SKILLS BANK CASE STUDY

SIMON SAYS...

“It has been a fantastic opportunity to work with M6 and one which I have thoroughly enjoyed.”

The Arts Organisation: M6 Theatre Company, Rochdale

The Advisor: Simon Whitehead, Partner, Brabners Chaffe Street LLP

The Objective: To produce and negotiate new contracts for staff.

The Desired Outcomes: For all staff to have contracts appropriate to the needs of employees and employer. For senior staff and personnel committee to have increased understanding of employment contracts and employment law.

The Result: Objective fully achieved - Simon provided much appreciated key guidance within a tight timetable. The clarity of the information and rationale provided by Simon to the management team and the personnel committee made the process very straightforward. In addition to contracts with systems for annual review, a staff handbook has been produced with all the necessary policies and procedures. Simon’s expertise and strong communication skills were pivotal to this success.

Arts manager’s score: 6 out of 6

What they say: “We were absolutely delighted with this skills match, Simon was both professional and approachable, and spoke our language (always a plus!).  We are also very appreciative of the great care taken in matching us - thank you so much for introducing Simon to M6.”  (Deborah Palmer, General Manager, M6)

“Making sure employment contracts and practices are up to date is a vital part of any organisation, including those in the arts.  Over the last decade the rate of change in employment legislation and practice has been alarmingly fast, so it is important for organisations such as M6 to be fully informed and implement changes to ensure they comply with the law and, just as importantly, that their employees feel valued.”  (Simon Whitehead)

BIA:NW is proud to have been associated with M6 since the early 1990s. Board members Malcolm Brown and Nigel Gloudon, who joined through the Board Bank, have served for eleven and seven years respectively, including a long stint as Chair by Malcolm. Mike Reed reluctantly left after six years when his job took him to Scotland.

M6 now has its own custom-built theatre maintains a reputation for the highest quality in theatre for young people.

Simon Whitehead joined Brabners Chaffe Street LLP in 2003 and became a Partner in 2007. He specialises in Employment Law, acting mainly for employers of all sizes and advising on terms and conditions, collective negotiation, reorganisations, redundancies and dispute resolution. In 2006 Simon joined the Board of Oldham Coliseum Theatre through the Board Bank.  More recently he consolidated his relationship with M6 by joining their board.