Managers' Conference
Being an effective manager in the modern practice
This conference provides an opportunity for managers to develop their current skill set and focus their attention on the non-technical aspects of their role. It will cover specific techniques to support them in managing themselves, their teams and their clients more effectively.
Who should attend the conference
Mercia's Managers' Conference is a must-attend event for any manager wanting to improve their managerial and leadership skills.
Through this one-day virtual conference, you will get practical advice about managing and leading your team. Hear from experts on how you can add value to your employees and working environment.
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Full conference agenda
9:30am
Welcome and Introduction
Louise Conner, Mercia Group
Communication is the most important skill in life, mastering the art of communication will allow us to understand how to adapt our communication style to suit the task, the team and the individual that we are working with. Varying our approach to suit learning styles will ensure that our message is delivered successfully. This in turn has a positive effect on the teams that we are working with as goals are clear, we play to each other's strengths and encourage collaboration, boosting morale and motivating us and those around us.
David Whitson-Black, Azets
In today’s competitive job market, retaining top talent goes beyond offering salary increases. This interactive session equips managers with innovative, non-monetary strategies to engage, motivate and retain employees. Participants will explore practical tools for fostering career development, building a strong organisational culture, promoting work-life balance and recognising achievements - all essential for retaining employees without relying solely on financial rewards.
11:25am
Refreshment Break
In this session we will hear from a manager within a professional organisation, who will share their career journey so far focusing and reflecting upon their successes and challenges. Providing tips and advice on how they have navigated their way through various situations.
12.10pm
Lunch Break
Bob Banister, iManage Performance
This one-hour session equips managers with practical strategies to foster a culture of accountability within their teams. Participants will learn how to set clear expectations, improve communication, and empower team members to take ownership of their responsibilities. The talk covers techniques for addressing accountability challenges and actively leading by example. By the end of the session, managers will have a toolkit of actionable methods to enhance team performance through increased accountability, ultimately contributing to organisational success.
2.10pm
Refreshment Break
Gemma Archer, Mercia Group
This session will look at the pillars of sustainability and how managers can drive forward their firm’s ESG strategy and agenda, using it as a tool to motivate, retain and recruit. Studies have shown that employees are increasingly concerned with working for businesses that demonstrate sustainable practices and managers play a vital role in ensuring that the practices are the fabric of the firm’s culture. During the session, we will look at the importance of governance and ‘tone at the top’ as well as aspects of the social and environmental pillars relevant to firms today.
Louise Conner, Mercia Group
This session will help to remove negative connotations surrounding feedback and help us to recognise the value and benefits in regular feedback meetings. We will delve into the principles of giving effective feedback to ensure this is constructive, timely, balanced and forward-looking, exploring models and frameworks to assist. The focus will also be on receiving feedback to allow managers to improve working relationships and recognise their own areas of development.
4.00pm
Close of Conference
Conference speakers
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Louise Conner is Mercia’s Management and Skills Trainer. She has worked in the financial services industry for twenty-two years, eighteen of which have been within the Learning and Development arena. This experience has allowed Louise to perfect her motivational coaching model. She has a diverse range of courses, focusing on transferable skills within the workplace. Louise always aims to make her courses as interactive as possible to keep them fun and engaging. Her passion lies within training, and she always gets great job satisfaction from seeing people grow and develop along their career paths. |
With 25 years of experience in HR, Learning & Development, and Talent, David is a seasoned Talent and Performance Specialist. As the Group Head of Talent and Performance for Azets, a leading international accounting and business advisory firm, David is dedicated to driving organisational success through strategic talent management, leadership development and performance optimisation. Known for a deep understanding of the intersection between people, culture and business performance, David excels in fostering environments where both employees and companies thrive on a global scale.
With four decades of experience driving growth and innovation, Bob Bannister is a veteran business leader. As founder and Managing Director of iManage Performance Ltd., Bob provides strategic oversight and hands-on leadership in business development, consulting, training and coaching.
Bob began his career as an engineer, completing an apprenticeship and working with leading manufacturers like Qualcast, DuPont and Philips. He later served as Senior Consultant at a specialist procurement consultancy before founding the training consultancy iManage. As a mature student, Bob earned an MBA from the University of Brighton - a pivotal moment that catalysed his entrepreneurial journey.
Even while managing a thriving company, Bob remains deeply involved in service delivery and client relationships. His enduring enthusiasm for learning shines through in his work.
Beyond the office, you may find Bob racing to the podium in amateur circuits or laying down bass lines with his bandmates. In his empty nest years, he brings a wealth of experience, energy and wisdom to every endeavour. Though decades into his career, Bob tackles each day with youthful exuberance, continuing to grow his business and himself.
Gemma jointly leads the team responsible for Mercia’s file and compliance reviews, including performing reviews at client sites or remotely. She also lectures on Mercia’s Early Careers Programme and on specialist areas such as charities and academies, ESG and Mercia methodology, as well as advising clients on technical queries.
Gemma joined Mercia from audit practice in January 2021, where she had worked for 13 years, specialising in not-for-profit and charity clients for over a decade. Gemma has a keen interest in academies and sits on several ESFA working groups.
One Day Conference
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