The British Chambers of Commerce’s 2025 Global Annual Conference was recently attended by a leading HR representative from SOCOTEC, UK and Ireland.
Lisa Massey is the HR Director of SOCOTEC in the UK and Ireland and a member of BCC’s Employment Expert Panel. She sat on a panel entitled, “Boosting access to employable workforce” at the GAC 2025, which was held at Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London, on 26 the th of June 2025.
Clive Myrie, BBC Newsreader, hosted the conference and gave the keynote address. Prime Minister Keir starmer also spoke at the opening.
Lisa and the other panelists discussed what can be done to get people back to work, and the role that the government, employers, and individuals all have to play. The panel discussion was prompted by the recent news that a record number of people of working age are unemployed, which ultimately damages the economy and businesses in the UK.
Lisa’s experience as a panelist was described by her as “fantastic”. With a diverse range of speakers representing industries from across the nation’s economy, the BCC Global Annual Conference provided many key learnings.
“There’s clearly more we can do to get people back in the workforce. By discussing with a member of parliament, as well my fellow panelists, I hope that we can continue to get working-age people back into employment.
“To be able discuss important developments in HR and workforce on a big stage shows the expertise that we have within SOCOTEC, UK and Ireland. It is also a statement about where we are at as a company – strong leaders who are respected and valued for their opinions.”
The Conference’s main aim was to stimulate thought-provoking discussion about how Britain can move from its current economic landscape towards a future filled with opportunity.
Jane Gratton is Deputy Director of Public Policy for the British Chambers of Commerce. She said, “The BCC Global Annual Conference has become the highlight of our business calendar.” The BCC Global Annual Conference is a great opportunity for business leaders to come together and discuss challenges and opportunities facing firms.
“A thriving business is built on people, and SOCOTEC was a great addition to our discussion about how to increase access to a workforce that’s employable.
Lisa shared her valuable insights about the role that employers play in helping young people get into the workforce, upgrading the workforce, and helping employees to access health and wellness services in order to retain their skills in the workplace.
SOCOTEC is the leader in testing and inspection services. It has 70 offices in the UK and Ireland and over 2,000 employees. SOCOTEC also has a presence across 27 countries.
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