Opinion

Symbolic Depiction of a Whistle Blower or Informant

Training could turn whistle-blowers into culture changers

Paul O’Donnell

Whistleblowing is becoming more common, but many organisations still fail to handle it effectively. Dispute resolution expert Paul O’Donnell argues that managers need better training to distinguish between grievances and whistleblowing, protect staff from retaliation, and build healthier workplace cultures. Otherwise organisations risk mistrust, reputational damage, and costly legal consequences. The Alan Turing Institute suddenly became front page news in August after staff went public with claims of poor leadership, a ‘toxic culture’, and fears of funding being withdrawn. Even…

Woman holding a tablet while pointing at a button with a green check mark with the word future

Revealed: Five surprising careers that will boom in the next decade

Himanshu Agarwal

The world of work is undergoing a transformation. Economic shifts and new technologies are creating demand for roles outside conventional career paths. From digital creativity to ethical judgement, success will depend on hybrid skills. Himanshu Agarwal explores five growth areas and why they matter for the future workforce, and you. Five career paths that will experience exponential demand over the next decade will boom because technological advancements are reshaping the economy. Conventional careers in business are no longer the only…

Division of society into percentage groups. Demographics, income distribution, and societal inequality. Surveys and sociological research.

Learning that lifts: designing for social mobility in the workplace

Anna Ogilby

Learning that supports social mobility requires more than accessible content, it demands intention, empathy and inclusive design. Anna Ogilby explores how workplace learning can be a catalyst for equity, connection and career progression. When we prioritise flexibility in design, representation and lived experience in every step of the learning journey. For the best learner experience, it goes without saying that learning design must go beyond knowledge transfer into creation of opportunity. In the modern workplace, however, socio economic background remains…

Stress, anxiety or headache of business asian woman working on laptop online report, proposal or copywriting at workplace office desk Burnout, frustrated corporate worker with problem, fail or error.

Why project leadership belongs to everyone

Rob Anderson

Leadership is too often seen as the domain of managers and frameworks, but Rob Anderson believes it starts much earlier, and much wider. Drawing on personal experience, he makes the case for inclusive, human-first project leadership that empowers people at every level to own outcomes, navigate challenges, and drive success. With nearly 70% of UK workplace projects failing to meet expectations, the conversation around leadership has never been more urgent, or more misunderstood. Project failure is often blamed on weak planning…

IT worker with agile board. Using scrum board for task control is a kind of agile development methodology

L&D teams as agility champions in the age of disruption

Tristan Boutros

Tristan Boutros argues that agility is no longer a niche methodology, but a core skillset for everyone. With AI reshaping work at speed, L&D leaders must embed iterative practices, real-time feedback, and shared ownership into learning strategies, ensuring teams can adapt, grow, and succeed in an era of constant disruption. L&D and HR can no longer rely on static training programs or traditional upskilling models. With AI accelerating the pace of change and disrupting how we work and learn, L&D…

Corporate upskill training for employee career development

Upskilling for the future: Embedding skills and culture for long-term impact

Nick Petschek

Nick Petschek explores how the UK’s £275 million training pledge can spark workplace transformation. With most businesses struggling to apply AI, L&D leaders must move beyond traditional training to foster adaptability, embed change, and measure what matters: ensuring investment leads to lasting capability, resilience, and readiness for an unpredictable future. In today’s volatile market, most upskilling efforts fail to drive real change. When unexpected funding arises, learning and development professionals face a critical challenge: moving beyond traditional training to unlock…

gender equality

The hidden struggle: 1 in 3 Gen Z men think the gender pay gap is a myth

Avery Morgan

Avery Morgan examines Gen Z’s push for gender equality at work, revealing progress alongside persistent bias, pay gaps, and cultural barriers. Survey insights show young women’s call for reforms, salary transparency, and anti-harassment policies, highlighting the role of leadership in creating truly inclusive, equitable workplaces for all genders and generations. Generation Z is often praised for pushing social justice and gender equality forward. A recent survey of 2000 Gen Z by EduBirdie found that 83% of young women and 59%…

Woman interacting with digital deepfake face technology on tablet screen

Trust training: why screening is now part of the people development conversation

Mathew Armstrong

Mathew Armstrong explores how AI-generated deepfakes are slipping into hiring and onboarding, challenging trust for everyone right from the very start. Screening is no longer just compliance; it’s about creating inclusive, intelligent processes that protect culture, improve learning, and strengthen performance — ensuring every new hire relationship begins with genuine confidence. A team leader spotted something strange. A new hire had passed the interviews and was preparing to start onboarding. They had already made it through the standard screening process,…

Business professionals engage in a meeting within a modern office featuring vibrant artwork on the walls

The leadership shift: What truly matters to Europe’s C-suite and L&D leaders

Toru Takahashi

Leadership development is becoming a strategic priority for European organisations navigating digital, cultural, and economic change. Toru Takahashi explores how L&D is shifting from content delivery to capability building, urging C-suite leaders to rethink traditional models and prepare for a future where adaptability, purpose, and cultural intelligence really drive success. Leadership development is receiving renewed attention across Europe as a core component of organisational adaptability. As companies manage parallel transitions in digitalisation, sustainability, workforce models, and global expansion, questions of…

Futuristic AI Visual Interface Immersive Digital Transformation with Vibrant Pixel Overlay - Next-Gen Technological Visualization for Innovative Branding Strategies

New data shows how AI is reshaping L&D

Tommy Richardson

Tommy Richardson explores new data highlighting AI’s growing role and enormous potential in personalising L&D. The shift couldn’t come at a better time. With engagement lagging and employees seeking more relevant development, AI-driven training offers tailored, adaptive experiences that boost satisfaction, support growth and help organisations future-proof their learning strategies. Innovation in workplace learning and development has taken a leap forward with the integration of AI. Employees who once saw training as another job-related requirement to check off are now…