The Birmingham Post will host a round table in partnership with Birmingham City Business School where firms from around the region will discuss how to get the very best from their workforces in the future.

The invited panel, comprising blue chip PLCs as well as leading SMEs, will meet at the Post’s offices in Fort Dunlop on Friday, April 26, to talk about ways to recruit the best staff, how to retain them and ensure they progress and develop within the organisation.

Martin Reynolds, head of leadership and management practice at Birmingham City Business School, said: “With real economic growth still negligible, businesses are seriously examining the changes they need to make in order to survive, flourish and grow. There is a real management challenge of stretching out for on-going performance improvements and at the same time taking the chance to re-examine every part of their business.

“The questions many leaders need to be asking are: What will our organisation and industry look like in a decade? What type of people do we need and want, and what skills will they need to be equipped with? Organisations need to think strategically, so will be assembled some of the leading companies from the region to share their thoughts about the journey and opportunities ahead.”

Stacey Barnfield, editor of the Birmingham Post, said: “In times of crisis many employers look at staff reduction as a way of cutting costs.

“If businesses are able to invest in the skills of their workforce it is these people who can play a key role in keeping companies competitive and enable a quicker recovery from economic downturn.”