Annual meeting: Smarter skills in the “squeezed middle”

Join us in the heart of Manchester for an evening of insight, connection and community.

Start the evening by reconnecting with familiar faces and building new professional relationships before we move into the main session.

Featured Session:

Smarter Skills in the Squeezed Middle Speaker: Gary Cookson – respected author and long-time friend of the Branch

As organisations navigate increasing complexity, change and rising expectations, the role of middle managers has never been more critical.

In this practical and thought-provoking session, Gary will explore:

• Why middle managers are carrying more than ever — strategy from above, emotion from below, and change from every direction
• Why emotional intelligence, judgement and sense-making are not “soft” skills, but essential leadership infrastructure
• How better support for the squeezed middle transforms culture, performance and change
• Clear, practical actions HR professionals can take immediately to strengthen the capability that keeps organisations functioning You can expect honest insights, real examples and grounded, actionable ideas.

Also on the Evening:

• Our formal Annual Meeting, reflecting on the past year and sharing future plans
• The chance to meet your Branch Committee
• Focused networking activities designed to spark meaningful conversation

You’ll leave with fresh insight, practical takeaways, and stronger connections across the Greater Manchester people profession community.

Whether you’re a long-standing member or new to the Branch, we look forward to welcoming you for an energising and purposeful evening.

Speakers bio:

Gary combines deep real-world experience as a senior leader, and as an HR, OD and L&D professional with contemporary research, insight and humour to help organisations build workplaces that genuinely work for their people and their performance. He has led people functions and major transformation across multiple sectors and now runs EPIC-partnering with organisations to improve leadership, culture, capability and organisational health.

Gary is a multi-published author, including HR for Hybrid Working (2022), Making Hybrid Working Work (2025) and The Squeezed Middle (2026). He is a recognised voice in the HR/L&D/OD communities, frequently speaking at national and international conferences, contributing to industry publications and being part of the ongoing conversation about leadership, organisational effectiveness and the future of work. He’s also a father of four and husband of one, so he understands the very human reality behind modern work.

Please note:

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

2. Photography and video production may be taking 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. As we are supplying refreshments, if you can no longer attend, please cancel your place either on Eventbrite, responding to this email.

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.

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