New Managers' Conference
For new and aspiring managers in accountancy practices
The New Managers' Conference is for recently promoted managers or those who have been in the role for less than two years. The conference will help delegates improve their current skill set and focus their attention on the non-technical aspects of their role.
Online Conferences
The on-demand version of this conference is now available to purchase separately from the Mercia Live event. This gives you the ability to catch up on technical updates at your convenience. If you've already registered for the live event, you'll now receive complimentary access to the recording.
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Full conference agenda
09.30am
Welcome and Introduction
Thomas Hewitt, Wilmington plc
When you become a line manager, work-life is a whirlwind and you start thinking about the challenges ahead as well as all the exciting things you will do in your new role.
This session will cover:
- What it might be like to go from being ‘one of the team’ to being in charge.
- Being responsible for team targets, not just your own.
- Some of the dilemmas line managers have to deal with.
- Being a positive role model.
- The rewards and satisfaction that come with being a line manager.
10.35am
Refreshment Break
Louise Conner, Mercia Group
This session will cover:
- Managerial roles can seem daunting at first due to some of the challenges they present and for some the change can feel overwhelming. How we respond to change determines our success and growth. In this session Louise will focus on growth mindset and strategies to embrace change to find opportunities to develop confidence and to learn how to thrive in evolving environments.
11.45am
Refreshment Break
Dr James Bannerman
This session will cover:
- New Managers need a variety of skills to bring out the best in their team. This session will look more closely at practical tools and techniques for influencing accountancy colleagues more effectively.
12.35pm
Lunch Break
Louise Conner, Mercia Group
This session will cover:
- We all have distinct values, communication styles and problem-solving approaches shaped by our life experiences. By embracing intergenerational diversity, we can unlock a wealth of perspectives, drive innovation and build more inclusive and resilient teams. Within this session Louise will explore how to support these differences to foster creativity, productivity and build stronger relationships.
14.20pm
Refreshment Break
Bob Bannister, IManage Performance Ltd
This focused one-hour workshop equips participants with essential skills to build a powerful professional presence and meaningful connections.
This session will cover:
- Starting with why
- The strategic importance of intentional networking.
- Identifying your target community
- Mapping your professional ecosystem and stakeholder needs.
- Your value proposition and professional presence
- Crafting profiles that showcase expertise.
- Articulating your unique professional value.
- The art of conversation and building rapport
- Techniques for meaningful dialogue and active listening.
- Strategies for establishing trust quickly.
- Maintaining connections
- Follow-up approaches that strengthen relationships.
- Creating a sustainable networking plan.
Daniel Noon, Mercia Group
In this session Danny will share insights from his own career progression, from trainee to senior manager gaining extensive experience in audit quality, technical advisory, and training. This experience led him to his current role of conducting compliance reviews, providing technical support, and delivering training to accountants across the profession. Danny will offer practical advice on navigating the transition into management, drawing on real-life experiences to help new managers build confidence in their roles.
CPD Hours: 6
Conference speakers
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Thom Hewitt is Wilmington PLC’s Learning and Development Manager. He has been a trainer for over a decade in a diverse range of industries including hospitality, retail, and risk and compliance. He specialises in sales and leadership training and associated skills such as presenting, personal development and difficult conversations. He has an informal training style, believing that people learn better and are more prepared to have their thinking challenged when they are relaxed and enjoying the experience. |
Louise Conner is Mercia’s Management and Skills Trainer. She has worked in the financial services industry for 22 years, 18 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.
Dr James Bannerman is a Creative Change Agent who combines creativity with psychology to help businesses innovate (eg. Aston Martin, Disney, DLA Piper, Duracell, Eversheds, HSBC, NFU Mutual, Mercia Group, Schroders, Unilever and the European Space Centre). He also lectures on business ‘innovation, creativity, enterprise’ on the MBA programmes at Grenoble Ecole de Management and Warwick Business School (where he has twice been awarded the ‘Outstanding Teacher Award’: 2007/08 and 2010/11), and on business management and leadership at Oxford Brookes University, where he recently completed his PhD on the impact of lateral thinking upon organisational performance.
Before working with businesses, James was a platinum-selling songwriter (BMG), a freelance cartoonist (eg Punch), is trained in clinical psychotherapy and has an M.A.Hons from Edinburgh University in English Literature. More recently, Dr James Bannerman authored two best-selling books - Genius! and Business Genius! (both published by Pearson) - which were fortunate enough to received positive endorsements from Edward de Bono and Tony Buzan, and they have since gone on to be translated into multiple languages around the world, from Italian to Japanese.
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.
Before joining Mercia Danny spent 13 years working in practice, and qualified with the ICAEW in 2018. Before his current role, Danny served as a senior manager at a mid-tier firm, where he audited a diverse range of clients, including firms of solicitors and FCA-regulated companies.
At Mercia, Danny is responsible for conducting compliance reviews, providing expert advice through our Technical Queries service, and developing content for our audit methodology.
Danny will most likely be found on a tennis court outside of work. He also enjoys showcasing his musical talents by playing the guitar at his local clubs open mic night.
One Day Conference
Previous New Managers' Conferences
Explore the programme of our previous New Managers' Conferences:
