Managing people & growing leaders: Navigating small business challenges

About this event

A collaborative event supporting SME leaders with insights into people management, leadership development and local business support.

This event marks a major collaboration between the CIPD and CMI branches in Wales, together with M-SParc, reflecting a shared commitment to supporting micro and small business leaders across North Wales.

As businesses grow, people management and leadership responsibilities often emerge unexpectedly. Many business owners and managers find themselves becoming “accidental managers” or “accidental HR managers” without formal training or structures in place.

Designed specifically for micro and small businesses, this event focuses on the real challenges of managing people, developing leadership capability and staying compliant in a proportionate and practical way. Through expert-led keynote sessions, a Business Wales insight session and a panel discussion, attendees will gain tools, confidence and locally relevant support to help them navigate growth more effectively.

The event also provides space for shared learning, discussion and informal networking with fellow SME leaders and partner organisations.

Aim

To provide practical, credible and locally relevant people management and leadership development insights for micro and small businesses in North Wales.

Purpose & Focus

• To strengthen people management and leadership capability in SMEs and microbusinesses.
• To support “accidental managers” and “accidental HR managers” who have taken on people responsibilities without formal training.
• To create a space for shared experiences, challenges and practical learning.
• To showcase collaboration between professional bodies and local innovation and enterprise partners.

Who Should Attend

This event is ideal for:

• SME owners and directors
• Microbusiness leaders
• Entrepreneurs and founders
• “Accidental” managers and first-time people managers
• Individuals responsible for HR or people management without a formal HR background
• HR and management practitioners supporting small businesses

What Attendees Will Gain

Participants will leave with:

• Greater clarity about their people management and HR responsibilities
• Increased confidence in handling common leadership and HR challenges
• Practical strategies to move from reactive to more purposeful people management
• Awareness of current and upcoming HR and employment issues impacting small businesses
• Insight into fully funded local support available through Business Wales
• Connections with other SME leaders and support organisations

Programme Overview

09:00 – Arrival & Breakfast (hosted by Caffi Tanio, M-SParc)

09:30 – 09:40 – Welcome & Introductions
Pryderi ap Rhisiart, Managing Director, M-Sparc

09:40 – 09:55 – Opening Remarks
Why People Management & Leadership Matters in Micro & SMEs
Dr Clair Doloriert (CMI Wales Board) & Jacky Leonard (CIPD Mid & North Wales Branch)

09:55 – 10:15 – Keynote 1
The Accidental HR Manager: When HR Isn’t Your Job… But It Is
Jacky Leonard, Chair, CIPD Mid & North Wales Branch

10:15 – 10:35 – Keynote 2
The Accidental Manager: Turning Chaos into Confidence
Emma Bell-Davies, Executive Coach & CMI Wales Board Member

10:35 – 10:55 – Keynote 3
Business Wales Insight Session
Business Wales Advisers

10:55 – 11:15 – Panel Discussion
How Can We Better Support Micro & SME Leaders Locally?
Chaired by Pryderi ap Rhisiart (M-Sparc)
Panel representation from CIPD, CMI and Business Wales

11:15 – 11:20 – Closing Remarks & Next Steps
Pryderi ap Rhisiart, Managing Director, M-Sparc

From 11:20 onwards – Informal Networking Opportunity

Keynote Sessions:

Keynote 1

The Accidental HR Manager: When HR Isn’t Your Job… But It Is
Delivered by Jacky Leonard, Chair of CIPD Mid & North Wales Branch

Many micro and small businesses rely on individuals who take on HR responsibilities alongside their main role, often without formal training or prior HR experience. These “Accidental HR Managers” play a critical role in shaping people practice, employee experience and organisational risk, yet frequently operate with limited guidance or support.

This session will explore what it really means to be an Accidental HR Manager and how to move from accidental to purposeful HR practice. It will cover:

• What is meant by an “Accidental HR Manager” and common pathways into the role
• Key HR challenges faced in micro and small businesses and how to address them practically
• Proportionate strategies for managing people well with limited resources
• A short overview of key HR and employment changes affecting small businesses

By the end of the session, attendees will leave with greater clarity about their HR responsibilities, increased confidence in navigating people management challenges and a clearer sense of where to focus their time and energy.

Keynote 2

The Accidental Manager: Turning Chaos into Confidence
Delivered by Emma Bell-Davies, Executive Coach & CMI Wales Board Member

Small businesses often promote high-performing employees into management roles without providing training or preparation. This creates “accidental managers” who may feel overwhelmed, unsupported and unsure how to lead effectively.

This session will explore:

• Why technical talent alone does not translate into leadership success
• The hidden cost of skipping management training
• Practical steps for building management skills that stick
• Why SMEs are particularly vulnerable to the “management trap” and how to avoid it

Attendees will leave feeling inspired, reassured that they are not alone, and equipped with practical tips to upskill themselves and others to improve team performance and productivity.

Keynote 3

Business Wales Insight Session
Delivered by Business Wales Advisers

As micro and small businesses grow, people management challenges often emerge before formal structures are in place. This session focuses on practical, proportionate and compliant approaches to managing people and building strong foundations for sustainable growth.

Drawing on experience from Business Wales’ pan-Wales adviser team, this session will cover:

• Common people challenges that arise as businesses grow
• What “good enough HR” looks like for micro and small enterprises
• How to avoid pitfalls around recruitment, performance, sickness absence and difficult conversations
• Tools and support available, including contracts, policies and structured performance conversations
• How staying ahead of employment law changes can reduce risk

The session will also introduce the Business Wales Equality Pledge and Equality Pledge Plus, highlighting how businesses can take simple steps towards equality, diversity and inclusion to strengthen workplaces and reputation.

Attendees will gain:

• Greater clarity about people responsibilities
• Increased confidence in handling HR challenges
• Awareness of fully funded impartial support available to help them grow well

Collaboration Statement

This event is delivered in partnership by:

• CIPD Mid & North Wales Branch
• CMI Wales
• M-Sparc/ Business Wales

Together, these organisations are committed to supporting leadership development, people management capability and sustainable business growth across North Wales.

Additional Information

• Breakfast provided on arrival
• Informal networking with speakers and partner organisations
• Practical, accessible content designed specifically for small business contexts

GDPR STATEMENT

This event will feature external speakers who prepare and deliver their own content. Any views or opinions expressed by the speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the CIPD.

This event is co-hosted with the CMI and M-Sparc. The CIPD, CMI and M-Sparc act as data controllers for the personal data collected for this event. Your information will be shared between the controllers and used only for administering the event (including registration, name badges, table allocation and emergency contact purposes) in accordance with UK GDPR.

For more information about how your data is used and your rights, please refer to the privacy notices of the joint controllers:

• CIPD Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy | CIPD
• CMI Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy | CMI
• M-Sparc Privacy Policy: M-Sparc | Privacy Policy

Please note:

1. Reminder emails will be sent to you the day before, with a further reminder on the morning of the event.

2. Photography and video production may take place at the event, and these images may be used in the CIPD newsletters.

3. By attending the event, you are giving your consent for your image to be used on any CIPD promotional materials.

4. Please cancel your ticket so someone else can take your place if your plans change and you can no longer make it – there is usually a waitlist for our events.

5. This event may include an external speaker who has prepared their own presentation. Any views or opinions expressed by the speaker are their own and do not reflect those of the CIPD.

6. If you require any reasonable adjustments to enhance your experience, please get in contact with us by responding to this email and we will do our best to accommodate.