Why this Network?
Employee and Industrial Relations is a board-level risk.
From implementation of the UK’s Employment Rights Act and European Works Council reforms, to managing the shifting union landscape and the unchartered territory of AI-driven workforce changes: leaders are in the hot seat.
CRF’s ER/IR network combines exclusive events, research, advisory support and learning to build capability and organisational resilience.
2027 Agenda
- 28 January: Webinar: Emerging Issues in Trade Union Strategies | 12.00 – 13.00 GMT
- 17 March: Event: What’s Next on the Employment Rights Act | 09.30 – 15.00 GMT
- 27 May: Event: Case Management in the Age of AI | 09.30 – 15.00 BST
- 21 September: Dinner: Approaches to Pay Claims and Pay Movement | 18.00 – 21.00 BST
- 20-21 October: CRF Learning: Creating a ‘Win-Win’ Employee Relations Strategy | 09.00 – 17.00 BST each day (Member organisations are eligible for one complimentary place per year)
- 2 December: Dinner and Year Ahead Planning | 18.00 – 22.00 GMT (Chatham House Rule applies)
2026 Agenda
- 4 February Webinar: Employment Rights Bill – Getting Ahead
- 11 February: Dinner (Chatham House Rule applies)
- 5 March Event: From Policy to Practice: Implementing the Employment Rights Bill
- 20 May Webinar: European Works Council Reform in Action: The New Directive
- 16-17 September: CRF Learning: Creating a ‘Win-Win’ Employee Relations Strategy (Member organisations are eligible for one complimentary place per year)
- 21 October: Event – Going Viral: Social Media, AI and the new ER playbook
- December: Dinner and Year Ahead Planning (Chatham House Rule applies)
The ROI of Membership:
- Strategic Foresight: Stay ahead of legislative change, case law developments, and policy trends before they hit your P&L.
- Confidential benchmarking: Exchange solutions with senior peers and policy makers in a closed-door environment.
- Expert access: To our legal partners and Strategic Dimensions’ ER/IR Interim Talent pool
- Build capability with immediate value: Membership includes one place on the CRF Learning ER Programme (Value: £2,500).
Who is the network for?
This network is open to HR and ER leaders, Legal Advisors, and anyone managing Employee Relations or navigating Industrial Relations disputes.
Whether in a unionised or non-unionised environment, the insights, learning and connections offered will be invaluable. Membership of the network gives access to the Leader and their broader team, to be used as appropriate.
Click here to explore our leaflet and discover more about CRF’s Employee and Industrial Relations Network and how it can support your organisation.
Executive Summary: Going Viral: Social Media, AI and the New ER Playbook
This CRF Employee and Industrial Relations Network report explores how: – Three forces are weakening the informal networks on which ER depends. – The old ER playbook no longer works. – The new playbook must treat informal networks as the primary asset of ER. The full report is available to members of the Employee and…
Annual Membership Includes
- Exclusive in-person, online and dinner events for networking, learning and advisory support
- Research papers combining academic input, case studies and practitioner views
- Free place on CRF’s annual ER Learning Programme (value c. £2,500)
- Discounted access to the Strategic Dimension’s Interim ER/IR Talent pool
- Legal updates and knowledge sharing from a leading UK Employment Law Firm
Investment required
£8,000
For existing CRF Members
£9,500
For non-CRF-members
If you are interested in attending any of the upcoming events, or for more details, please contact Melissa Bull or complete the form below.
Resources
Summary Notes: From Policy to Practice: Implementing the Employment Rights Act
Video: A Collaborative Approach to Union Rep Succession
From Voice to Value: Positioning ERGs in the Employment Relations Climate
CRF Learning: Creating a ‘Win-Win’ Employee Relations Strategy
Network Chairs
Led by industry experts: The network is co-led by John Whelan MBE (former UK HRD at BAE Systems) and Nick Dalton (former EVP HR at Unilever) – both seasoned leaders in managing complex ER/IR scenarios.
John Whelan MBE
Director
CRF
Nick Dalton
Speaker, Author and Advocate & ER/IR Network Lead
CRF
