Hosted by Northumbria University and supported by multi-platform publisher NET, Culture in Conversation brought together senior leaders from across HR and organisational development to explore what it takes to build fair, high-performing organisations.
The afternoon featured keynote addresses and breakout sessions designed to challenge assumptions, share real-world experience and offer practical insight into how organisations can embed stronger, more effective cultures.
Keynote speakers included Matt Beeton, Chief Executive at Port of Tyne; Joanne Davidson, Deputy Director of Workforce, Organisational Effectiveness and Learning at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust; and Charlotte Cumiskey, Organisational Development Manager at Northumbria University. Breakout sessions were led by Joanne Davidson alongside Debra Almond and Matthew Theobald from Vandewiele UK, and Professor Gavin Oxburgh of Northumbria University. The event concluded with a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Matthew Brannan and featuring Garry Thompson from Port of Tyne, Joanne Davidson from Mersey Care, Charlotte Cumiskey and Vince Robson from Northumbria University.
Across the sessions, a clear message emerged: positive organisational cultures are not defined by strategy documents or statements, but by everyday behaviours, trust and the extent to which people feel heard, valued and safe.
The overriding takeaway was that culture is shaped by what leaders do, not what they say - and that those who invest meaningfully in their people are best placed to build organisations where both performance and wellbeing can thrive.
