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Networking skills should play a key role in workplace development

Networking skills should play a key role in workplace development

Networking is a core skill for everyone, writes Henry Strickland. Embracing it in the workplace can have compelling, far-reaching benefitsIt was recently reported that the art of networking is disappearing from modern workplaces. The skill is particularly lacking among young professionals, with around 60 percent of whom avoiding in-person networking events to the detriment of their careers. I read of this with interest and concern, being a strong believer that both internal and external networking remains one of the single most powerful accelerators for career progression, and that more opportunities come through relationships than any other channel. (more…)

Five strategies to enhance HR efficiency in modern workplaces

Five strategies to enhance HR efficiency in modern workplaces

HR departments are supposed to be the backbone of modern workplaces, but many are struggling to keep up. You’ve probably seen it firsthand: talented HR teams getting bogged down in administrative tasks when they should be driving real organizational change. The problem isn’t lack of effort. It’s that most HR departments are still operating like it’s 2010. Today’s business world moves fast, and your HR processes need to match that pace. (more…)

Design Mumbai hosts the Sustainable Design Collective

Design Mumbai hosts the Sustainable Design Collective

The Sustainable Design Collective joined forces with Design Mumbai to host panel discussions at this rapidly expanding event.The Sustainable Design Collective recently joined forces with Design Mumbai to host panel discussions at this rapidly expanding event. Attracting over 9,000 visitors and 100+ leading, global brands, Design Mumbai’s launch in 2024 marked India’s first-ever B2B international contemporary design trade show for design, architecture, and interiors professionals.  The second iteration was held at Jio World Garden on 26th-29th November 2025. The event has already become a platform, both for Indian brands seeking global recognition and for international companies that want to tap into the prosperous and fast-growing Indian design market. (more…)

The UK’s most influential workplace design event is open for registration

The UK’s most influential workplace design event is open for registration

Registration is now officially open for Workspace Design Show London, returning to the Business Design Centre on 25–26 February 2026Registration is now officially open for Workspace Design Show London, returning to the Business Design Centre on 25–26 February 2026 with its most forward-thinking edition yet. The 2026 show will push even further under its new theme, Connected Realities, exploring how physical spaces and digital layers are increasingly merging to shape the workplaces of tomorrow. Across two days, the event will transform the BDC into a dynamic landscape of ideas and innovation, featuring leading UK and international brands unveiling the latest in furniture, lighting, acoustics, flooring, sustainability, digital workplace tools and materials for next-generation environments. Visitors can expect a show floor rich with new launches from companies including König + Neurath, Sedus, Kvadrat, Pedrali, Interface, Forbo and more, alongside a wider range of workplace product innovators shaping the future of work. (more…)

Many people lack the confidence to use life-saving defibrillators at work. Here’s what you can do

Many people lack the confidence to use life-saving defibrillators at work. Here’s what you can do

To address workplace cardiac emergencies, St John Ambulance has launched its easy-to-use HEART defibrillators at work to empower employees to act quickly to save lives.Research from health charity St John Ambulance shows that a quarter of UK adults have experienced a cardiac arrest incident in some way, either as a first aider, bystander or patient. With more than one in seven cardiac arrest incidents occurring in the workplace, access to defibrillators is critical. To address workplace cardiac emergencies, St John Ambulance has launched its easy-to-use HEART defibrillators at work to empower employees to act quickly to save lives. Prompt CPR and defibrillation – which delivers an electric shock to restore someone’s normal heart rhythm – can more than double survival rates during cardiac arrest. Yet, over half of people don’t know how to give CPR, while almost two-thirds lack confidence to use defibrillators at work. (more…)

Stress accounts for a quarter of UK short term workplace absence

Stress accounts for a quarter of UK short term workplace absence

Stress now accounts for more than a quarter of short term workplace absence in the UK, according to new research from Simplyhealth and the CIPD.Stress now accounts for more than a quarter of short term workplace absence in the UK, according to new research from Simplyhealth and the CIPD. The latest edition of the Health and Wellbeing at Work report, one of the most extensive surveys of its kind, shows that 26 percent of short term absences are attributed to stress. The authors also suggest that almost two thirds of HR professionals reported stress related absence in their organisation during the past year. (more…)

