July Review: People Before Perceptions: Unlocking Hidden Talent Pools for Harrogate Businesses
On Monday 14th July, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce hosted an inspiring and practical July business briefing at the Cedar Court Hotel, tackling the regional recruitment squeeze head-on. Titled "People Before Perceptions: Unlocking the Talent You Never Knew You Needed," the evening challenged local employers to look past traditional recruitment routes to find loyal, highly skilled and resilient workforces.
Chamber President Phill Holdsworth opened the evening by highlighting that standard vacancy fulfilment remains a critical operational obstacle for regional companies. He urged businesses to expand their horizons to include underutilised social demographics that are frequently overlooked despite being heavily supported by dedicated funding and frameworks.
Disability Action Yorkshire: Breaking Barriers and Busting Myths
Robert Kernaghan, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Chamber member Disability Action Yorkshire (DAY), shared his lived experience of navigating employment after contracting polio at age six, leading to an incredibly successful 30-year career with First Direct and HSBC. Kernaghan highlighted a stark disparity: while 5.5 million disabled people are currently employed in the UK, their unemployment rate remains twice as high as non-disabled individuals.
He addressed the corporate anxieties that often prevent businesses from hiring disabled talent, starting with the cost myth. He explained that most reasonable adjustments - such as flexible start times, moving a desk, or allowing hybrid working - cost nothing or very little, and where costs do arise, government support like Access to Work is readily available. Addressing the productivity myth, he noted that disabled individuals spend their lives adapting and planning ahead out of necessity, which naturally develops exceptional problem-solving skills and resilience. Finally, dispelling the attendance myth, Kernaghan shared that data shows disabled employees do not take more sickness absence; instead, they frequently exhibit immense loyalty and dedication because they recognise the hurdles overcome to secure the role.
"Disabled people want what most people want: the chance to work, to contribute, to be valued, and to be judged on what they can do, not on their disability."
Robert Kernaghan, Disability Action Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Council: No-Cost Recruitment Partnerships
Charlotte Rudd (Supported Employment Team Manager) and Jess Smith (Employer Engagement Officer for Harrogate and Craven) introduced North Yorkshire Council’s newly expanded Connect to Work scheme. Funded nationally by the DWP, the programme has unlocked additional capacity to support businesses across York and North Yorkshire completely free of charge. Operating on a 50/50 model, the team supports the employer just as intensely as the job seeker to guarantee a sustainable, long-term match, expanding support parameters to individuals facing complex barriers, including disabled individuals, carers, care leavers, veterans, refugees and those recovering from homelessness or addiction.
Jess outlined how businesses can completely bypass traditional, high-risk hiring processes through several key support mechanisms. Through their free job analysis service, the council directly reviews your operational vacancies to identify where candidates can best plug structural gaps. They also coordinate practical working trials so that instead of relying on stressful, rigid interviews where candidates might struggle to articulate their value, employers can see talent in action first-hand. Additionally, the council provides fully funded, dedicated job coaches to handle on-site inductions and initial workplace training, which significantly minimises risk and friction for the business.
The British Army: Tapping into Regional Veteran Talent
Lt Col Andy Black, Head of Strategic Communications at Headquarters North in the British Army, provided a compelling look at the massive strategic advantage defence talent brings to regional commerce. Based out of Catterick, HQ North supports an army footprint that recruits heavily from the region and, crucially, returns that talent directly back to the local economy. Of the 8,000 personnel leaving the armed forces annually across the UK, roughly 800 leave from Yorkshire, and 95% of those individuals choose to settle back down in Yorkshire.
Andy advised local business owners to reshape how they view ex-military personnel. Rather than getting stuck on literal backgrounds - such as looking at an applicant who was a "tank driver" and wondering how that applies to a traditional office - employers must ask about their core transferable skills. Service leavers possess elite training in intimate team support, situational leadership, high-level logistical execution, supply-chain management, and strict adherence to standard operating procedures coupled with rapid, independent initiative under pressure. Employers can post vacancies completely free of charge to transitioning personnel and veterans via the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) and the Forces Employment Charity (FEC). Transitioning personnel start their resettlement two years before leaving service and have access to enhanced learning credits to fund civilian upskilling for up to ten years.
Member News and Community Spotlights
The theme of the evening resonated deeply during a vibrant Member News segment.
Sally Haslewood, founder of Harrogate Mumbler highlighted their platform's "Jobs for Any Parents" section, emphasising the incredible, hyper-focused efficiency of working parents and urging local firms to consider flexible or shortened hours to capture this elite talent base.
New Chamber member Lawrence Buckley, an army veteran himself and owner of Metro 24/7 Locksmiths shared how a Royal British Legion loan originally helped launch his business. He praised the modern resettlement support structures.
Marian from Harrogate Homeless Project announced the launch of their summer appeal to fund a dedicated employability worker. This specialist role will help clients navigate highly bespoke workspace barriers, such as establishing fixed addresses, opening bank accounts, and overcoming mental health challenges to successfully re-enter the workforce.
Alistair Garnett from Horticap invited local businesses to coordinate corporate volunteer days at their site. He explained that these days offer a powerful avenue for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and team-building while directly supporting adults with learning disabilities.
Meeting Close
In closing the evening, President Phill extended his thanks to the attending members, guests, and the management team who work behind the scenes to facilitate these monthly briefings. Non-member guests were invited to consider joining the Chamber to benefit from the extensive advocacy and policy work that occurs outside of regular meetings. A prime example of this ongoing representation is the upcoming consultation on the Combined Authority's Local Transport Plan. This long-term framework will impact infrastructure and connected travel across the district - affecting motorists, bus and rail passengers, cyclists, pedestrians and scooter users alike. Members were urged to share their insights and concerns directly with the Chamber leadership team to ensure Harrogate's business interests are robustly represented in future regional development plans.
Next Month's Summer Social
Phill finished the meeting by announcing our next meeting is the member-only joint Summer Social with Harrogate BID.
The event takes place on Monday 10th August at Royal Parade, with doors open from 5.30pm. The venue is located at 6 Royal Parade, Harrogate, HG1 2SZ.
To ensure the team at Royal Parade can cater for everyone comfortably, advanced booking is essential.
