The event, which was kindly hosted by HSBC, was attended by senior representatives from firms including: Alexander Mann Solutions, Fircroft, Resource Solutions, Venn, Hudson and Morgan Hunt.
Former cabinet minister Michael Moore joined PwC in January 2016 to work with clients on the strategic implications of Brexit and other political issues. On the evening of the event, he offered insight on the different possible outcomes of Brexit and practical advice on how recruitment businesses should best manage each of the various possibilities.
He advised guests that, while we don’t yet know what the ‘landing zone’ looks like, doing nothing to prepare for life outside of the EU is not an option. He stressed that recruitment leaders must map their businesses against the best case and the worst case scenarios, understand how each may impact critical things like the supply chain and people, and then prepare in terms of mitigation. The key message was that we need to keep thinking, engaging and planning from now on.
Reflecting on the event, Ann Swain, Chief Executive of APSCo, said:
“Executive dinners of this kind give a small group of individuals with similar interests and challenges a chance to network in a comfortable environment. Bringing together leaders from some of the largest professional sector recruitment firms in the UK in this way facilitates the highest level of peer-to-peer best practice discussion, and this is particularly important when an issue as prevailing as Brexit is on the horizon. While many terms of the UK’s EU withdrawal have now been agreed, huge swathes of uncertainty remain. Michael Moore’s expertise was invaluable and feedback on his address was, as you could imagine, overwhelmingly positive.”
James Saoulli, CEO at Rullion, commented:
“I've been to a number of ASPCo dinners and events and have always found them to be very informative and well run. Michael Moore's speech was very good and it brought to the fore the need for us to prepare for Brexit and highlighted that political uncertainty is an imperative variable that we need to think about in our strategic reviews. I wouldn't hesitate in attending another APSCo event.”
Miles Hunt, international recruitment and talent management entrepreneur and expert, commented:
“Michael Moore provided the most succinct practical guide to the possible Brexit outcomes and the commercial implications that I have yet to hear. To be able to speak so eloquently and simply, about such a complex subject matter and all without notes was hugely impressive.”
Matthew Rodger, Commercial and Corporate Development Director, Alexander Mann Solutions, added:
“A really good night. Michael’s Brexit insight was fascinating. He painted a very clear picture in straight forward easy to understand language that really enables clarity of thinking and practical action.”
