Firms urged to strengthen talent pipelines and leadership development

Midlands businesses have been urged to strengthen their talent pipelines and rethink their approach to early‑career development, with regional experts warning that demographic shifts and changing employee expectations are putting pressure on employers. 

The call comes from Dr Mel Bull, director of executive education and MBA Programmes at Nottingham Business School and James Bagley, managing partner at PKF Smith Cooper.

Mel and James shared their expertise on PKF Smith Cooper’s Summed Up podcast, which brings regional leaders to explore issues shaping business performance and workforce resilience. 

Highlighting the scale of the challenge ahead, Dr Mel Bull said: “We need to be thinking now about how we bring forward our younger generation into management and leadership roles.

“The organisations that invest in people now will be in a much stronger position when it comes to attracting and retaining talent in the years ahead.” 

James Bagley highlighted that SMEs in particular must invest in developing talent internally to avoid future shortages.

He said: “By not investing significantly in training and development, you become more vulnerable to changes in the employment market. Bringing good people in early gives you a skill pipeline four or five years down the line – and it helps you maintain a strong workplace culture.” 

Both regional experts say employees now expect clear development pathways, coaching and opportunities to grow, and will move elsewhere if employers cannot provide them. 

Mel said job hunters increasingly choose employers based on purpose, development opportunities and clarity around progression, and that SMEs must adapt if they want to retain talent. 

From a younger generation perspective, James adds that trainees bring fresh thinking that can challenge established processes and drive innovation.

He said: “Every year we get a new cohort asking, ‘Why are you doing it like this?’ They’ll suggest ways to increase efficiency, like using AI or new technology.

“If you’re not bringing people in at trainee level, and empowering them, it stifles the growth of your business.” 

Both reject the idea that training encourages employees to leave.

“If you don’t offer development opportunities, employees will go,” Bull says. Bagley adds, “Training is a cost of doing business now. If you don’t offer it, the business stagnates.” 

They also highlight the importance of cross‑department projects, which research shows improve retention and build leadership capability.

Bull suggests that SMEs can replicate this through internal consultancy projects that give early‑career talent stretch opportunities and visibility across the organisation. 

Pictured from left to right: Dr Mel Bull, PKF Smith Cooper’s operations partner Selma Delic and James Bagley