaimini Lakhani

Born in Uganda, educated in the US and now based in the UK, I enjoy applying a blend of my personal and work-based international experience towards business challenges.

I have worked in diverse industries – private, public and third sector, from construction to retail, from China to South Africa. I have enjoyed partnering with courageous and ambitious leaders in Accenture, Burberry, British Council, Heathrow and others at pivotal moments to achieve transformative outcomes.

Meg Peppin

Meg Peppin

I coach and mentor other consultants, and partner with HR and L&D teams to develop internal Organisational Development Capability. I teach Organisation Design and Development for the CIPD. More recently I teach the work of Nancy Klines Thinking Environment – what new thinking is ignited when we really give our attention?

I contribute artcles to various publications. My OD methodology and approach is described in an article written for the NHS which has been widely read by members of the OD community within the NHS.

Manny Sandhu

Manny Sandhu

Director of Leadership, OD & Resourcing, West Midlands Employers

Manny is the Director of Leadership, Organisational Development and Resourcing for WME, and is responsible to the Chief Executive for managing and directing the Regional Shared Services (West Midlands Coaching Pool, and West Midlands Careers), and Consultancy Services under the Leadership, Organisational Development and Executive Recruitment portfolio.  

Matt Gofton

Matt Gofton

National CIPD Lead

Matt is passionate about creating true and meaningful partnerships with organisations. Understanding what challenges organisations face with their people agenda, to provide learning interventions that inject the latest insights, strategy and solutions. Creating an environments where individuals can measure their own capability, choose their own career pathways and take ownership of their own development by accessing a range of resources to help them on their development journey.

Nigel Carruthers

Nigel Carruthers

Senior Advisor, LGA

I lead on specified programmes of work to support councils address stratgeic workforce issues. I provide input, insight and influence to central government on the views of councils as employers. My specialist areas include recruitment and rention strategies, talent management, skills utilisation, organisational redesign and employee engagement.