What is the role of business within society? How do we build organisations that contribute responsibly and sustainably to the communities in which they operate? And what does responsible leadership look like, as we continue to lurch from crisis to crisis?

To answer these important questions, the CIPD, working with the University of Bristol, presents a six-part series exploring the lessons leaders have learned and how the world of work has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on a three-year landmark research project exploring responsible business and trustworthy leadership during the pandemic, these thought leadership articles and the accompanying podcast series discuss what has changed about how we work, how we lead and how we think about responsibility and trust in business.

With exclusive insights from business and HR leaders and Professor Veronica Hope Hailey, Dean of the University of Bristol Business School, this series provides challenging, inspirational ideas on how we build more responsible, resilient businesses and a fairer, more equitable society.  

While this research is based on perspectives of UK senior leaders, the insights and recommendations should be of interest wherever you are based.

Read the sixth thought leadership article in our series below.

Building responsible leadership for
the future

We discuss how leading through crisis has shaped the way we address new challenges

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More in this series

Thought leadership

The role of responsible business in tackling the climate crisis

Lessons on integrating sustainability into your organisation’s purpose

Thought leadership

Leadership through crisis: Can one person do it all?

We discuss how collaboration and authenticity are key for responsible leaders of the future

Thought leadership

What leading through the pandemic has taught us about trust

We discuss what it takes to create high-trust environments

Thought leadership

The new rules of work: How the psychological contract is evolving

We discuss the role leaders play in creating a workplace community

Thought leadership

What does it mean to be a responsible business in a post-pandemic world?

What has changed in the way we work and lead since COVID-19?

Responsible business
podcast series

Working with the University of Bristol, this podcast series explores the revolutionised responsible business movement and the topics that have influenced this change

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About the authors

Professor Veronica Hope Hailey

Professor Veronica Hope Hailey is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and inaugural Dean of the University of Bristol Business School.

Veronica is mainly known for her research on trust and trustworthy leadership. For the last 30 years, Veronica has worked all over the world to deliver leadership development at the most senior levels in the private, public and third sector. Her latest research, conducted in collaboration with the CIPD, focused on responsible business and leadership through crisis. 

Katie Jacobs

Katie Jacobs was senior stakeholder lead at the CIPD, where she rans the CIPD’s HR leader network for HRDs/CPOs. She is also a business journalist and writer specialising in business, workplace/HR and management/leadership issues.

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Modern slavery

Learn what modern slavery is, as well as HR's role in preventing and tackling it

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Responsible business

Explore the CIPD’s point of view on responsible business, including recommendations for employers

Factsheets
Corporate governance: An introduction

Examines the origins, aims and framework of corporate governance as it exists in the UK

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Navigating change with speed and agility is key for the C-suite

Peter Cheese, the CIPD's chief executive, looks at the challenges and opportunities faced by today’s business leaders and the strategic priorities needed to drive future success

Thought leadership
New employment legislation to come into effect on 6 April 2024

We outline the key pieces of legislation set to come into force in the UK and explain their implications for employers and employees

Thought leadership
Could mismatch in desired and actual hours worked prompt early labour market exit?

We examine people’s desired hours and how this compares to the hours they actually work

Thought leadership
Lifetime pension provider consultation prompts focus on pension awareness

Employers’ reactions to pension proposal highlight concerns over cost, while the CIPD calls for focus on raising pension awareness among staff, the need for higher contributions and better understanding of value for money