Younger workers are upbeat about career prospects but expect more from employers

Younger workers are upbeat about career prospects but expect more from employers

Younger workers are the most optimistic about their career prospects but also the most likely to look for new opportunities if their ambitions are not met,Younger workers are the most optimistic about their career prospects but also the most likely to look for new opportunities if their ambitions are not met, according to PwC’s 2025 Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey. The study, which gathered responses from 2,023 UK employees across 28 sectors, found that 62 percent of Generation Z professionals (aged 18 to 28) feel optimistic about the future of their roles, almost double the proportion of Generation X workers at 35 percent. Despite economic uncertainty and technological disruption, Gen Z also show the highest levels of motivation, with 71 percent saying they look forward to going to work compared to 55 percent of Gen X respondents. (more…)

Government issues new guidance on managing surplus property

Government issues new guidance on managing surplus property

The UK Cabinet Office has published updated functional guidance titled Managing Surplus Government Property, setting out how government departments should identify, evaluate and dispose of surplus real estateThe UK Cabinet Office has published updated functional guidance titled Managing Surplus Government Property, setting out how government departments should identify, evaluate and dispose of surplus real estate within the central government estate. The document was released on 10 November 2025. The guidance replaces the earlier Guide for the Disposal of Surplus Land and reflects a broadened scope, placing greater emphasis on reviewing multiple options and combining factors when considering disposal or reuse of property assets. (more…)

HR leaders don’t really get why people are worried about the changing workplace

HR leaders don’t really get why people are worried about the changing workplace

A quarter of UK employees have considered leaving their jobs because of the constant pace of change in the workplaceA quarter of UK employees have considered leaving their jobs because of the constant pace of change in the workplace, according to new research commissioned by Investors in People. The nationally representative survey, conducted by Censuswide, found that nearly 20 percent of workers feel worn down by the volume of organisational change. More than a third said they can cope but find it increasingly exhausting. The findings form part of Investors in People’s latest white paper, Finding the Frequency [registration], which explores how British organisations can manage change more effectively and build resilience among employees. (more…)

Coworking space numbers rise across UK and Ireland

Coworking space numbers rise across UK and Ireland

The number of coworking spaces in the UK and Ireland has reached a new peak, according to new industry data, signalling the continuing shift in how offices are being used.The number of coworking spaces in the UK and Ireland has reached a new peak, according to new industry data, signalling the continuing shift in how offices are being used. Data from CoworkingCafe’s third quarter 2025 report show around 4,315 coworking locations across the region, of which approximately 4,048 are in the UK and 267 in Ireland. In the UK the distribution is heavily concentrated in major urban centres. Greater London alone hosts roughly 1,191 coworking sites. Manchester follows as a leading regional hub with around 120 spaces, while Glasgow and Birmingham also show significant numbers at 68 and 67 respectively. (more…)

People no longer want to network, and it’s harming them and their careers

People no longer want to network, and it’s harming them and their careers

The report sets out the biggest challenges holding young people back from making real life connections to build relationships and a network.The art of networking is fading from the modern workplace, with a new poll from Nova suggesting that nearly two thirds (60 percent) of young professionals actively avoid in-person networking events, while around a third (29 percent) say they feel socially anxious when faced with real-life small talk. The report sets out the biggest challenges holding young people back from making real life connections to build relationships and a network. One in four (26 percent) dread awkward silences more than anything and one in five (19 percent) secretly hate small talk and wish they could skip it altogether – despite it being one of the simplest ways to build rapport and make professional connections. (more…)

Design Festival North is back for 2026, but with Birmingham replacing Manchester

Design Festival North is back for 2026, but with Birmingham replacing Manchester

Design Festival North, the regional design event organised by Design Social North, will return in 2026 with an expanded programme visiting Leeds, Birmingham and Liverpool.Design Festival North, the regional design event organised by Design Social North, will return in 2026 with an expanded programme visiting Leeds, Birmingham and Liverpool. The one-day festival, which takes place on 12 March, will bring together architects, interior designers, specifiers and suppliers to explore new products and ideas from across the design and built environment sectors. The organisers say the event aims to strengthen connections between creative professionals and foster collaboration across regions outside London. (more…)