

# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Managing people & growing leaders: Navigating small business challenges
- **Event Start and End Date**: Wed, 15 Apr, 2026 at 09:00 am – Wed, 15 Apr, 2026 at 11:20 am (+01:00)
- **Event Description**: A collaborative event supporting SME leaders with insights into people management, leadership development and local business support.About this EventThis 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.AimTo provide practical, credible and locally relevant people management and leadership development insights for micro and small businesses in North Wales.Purpose &amp; FocusTo 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 AttendThis event is ideal for:SME owners and directorsMicrobusiness leadersEntrepreneurs and founders“Accidental” managers and first-time people managersIndividuals responsible for HR or people management without a formal HR backgroundHR and management practitioners supporting small businessesWhat Attendees Will GainParticipants will leave with:Greater clarity about their people management and HR responsibilitiesIncreased confidence in handling common leadership and HR challengesPractical strategies to move from reactive to more purposeful people managementAwareness of current and upcoming HR and employment issues impacting small businessesInsight into fully funded local support available through Business WalesConnections with other SME leaders and support organisationsProgramme Overview09:00 – Arrival &amp; Breakfast (hosted by Caffi Tanio, M-SParc)09:30 – 09:40 – Welcome &amp; IntroductionsPryderi ap Rhisiart, Managing Director, M-Sparc09:40 – 09:55 – Opening RemarksWhy People Management &amp; Leadership Matters in Micro &amp; SMEsDr Clair Doloriert (CMI Wales Board) &amp; Jacky Leonard (CIPD Mid &amp; North Wales Branch)09:55 – 10:15 – Keynote 1The Accidental HR Manager: When HR Isn’t Your Job… But It IsJacky Leonard, Chair, CIPD Mid &amp; North Wales Branch10:15 – 10:35 – Keynote 2The Accidental Manager: Turning Chaos into ConfidenceEmma Bell-Davies, Executive Coach &amp; CMI Wales Board Member10:35 – 10:55 – Keynote 3Business Wales Insight SessionBusiness Wales Advisers10:55 – 11:15 – Panel DiscussionHow Can We Better Support Micro &amp; SME Leaders Locally?Chaired by Pryderi ap Rhisiart (M-Sparc)Panel representation from CIPD, CMI and Business Wales11:15 – 11:20 – Closing Remarks &amp; Next StepsPryderi ap Rhisiart, Managing Director, M-SparcFrom 11:20 onwards – Informal Networking OpportunityKeynote Sessions:Keynote 1The Accidental HR Manager: When HR Isn’t Your Job… But It IsDelivered by Jacky Leonard, Chair of CIPD Mid &amp; North Wales BranchMany 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 roleKey HR challenges faced in micro and small businesses and how to address them practicallyProportionate strategies for managing people well with limited resourcesA short overview of key HR and employment changes affecting small businessesBy 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 2The Accidental Manager: Turning Chaos into ConfidenceDelivered by Emma Bell-Davies, Executive Coach &amp; CMI Wales Board MemberSmall 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 successThe hidden cost of skipping management trainingPractical steps for building management skills that stickWhy SMEs are particularly vulnerable to the “management trap” and how to avoid itAttendees 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 3Business Wales Insight SessionDelivered by Business Wales AdvisersAs 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 growWhat “good enough HR” looks like for micro and small enterprisesHow to avoid pitfalls around recruitment, performance, sickness absence and difficult conversationsTools and support available, including contracts, policies and structured performance conversationsHow staying ahead of employment law changes can reduce riskThe 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 responsibilitiesIncreased confidence in handling HR challengesAwareness of fully funded impartial support available to help them grow wellCollaboration StatementThis event is delivered in partnership by:CIPD Mid &amp; North Wales BranchCMI WalesM-Sparc/ Business WalesTogether, these organisations are committed to supporting leadership development, people management capability and sustainable business growth across North Wales.Additional InformationBreakfast provided on arrivalInformal networking with speakers and partner organisationsPractical, accessible content designed specifically for small business contextsGDPR STATEMENTThis 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 | CIPDCMI Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy | CMIM-Sparc Privacy Policy: M-Sparc | Privacy PolicyPlease 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.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/gaerwen/managing-people-and-growing-leaders-navigating-small-business-challenges/100001983065619651
- **Event Categories**: workshops, business, performances, art, fine-arts, photography, entertainment
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 0

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket URL**: https://consumer.pxf.io/c/1339408/3151484/39691?partnerpropertyid=1191892&MediaPartnerPropertyId=1191892&svlink=14105511&level=1&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.com%2Fe%2Fmanaging-people-growing-leaders-navigating-small-business-challenges-tickets-1983065619651
- **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: GBP

## Event venue details

- **city**: Gaerwen
- **state**: WA
- **country**: United Kingdom
- **location**: M-SParc
- **lat**: 53.224638
- **long**: -4.2633687
- **full address**: M-SParc, Gaerwen, United Kingdom

## Event Organizer details

- **affiliate_id**: 10
- **organizer**: The CIPD Branch in Mid and North Wales (https://allevents.in/org/the-cipd-branch-in-mid-and-north-wales/23215889)

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## FAQs

- **Q**: When is the event happening?
  - **A:** Wed, 15 Apr, 2026 at 09:00 am (+01:00)
- **Q**: Where is the event happening?
  - **A:** M-SParc, Gaerwen, United Kingdom
- **Q**: What is the ticket price?
  - **A:** starting from 0 up to 0 GBP
- **Q**: Who is organizing the event?
  - **A:** The CIPD Branch in Mid and North Wales
- **Q**: What type of event is this?
  - **A:** workshops, business, performances, art, fine-arts, photography, entertainment
- **Q**: Where can I find ticket details about Managing people & growing leaders: Navigating small business challenges ?
  - **A:** You can find ticket details about this event on AllEvents.

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