

# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Annual meeting: Smarter skills in the “squeezed middle”
- **Event Start and End Date**: Wed, 03 Jun, 2026 at 05:30 pm – Wed, 03 Jun, 2026 at 08:00 pm (+01:00)
- **Event Description**: Middle managers hold it all together. This practical session at our Annual Meeting shows why that matters — and what HR can do about it.About this EventJoin 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 BranchAs 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 directionWhy emotional intelligence, judgement and sense-making are not “soft” skills, but essential leadership infrastructureHow better support for the squeezed middle transforms culture, performance and changeClear, 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 plansThe chance to meet your Branch CommitteeFocused networking activities designed to spark meaningful conversationYou’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:  https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/e15e34e0-1958-11f1-bc88-dd98c03efcf8-rimg-w1200-h393-dcffffff-gmir.jpg Gary combines deep real-world experience as a senior leader, and as an HR, OD and L&amp;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&amp;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.Agenda🕑: 05:30 PMRegistration, networking and refreshments🕑: 06:00 PMFormal session beings🕑: 08:00 PMSession close
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/manchester/annual-meeting-smarter-skills-in-the-squeezed-middle/100001984136158662
- **Event Categories**: Meetups, Art, literary-art, Photography, health-wellness
- **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%2Fannual-meeting-smarter-skills-in-the-squeezed-middle-tickets-1984136158662
- **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: GBP

## Event venue details

- **city**: Manchester
- **state**: EN
- **country**: United Kingdom
- **location**: Friends' Meeting House
- **lat**: 53.4783668
- **long**: -2.2459454
- **full address**: Friends' Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester, United Kingdom

## Event Organizer details

- **affiliate_id**: 10
- **organizer**: The CIPD Branch in Manchester (https://allevents.in/org/the-cipd-branch-in-manchester/22755564)

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: banner
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/326a1748de8114dab819b9cb1c4fba44f5cbf5970cbf5a023b356448ed900490-rimg-w1200-h600-dc3e1152-gmir.jpg?v=1772800505
- **Alt text**: thumbnail
  - **Image URL**: https://dyn-image.allevents.in/generate-image?v=4&title=Annual+meeting%3A+Smarter+skills+in+the+%E2%80%9Csqueezed+middle%E2%80%9D&date=03+Jun

## FAQs

- **Q**: When is the event happening?
  - **A:** Wed, 03 Jun, 2026 at 05:30 pm (+01:00)
- **Q**: Where is the event happening?
  - **A:** Friends' Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester, 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 Manchester
- **Q**: What type of event is this?
  - **A:** Meetups, Art, literary-art, Photography, health-wellness
- **Q**: Where can I find ticket details about Annual meeting: Smarter skills in the “squeezed middle” ?
  - **A:** You can find ticket details about this event on AllEvents.

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