We’re proud to champion The St Martin's Group (SMG) as our 2026/27 Research and Insight Sponsor,

12 Nov 2026
Media Releases
The appetite for positive employer action is there. So what needs to change to turn that ambition into greater opportunity?

The appetite for positive employer action is there. So what needs to change to turn that ambition into greater opportunity?

We’re proud to champion The St Martin's Group (SMG) as our 2026/27 Research and Insight Sponsor, and next week they’ll help us put that question front and centre.

Our Skills Gauge Pulse Survey closed last Tuesday, with 422 employers sharing their views. At the Skills Summit, our Director of Policy & Strategic Engagement, Lindsay Conroy, will explore the findings with Emily Rock, Executive Director at SMG, around three themes:

  • The Skills Challenge Remains Significant: Are we developing the skills and capabilities employers need?
  • Employer Ambition Meets Economic Reality: What is holding employers back from turning ambition into opportunity?
  • Turning Policy into Meaningful Opportunity: How can Government and employers work together to widen access to employment?


Good research does more than describe the challenge. It gives employers and policymakers the evidence to act on it. That is why SMG’s support matters, and why we’re grateful for their commitment to insight that drives real change.

Thank you to every employer who took part. Your voice shapes the conversation.

Watch this space for the findings.