Connecting Our Region: Networks That Make a Difference
At WME, bringing people together is a core part of who we are. As the Regional Employers’ Organisation for the West Midlands, we convene professionals and leaders from across local government and the wider public sector to connect, collaborate and learn from one another.
Our Strategic Plan and Business Plan both recognise that strong networks are essential to delivering our priorities particularly leading collaboration, representing the region and inspiring workforce innovation. We know that effective system leadership, change and transformation do not happen in isolation. They happen when people come together to share experience, test ideas, solve problems and learn from peers.
That is why WME facilitates a range of regional networks, creating spaces for professional discussion, shared learning and sector-wide collaboration. Some of these networks are invitation only or linked to a membership or subscription, while others are open for colleagues to register their interest and join.
You can explore our current networks below, including what each network is for, who it is aimed at, how often it meets and how to join.
Unitary, County & Metropolitan Borough Councils Chief Executives Network
About the network
This network brings together Chief Executives from councils across the West Midlands. It acts as a strategic forum for discussion, collaboration and peer support, with thematic agendas focused on key regional and national issues affecting local government leadership.
Who it is for
Chief Executives from councils across the West Midlands region.
Meeting frequency
Monthly
How to join
Access is by invitation only
Chairs David Sidaway, Chief Executive, Telford & Wrekin Council and Tim Johnson, Chief Executive, City of Wolverhampton Council.
District Councils Chief Executives Network
About the network
This network brings together Chief Executives from district councils across the West Midlands. It provides a dedicated space to discuss shared opportunities and challenges, build strong peer relationships, and explore issues affecting district councils through thematic discussion.
Who it is for
Chief Executives from West Midlands District Councils
Meeting frequency
Quarterly
How to join
Access is by invitation only
Chair
Vic Allison, Chief Executive, Wychavon and Malvern Hills District Councils.
Future Leaders Network
About the network
Delivered by WME in partnership with Solace, this network is designed for senior managers and aspiring Directors or Chief Executives across the region. It provides a supportive peer forum to share experiences, explore career pathways and discuss the challenges and opportunities of leadership in a changing public sector environment.
Who it is for
Senior managers and aspiring Directors / Chief Executives across local government in the West Midlands.
How to join
Directors & Heads of HR Network
About the network
This network brings together Directors and Heads of HR to support and strengthen our HR community. It offers a safe, collaborative space to share experience, exchange knowledge, and learn from one another. Through open discussion, the network explores common challenges, emerging trends, and legislative developments, helping members to stay informed and connected.
Who it is for
Directors and Heads of HR from Member Councils
Meeting frequency
Fortnightly
How to join
Open to eligible Shareholder Members. Contact James Gilbert via j.gilbert@wmemployers.org.uk to be added to the distribution list and receive details of future meetings.
HR Schools Network
About the network
This network brings together regional operational HR practitioners with responsibility for supporting schools and academies of those corporate HR colleagues who have responsibility for LA staff in maintained schools. A long established group, the key aim of the group is to ensure up to date and key information is communicated in relation to national initiatives, terms and conditions for school teachers and school support staff. The group also value the opportunity to share of best practice ideas, discuss key matters specific to schools and to enable collaboration on work in this specialist area of HR.
Who it is for
School HR Advisers or leads, those responsible for school policy development or compliance statutory employment obligations in relation to staff in maintained schools.
Meeting frequency
Once every half term (6 meetings per year) held virtually.
How to join
Requests to join the network can be made via the WME HR Team by contacting info@wmemployers.org.uk Any queries on this network can also be directed to Lorna Wells, Principal Consultant HR l.wells@wmemployers.org.uk or Rebecca Lloyd, Senior Consultant HR r.lloyd@wmemployers.org.uk
WM OD Elite Network
About the network
WMOD Elite is WME’s regional network for people shaping the future of public sector organisations. Bringing together colleagues from HR, OD, workforce, learning, resourcing and transformation, the network creates space to explore fresh thinking, share practice and tackle the real workforce and organisational challenges facing the sector. From leadership and culture to AI, systems thinking and the future of work, WMOD Elite is a collaborative space to connect, reflect and think beyond the day job.
Who it is for
Open to colleagues working in or alongside people, workforce and organisational change from WME shareholder member councils, with paid or invite-only access available for other relevant public sector organisations.
Meeting frequency
Four times a year
How to join
To get involved or find out more, contact Michelle O’Neill m.oneill@wmemployer.org.uk to be added to the distribution list and receive details of future meetings.
WM Childrens MoU Network
About the network
This network brings together local authority Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) single points of contact, managed service provider account managers, MoU Children’s Director Sponsors, and regional leads from the WM-ADCS network. It supports the effective implementation of the regional and national Memorandum of Understanding for children’s social work agency arrangements. The network provides a collaborative forum for sharing best practice, addressing common challenges, reviewing regional trends, and supporting workforce resilience, retention, and recruitment across local government.
Who it is for
Local authority single points of contact, MoU Director Sponsors, partnership leads within WM-ADCS, and account managers from managed service providers operating across the region.
Meeting frequency
Twice yearly
How to join
Access is by invitation only. Contact Tracy Harris via t.harris@wmemployers.org.uk for details.
WM Adults MoC Network
About the networkThis network brings together local authority Memorandum of Commitment (MoC) single points of contact, managed service provider account managers, MoC Director Sponsors, and regional leads from WM-ADASS. It supports the effective implementation of the regional Memorandum of Commitment for agency social work and specialist roles. The network provides a collaborative forum for sharing best practice, addressing common challenges, reviewing regional trends, and supporting workforce resilience, retention, and recruitment across local government.
Who it is for
Local authority single points of contact, MoC Director Sponsors, partnership leads within WM-ADASS, and account managers from managed service providers operating across the region.
Meeting frequency
Twice yearly
How to join
Access is by invitation only. Contact Tracy Harris via t.harris@wmemployers.org.uk for details.
WM Recruiter Network
About the network
This network brings together resourcing leads from our WMJobs Shared Service subscribers and WME Strategic Member Councils to focus on practical excellence in recruitment delivery. It provides a collaborative space to share best practice, explore common challenges, review regional trends and support innovation and collaboration in local government recruitment.
Who it is for
Resourcing and recruitment leads from WMJobs Shared Service subscriber organisations and our WME Strategic Member Councils.
Meeting frequency
Quarterly
How to join
Access is by invitation only. Contact Chloe Herrmann via c.herrmann@wmemployers.org.uk for details.
WMTribe Network
About the network
This exclusive network brings together subscribers to the WMTalent Acquisition Service to maximise the value of recruitment technology across the region. It provides a space for HR and resourcing professionals to share implementation learning, explore system improvements, review usage insights and collaborate on continuous improvement.
Who it is for
HR and resourcing professionals from organisations subscribing to the WMTalent Acquisition Service.
Meeting frequency
Bi-annually.
How to join
Access is by invitation only. Contact Graham Bradley via g.bradley@wmemployers.org.uk for more information.
Get in touch
Learn more about what we do and how we support the public sector.
Rebecca Davis
Chief Executive