North East Wales Set for Skills Revolution as New Advanced Skills Hub Secures Major Investment
Coleg Cambria and Wrexham University have formed a joint venture, backed by Medr funding, to launch the North East Wales Advanced Skills Hub (ASH). The hub will deliver a flexible portfolio of apprenticeships, micro‑credentials and qualifications from Level 2 to Level 7 across digital, green, manufacturing and health sectors. Designed to align education with employer demand, ASH aims to upskill the regional workforce and attract new investment. The partnership is slated to begin operations in September 2026.
Trade Union Reforms Under Employment Rights Act 2025 Set To Take Effect
The Employment Rights Act 2025’s first phase takes effect on 18 February 2026, introducing major trade‑union reforms. It switches political fund contributions to an opt‑out system while preserving existing opt‑outs. The Act also removes certain public‑sector reporting duties and streamlines industrial‑action notice requirements,...
HCML Appoints Kathryn Goldfinch as Commercial Director
HCML, a leading corporate health and wellbeing provider, has appointed Kathryn Goldfinch as Commercial Director for Corporate and Insured Health. Goldfinch brings nearly three decades of experience from senior roles at Bupa, Nuffield Health and Doctor Care Anywhere, most recently...
UK Organisations Could Unlock £40bn a Year in Productivity Value by Closing the AI “Grey Zone”
Zellis’ new research shows UK organisations could unlock up to £40 billion a year in productivity and an additional £20 billion in operating‑cost savings by better aligning AI use between leaders and employees. While 94 % of executives say AI tools are deployed,...
HR Expert Explains Why Hybrid Working Must Be Led as a Culture, Not a Policy
Max Moen, Haypp’s Head of People and Culture, argues that hybrid work must be driven by culture rather than a static policy. He emphasizes that flexibility should serve employee energy cycles and wellbeing, especially during low‑energy periods. Effective hybrid models...
London Board Game Bar Draughts Faces Employment Tribunal Over Dismissal of Kitchen Worker
London board‑game bar Draughts will appear before an employment tribunal on 12–13 February after dismissing kitchen worker Awed, a Sudanese national and UVW union member, the day a strike ballot was announced. The company cited reduced staffing needs, while the...
Popeyes UK Crowns Carnival Jackpot Winner at Mardi Gras–Themed Annual Workforce Awards
Popeyes UK staged a Mardi Gras‑themed awards night in London, unveiling the winner of its Carnival Jackpot incentive. The program, launched in 2025, awarded tokens to over 230 managers based on sales and mystery‑shop scores, culminating in a two‑year Tusker electric‑vehicle...
E.ON Backs Call for Fairer Fertility Rights at Work and Signs the Fertility Support Pledge
E.ON has signed the national Fertility Support Pledge, aligning its policy with the proposed Fertility Treatment (Right to Time Off) Bill that seeks statutory paid leave for fertility appointments. The energy group already offers unlimited paid fertility leave, flexible working,...
