Better Connections - The Great British Workforce Challenge

The UK is at a pivotal moment in its economic evolution. Traditional jobs are disappearing, and new skills are increasingly in demand due to technological advancements.

A recent McKinsey report suggests that up to 800 million jobs worldwide could be automated by 2030, affecting a third of the global workforce. Moreover, Bain & Company research highlights that four million workers in the UK will need retraining by 2030 to support the nation’s transition to a low-carbon economy. How ready are we for yet another wave of exponential change?

In the latest instalment of Better Connections, Russ Shaw CBE, founder of Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates, and Tim Creswick, CEO and Founder of Vorboss, will discuss the workforce challenges ahead. As technological disruptions reshape industries and redefine job roles, we will discuss why businesses must take proactive measures in upskilling and reskilling their workforce and where we could look for inspiration.

Discussion topics include:
- Retraining and upskilling in the face of job displacement: What are the most effective strategies for futureproofing Britain’s workforce in rapid technological change, and how can stakeholders collaborate to implement them?

- Learning from European counterparts: What lessons can Britain learn from European counterparts like Sweden, known for effectively integrating dynamic education systems and flexible labour policies to prepare for automation? 

- Future outlook and adaptability: Considering the pace of technological change, how can businesses foster a culture of lifelong learning and adaptability to prepare the workforce for future automation demands?

We've designed the event to be perfect for busy, "time-poor" leaders: arrive at 17:00 for drinks and networking in the bar, before bringing a drink with you into the wonderful, intimate theatre for a 17:30 start. We'll be all done by 18:30 if you need to get home, but feel free to stay for drinks and snacks in the bar to chat and network with Russ and Tim.

Speaker: Russ Shaw CBE

Russ Shaw CBE is the founder of Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates. He originally founded Tech London Advocates in 2013 to promote and support startups and scaleups and be an independent, grassroots voice for the community.

Since then, he has been championing London as a global tech hub and campaigning to address some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing tech companies in the UK.

Global Tech Advocates, which Russ founded in 2015, is now present in 35 hubs around the globe, with over 30,000 members. In 2019, Russ launched the inaugural GTA Festival, taking place in China and bringing the international network together for the first time. The second edition of the Festival was held in India in 2022.

Russ was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s New Year Honours List 2021 for services to technology and to business in London. He is a founding partner of London Tech Week and an Advisory Board member for Founders4Schools and Future Energy Ventures.

He has a BSc in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Venue information and directions:

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BY NATIONAL RAIL
Liverpool Street and Moorgate Stations

BY LONDON OVERGROUND
Liverpool Street Station

BY BUS
Buses 21, 43, 76, 141 and 153 stop at Finsbury Square / Moorgate

BY TUBE

Liverpool Street Station (Central, Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City Lines)

Moorgate Station (Northern, Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City Lines)

Parking

Broadgate Car Park, underneath Broadwalk House (EC2A 2EW), is open 24/7 with 85 spaces.

Disabled access

Everyman Broadgate has full step-free access for our customers with a lift down from street level.

There are three removable seats and two wheelchair spaces in Screen 1.