Overcoming the Skills Challenge for Fast-Growing SMEs

Finding, recruiting and developing talent is one of the key barriers that SMEs face as they grow. The afternoon was therefore dedicated to helping our high growth businesses from around the UK overcome these challenges. 

The forum opened with the latest research on how HR practices affect growth. Professor Mark Hart of Aston University and Sean Taggart from the UK Commission on Employment and Skills described the high performance working practices small businesses can employ to drive greater growth.

A number of experts then asked about the changing trends in talent, including Sarah Harper, Goldman Sachs’ Head of Recruiting in EMEA, who contributed the firm’s perspective on trends in talent acquisition and development. She highlighted the importance of identifying the right talent, and the benefits of investing time to secure the right candidate. Damien Hughes, a renowned sports psychologist, challenged traditional approaches to finding talent, and Stuart Miller, CEO of ByBox Ltd and serial entrepreneur talked about the realities of growing from 10 to over 1000 employees.

Heather McGregor, MD of Taylor Bennett, and also known as Mrs. Moneypenny, moderated the day. Breakout sessions were led by Helen Wollaston, Anthony Impey and Alison Dodd.