Nottingham Business School’s Business Leaders’ Podcast

Episode 80

SUMMARY

Peter Cheese – Make ‘good work’ your North Star

Peter Cheese is long-serving CEO of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development – and one of the UK’s most influential voices on the future of work.

His book The New World of Work is often cited as a must-read for anyone in leadership.

In Episode 80 of the Nottingham Business School’s Business Leaders’ Podcast, he offers a stark warning to business leaders: adapt to uncertainty, or risk being left behind.

Author of the book The New World of Work, Peter reflects on 14 years at the helm of the CIPD, where he helped shape thinking on skills and workplace culture for more than 160,000 members worldwide.

He tells Honorary Visiting Professor Mike Sassi that leadership in 2026 is defined less by certainty and control, and more by humility, adaptability and ethical responsibility.

His most striking message is about ‘good work’; that is, work with purpose, fairness and meaning.

“Leaders must make ‘good work’ their North Star…” he says, “…guiding decisions not just for profit, but for people and society.”

INTRODUCTION

• Peter Cheese studied engineering at university but then spent more than 30 years at international professional services company Accenture, joining in the early 1980s and rising to become a Global Managing Director.

• During the 1990s and 2000s he helped organisations design international workforce and outsourcing strategies.

• In 2012 Peter became Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

• In the next 14 years he transformed the CIPD into a globally recognised authority, supporting more than 160,000 members worldwide and increasing its influence in government policy, workplace standards and skills development.

• He published his seminal book The New World of Work in 2021, anticipating AI disruption, labour market shifts and changing leadership demands.

• He became a leading advocate for “good work,” ethical AI, and multi-stakeholder business, advising governments and contributing to national debates on employment reform.

• Earlier this year he announced he would step down as CIPD CEO, marking the end of a significant era in UK workplace leadership.

LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS from Peter Cheese

1. Collaboration is essential in solving complex problems

“The more that we can connect and reach out and learn from each other… the better.”

2. Leadership now operates in permanent uncertainty

“I think we are now in times of greater uncertainty than any of us can remember.”

3. People are now a core strategic priority

“Business leaders are embracing, much more, an understanding of organisation, people and culture.”

4. Humility is a critical leadership trait

“We can’t have all of the answers… but we must have the ability to listen and to learn.”

5. AI must be implemented responsibly, not just efficiently

“Technology should be used [by leaders] in responsible ways to make sure that the jobs… are good for people.”

6. Leaders must actively shape the future – not react to it

“The best way for leaders to predict the future is to help to shape it.”

7. Multi-stakeholder thinking is now essential for leaders

“Other important stakeholders include our customers… our suppliers… our employees… the communities… and the environment.”

8. Adaptability and agility are more important, for leaders, than rigid planning

“[The crucial skill is} our ability to be agile and to navigate a fast-changing world.”

9. Leaders must be comfortable managing paradox

“Leaders need to deal with paradox and uncertainty because that is the reality.”

10. Inclusion and diversity drive better decision-making

“If we only ever surround ourselves with people like us… that is not driving innovation, it drives groupthink.”

11. Curiosity and critical thinking are leaders’ most important future skills

“Can you think critically… not just take things at face value?”

RELATED LINKS

• Peter Cheese discusses his 14 years at the CIPD, on HR Grapevine

• Peter Cheese talks about the concept of ‘good work’, on the CIPD website

• Peter Cheese talks about HR’s role in a responsible business, to Personnel Today

If you enjoyed this episode NBS Business Leaders’ Podcast with Peter Cheese, listen to previous episodes with…

• the former VP of Manufacturing at Toyota Europe Marvin Cooke OBE

• the MD of Boots UK Anthony Hemmerdinger

• co-founder of the Amazing If company and Squiggly Careers theory, Sarah Ellis