We were delighted that Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the RSA who had led the recently published Good Work review into modern employment practices, joined Eugen Miropolski, MD of WeWork Europe & Israel, Ade McCormack, near futurist and digital strategist and Ella Bennett, HR Director Sainsbury's-Argos at our panel event on 28 September 2017 at WeWork’s highly innovative workspace: WeWork Aldwych House.
Over the last decade many businesses have been disrupted or transformed completely by digital forces. The “gig” economy has gained a significant foothold and accelerated a trend to more flexible employment arrangements. Traditional ways of doing business are also being challenged by the shifting economic, social and demographic landscape. Organisations across all sectors are under increasing pressure to be more agile and to rethink old ways of doing things in order to survive and thrive.
This event looked at how these forces are reshaping the world of work, the challenges of digital transformation and the implications of new forms of work for both organisations and the people who work for them.
Our keynote speaker presented a fascinating anthropological take on how humans have behaved, adapted and organised themselves over time and the extent to which the digital age is enabling people to work in ways that reflect their natural human nature.
Our facilitated panel discussion looked at how different organisations embrace opportunities and adapt to the rapidly changing world of work. In an increasingly entrepreneurial, collaborative and creative world of work, our panel of experts shared their experiences and insights on how forward-thinking companies are reshaping business models, workforce deployment, organisational culture, and leadership to accommodate changes to the way they (and their people) work.
This event was of interest to business leaders, HR Directors, legal professionals and others with strategic people or policy-making roles. It was a fantastic opportunity to gain practical insights from the panel and network with peers.
Panel speakers
Ade McCormack - Near futurist, digital strategist and MD of Auridian Consulting
Our keynote speaker, Ade, is a former technologist who today helps organisations harness technology and people to thrive in the digital age. As well as advisory work, he has written a number of books and has lectured at MIT Sloan School of Management on digital leadership. He is a former columnist for the Financial Times and CIO magazine, with a focus on digital leadership.
Eugen Miropolski - Managing Director of WeWork for Europe & Israel
Eugen has scaled both startups and fast-growth technology companies with a focus on global expansion. Previously, Eugen was the Managing Director, International Operations, for Airbnb where he led Airbnb’s European expansion. Prior to that, he was the COO of Groupon Russia and is the founder of Jungmiro, a startup investment firm.
Matthew Taylor - Chief Executive of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.
Matthew has been Chief Executive of the RSA since 2006. Prior to becoming Chief Executive, Matthew was Chief Adviser on Political Strategy to the Prime Minister and was the Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research between 1999 and 2003. He led the government commissioned independent review of employment practices in the modern economy, looking at the implications of emerging business practices and models on employee rights and responsibilities.
Ella Bennett - HR Director Sainsbury's-Argos
As a board member and HR Leader, Ella shapes and influences the strategic direction and culture of this new and unique store-based and digital on-line business. Her responsibilities range from defining the best and most robust operating model, ensuring the future development and acquisition of the digital skills needed for sustainability and growth and leading the HR function of 250 people.
About The Future of Work Hub
Recognising the impact of the changing world of work on businesses, HR and employment regulation, Lewis Silkin LLP launched the Future of Work Hub initiative to inform and connect people engaged in forward thinking about the future of work.
About WeWork
WeWork’s mission is to give its members the space, connections and services they need to create their life’s work, while helping them collaborate with like-minded people who can help their businesses grow and succeed.
Founded in 2010 by Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey in New York, WeWork currently has more than 100 physical locations in 32 cities around the world. WeWork seeks ‘creators’ from all industries and companies big and small to become members, with a suite of WeWork-specific membership benefits in each country and a local staff in each city.
To learn more about WeWork please click here to visit their website.