Future of work 2023

How do we tackle talent shortages and design inclusive labour markets to deliver productivity gains?

Conference
14 March 2023 — 9:30AM TO 5:00PM
Chatham House and Online
Conference background image

Stimulating investment in skills and human capital

Economies are at a pivotal point for the future of work and labour markets. Workforce and workplace expectations are changing and developed economies are tackling major skills and employment challenges in the context of a cost-of-living crisis, rising inflation and labour shortages.

This evolving landscape presents an opportunity for organizations and governments alike to build a thriving world of work that puts people at its core. By creating more inclusive labour markets, investing in skills and innovation and pioneering new employment models, productivity and career longevity can be improved regardless of labour force status, occupation or location.

Against this backdrop, the conference convenes business leaders, policymakers, representatives from multilateral institutions and labour market experts for high-level discussions and under the Chatham House Rule sessions to explore the key trends impacting the changing world of work.

Why attend?

  • Deepen your understanding of latest policy and labour market trends shaping the world of work.
  • Gain new insight into the benefits of technological advances and responsible AI ecosystems.
  • Understand what skills will be in demand in the future and how to better prepare workforces.

Who attends

Chatham House exterior.

The venue

Chatham House is a trusted forum for debate and independent analysis. Our conferences provide access to thought leadership, market insight and influential ideas by bringing together policymakers, world leaders, senior business executives and sector specialists.

Join us at our world-famous Grade II listed home in beautiful St James Square, London.

Agenda

Tuesday 14 March (timings subject to change)

Designing inclusive labour markets

How do we overcome the main hurdles to building diverse and equitable workforces? What policy mechanisms should be in place to reduce barriers to formal labour force participation, close the gender gap and stimulate labour mobility? What are the skills and social protections needed to ensure workers can access inclusive and rewarding employment opportunities?


Speakers
Scott Barklamb, Member, Governing Body, International Labour Organization  
Polly Mackenzie, Chief Social Purpose Officer, UAL 
Michal Rutkowski, Global Director, Social Protection and Jobs, World Bank 
Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, World Economic Forum
Chair: Helen Mountfield KC, Principal, Mansfield College, Oxford

1000–1100

Networking break

1100–1130

Building ‘future-fit’ organizations

How should business leaders prioritize innovation and investment in human capital? What will constitute company culture in the near term and how will workforces and work environments evolve over the next five years? Why is attracting and retaining talent such a challenge? How do we tackle the digital skills gap?


Speakers
Patrick Hull, VP, Global Learning and Future of Work, Unilever
Bill Schaninger, Senior Partner, Philadelphia, McKinsey & Co
Liz Williams, CEO, FutureDotNow
Alexia Cambon, Senior Director, Modern Work, Microsoft
Chair: Lizzy Burden, UK Correspondent, Bloomberg TV

1130–1230

Lunch

1230–1330

Fireside chat: Investing in people – is it worth it for employers?

Accumulating work experience and new skills pays off for individuals through higher lifetime earnings and career progression. While the benefits are clear for employees, how does this process pay off for companies? Does developing talent really affect a firm’s financial performance? How can human capital be transformed into a competitive advantage? Which management practices are actually most effective?


Speakers
Anu Madgavkar
, Partner, McKinsey Global Institute  
Chair: Helen Tupper, Co-founder, Amazing If  

1330–1400

Leveraging the power of AI responsibly

How can a human-centric and responsible approach to AI support a more equitable and productive future of work? While AI and automation is often associated with job displacement, what impact is AI having on job quality and recruitment processes? What lessons can be drawn from examples globally? What policies are needed to protect workers’ rights as surveillance and monitoring tools increase the means for employers to track and manage work processes?


Speakers
Rebecca Finlay, CEO, Partnership on AI
Carl Benedikt Frey, Director, Future of Work, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford
Nikki Sun, International Strategy Forum Academy Fellow, Chatham House 
Chair: Anna Thomas, Co-Founder, Institute for the Future of Work

1400–1500

Networking break

1500–1530

Skills for the future: Closing the skills gap

Exclusive to in-person participants and held under the Chatham House Rule. 

Is life-long learning and upskilling the key to ‘future-proofing’ employment opportunities? What policies are needed to ensure the right skills systems are in place to boost productivity and improve access to better jobs? How can education systems adapt? How do we manage the skills shift required to deliver the green agenda and a low carbon economy?


Speakers
El Iza Mohamedou, Head, Centre for Skills, OECD
Joost Korte, Director-General, Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission
Sir Christopher Pissarides, Regius Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, LSE
Chair: Lesley Giles, Director, Work Advance

1530–1630

Skills for the future: The next generation workforce

Exclusive to in-person participants and held under the Chatham House Rule. 

How can different generations co-exist in the workplace as skills and workplace models evolve? How can employers attract and retain talent as expectations of work change between generations? How do we prepare workforces for jobs that don’t yet exist?


Speakers
Eliza Filby
, Generation Expert
Bobby Duffy, Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Policy Institute, Kings’ College London
Richard Hamer, Director, Education and Skills, BAE Systems
Anita Tiessen, CEO, Youth Business International
Chair: Sam Forsdick, Staff Writer, Raconteur

1630–1730

End of conference

1730

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