Highlights – 8 July

All this sun is great for sales of ice cream and air-conditioners, and it creates a wonderful backdrop for watching Wimbledon and the World Cup. But when it comes to work, it’s a different story. Ann Francke OBE CMgr CCMI, CMI’s chief executive, appeared on BBC Business Today (Ann appears at 41.45) and highlighted the productivity implications of heatwaves, which are likely to become a more frequent fixture of our summers. She urged businesses to respond with a range of measures, from flexible working hours and hydration breaks to heat blinds, air-con and ventilation.  

“All of those things are going to become much more important as we experience these very, very hot summers,” she said. “Employers need to plan for them and managers also need to be aware.” 

Cooling measures

While the UK’s workplaces were designed for a cooler climate, recent CMI research found that around 80% of workplaces do at least have some measures in place to deal with the heat. In our survey of 1,000 managers, a third of respondents said their company had relaxed dress codes, while a quarter said flexible working hours were being offered. 

When the Daily Mail picked up on our research, it quoted Petra Wilton, CMI’s director of policy and external affairs, who emphasised the duty of care that employers have for their staff.

“Effective managers should be checking on vulnerable employees, such as pregnant staff, older workers or those with health conditions, and ensuring employees are encouraged to speak up if they are struggling,” she said. “For outdoor workers, expectations need to be reviewed, and access to fresh water, shade and regular breaks is a must.”

Trust over speed

Other CMI research has been gaining press attention lately too. Our recent report into AI, Artificial Intelligence; Real Leadership: The management imperative in AI adoption, was picked up in hundreds of articles around the world. 

In this week’s newsletter, Dr Ibrahim Peerzada CMgr FCMI examines the AI governance triad: balancing management, accountability and innovation. As AI transforms the way organisations operate, he argues that leaders must move beyond speed and efficiency to build governance systems that protect trust and accountability, as well as long-term value. 

Toxic cultures

The hot weather clearly hasn’t slowed Petra down. She also appeared on Times Radio, this time discussing toxic workplace cultures. Petra stressed that people management is a skill that can be taught, but that 82% of managers fall into the “accidental” category – promoted because they were good at their job, not because they were trained in management and leadership. 

This can have a far-reaching impact. In comments picked up by The Business Desk, Ann cited a lack of management training, and the cultural implications that carries, as a factor behind the UK’s NEETs crisis – the growing numbers of young people who are not in education, employment or training.  

“Too many managers still rely on outdated cultures built around presenteeism, poor communication and sink-or-swim leadership styles that actively deepen anxiety and disengagement for a bedroom generation shaped by lockdowns, digital overload and economic insecurity,” she said. 

“Britain has focused heavily on getting young people into jobs, while paying far too little attention to whether workplaces can actually support them once they arrive. Time and again, we see how an amateur first manager can destroy confidence far faster than any Jobcentre can rebuild it.”

The right idea

In the newsletter this week, Dr Liz Wall CMgr FCMI, a Certified Principal Business Psychologist, examines the value of psychological safety in teams and argues that managers have a duty to create environments where people feel safe to speak up, challenge and learn. 

Speaking of care and managing well, the newsletter also features the inspirational Dr Jess Harvey CMgr MCMI, winner of the Leadership Award at the NHS Excellence Awards 2026, whose can-do approach has completely transformed health services in her region.

Jess is off to row the Atlantic later this year. We wish her the best. For many of us, simply sitting in a paddling pool in this heat will be challenging enough. 

Best,

Matt Roberts CMgr FCMI

Director of membership and professional development, CMI